Tree Earrings and Tat it and See

 

These were made for an exchange with one of my guilds.  I always make extras so a few can be given away.

The pattern is from Gloria Nelson of Sparkling Light Studios. 

Don't forget to wind a few shuttles for the Tat it and See, here is a link to the introduction and another link to the blog.  

Icy Earrings

I love these little blue earrings. I used a free pattern from Instagram provided by @kimihof . 

I used a size 80 thread and size 15 seed beads and a small 4mm bicone crystal for the center.  I tried to measure the w\eight on my kitchen scale.  Two earrings including wired were less than a gram.  They sparkle up nicely once I rubbed the starch off the crystals.  Since the beads are already on the thread I just may attempt another pair for a friend. 

Pioneer Acres

This weekend August 6, 7 and 8th I will be at Pioneer Acres near Irricana, Alberta.  The Wildrose Lacemakers have been demonstrating lacemaking for many years at the annual show.  I will be going again this year showing off my tatting and giving free lessons.  

I have been meeting other tatters via zoom but this will be one the first meeting with the public this year.  

I entered two pieces into the Calgary Stampede but this year they did not have any judged entries.  I also have a piece at the Seaton Public Library which will be on display for another month or so. 

If you want to learn more about Pioneer Acres, take a visit to the Facebook page or the website.

I put together a display of some of my earrings by mounting them on some clear plastic and then putting that into a frame.  I am not selling earrings. These are the ones I wear. 

 

New Earrings - Covid Style

Like many other tatters I was scheduled for a jab and thought I would tat some "Covid Earrings" designed by Jane Eborall,  well I started those but didn't like how they were turning out so I cut them off the shuttles.  

Now with the Red and Black size 80 thread  still on my shuttles I thought perhaps I would add a black button to the center as Jane did in her Brooch version.  After a few minutes to hunt for a button I found some small plastic rings and came up with these.

The idea is a mashup between Jane's idea along with Jon Yusoff tatting on rings technique. 

The chain beads are added by putting 4 beads on a long picot and then passing the loop back through the bottom bead.  Put your shuttle through this loop.  Then pull the thread on the loop that puts the beads into the correct position next to the last chain stitches.  Now pull the loop closed using the second shuttle.  Be sure not to pull the core thread into the beads, you may need to hold the loop as you close it to prevent twisting.

Not really an original idea but fun to make anyways and I love that the color matches my new jacket.  Now that I have done them once  I can see where there could be some improvements. They were fun to wear.

Download the free pattern here.

First Attempt at Design

These are my first attempts at design, Single Shuttle Earrings. I made these earrings with some left over thread on a shuttle, they are not very big so they could handle a long dagger bead on the bottom or other embellishment. The prototype was made with metallic thread and by ending with a single shuttle split ring (SSSR) you are able to easily hide the ends.

Nothing fancy or new here but I took some time to make a diagram in Inkscape which was really fun and didn't take too long.  

I have also included a photo of one done with metallic thread using different stitch counts and bead placement.

If you are interested I have included the instructions below.

Load beads on shuttle, pull 18 inches or 45 cm off shuttle along with 3 beads.  You will need to anchor this end so you don't lose your beads.  Using the diagram, start at star, end at triangle. Start first ring with 3 beads from shuttle round the hand

R 10 (3b) 10

C 14 lock join to picot between beads in first ring 5

make 4 bead picot with 3b from ball 1 b from shuttle 5 lock join between beads in first ring 14

Tie knot before making SSSR

SSSR hiding ball thread in 1st 4 stitches of ring

Add additional picots or beads as desired. 

I have had this sitting on my desk for some time and needed to get it posted before the end of the year.

Joyce's Angel

She is called Joyce's Angel but she will be going to my sister who has a holiday tree full of angels and her favorite color is blue.  This is a pattern by Martha Ess and available on her blog here. 

I tatted this using my never ending spool of Wonderfil thread. It works up in a size 80 to a final size of 6 cm or 2.5 inches.  I added beads to the first six picots or the pattern gives stitch count for a halo.

There is also another discussion of this  Angel using a half moon split ring.

With the Wonderfil thread still on the shuttles I made up these quick earrings found on Facebook site of Svetlana Borovik or on Youtube video here.  I do not like how the two ends finish up so I have an idea on how to make these sit better on the ear wires.

