Square Pinwheel Motif

I am back from the Shuttlebirds Workshop at Ross Point Camp and Conference Center.   I had a real treat taking a course from Heidi Nakayama and produced this Dora Young motif.  Using a size 20 thread the blocked motif measures just shy of 4" square.  It would make a perfect coaster. 

There is one split chain, you can see it at the 9 o'clock position.  The pinwheels are made up of lock joins and you use a few new techniques to move the thread over one to create the pinwheel effect.

The pattern is on Page 16 and 17 of All New Knotless Tatting Designs.

I also took another course from Heidi but she has asked me not to post a picture so you will need to see me in person for that one.

I participated in the Poker Run with Natalie and even completed a small blossom for the competition.  I will tell you more about that in another post.  

I brought home new books, threads and even a few shuttles. 

The venue, food and classes were once again well organized and each mealtime  we were gifted little goodies.   I just want to thank Patti D and the rest of the Shuttlebirds for a totally awesome time at Ross Point.  I hope to see you all again next year.

Wild Rose Lacemakers

The Wild Rose (Rosa acicularis) was adopted as the official flower of the province in 1930.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with the Wild Rose Lacemakers guild based in Calgary, Alberta Canada.  Although most of the members do bobbin lace a few of them also tat. 

I brought along a variety of tatted items for show and tell.  Janet A. brought out a pattern she was pricking, every now and then she held it up to the light.  She went into detail what she was working on and how it will be done.  She also took out a box of  bobbin lace she had made or was gifted, a variety of pieces, mostly white but some metallics. Two other lacemakers brought out their cushions and I tatted , we all had a cup of tea and chatted the afternoon away.

This is a very  informal group, as Janet had the most books and equipment, they always meet at her place once a month.  Fortunately for me she is only a short walk away.  The group will be doing some lace demonstrations this summer and I have been invited to tag along and demo my tatting. 

I am very thankful to have found a gifted lace group so close to home. 

Heart Earrings

My favorite heart pattern.  I started on the top clover and then down ring and second clover then repeat around.  To finish up I added a SSSR (Single shuttle split ring) and hid both tails in it.  By adding a metal ring before the earring finding there is less wear on the thread as the earring will swing between the metal ring and the earring finding loop. 

The only trick to the pattern is to switch shuttles (to change direction) before the side ring on the way down and then after on the way back up.  Or you might try a SLT (Shoe Lace Trick).

You can easily adjust stitch counts and add beads to personalize the earrings.

Good thing I took this picture as my cousin has laid claim to these. 

Wiosna Row 8

I had heard that this round caused some issues with the doily not lying flat.  I adjusted the stitch count and so far it sits quite nicely.  I am still climbing to the next round, in this case using a split chain.  

I am using a King Tut quilting thread by Superior Threads color 918.

The current diameter is 5.75 inches or 14.5 cm.

Humboldt Ribbon

On Friday, April 6, 2018 a bus carrying members of the Humboldt Broncos ice hockey team  collided with a semi-trailer truck.   Of the 29 on the bus, 16 would perish.   

I tatted this ribbon using the Humboldt Broncos team colors. 

This pattern is by Sachiko Yokoyama and can be found on her blog, here. 

She asks that you not use this for commercial use only to promote cancer awareness.  Yes Sachiko, my next one will be pink.