Fussing with stitch count

 Normally, I dislike patterns I need to fuss with to make it work for my tatting style. That’s probably why I don’t tat more vintage patterns. I figure if a designer puts down a ring of 8 DS, I shouldn’t need to tat only 7 DS to make the final piece lay flat or look right. I understand that I tat tighter than many tatters. So, when I come across a pattern that doesn’t work with the published stitch count, I assume (yes, I know a dangerous stance) that something isn’t right.

I came across a pattern in a book of crosses that I’ve wanted to explore for some time. The end points of each arm/leg/top are split rings. Easy enough, right? Well, the pattern as published has those split rings with 8 DS on each side. One side has 3 picots, so if you do picots the Jan Stawasz way, that changes how many times the thread wraps around the core. I tried the pattern both ways. It was no go. I used a different tension. No go. I even tried using a different brand of thread that is just ever so less a diameter. No go. I finally just changed the stitch count.

Why should this matter so much?

Because my design style depends on stitch count. There are some pieces I design with stitch count driven by the music structure. Well, I learned something very valuable with this pattern:

If I need stitch count to matter, I should steer clear of certain elements.

Another blow to the organ world

 I know many of you reading this are more familiar with the tatting side of my life than the music side or my life. But, this is important.

Some of you have been lucky enough to play or at least hear the Dobson Opus 94 at St. Dunstan’s Carmel Valley. I consider it a wonderful instrument that I get to play regularly. This news item hit me in the gut:

Last week Dobson Organ Builders in Lake City, Iowa suffered a disastrous fire. The building is a complete loss. So much was lost in the fire. But what was found is important to me:

Many, many people have expressed support in many tangible ways to the company. And all they do is build pipe organs. Very good pipe organs. It is wonderful to know they will be rebuilding. Let’s all help.

To Zoom or not to Zoom

 I have been looking at opportunities for this summer. Opportunities to learn in workshops and classes; opportunities to teach workshops, lessons, classes; and opportunities to relax in the company of people I enjoy being around. Some of these opportunities are in-person and some are in Zoom computer classrooms.

There are merits to both formats. Some of those in-person meetings will take me away from the local area. Not a bad idea. The “two weeks” has stretched to 6 weeks. I’d like a break from camping in my own home. And no, I don’t wish we had rented a place to stay while the work is being done. Mostly because if it was out of sight, the decisions we’d need to make would not be that pressing and wouldn’t get hashed out. But, then pandemic…..

But Zoom has been good, but it’s not that good. I would be much more effective teaching a workshop in person. I like seeing students succeed and understand what I’m demonstrating. That happens at a higher success rate in-person than over the Internet. But, then pandemic……

I guess the answer is to walk down to the Bay and decide.

Heatwave

 It’s been a bit warmer the past few days. I’m not quoting any numbers because it’s all relative. Let it suffice to say that we don’t have any air conditioning. The biggest impact on my life is when I have tatting or stitching to do. My hands really sweat when the temperature climbs. So, no pictures to show and no stories to tell.

Well, a story: The other morning the wind was from just the right direction and things were still, so still that I heard the bell buoy. The sound just came wafting over the trees all the way (1/5 mile) from the Bay.

Have a wonderful weekend.

hymning

 

The class I’ve been taking is giving me all kinds of ideas for designs. Remember this bookmark?

Using the tune called Joy, I create a way to represent the melody in beads. We classify these tunes in meter – 8888 – eight notes per line.

Well, how about creating a way to represent the poetry? Meter in poetry is a little more complicated. But, it could work, right????

Shuttle Winding

 It’s time to wind shuttles for a large project. I’ve sampled, sampled, sampled. I’ve refined the pattern and color plan. So, it’s time for the tedium of tatting. I’ll be combining that with attending a class offered as a summer intensive. Tatting will help me to keep my focus that intensive.

A silk adventure continues

 Ok......UNCLE......

I admit it......

Last week was....frustrating.... in the design area.

Fantasia is still a fantasy; my edging for the Challenge doily is still a challenge; and with the remodel work, I'm reluctant to start anything new.

So, I revisited this stitching project: 

I rather like working with this combination of cotton perle and silk floss. It will do nicely for a background.

Posted on IOLI

 Here’s a link to the posting of the Biscornu on the International Organization of Lace, Inc. website. 

They have been encouraging lace making for many, many years. Recently, there have been more tatting resources available through IOLI. I encourage you to check out their website and consider joining in the Virtual Convention July 25-August 1, 2021.

The next 2 weeks, I will be attending a class on Church Music & Hymnology. While it is virtual, I will not have unlimited time at the computer outside class. I will be sketching future designs for tatted pieces, perhaps a new ornament collection. Please forgive if I miss a blog post. June 2021 will be an exciting time for me!

Happy tatting!!

Biscornu finished

 I finished my tatted biscornu.

Tatted biscornu

biscornu tatted with beads

Thank you Muskaan for the pattern that inspired it all: Hidden Rose. I have ideas for more pieces!