RPL - motif #3 couching

I managed to couch down about 6” of braid yesterday. My hand and wrist complained and so I put it down for a bit. Once I got started, it wasn't too bad. I was able to rest the pattern on my lap and my left hand just held it in place, rather than gripping the fabric. I won't mention how I sewed everything to my pants for two or three stitches.

Sewing the braids together may be troublesome. I will need a firm grip while I hide the ends in the braid. My fingers are getting stronger every day, so it might be easier than I anticipate. While doing my PT exercises, I noticed my middle finger was more flexible than my index finger. I was puzzled until I realized that is the finger that makes the flip in tatting.

Again, my progress picture is on Flickr for anyone intetested: tatt3r's RPL set on Flickr.

edited to add picture 9/26/08

RPL - motif #3, beginning

I had an offer from GinaB that I couldn't refuse. She's interested in Romanian Point Lace, and offered to exchange motifs with me. We decided on October for our due date, and I sat down yesterday to polish up a design I had in mind. My motif is about 4 1/2" across. I drew it onto my fabric and covered it with clear contac paper yesterday. I thought I might need some help from J, but I managed very well.

I hope to be able to begin couching the braid, if I can thread a needle. I suspect my hand will get very tired, the pinch between index finger and thumb is still a struggle. I plan to do a few stitches, take a break, then do a few more.

This recovery business isn't much fun. The pt exercises are for flexibility in my fingers, and I don't see any improvement yet. I'm so impatient with myself. "C'mon, LeftHand! Look at your sister, RightHand. She can make a fist, why are you such a slacker? Ouch, oow. Okay, you win. I'll get you next time - I'll be back."

I'm posting my pictures of this RPL project on flickr so I don't spoil the surprise for the tatting goddess. She can peek if she wants to. Here's the link to my rpl folder: tatt3r'sRPL set on flickr.

Edited 9/26/08 to add picture.

Spinning my wheels

I still can't locate the actual tatted piece, but I found a picture of my first effort tucked away in my pictures. The original doily is in “Old Fashioned Tatting Patterns” ed. by B. Foster. P. 58, Tatted Doily No. 4. Something about this doily catches my eye, and I think it's beautiful.

The original uses very old methods. The 2nd round is a length of 12 tatted rings, then sewn with a needle and thread to the center. I've come up with a way to avoid that, and I don't think it spoils the overall appearance.

My next consideration was the appearance of the wheels of the third round. Each wheel is 10 rings, joined 2x on each side and 2x top and bottom. 4 rings on the outside, 2 rings on the inside makes sure to let it all curve around the doily. I don't like the gaps on the inside. After thinking it over, I added another ring, and plan to join the inside at the center ring, and the two free rings will fill in the blanks nicely. I don't think the extra ring will prevent the curve if my rings are large enough to let them shape a narrower ring if necessary.

I used scmrs for these little wheels in my sample, and they look good. The resulting wheel resembles the original, and is actually sturdier than the original technique.. I know I could use a split ring and do a pair of scmrs. Only 12 ends to finish instead of 24. I would need to be careful sizing the space between motifs. I might end up with the pairs closer together than the space left by joining with a picot.


I need to think about the next round of tiny tatted rings. There are rings left free between wheels, and they flip and twist like crazy. The original uses a single ring as a filler, sewing it in w/needle and thread. I was unhappy with this round in my sample, and that's where I stopped. Now I have time to think about it and decide how to solve this problem. I may join the rings where they skip between wheels, but i'm not sure how that would affect the overall fit around the whole doily. Maybe a tiny cloverleaf or flower done in two passes. Hmmmmm.

I'd like to fill my shuttle and get to work, but i can't grip anything yet. I am glad my brain has decided to work again. If i can't tat, i can at least design.

down but not out

i've stopped feeling sorry for myself, and am ready to get on with life now. i got a brace and will start physical therapy soon. my fingers can't grip anything yet, but my brain has finally decided to start working again.

i found a length of rpl braid i was working on, and i measured 60". that should be enough to make a small motif or coaster. i think i should be able to do the couching and needle weaving once my left hand can grip the fabric. i've been doodling and trying out some ideas.

i am revisiting a very old tatted doily i tried last year. it is rings only tatting, and the pattern is written in the very old style. i'd like to convert it to more modern techniques, but not lose the wonderful flavor of the original. i found my notes but not the actual doily. i'll have to dig deeper.

thanks to everyone for your support, it means a lot to me. esp H. who called from the desert with wonderful, loving support. you made a huge difference in my outlook!

tatt3r's not so excellent adventure

it's been an exciting few days for me, and not in a good way.
wed afternoon we were walking with kaylee, about the middle of the park, when i caught my toe on a bump in the sidewalk, and fell and broke my left wrist. we walked home, then drove to the emergency room. boy, that really hurt. i've never broken a bone before, and it was much worse than i expected.

from urgent care they sent us downtown for a surgeon to look the xrays. he said they would have to do surgery friday. got home 1am, hungry and tired.

had surgery friday, dr put in a plate and a bunch of screws. spent saturday under the influence of pain meds, and sunday i managed on tylenol. i have an app't for friday, and i'll get a brace? probably that's the new word for cast.

i'm not happy. can't knit, tat, or cook. got green beans and snap peas coming in, and we wanted to get away on the weekends and enjoy some camping weekends.

i alternate between exhaustion, crabbiness and sadness. can't make up my mind to be optimistic yet. grrrr.
can't even snuggle my grandson.
i'll be better tomorrow, it's just late and i'm tired. thanks for listening.

Tatting Decision!

I found my most recent unfinished tatting project; and with a bit of perseverence, I might be able to save this from the UFO tatting box.

I pinned my little edging to a hanky purchased from the local 5&10, and was astonished to see I have about only 4" left to tat. That's not a lot of tatting; this little edge goes very quickly.


Maybe you recognize the #80 thread I'm using. It's the pretty blue variegated thread, again from the local Dime Store. They carry lots of #10 and #20 crochet thread, and steel hooks, too. If I'm in the mood, I search through their hankies and will buy one if it's square with good corners.

This is a classic, rings only, edging. The small ring is 6p6, the medium ring is 4p4p4p4 and the large ring is 4, 7p sep by 2, 4.

Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear. I'll be thinking of Goldilocks while I tat the rest of this project; it's a good story to tell Bean. He likes my stories.

Lacy Indecision

I haven't made any lace since the middle of June, and I'm ready to start a new project. I am knitting baby hats for my local hospital, but they aren't lacy. I try to make 2/week so I don't get overwhelmed with the tedium of repetition, and it's working so far. I have donated 3 dozen hats since April, and plan to have another 3 dozen by November. I had three projects for the local fair, but they are done and out of the house; I need a new lacy project to break my routine.

I may locate the rings-only edging I was making earlier this spring. I don't remember how much is done, but I could finish that and give it to my mom. I know she'd like another tatted hanky. I'd prefer to start another Romanian Point Lace project. I might make small doily, or coaster. Maybe a bookmark would suit my fancy.

I wish I could show you the Hungarian Tape Lace doily I finished for the fair, but I lost the picture. I thought I took a picture; I remember taking a picture, but I just can't find it. Good thing my head is attached to my shoulders.