Unblocked almost done

Sometimes we refer to showing an unblocked piece of tatting as just off the shuttles but as you can see they are still attached although there are less than 100 elements left to tat.  It may seem like a lot to some but the end result will be a very nice piece of lace.  This unblocked doily currently measures 11 inches or 29 cm at the end of row 10. I have still not used a whole spool of the sulky thread and expect that I will be able to complete this with the one spool.  

The pattern is Renulek Wiosna 2015. The pattern was provided with one row a week or so. I am far behind.  I ran into a few problems on Row 9 and tried various methods, both Carollyn and Muskaan provided great hints. Then I found a wrong picot join and had to cut off 14 elements. Hated to do it but it felt so much better once it was done. One of the weakness of using Sulky is that if you retrotat it makes the thread fuzzy so best to be avoided. 

I always get so excited to be this close to finishing a piece, perhaps it is because I know there will soon be some empty shuttles waiting to be filled and another new adventure. 

New Books and HDT

I have been wishing for these books for some time now they are mine.  An opportunity to purchase came up, it only took six days for them to arrive and I couldn't be happier.  They are exceptional in the diagrams and how to.  The quality of the print and vivid color make them a joy to read and keep for many years.  If you are new to tatting these books and Hand Dyed Threads are from Yarnplayer.  The top thread is Size 40 Mardi Gras and the bottom one is Size 20 Neapolitan (Strawberry, Chocolate and Vanilla).

Have you indulged in a few extra books, threads or shuttles recently, certainly I cannot be the only one?

More leaf earrings

Update on the last blog, as it happened the co-worker left for the airport directly from the hotel so I didn't get a chance to see her and give her the earrings, but another co-worker saw them and offered to buy them for her sister. So I sold them, hoping I would find the time to make more.  So here are a few more, the top set in pearls Hakelgarn 20 and the bottom with Delica gold beads tatted with DMC 80.  I really like the smaller ones so I may send those on but make myself another pair. 

The pattern is from Yarnplayer available on her Etsy page.  I didn't have any gold jump rings so wrapped some wire around the champnose round pliers and made a few.  

Small Maple Leaf

I made these little earrings for one of my co-workers.She is Canadian but has been living in Hong Kong for the past seven years and manages our office there. They are not identical, but then neither are my ears and these still need ear wires. I will make another pair for myself and we can each wear maple leafs on Canada Day July 1st. 

I used Hakelgarn 20 and 2mm pearls and it took less than one hour per earring. The pattern is from Yarnplayer.  If you have ever been wishing for one of her books, HDT or patterns visit her blog and you will see why you should do it NOW.   Thanks Marilee!