Doh!

I couldn't even manage one repeat of this pattern without messing up. Those two picots in the middle were supposed to be joined. Still, better than not noticing till I completed it. I've cut and restart and will try to pay more attention.

Doh! Originally uploaded by michl_007 on 31st March, 2010

I hope to crack on and get this completed this evening. I need to complete SOMETHING this evening in recognition of International Tatting Day which is tomorrow, April 1st.

11 of 25

Pattern: Motif 13 from the book The Tatted Artistry Of Teiko Fujito by Teiko Fujito
Thread: (Lizbeth 40, col 613, golden yellow medium)
Technique: shuttle tatting

It took blocking to get this to lay completely flat but I think I could have avoided that by making the picots slightly larger. This one measures about 5cm across.

11 of 25 Originally uploaded by michl_007 on 28th March, 2010

I really want to get my teeth into a larger project but I can't seem to find one that's within range of the skills I have. Rather, I can't find one that I like.

Book: Tatting Patterns And Design

I proper hate this book. I started this edging because it seemed to be one of the few patterns in the book that made sense. But then you look closely and it's all wrong. The pattern doesn't specify where to make the joins between segments but rather refers you to the image. This would be fine but for the fact that none of these joins seem to be the same. Grrr.

Rubbish Book Originally uploaded by michl_007 on 23rd March, 2010

If anyone has made anything following the patterns in this book or if anyone has any opinion on this book please share it as it might just be that I'm not getting something. Thanks!

10 of 25

Pattern: Eightsome Reel from the book A Pattern Book Of Tatting by Mary Konior
Thread: (Lizbeth 40, col 670, victorian red)
Technique: shuttle tatting

A little wonky as it's not yet blocked.

10 of 25 Originally uploaded by michl_007 on 20th March, 2010

This wasn't the project I had in mind when I wound on with this shade but I'm glad I did it now.

Clover Shuttle

My favourite type of shuttle. Anyone know why they come with that gold spot?

Clover Shuttle Originally uploaded by michl_007 on 18th March, 2010

M to Michelle

I was just reading a blog post by someone who had a giveaway. I was stunned to see that I'd won something that I'd not remembered signing up to and that was when I realised someone had STOLEN MY NAME! Okay, I don't own the rights to the letter M but still.

My Birthday Soon

Pattern: Minaret from the book Tatted Snowflakes Collection by Jon Yusoff
Thread: (Lizbeth 40, col 124, spring garden)
Technique: shuttle tatting

Cute little snowflake though I don't think it works with this shade.

9 of 25 Originally uploaded by michl_007 on 16th March, 2010

I was thinking of asking for a tatting book for my birthday but I'm not sure which one. So far I have the following:
(These are books I already own, sorry for the confusion)
24 Snowflakes In Tatting by Lene Bjørn
A Pattern Book Of Tatting by Mary Konior
Tatted Doilies by Iris Niebach
Tatted Handkerchiefs by Kirstine Nikolajsen & Inge Lise Nikolajsen
Tatted Snowflakes by Vida Sunderman
Tatted Snowflakes Collection by Jon Yusoff
Tatting Doilies & Edgings by Rita Weiss
Tatting Farm Animals by Christel Weidmann
Tatting Patterns And Designs by Gun Blomqvist and Elwy Persson
Tatting With Visual Patterns by Mary Konior
The Complete Book Of Tatting by Rebecca Jones
The Tatted Artistry Of Teiko Fujito by Teiko Fujito
The Tatter's Treasure Chest by Mary Carolyn Waldrep

Any recommendations?

8 of 25

Pattern: Edging by Jon Yusoff
Thread: (Lizbeth 40, col 632, purple medium) (Lizbeth 40, col 633, purple dark)
Technique: shuttle tatting

It took me a while to get into the swing of this pattern because I found my rings were looking a bit mis-aligned. I think my technique improved as I went along.

8 of 25 Originally uploaded by michl_007 on 15th March, 2010

Another fantastic pattern from Jon, who designs the most lovely items. I didn't complete the corner for this edging as I don't have a use for it (yet) and it's easier to keep looking nice this way.

Thread Winders

I know what they're for! I mean, I always knew that they were for winding thread (the clue is in the name) but I never got why. Your thread comes in a handy little ball right? And when I've used skeins of wool/yarn for knitting/crochet I've wound them into balls but this evening I learnt something new.

