Cluny loom action

I’ve always loved puzzling out how cloth is made. Especially when there’s mechanical stuff involved. I like figuring out how to set up the loom. And of course, I gravitate to the “lace” weaves like leno.

As I learned more tatting techniques, I was fascinated by using my hands to create cool stuff from thread. I found I was limited by the hands I have. So, when I saw this:

 

available through Handy Hands

I had to investigate. I understand the tradition of the tallies in lace. I like how they add to tatting patterns. I Especially like the thought of using a loom because my hand wasn’t straining to make the element. Here’s what I’ve come up with. 

I’ll be sending this to be “judged” by veteran tatters. Some of those tatters will likely be proficient in bobbin lace tallies. I’ll be really interested to see what they think!

One down, one more to go then some more rings!

Progress and a milestone

 

Maharajah's Elephant
designed by Mary Long

I completed more of the elephant. The next parts involve couching. I know enough to recognize the technique and the basics of how, but not enough to thread the needle and start stitching. So, I’ve asked for help.

I’ve also completed the second round of the edging. The final bit shouldn’t take long to tat. I know how to do that. Look for the promised picture on Thursday.

A use for Direct Tatting

I’ve come to accept the term direct tatting in shuttle tatting to mean that you simply wrap the stitches rather than flip the stitches. I find I can only execute it without getting confused when using 2 shuttles. Depending on which shuttle I’m holding, the chain will naturally curve one way or the other. The technique is quite useful in designing.

Recently, I lost one earring of a favorite pair. I’ve finally gotten around to making the replacement. In my zeal to bling the pattern up, I’ve added silver sliver thread to the final round. I wanted to wrap the curled rings at the outer edge with the bit of metal thread, but not the chains between those curled rings. The first time I tatted the ring, I used the clumsy technique of holding the two shuttles together while tatting the half dozen stitches for the chains. Very awkward. 

Enter the direct tatting technique! I have changed to wrapping both threads for the core and using the single shuttle to form the chain DS. Voila! It means you’re switching shuttles to lock join and such, but I don’t end up dropping shuttles either! Now, I just direct tat the chains and manage just fine. Pictures once the sun comes out again.

The fires are still burning in the area. The smoke is getting bad inland. I took this picture mid-morning in the direction of the closest fire. Resources are getting stretched pretty thin. People and animals are being evacuated. No word on how much we've lost for crops and such. Our neighborhood is in the opposite direction from where the fire is spreading. We're trying to help as best we can by  staying out of the way and let the professionals do what they train to do.

Sonata BWV 1034 in pinks and purples

Here’s my version of Sonata BWV 1034 in pinks and purples:

Sonata BWV 1034

I tatted this up for Palmetto Tatting Group Tat Days 2019. I chose the colors to help students see the various elements. I based this piece on the vintage pattern Sonata that I found in a Handy Hands newsletter. Most vintage patterns call for tie and cut between rounds and such. Now, I’m not allergic to cut and tie, but if I can work a small short split ring or split chain, I’ll save the effort and time of hiding ends.

I recommend working each of the inner motifs in groups of 2. That means you’ll be working two split chains and hiding ends twice. You can easily climb out between rounds 1 & 2 and also between 2 & 3. But, between rounds 3 & 4, it is more difficult to create a seamless chain. I find my attempts at climbing out with a mock chain, split chain, split ring and such show with extra knots and awkward tatted lines.

And then there’s the color choice. That can dictate where you’re hiding ends. I had fun working in the variegated named Girly Girl. The pinks and purple just were fun!

I hope you enjoy this. If you wish a copy of the pattern, drop me a comment (leaving your contact info) or email.