Ankars Earrings

I had a bit of thread on the shuttles and tried out these  Ankars earrings by Kelly Dunn.  She taught this as a needle pattern at Fringe this fall.  I was not in her class but Fringe provides all patterns to registrants.

You will see a seed bead at the loop of the earrings. I have not gone through a ring rather through a picot and hope that seed bead will prevent the thread from working its way loose.

I also added the larger blue beads on both sides, that is why they are not laying flat for the photo.  

You can make this as a shuttle only pattern  by pulling some  thread off the shuttle before you start.  Then just finger tat the few chain stitches.  You could also plan a bit ahead and put the centre beads on the thread before you start. 

Yahoo

Originally these were  made to wear during the Calgary Stampede but now six months later they have finally come off the shuttles.  I  was  thinking of adding a bead and tried a few things but this is how they ended up.

The pattern was brought to my attention from another tatter and the credit will be given to a group effort led by Louine Teague. My notes say she originally created as a needle pattern.  I think you could add a bead or sequin where the spurs are, I just made a little throw ring.

The thread is a size 40 Lizbeth sample from Shuttlebirds 2017.

BTW Shuttlebirds registration is open and filling up fast. 

One Shuttle Earrings

Quick and easy these three sets came from one shuttle of leftover thread, It is a size 20, gifted shuttle wound with this thread, a pink and white variegated.  The beads give the earrings some weight and assist with keeping the shape.

I loaded the beads on the shuttle, pulled of a yard of thread and made the first ring.  I finished off the earring with a SSSR (Single Shuttle Split Ring).  I was able to hide the ball thread in the first side of the SSSR.

All the beads are on rings so this would make a good travel project. 

Trim and Earrings

Someone else in tatland was putting trim on a shirt as it happens at the same time I was tatting with King Tut cotton quilting thread with the same thought.  I had bought two cotton shirts and will be wearing this one to Fringe next month.  If you see me wearing it be sure to say hello.

I believe the trim is a vintage pattern, can't remember where I found it but I had pulled quite a few books off the shelf and they have all been put away now.

I used a size 14 crochet hook to hook a chain and attached the tatting to the shirt.  I thought this way if there was any pull on the shirt it would be on the crochet not the tatting. I've sprayed with water and left overnight and it is laying very flat against the binding around the neckline.  I was able to ease the trim into that V at the bottom.

The earring pattern is one I found on the internet with no reference.  The beads are really too big for the thread but I didn't have time to search my stash as we had company in the spare room where the beads are kept so these will have to do.

If I was to do them again I would just pull off a yard from the shuttle as you don't use much ball thread for this pattern and all the beads are on rings so they are loaded on the shuttle. If I feel brave this may be a good pattern for the plane ride.

For his Guild

I had a request in mid March for some "tattings of jewelry nature" that would be for sale. The request was for a door prize at a "Twisted Sisters Craft Guild".  I offered all I had and two earrings were chosen.

The top earrings are Sweetheart by Marilee Rockley, they are actually navy blue, size 20 Hakelgarn.  The pattern is in her Boutique tatting book. Available from Yarnplayer or her Etsy page.

The lower pair in black is by Corina Mayfeldt  Waves done with silver beads and size 50 Altin Basak.

Ice Drop Fever

I've been bitten by the Ice Drop Bug. Ice Drops are tatted using florists beads in the centre, The beads are quite heavy and make a nice ornament.

I put a brooch pin on the back, size 20 makes a 3D brooch 3.5 inches across tip to tip.


The pattern is by Diane Cademartori and here is a link to a free pattern. You may know her as Lace Loving Librarian.

The choices of color combinations are endless and I searched my stash for something smaller to use as earrings.  I found some shank buttons and was able to twist the shank off without too much damage.

I used a size 30 vintage Coats thread and kept the stitch count the same as the brooch.  I only did rounds one and two of the pattern.  I added a jump ring and the earrings sit straight on. They are light and look pretty from both sides.

Thanks to Diane for the inspiration for these earrings.

DNA Spiral Earrings

I was frantically trying to finish these earrings to wear to a special event.  We've had company for the past four days and it has been difficult to get away to do some tatting. They are DNA Spiral Earrings by Diana Howe.

I met Diana  and her husband at the Shuttlebirds Tat Days in Spokane this spring and Diana was kind enough to share her pattern with me.

That bottom bead is actually light blue but shows up green in this photo.  If you see me wearing them, please do come over and say hello.