Another in the Making

My second tatting project is coming along well. This one will be a short necklace.

It's from the pattern, "Blanche", by KimandI. I'm naming this project "Blue Blanche" which is ironic since "blanche" is Germanic for "white". 

First Tatting Project

My first actual tatting project is complete and I deem it a success.

It's a beaded bracelet using the "The Starry Night" pattern by "The Kim and I".

I had to look up a few YouTube videos on how to add beads to tatting, and the turn to do the opposite side gave me some grief, but neither of those issues had anything to do with the pattern, which is excellent. It was just my own inexperience and learning curve. 

This was a very good pattern and I'm sure I'll be back to the Etsy shop, TheKimandI soon!

45 Years Later I Caught On

When I was about 12 or so my maternal grandmother attempted to teach me tatting with a shuttle. After an afternoon of me creating nothing but immovable knots we both gave up in frustration. Fast forward 45 years and something finally "clicked" and I got it! I credit the wonders YouTube and modern technology for finally bringing instruction that I could watch over and over until I understood that oh so important "magic trick" for flipping the stitches. It's the very first thing you have to learn and it is the stumbling block that prevents many beginners from ever going any further.

Perhaps you are wondering whatever made me try again, so many decades later? Chalk it up to not being able to pass up a freebie. Dover publications offered to send a new publication, "Tatting with Anne Orr", free of charge, in hopes that I would do a book review. I don't accept all such offers, only the ones that interest me and might interest my blog readers. This one interested me since I inherited my grandmother's bone tatting shuttle. 

The publication arrived and looked great, but I couldn't find Grandma's shuttle! I had promised to do the review though so I borrowed a shuttle. Within a day I was addicted and ordered a pack of plastic Clover brand shuttles of my own.

How was the book? It's a great pattern book, but not one to learn by. Really, to learn tatting you really need either one on one instruction or a series of great videos like I linked to above. Once you learn tatting though, this is a wonderful book containing over 50 edgings, 40 medallions, collars and yokes, doilies and more. 

I've started a little reference file for myself by making 3x5 sample cards. The intent is to eventually do a 5" sample of all 50 edgings. 

Not all of the edging instructions are perfect though. This one needs adjusting or,

worked as written, it curves into a medallion rather than forming a straight edging as pictured in the book. I have found that several of the edgings have been photographed face down too, so that the photograph is going in the opposite direction to what you will be working. Very confusing!

The other book in the photo, "New Tatting", by Tomoko Morimoto, is one that I purchased. It's got great, clear instructional photos, including help with that infamous "flip" that is so important. I'm not impressed though with the admonition to finish off by GLUING the ends! Seems sacrilege to me! Grandma would have been appalled. I'll continue to neatly and invisibly sew the ends in thank you very much.

Once I had the basics down I wanted to try patterns that had more advanced techniques Some required learning split rings. Seemed daunting at first, but once again with those YouTube videos I was able to figure them out. 

The next challenge was to learn to add beads. The video I watched mentioned using "strivers" made of paperclips to hold the beaded picots in position for later joining.

It took some wise advice from a Ravelry forum member to clue me in that I didn't need to leave the strivers in place. They are just needed until the picot is measured accurately, then can be removed. D'oh. Well, working without all those dangling paperclips sure makes it easier!

Now that I'm addicted to yet another fibre related hobby I, of course, craved some quality equipment. Luckily this hobby does not require nearly the expense or storage space of my weaving addiction.



I ordered these handmade beauties from David Reed Smith. They are, from left to right, 2.25" brass tipped shuttles in East Indian Rosewood, Figured Walnut, and Pommele Bubinga. The device at the bottom is a "reversible hook" in Kingwood.

I SO love having quality handmade tools. These are FANTASTIC!!

PS: All links are provided for your convenience. I receive no compensation for your "clicks".

Handwoven White Tunic

That white warp I wrote about in February practically wove itself.

I had a compulsive desire to weave, weave, weave the entire time it was on the loom.

It only took about 2 days to weave the entire six metre length.

from the pompoms inserted at the very beginning, 

to the serendipitous evolving of a corded neckline trim, 

and beaded lace accents,

the warping, weaving, sewing and embellishing,

was a joy filled experience.

The Tail End

One warp comes to a happy end (as evidenced by all the tail wagging)

and the next one has begun.

That's an all white warp, 146 ends in a variety of textures, thicknesses and sheen. The warp is 6 metres long and destined to become an article of clothing.

You'd think all that white would be boring to weave, but it's anything but!

I'm finding the draw of this warp to be almost a compulsion. I'm in there weaving in every spare moment.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I finished weaving the red yardage and had a rare urge to do some crocheting.

Trixie received a Valentine's Day dress from my efforts. 

I used a pattern for a real baby dress as a jumping off point, but heavily modified it to have separate, contrasting ruffles and a channel for a pretty ribbon. Of course I also miniaturized the pattern by using size 30 thread and a 1.25mm hook. I then added a teeny, tiny crocheted heart. 

Flame never received any new clothing but he still worked hard to make a Valentine for you.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

A Surprise Ending

That there is another "warp as weft" cowl/scarf is no big surprise,

I enjoy weaving them and they are a good use for little bits of this and that in the yarn stash.

But when I wound the warp for this cowl I intended to weave a hat from the same warp. That is not how this warp ended. Although this warp made a pretty cowl with a light, spring like look, it just didn't seem right for the intended hat. I also had more than enough for just a hat.

When I cut the remaining length into three pieces and sewed them side by side they made a piece exactly the right size and shape to become upholstery fabric for my loom bench.

I backed the handwoven fabric with heavy fusible interfacing and padded the seat with 1" foam layered with a little extra in the middle.

It makes a super comfy and very inviting place to weave. 

The Aftermath

Ventured forth today to walk the dog and survey the storm damage around my neighbourhood.

Shocking how many trees sustained heavy damage.

The crews that attend to Townsend Park will be busy once the ice crusted snow clears a bit.

Some of the trees there will need heavy pruning or complete removal.

There isn't much left of the tree in the above picture!

But for now I don't think too many people will be walking the non-existent paths through the park. To step off the beaten track is to invite shin skinning! About 70 pounds (the dog's weight) seems to be about the limit before breaking through the very hard ice crusting the deep snow. 

My shins can tell you that one or two steps is more than far enough!

It's not just the parks of course. All around the neighbourhood there are downed trees and fallen branches.

 

Looks like some narrowly missed vehicles. 

Ice falling from overhead lines and branches must have been dangerous! Luckily now it's just crunchy shrapnel underfoot.

Ice Storm of 2017

I'm sure this will be a day that Chilliwack residents remember for a long, long time.

The ICE Storm of 2017!

As if the incredible amount of snow we've had this winter weren't enough!

We were expecting more snow last night, but instead we got freezing rain. MUCH more dangerous.

All day long I've been listening to the loud cracks and bangs of branches breaking and huge limbs, or entire trees, coming down in the neighbourhood. 

Looks like we are going to lose two trees and two entire rows of Pyramid Cedars ourselves. We've even had sections of a neighbour's trees fall into our yard.

My poor dogwood tree looks sadder by the hour. I don't think it will survive.

Everywhere we look

our world is covered in ice!