Thursday, September 07, 2006

25 motifs, 12 months, and other needlework

That's what I signed up for, after two weeks of taking my first ever tatting lesson. Prior to this, I didn't even know what the shuttle thing was for.! The 2006 tatting challenge, called the 25-motif challenge and is bringing tatters from all around the world to see what they will tat and if they will also come up with some new original designs!




This is Motif no 1, from the one and only (so sad!) tatting pattern book I have, a Dover publication from two Scandinavian names. DMC Cebelia No. 30 thread. It's also my first completed proper motif... (I was just learning how to join last week, c'mon...)

Still having trouble with uniform size picots! I plan to tat published patterns and try my hand at designing my own motif (maybe 2-3, depending on how creative it gets or if I'm really feeling presumptuous).

Frankly don't really know what I'm in for, but I saw Faizon/Jon and Barbara on the MyStitchers group join in and I'd been taking tatting lessons as of two weeks ago, and recklessly plunged into the 25-Motif Challenge with some encouragement (you know who you are). Of course, Faizon DESIGNS her own things and Barb's been tatting for a while, so what's me, a rookie doing in there. Just last week, I was still practicising how to do a double stitch and producing little rolls of seed-looking things on a string... I'd take a picture but I threw them all out alreay.

Anyhow, I've linked the challenge blog (with a Ton of tatters' links to the frames, so you can take a gander at some totally exquisite work out there. I am actually reaally excited to be participating because I know this might zoom my learning curve exponentially, which is the greatest kick... out of all the tatters there, I'm probably the 'youngest' there with two weeks' experience, but what the heck!



Aside from tatting, here is an update on some other projects. This is Eightsome Reel.... inching along at a slug's pace (photo requested by Rachel, hehehe)




And DMC's Early Spring II. Notice how I'm such a corner starter for cross stitch... don't believe in centre starts at all.


I hope to get back to some HAED soon.... I've missed my Conversation project.


13 comments:

Rachel Leigh Smith said...

Lovely!!!!

I love the look of tatting. Have tried to teach myself several times. I can do the stitches, I just can't figure out how to do the joining to make motifs, lol. Would love to take lessons but don't know of anywhere here where I could do it. *sigh*

Kali said...

Your tatting looks nice for a first project. Don't worry about the picots, those come with time and practice :) Or you are like me and I have to tat on a needle to get them right :)

Sharon said...

If picots are REALLY causing you a problem, just use a picot gauge. Cut a strip from a business card, make the picot, put the strip inside it, tighten the stitch. All of the picots will be the same size. It's an extra step, but it works.

Anyone looking to learn how to tat can always check out the videos on my web site. http://www.gagechek.com/slb

Janet Perkins said...

Great start! keep up the good work!

Janet Perkins said...

Nice start! keep up the good work!

Katherine said...

Well done with your first motif, and I love your blackwork.
What fabric are you using?
It looks quite fine, my blackwork is sitting in a drawer because I find the counting too hard!

Unknown said...

Good for you. I am not exactly a newbie to tatting but rediscovering it so I have an idea as to what you are going through. Good job and congrats. :)

Anonymous said...

Check out your local library for books on tatting; they may even be able to order them from other libraries. I got to try about seven different ones (some really great, some not so good) wihtout having to pay a dime!

fudgey said...

Tatting has been the nemisis of my crafting life...
i wonder if i should try again...
i have tried to learn since iwas about 10 i think and have just never mastered it which annoys me no end..
your looks lovely
you really are a talented crafter or is that a crafty talent

Katherine said...

Goodness, 32 count sounds very difficult to count the threads, have you a knack?

donnadb said...

Nice job for a first try! This must be from the famous Tatting Patterns and Designs by Gun Blomqvist and Elwy Persson (I had to look that up on Amazon to get the names right). It was my first tatting book, too. Now I have a shelf full of them. Just keep practicing -- the picots and joins will come. The important thing is to get comfortable with the shuttle. I'm thrilled you've joined this challenge -- all levels are welcome (and I'm closer to your end of the spectrum than Sharon's, any day).

Anonymous said...

Dear,

Like u, I too miss your CAF ehhehe. Ur new venture looks good, enjoy it.

Kristie said...

I used to make pen marks on my finger to measure picots when I started - I had to wash the lace well afterward since the ink did run on the thread some. lol! It took me forever to learn to tat comfortably! I think you're doing quite well. enjoy.