I'm working on a doily that is done in parts so a few more ends than I'd like. I don't like to do fiddly things while on my commute so saved those ends till I got home this evening. I recently got a book called The Complete Book Of Tatting by Rebecca Jones (thank you ebay) and thought I'd have a look through the non pattern pages (something I've been avoiding) to see if it had any good tips for ends. Anyhoo... it says that these thread winders are used to keep odds and sods of yarn tidy which may sound silly but when I get lazy I wind on more thread than I need and end up running out of shuttles. So far I have lengths of thread all over the show looking a bit shabby and now I know the answer!

I'm a simpleton.

Edging Along

Pattern: Queen's Garter from the book A Pattern Book Of Tatting by Mary Konior
Thread: (Lizbeth 40, col 690, mocha brown light)
Technique: shuttle tatting

Simple and effective, works up quickly.

7 of 25 Originally uploaded by michl_007 on 10th March, 2010

I should have straightened this up a bit because the photo makes it look more wonky than it is in reality. It's one of those ones that's described as being able to "ease to a curve" which makes it pretty floppy.

I wonder... how are you supposed to prepare edgings? If I make a motif then I swish it in water, pat it dry in a soft cloth/towel and pin it out but that's not really something you can do with edging, or is it?

Getting To Grips With Size 40

This is the first item tatted with my new stash. I managed to break it in the final stages but that's to be expected when you're working in the wee small hours.

Heart Broken Originally uploaded by michl_007 on 10th March, 2010

I won't be finishing it off because I messed up the left hand side while using the magic thread technique for ends. The last ring has ended up all distorted and I don't much fancy the idea of trying to undo it.

I like this edging very much and have seen it in other books/websites but this is the first copy that's worked properly.

Edging Originally uploaded by michl_007 on 10th March, 2010

In Pictures: The Eagle Has Landed

Trying to take a picture of thread wrapped in cellophane proved to be a pain in the posterior. Even trying a polarizing filter didn't work that well because of all the different angles (at least I think that's why). I wasn't about to unwrap all these little beauties either, not to take a picture at least.

They're all Lizbeth size 40 which Roseground don't supply yet and since I didn't get a response from my email to them I'm not sure when they'll have this size.

The Eagle Has Landed Originally uploaded by michl_007 on 9th March, 2010

col 108 sherbert delight
col 113 jewels
col 123 grape pizzaz
col 124 spring garden
col 129 purple splendor
col 132 tropical punch
col 142 turquoise twist
col 145 pink parade
col 601 white
col 604 black
col 605 silver
col 613 golden yellow medium
col 622 pink medium
col 623 raspberry pink light
col 624 raspberry pink medium
col 625 plum medium
col 632 purple medium
col 633 purple dark
col 643 grape medium
col 644 boysenberry dark
col 663 bright turquoise dark
col 670 victorian red
col 683 leaf green light
col 684 leaf green medium
col 690 mocha brown light
col 691 mocha brown medium
col 692 mocha brown dark

I ordered this bundle from Happy Hands in America which meant I had to pay quite a lot for shipping and was also stung by customs and parcelforce, the gits. Still, I wanted them badly enough that I was willing to pay.

I unwrapped one ball last night even though I was exhausted as I couldn't have slept without at least trying it out. I noticed that rings are slightly more difficult to close neatly in one swift move as the thread did a twisty thing but maybe I'll get better at this.

The Eagle Has Landed

My parcel arrived and tomorrow when I have enough good light to do it justice I'll post a photo and ye shall all be jealous. Jealous I say.

Number Five And So On

Pattern: Motif 40 from the book The Tatted Artistry Of Teiko Fujito by Teiko Fujito
Thread: (Lizbeth 20, col 671, christmas red)
Technique: shuttle tatting

This one works up quickly and is one of the easier patterns in the book.

5 of 25 Originally uploaded by michl_007 on 3rd March, 2010

I'm still no good at the roll join so once again resorted to using a lock join for this pattern. Not such a big deal when it's a single solid shade but I really should practice other joins.

I ordered some thread and books and I'm waiting for them to be delivered. Every morning I check the mail, I'm like a child at Christmas.