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Thursday, December 5, 2024

Simple gift

 I am very aware that I have been given many, many gifts. I am talented. I experience great privilege, I enjoy abundant (enough) resources. This awareness makes gift giving tricky. Simple gifts from the heart are usually good goals. But, what is a simple gift and what is a simplistic gift? Can a simplistic gift be turned into a simple gift?

As I gather my gifts to give this Holiday season, I will ponder that question. In the meantime, here’s one of my favorite gifts to give:

Ornament with tatted covering:

CR: 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 . MP

Round 1

S/R 6/6. BTS

LR: 3 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 3. RW BTS

|| :  SR: 6 + 6 .  RW BTS Join to picot of CR.

LR: 3 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 3 . RW BTS  : || for a total of 6 SR. Final LR worked as a S/R.

S/R: 3 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 / 1 – 1 – 3 .      

Ornament Cover CT & Rd 1

Round 2    

S/R: 3 – 1 – 1 + 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 / 1 – 1 – 3 . RW BTS

|| :   SR: 6 – 6 . RW BTS

LR: 3 – 1 – 1 + 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 + 1 – 1 – 3 . RW BTS : || for a total of 6 LR.

S/R: 6 / 6. Final SR can be worked as a S/R.

The pattern is not new. Many designers have adapted edgings to create a beautiful embellishment. It can be accomplished using shuttle or needle to tat. I like to use smaller balls as many of my friends and family have small tress to decorate. It’s easier to enjoy a smaller ornament year-round. I like to use metallic thread and/or beads. Tip: Green thread disappears when hung on a green tree. Go for contrast and catch the light. The photo is of a 1.2” ball with Frappe color of thread. All Central Ring picots are about 3 DS wide, all BTS are about ¼” in length. 

A simple blocking with fingers can help the picots lay nicely on ball. Use the tails to tie tatting onto ornament by threading the tails through the picots of the SR and tying together. It takes me about 4 hours to load shuttles, tat lace, block and sew on tatting, and wrap it to give. (I don't completely block the lace just dampen it with my finger dipped in water.)

If you need more information than this quick note, please comment with your email address and I’ll send a PDF of the pattern. I haven’t finished the diagram with round 2 but may soon!

Enjoy gift-giving!!!!

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