How do you learn best?

I am primarily a visual learner. The fastest way for me to learn my spelling list and vocabulary is to write the words.  If I don’t see a nametag, the introduction doesn’t stay in my short-term memory. If I don’t write out the theme for my improvisation, I stray too far in my tonal meanderings. If I don’t have a diagram of a pattern, little mistakes tend to creep in as I tat.

Yes, saying words and names out loud helps a bit, but not much. Closing my eyes and visualizing what I would write helps. A photograph of the finished lace can decipher where to join.

I learn best using visual cues.

Next week I have my second cataract surgery scheduled. I’ll be able to see better. So, I should be able to learn better, right?

In the meantime, I’ve received excellent care at a local medical center for Mammography and Ultrasounds. I used beads from my stash and thread to blend in with their décor. I’ll be working on creating a diagram for the pattern so that I can get the first few joins correct next time.

Ahem!

Visual cues really make a difference for me.

So, my question for those who learn best aurally: how can we help you tat better?

Another reset

It seems after I feel like I make progress and learn something, I find I need to reset. Cause and effect? Natural progression of creative inertia? Can you tell I never passed Sociology?

My schedule has been adjusted yet again by medical appointments. Nothing new. It will happen again. I will continue to create.

So, what’s on the shuttles? An Awareness Ribbon for the staff at the Breast Care Center (They looked like they needed a reminder of their purpose for coming to work.), the second bootie, the latest hair bunholder, Renulek’s Wiosna 2025, and a few other ideas.

What am I motivated to do? Practice music to use with the Orgelkids instrument, finish attaching the applique for the Elephant, walk along the Bay.

All for a reset.

Sampling can teach

 Maybe it’s because I work as a musician. 

As I approach rehearsing a piece after practicing, I try to spend time in practice testing out different interpretations. Switching up the registration often helps me to decide how an organ piece will sound.

I added to my pile of samples for the snood. I finished off the bottom part of a vintage pattern. There are parts of the pattern I like and will use, parts I think need to be changed.

Sampling taught me.

Clean up time

Yesterday was spent organizing. I know it’s an important task. I really do try to stay ahead of the dirt and occasionally actually dust. But getting files into appropriate folders just never seems to get done. I bought a different computer a year ago. I really should have been better at organizing those files. I won’t promise to do better. Because that would take the time I’d rather spend tatting or practicing.

On a different train of thought, I went walking with friends yesterday. Fog was forecast, but the sun was out where we were. The fog decided to stay way offshore. San Francisco has a name for the fog: Karl. I figure if Monterey Bay named the fog, it would be a nod to Adobes and fishing.

Which way do I tat?

This post is all about mignonette patterns. You know, the ones with Bare Thread Spaces between itty bitty rings? Yeah, those. My idea for the snood involves such a pattern with rings of 10 DS. (R:5+5. BTS)

I ran into a problem while watching a mystery in a language I don’t know with subtitles and tatting my trial piece:

I confused where I needed to join.

I found myself reversing my direction of tatting so that I joined in the BTS I just formed rather than the previous row. After making the mistake 3 times and pulling open those rings to correct it, I grumbled, “There has to be a way!”

There is

It doesn’t involve what knitters do: Only stop at the end of a row. A row will take too long in the snood idea.

It doesn’t involve holding the previous rings in a special way. At least not for the first few rows.

It does involve a marker thread passed through the previous row’s BTS. That’s the darker thread in the picture. As I join to the BTS, I unweave the marker thread. Every few rings I pause to install the marker thread in more BTS so that I don’t pull it out completely.

I’m ready to test out this idea watching the rest of the mystery!

Testing out an idea

 Remember this request for a snood? I’ve been testing out various pattern parts. Here’s an idea taken from a vintage pattern for a small bag. I like the idea of using Victorian sets for the petals of each motif. I think it will enhance the piece.

Afterglow missing

That’s because the Fair brought new opportunities. Last weekend I supported a new tatter at a pop-up shop. It was a great experience. Some new tatters are overwhelmed very easily. That’s where they’re at. Often patience and gentle repetition clear the fog and then the shuttle or needle produces quite nice lace. Some new tatters seem to catch the concepts quickly and find the movements awkward. Often just breaking things down for movements and guiding the thought process is enough. Some new tatters seem to get it all so fast. Those are the new tatters I struggle with giving just enough focusing on where they can learn more. I get carried away very quickly.

I’m continuing working on the Orgelkids material. I don’t know if it will help. I know I would use it, but that’s the way I work. The participants never sit at a large organ. I hope my efforts will preserve organs for the future, inspire just one person to take lessons, or sell tickets to a concert. I’m sure there are workshops and classes designed to help people be more effective in these efforts. IF I could find them and squeeze in the time!

Right after I fix the error I made tatting during the movie yesterday evening.