Interlocking Chain-Rings

After receiving several inquiries concerning the interlocking chain-ring foundations I use in many of my designs, I have decided to post a few images of the way I tat them. 

The example will be a 5 ICR foundation motif. 

The thread used in my example is size 5 DMC cotton perle in color #4025.  I used a size 7 tatting needle and 5 small silver jingle bells.

All rings are made with the following count: R11 very small - with bell 11 CL.

Thread your tatting needle and add 5 bells.  I am working off the ball of thread, but you may cut a long piece if that is more comfortable for you.  Tat as listed above.  Now we are ready to move onto the 2nd ring.  Place the needle tip through the R just made and tat the counts, LEAVING A SMALL SPACE OF THREAD BEFORE THE FIRST DS.  This allows the 2nd ring to wrap around the first ring and lay nicely.

Onto the 3rd ring, tatting as you did for the 2nd ring- LEAVING A SMALL SPACE BEFORE TATTING THE FIRST DS.  You will be leaving this space between all the subsequent rings.

The same for the fourth-

And the fifth-

The 5th ring is the last in this motif, so you will be closing it by sliding the stitches off your needle and BEFORE closing the ring, run the needle through the first ring made and close.

Pull the ring snug and shape the motif with your fingers.

Cut a medium length of the working thread and bring to the front of the motif and tie.  You may either run the threads to the back of the piece and hide the ends or leave the ends at the front for securing buttons, beads or whatever strikes your fancy to the front of the motif.

Shall I expand upon this little motif and add more to it for tomorrow's post?  Let me know if you would like this expanded into a larger motif!  I'd be happy to see what I can come up with.

I hope this has been clear and easy to follow.  If anyone has any further questions, I will do my best to help.  Another great source for tatting information is the Online Tatting Class conducted by Georgia Seitz.  There are also several online groups that are always willing and eager to help fellow tatters.

Well, I had better run- my husband (who is on vacation this week)  is on the back acreage of the Piney Woods working to clear the site for my future "tatting shanty".  I had better go take him a large glass of ice water and see what I can do to help.  Have a great day!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Bargain Find

What a day!  I have been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.  This was the last school day before the Thanksgiving holiday, so I picked up Jocie early.  We had a number of errands to accomplish before the weekend- she was such a great help!  After we had taken care of the necessary tasks, we indulged in a little retail therapy at a local accessory boutique.  I found these wonderful crystal bead stretchy bracelets. 

They were very affordable. I intend to cut them apart & use the beads with tattting.

I am ashamed to say that I have accomplished ZERO tatting today.  Hopefully, I will have a more productive weekend.  Perhaps I will get another motif & pattern posted.  Keep your eyes peeled for more Christmas goodies!

Well, I am off to get ready for a fun evening- I'm taking Jocie to Breaking Dawn, Part 1.  Have a fantastic weekend doing whatever makes your soul sing!  Until next time~

Happy Tatting!

Valdani Christmas Motif #1, Part Two

Winner of the Piney Woods Harvest Event:

Bree !

Congratulations!  Contact me to claim your goodies.

After a quick jaunt to the local Hobby Lobby (which is a little ways away), I returned home and got the two final chain rounds completed on the motif:

The last two chain rounds have the same count and are placed 1 on each side of the previously tatted work.  Remember to cut off a good portion of thread to weave the chains.  A little hint- I use a second needle to help move my working thread about as I am tatting.  The counts are:

+ through top cap to the left of previously worked chains, CH 9 followed by 5 graduated picots 9 CL + to the next corresponding spot,  pull working thread through & continue around motif, tie & cut.

+ through top cap to the right of previously worked chains, CH 9 followed by 5 graduated picots 9 CL + to the next corresponding spot, pull working thread through & continue around motif, tie & cut.

This will position the chains with picots close to each other to provide a little "fluff".

Feel free to experiment with different size picots, or adjust the stitch count and omit the picots.  Just have fun!

For the last step, I used the two thread ends in the center of the interlocking chain-ring foundation to anchor the antique Czech glass button.  Pull the threads through to the back of the motif, tie & cut.  For extra security I placed a tiny dab of E6000 on the knot.

Since I replenished my bead & jingle bell supply, I hope to finish the wreath motif variations that are in progress & share them with you tomorrow.  Until then~

Happy Tatting!



Valdani Christmas Motif #1, Part One

'Tis the season to be tatting...

Today's post features part one of the Valdani Christmas Motif #1.

