Awareness Ribbon

I went to a class at a local health store about the history of chocolate and tatting always goes better with chocolate.  I brought a ball and shuttle of green size 70 (vintage thread) and worked up these green awareness ribbons as the lecture went on.

The pattern is by Lenore English and depending on the color used you can support the awareness of your choice.  The pattern can be found here or here.  

This green is for Organ Transplant and Organ Donation awareness. In Canada, Canadians are encouraged to make a decision to donate organs and tissues, register their intent and discuss with loved ones the decision.

A few years ago I met some members of the Danish Tatting Guild who were wearing tatted pink ribbons (they called them bows). For the past six years this guild has tatted the pink ribbons for free and sold them with all the proceeds going the Danish Cancer Foundation.

As different groups, foundations and organizations have adopted the awareness ribbon as a symbol of support, there are now causes shared by the same or similar ribbon color. 

At the end of the talk we were all rewarded with a cup of rich hot chocolate with pumpkin spice.

Inspiration

It is the smallest things that give us inspiration. One of the ladies in my exercise class passed this green scarf ring to me.  It has a cute note attached. She said that it came from her aunts things, an aunt that went to many craft sales.  I do like to wear scarfs and perhaps that's why she thought of me.

How would it have been used?  I think it would be pinned to the inside coat collar and the scarf passed through when worn, alternatively the ring could be pinned inside the coat and when hanging up your coat the scarf is passed through so you don't lose it. 

I don't believe it would have been used without being pinned to your coat but please let me know your thoughts. 

This is not tatted but crochet around a plastic ring, The plastic ring is 1.25 inches 3 cm in diameter.  If pinned to the outside of your shirt it could also be used as an eyeglass holder.

This gift has inspired me to create a tatted scarf ring or eyeglass holder.  I will share my creations in a later post.

Celtic Motif 3

This celtic motif is the third taught by Jennifer Williams at the Fringe Tat Days 2016.  I have been told there are three kinds of celtic tatting; those that involve a third round to intertwine two previous rounds, a long chain wound into a celtic knot and interlocking rings shown here using a celtic shuttle.  Interlocking rings can also be completed using a second set of shuttles.

Since there is not a lot of thread on the celtic shuttle, you could use a regular shuttle and unwind it when you need to complete the interlocking ring and rewind to continue.  You wouldn't need to unwind until you are at the second large ring.

You can make your own celtic shuttle using a bent paperclip or cut and sand down a Popsicle stick.  I had ordered a set from Handy Hands a while back.

I used a size 10 HDT by Karey Solomon. The completed motif measures 2.25 inches or 6 cm across.  It is a good size for a pendant or an ornament if done in a Christmas thread and beads added.

I added cream colored glass pearls, clear glass beads and a ring to act as a bail. The glass beads give the tatting a good weight for a pendant.

Some Assembly Required

Most of my  tatting projects are finished once I cut from the shuttles.  Oh sure sometimes I do need to block but this project required some assembly.  This is the Remembrance Day Poppy by Jennifer Williams and can be found on her website.   I did the petals first and loved how nice they looked. The frilly picots are completed by doing front and back picots.  You will need to know how to do a Catherine Wheel Join which allows you pull the petal in to cupped shape.

The leaves were straightforward, two shuttles and a few split rings. Next the calyx, it will be cupped once completed.  I needed a small black button with a shank but only had a pink one so painted it black with a sharpie.  The beaded center covers most of the button.

The stamens were beads on a long chain. I used a floss threader instead of a needle to pass the thread through all the parts required. 

I followed the directions as best I could to assemble.  I used a pin through the petals at the back until I had the calyx on and then started with the florist tape. If you don't have florist tape any dark tape would do. 

I started wrapping the leaves and then carried on after the calyx and down the stem incorporating the wires and threads.  I cut it short and will be adding a brooch pin to the back to attach to my jacket for Remembrance Day November 11.  Size 20 thread was used and the finished flower is 1.75 inches across. 

Simple Celtic Flower

It is a simple celtic flower but took me three tries to get it right.  My first attempt had one of the yellow rings wrapping around the wrong way and then I did it again on the second attempt.  Some things are not as simple as they look.  I used a celtic shuttle which allows you  to move the thread around the previous round before you make the ring.  Then while hiding ends one broke before it was able to hide using magic thread so I secured the chain and added a dab of glue.  

A simple flower like this is perfect to add to a card or small enough to wear in your hair. 

The pattern is one of Jennifer Williams and was taught as part of the Celtic Tatting Class at the Fringe Tat Days.  Have you ever used a celtic shuttle, do you have any tips?  

A Mouse in the House

Oh my, what is this, a small mouse has been created and now I fear the house may become overrun.  

His body is a bit rough but the eyes ears and legs ended up on the correct side so I am pleased with this first attempt.  I had many tips and assistance from my friend Jane K in Ontario.  Jane gave an impromptu lesson in making these baubles and a few of us took up the thread and shuttles after the Fringe Element Tatters Conference last month.  

I used a size 20 thread and the completed mouse body is 1.5 inches (4 cm) long. The mouse can be found in the book Tatting GR-8 Baubles, Bugs, and Blossoms by the Shuttle Brothers, Gary and Randy Houtz.  This type of tatting was first shared by Bobbie Demmer of Montana.

Another Lanyard

I have completed a green beaded lanyard and it is on its way to a tatting friend. The glass beads were a dollar store purchase and vary a bit in size.  I sorted out the too large and too small.  I used a hakelgarn 20 ecru thread which is very smooth.  Using a Tatsy shuttle is a must due to the size and number of beads required.  The pattern is from Patti Duff with an adjusted stitch count.   I blogged about this pattern before here.

This one shuttle ring only pattern travels well so it does not take too long to finish these. With inexpensive beads and a bit of thread my Tatsy shuttle is ready for another lanyard.

I attached jump rings so additional findings can be attached easily.

Today is a Canadian Thanksgiving day and I have rushed to post before getting dinner on the table.  To all my Canadian friends around the world, Happy Thanksgiving Day.  I am very grateful for all I have. 

Exchange Coaster

I have confirmation that my exchange partner has received the cluny coaster shown right =>. Thanks to the Fringe Element Tatters for organizing the exchange and prompting us all to try a new stitch. 

They are currently organizing another exchange and we are to tat a motif but use a different thread than what would normally be expected.  You are also to send a sample of thread.  

I have really enjoyed all the exchanges I have been in so far so will sign up for this one too.   It is a great way to meet other tatters from around the world and hold tatting made by them.

This coaster was made with Lizbeth 20 color 109 Wildflower which I bought at a cute little shop in the country called the Twisted Barn.  Shirley owns the shop and hosts a fibre fare in late September.  She carries a wide selection of Lizbeth tatting thread. When I was there she also had some frozen Saskatoon tarts so I bought a half dozen. Worth a visit if you are in the area.

I Met A Man

Now before you get all excited, I met a man, a man who tats.  A rare breed, he says he took it up to do something as his wife knits. He has a kind face with a big wide smile.  We tatted together at the Fringe Element Tat Days. (BTW he was not the only male tatting that weekend.)

He also makes shuttles and gave me one.  A new shuttle does not stay empty for long in my hands.  Below is my new handmade cherry wood shuttle already wound for a project.

When I met him he had around his neck a piece of red string, attached was a short hook for joining.

He needed a lanyard and I hope he likes green beads. Happy Tatting Dave.