Thursday 21 December 2006

Christmas Tatting

Did I thank everyone for their Birthday wishes? I received so many virtual cards this year - it was wonderful. Thanks everybody.

Been a while since my last post – been madly preparing for the Silly Season. So been a few weeks since my last post. For one I refuse to be writing the duty cards until after "my" day :-) And then life got manic - getting the cards in the post on time, hand delivering others - making sure there was a tatted bit in for those that appreciate it. This year I did angels from Patricia Rizzo "15 Tiny Tatted Angels” and a few got my tatted earrings.


Then it was shopping! OMG!!!! There was us thinking if we go early and it won't be so manic! HA!!! Well yesterday I shopped until I dropped! The local Market, then supermarkets (yep more than one and you would not believe the empty shelves!) And a few other shops. I swear my arms are two inch longer! LOL

But it am done, I have food and plenty of the red stuff to keep me mellow till the New Year. And treats of special chocolate and my cheeses... Even a bit of smoked salmon and for the day a bit of Venison, which I shall make into a stew in advance - a rare thing in London. I do envy you the other side of the pond that can go shoot one! I'd eat nothing else. With only being the two of us a bird is such a waste (and I miss the telly cooking!) and lets face it valuable tatting time.

Guillermo (my apprentice as he calls himself) and his sister are visiting one day so I've got some chorizo and some lovely Spanish Red for the occasion. I shall make a traditional “Tortilla” and prepare Tapas for us to munch. I’ve still to make Nat some loony earrings. Will post them when made :-)

I have got some new supplies to play with. Beads and threads and not forgetting beads and I can tat all the wonderful patterns that has been shared this season. I thank one & all for their generosity.

My turn to share :-) I wanted some quick easy patterns for the season. Here’s my first example of wreaths and I decided to make the rings joined off centre. Just to make them different to other folks designs and I came up with these 5 repeat one’s that Have the bead at the base of the ring.


Use from ball with about 60 inch of thread & 5 beads on shuttle
Each ring has one bead around the hand
R1: 8 vsp 4 vsp 4 clr leaving the bead at the base of the ring RW
All Ch’s: 3 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3 RW
Next three R’s: 8 + (last R) 4 – 4 clr RW
Last R: 8 + (last R) 4 + (R1) 4 clr
Cut threads and pull through the core thread through base of R1 knot, leave length for hanger & knot again. That’s it and ideal for emptying shuttles. The two colour versions tails are hidden at start.

This then progressed into earrings, which I wanted bells at the base – so had to increase it to 6 repeats. Placing a jump ring at opposing sides of the wreath


Keeping the same counts throughout & still using the asymmetrical rings, I put three size 11 seed beads on the second picot with the future rings so that 2 beads are above and one below. To make room for the join between beads you need to use a small picot gauge after bringing up the beads. With size 20 Coats mercerised thread I used a 1/16” spacer gauge. Pattern as follows

First ring has 6 seed beads around the hand
R1: 8 <3b+sp> 4 <3b+sp> 3 clr RW
Ch: 3 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3 RW lay in magic thread at start of row
3 seed beads around the hand
R2: 8 + (bet 1st & 2nd Bead of last R) 4 <3b+sp> 3 clr RW
Ch2: 3 - 2 - 2 + (jump ring) 2 - 2 - 3 RW
3 seed beads around the hand
R3: 8 + (bet 1st & 2nd Bead of last R) 4 <3b+sp> 3 clr RW
Ch3: 3 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3 RW
3 seed beads around the hand
R4: 8 + (bet 1st & 2nd Bead of last R) 4 <3b+sp> 3 clr RW
Ch4: 3 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3 RW
3 seed beads around the hand
R5: 8 + (bet 1st & 2nd Bead of last R) 4 <3b+sp> 3 clr RW
Ch5: Ch: 3 - 2 - 2 + (jump ring) 2 - 2 - 3 RW
NO beads needed for the last ring
R6: 8 + (bet 1st & 2nd Bead of last R) 4 + (bet 2nd & 3rd bead R1) 3 clr RW
Ch6: 3 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3 RW lay in magic thread at end of row
Cut & pull through core thread at base of R1
Hide ends with magic threads

Note: To make the second earring rotate in the opposite direction
Reverse the order of making the double stitches
Make the rings 2,1 and the chains 1,2
1 being the first move (under)
2 being the second move (over)
Thus automatically the pattern is reversed

To Finish: Add ear wire to one jump ring and place bell on jump ring at opposite side

Done and very quick to make too - Enjoy

Tomorrow I have a Self Closing Mock Ring tree to share...
Soo watch this space... ... ...

4 comments:

Gina said...

Love them! I was just here this afternoon.....you posted after!
:-) Gina

Jane Eborall said...

Love the earwigs, Sue. LOVE the angels!!!!
Jane - writing from the library AGAIN!

Unknown said...

Lovely tatting.

Veterans Day said...

thank a veteran meme