Motif # 4

This is a yahoo Celtic tatting group. I tried it out and the result is motif # 4. I have also added beads here. 
I start out wanting to do one thing, get side-tracked and end up doing something else.

Tatting has reduced my reading time.
I want to try out some Irish crochet motifs. And all those pictures of Sharon B's class in progess has me itching to work some embroidery samples. Looks like I have to organise myself if I don't want to be overwhelmed.

Motif # 3

I will use chains in motif #4. I realise that the extra chain will open out the groups at the base. I hope it will form a triangle so I can use it as a corner insertion for a hand towel.

This motif is a slightly modified version of a DMC pattern. I don't know the name of the book as I have only a couple of pages. The heading one of the pages says Motifs for applique. The page also has the DMC symbol.

I reduced the number of ds in the rings and the number of picots in the chain. As per the original instructions, the pattern is worked in 2 rounds. I used split rings to work this pattern.

Better write dOWN all the instructions before I forget.

The chain between rings 11 and 16 is another change I made. The original pattern has no chain.

I don't like the way the motif looks after I weaved in the ends. I is obvious I need lots more practice. I usually use the ends to sew the motif to fabric.

I want to try out the same motif increasing the number of picots in the rings. maybe that will be Number 4.

I was wondering how to use beads instead of chains in the drawing above.

Then I saw Sharon's comment. It never occurred to me that I could work the chain last. That meant I did not have to think too much. Just use the beads instead of chains and I could not resist trying it out immediately. So motif #3 turned out differently than intended.

Motif # 2

This is my first Celtic Motif. 

Here is my first attempt all wrong mainly because I did not take the time to read the instructions properly - as a result I did not cross over the long chain before joining the 2nd clover. I thought I could somehow adjust it and make it look right. But I could not.


I got it right the second time. 

Motif #1

I found the pattern for this motif here.
I have made the pattern with 8 arms instead of the 6 in the pattern. So I can't call this motif a snowflake - all snowflake patterns seem to have only 6 arms.

Split chain is a technique I have never used before. I struggled with it for about ten minutes. It is definitely worth the time.

I have used the same silk thread shown in my previous post. I discovered that apart from the thread being prone to getting cut and the twist unravelling more frequently, the picots have a mind of their own. The shape cannot be manipulated unless of course starched. I will be better off not using this thread for big projects.

On the whole working this motif was fun.

The 25 Motif Challenge

I have joined The 25 motif Challenge 
The challenge is to tat 25 motifs within the next year. 
A good opportunity for me to compile lessons for my Advanced Tatting Course.

I usually use Anchor Pearl Cotton for tatting. This time however, I wanted to experiment with a different type of thread. I used what is popularly known here as cone thread. 



This, I think is silk thread with a glossy finish. It requires a lot more care and practice to work with this thread as you can see in the picture below. The twist in the thread has unravelled in some of the picots. I tried to close the ring not realising the ring thread was twisted. The ring wouldn't close and I pulled the thread too taught and cut the thread - a pity - a few more rings and I would have completed my first motif for the 25 motif challenge. I wanted to work this motif climbing out of one round and into the next without any cutting and tying - and the thread gets cut right in the middle of a round! Now I'll have to start all over again. But then, this is only a small motif.



I think I'll also work on some Irish Crochet motifs side by side