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.

More Than Tatting

Back from "The Fringe Element Tat Days  2016" and had a marvelous time.  It was good to connect with friends and make new ones all while enjoying my passion for tatting.  

This knitted snowman was tucked into one of the prizes, I also came home with a lovely purple knitted shawl, custom made hand warmers, bead accessories and beads, napkin holder, quilt patterns, misc sewing, knit and crochet patterns.   There is much more than tatting at conferences and the artist that bring and share their work make the event so much richer.

Last year we were given a small blue round pill box and asked to do something with it and bring it back for next year's competition. Well my Easter Chick  fit on perfectly so off he went to be entered into the competition.  I really didn't think that anything would happen but I won the fan favorite.  Thank you all for your votes.

While in Cambridge, Ontario I added a few inches, to my tatting library of course and to the right is a sample of the new books.  I did receive a book that was already in my library so I offered it up to the committee for next year's prizes. 

One of the classes I took was a Celtic tatting class from Jennifer Williams who traveled all the way from the UK to teach us.  I made this small yellow motif. Sheila B was collecting tatting motif's for a quilt she is working on so she now has it.  I do like Celtic tatting and this technique was one I was not familiar with.  You do need to use a Celtic shuttle and I believe you will be seeing more of these from me.

Shown below are Clockwise  the conference centerpieces,  a spectacular Jan Stawasz doily made by Ginny Weathers, the cake that Ethel made and finally some Hand Dyed Thread. 

I would write more but you really should take in a conference if you can or just get together with others to tat, it is truly rewarding.

Finally a big thank you to the organizers, we could not have this event if it wasn't for your donation of time and talents. Others who make my trip most enjoyable was Ethel for baking a pretty and delicious cake. to Terry for chauffeur duties, thank you both.  And finally to my good friend Jane K.  I can't wait to see and tat with you again perhaps near a mountain......

Hair Ornament

I've created this five petal bloom to wear in my hair.  It is attached to a finding which is on a hairpin. The hand dyed thread is called Corsage by Marilee Rockley.  

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?

Dealing with a Hank

Of course I chose Corsage as the first color to try but I needed to get it from the hank to the shuttle.  Jane E suggested first winding it to an EZ-Bob bobbin.  These bobbins have one hard flat plastic side and a pliable cone shape on the other.  Depending on how full you fill them the cone will fold back over the thread and hold the thread so you can untwist the thread as you go. Just like we hang our shuttles before making a ring.

In the past mostly with yarn or crochet cotton hanks, I have used the top of a chair that has two pinnacles (H) or a volunteer.  With neither of these nearby I grabbed two large glasses and had them hold the hank while I walked around with the EZ-Bob. There happen to be a pencil nearby so I stuck that through my EZ-Bob to assist in the winding.

I attached the label that came with my HDT and ready to go.

Hand Dyed Thread

 I have been careful when purchasing my tatting supplies to do a little research to get good quality at a great price and so far have been quite satisfied with my shuttles and threads.

Today I received my first batch of Hand Dyed Thread (HDT).  I purchased a bit of Parakeet, Stardate and Corsage from Yarnplayer.  I have been admiring from afar and now have some to tat.  Any advice to move it from the hank to my shuttles?