Hand dyed thread "Pansy"

 

New hand dyed batch of "Pansy" just listed in my Etsy shop.

The Pansy flowers that inspired the thread.

Steampunk style belt tatting pattern

The pattern is finally done! Really, I had forgotten all about it until someone showed me a picture from my post in 2014 and asked to buy the pattern. Well it is finished now and is listed in my Etsy shop here. The details are in the listing description.

The size 3 thread makes quite a bold and sturdy eye-catching accessory. I'm sure finer threads could be used for a more delicate lace (with smaller buttons, beads and ribbons to correspond) but I have not tried it. I like the "wow" of the big belt, and yes, it is sturdy, due to the central joining picots set at an angle. The end ribbons tie like a sash with a bow in back, so the belt is one size fits all.

The shank buttons are purely decorative and serve no practical function except to look "steampunk". Note: they really do need to be "shank" buttons for this project (not buttons with holes). There are loads of "steampunk shank buttons" offered for sale on the Internet. Please do not ask me where I bought mine - it was 10 years ago!

 

 

Swords Into Plowshares

 

The "Swords Into Plowshares" necklace is one of my more difficult tatting patterns, including the technique of using 2 half stitches to turn a chain so that floating rings form on both sides. Actually, that would work well for making leaf shapes, also!

It has been so long since I made this pattern that I made a mistake putting the flower in the center, but then I decided that I liked it! It's a nice variation. But, I have not added the variation to the pattern, oh gosh, no! 

However, the necklace is in my Etsy shop. The Swords Into Plowshares pattern is also on Etsy.

Here's some snapshots from the short video that I posted on TikTok (and even shorter video that I posted on Instagram):

Another necklace is in progress, which is being tatted according to the pattern this time! Different colors, though. I got the idea for these colors from Van Gogh paintings of Irises.

Pattern and video for a menorah in tatting

 

This design was developed from the branched candlestick photo on page 79 of the book "Tatting Techniques" by Elgiva Nicholls. Although there wasn't much description about it, I could see that the technique was branching encapsulation, so I went on from there.

It's a tricky project to explain, so I made a video. It's on YouTube at https://youtu.be/8mR94S5-GFk?si=0QxP-UdlDLNF1BSb

The PDF pattern is a free instant download from https://www.keepandshare.com/doc/8291924/menorah-pdf-785k?da=y

Please let me know if either of the links won't work!

I made this pattern as sort of a challenge to see if I could do it.☺ Another tatter was looking for a menorah pattern, so I helped search... and found nothing. Only a few rumors that somebody had tatted a menorah, but no pictures could be found online. Well, now there are pictures and video and a pattern.☺ It's a challenging project, though! Recommended for experienced tatters.

The Winner!

 

The winner of the Spring Giveaway is Mary M. Congratulations, Mary! I'll be getting in contact with you to send you your prize!

Thank you to everyone for your wonderful comments! It was so heartwarming to read them and to know that folks still read this blog which has been going since 2007. ♥

Spring Giveaway!

 

Giveaway!

Open to residents of the USA only (because of shipping costs).

To be entered in the giveaway, leave a comment on this blog post before Thursday, March 7, 2024.

I'll choose one winner on Thursday, March 7 and contact the winner (so please leave some contact info in your comment).

The prize is as shown, a box with a sampling of hand dyed threads in assorted sizes, picot gauge, some tiny crochet hooks, tatting shuttles, a small scissors, and the tatting book shown, which is written in Dutch (I think), with very clear diagrams of each pattern.