Materials used are:

a size 7 tatting needle

Valdani size 8 pearl cotton color O 560

10 Czech size 10 seed beads in Christmas Green

5 small jingle bells

1 small antique red Czech glass button

Thread tatting needle and string 1 green seed bead, 1 jingle bell, 1 green seed bead, five times.
This motif is made with a foundation of 5 interlocking chain-rings with the following count:
CHR 11 - (with 1 green seed bead, 1 jingle bell, 1 green seed bead) 11 CL
When you finish the 5th CHR, pull the thread ends to the front and tie- this is VERY important- leave ends long enough to later secure the button in the center of the foundation!

Next, you will be tatting chains around the foundation.  Run the tatting needle through the top cap of the ds next to the - of any CHR.  CH 21 CL + to the same spot at the base of the - of the next CHR.  Continue around foundation.  When you tat the last chain, run the needle through to the back of the beginning of your work, tie & cut.
Now, you will be doing the exact same thing on the other side of the - of each CHR.  This time, though, you will need to cut a fair length of thread so that you can weave the chains.  Tat your CH 21 CL + , pull the working thread through and continue tatting around the foundation.  The end result should resemble that pictured above.  Do not worry if your chains are a bit "wonky".  More is going to be added to this motif.  Part two will be featured tomorrow.

Oh- I almost forgot!

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO "JOIN THIS SITE" & BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PINEY WOODS HARVEST EVENT GIVEAWAY!!!

I will be selecting the winner tomorrow morning bright & early before breakfast.

Well, I had better go- the homemade chili is on the stove waiting to be stirred.  Have a wonderful evening. Until tomorrow~
Happy Tatting!

Simple Ring Wreath

I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I have already started Christmas tatting.  Over the next couple of weeks, I will be featuring quick and easy tatting ideas for the holiday season.  The first project is one that I have used in beginner tatting classes for over 15 years.  It is a simple ring with picots and a bow adhered to the front.  These can be used as earrings, pendants, bobby pin and barrette accents, as well as card and gift accents.  I oftentimes add jingle bells and beads to the picots for that extra Christms bling.

R1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-CL, tie & cut.  Tie small red ribbon and glue. OR

R1 with 13-s CL, tie & cut.  Tie small red ribbon and glue.

The counts are just a suggestion. Vary the ds and - counts for different effects; add beads, jingle bells, charms, whatever your heart desires.  Have fun playing and creating.  The recipient is sure to be pleased with your efforts!

I am working on another variation to share with you tomorrow.  And I am bouncing around ideas for what I should tat to best accent the fabulous vintage Regency brooch pictured below:

I think a fluffy frame with the Valdani M 43 pearl cotton would be gorgeous.  What do you think?

AND REMEMBER:

The Piney Woods Harvest Event sign-up deadline is November 16th. Tomorrow!!!

To be eligible for my super giveaway click the google "Join this Site" button to follow the blog.  Those who are followers already are automatically entered.  The winner will be selected using a random number generator early in the morning onThursday, November 17th.  The winner will be notified via email and announced on the Thursday blog post.  Good luck!

Lily Fey is letting me know that it is time for her afternoon tug-of-war play session.  Guess I had better humor her so I can get back to tatting sooner rather than later.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Harvest Event Reminder!

The Piney Woods Harvest Event ends this week!!!  Wednesday, November 16th, is the dealine to click the google "Join this Site" button to follow the blog & to be eligible for these goodies:

Fabric, pearls, Holy cards & fabric- OH my!

A few of the Holy cards...

Detail image of threads...

Pearls!

Tatting needles and 2 1/2 " wide fabric strips...

Fabric selection, view 1...

Fabric selection, view 2...

As you can see, there are lots of wonderful goodies for the lucky winner!  Those who already follow the blog are automatically entered.  Very early on Thursday morning, the winner will be selected via a random number generator and sebsequently notified by email.  Good luck to you all!  For detailed images of the Holy cards, please refer to the earlier blog posts for the Harvest event.

It has been a balmy, gloomy day in the Piney Woods.  Jim was off work again today and we worked in the woods to clean my tatting areas and prep them for cold weather tatting- cleaning out & spiffing up firepits, stacking wood, checking oil levels in torches, etc.

  I did not do much tatting as it was so very humid, but will be starting Christmas tatting this week.  I'll have some neat projects to share with you these next couple of weeks- all sorts of quick and easy gift ideas along with more detailed tatting patterns.

Well, I had better get back to the kitchen as I am in the process of making chicken dumplings, collard greens, speckled butter beans and biscuits for supper.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Valdani Silk Pendant

We have had an absolutely gorgeous weekend here in the Piney Woods!  Jim & I worked to clean up some limbs and branches that had blown down during the last thunderstorm.  My favorite tatting areas in the woods were VERY strown with debris. While on our breaks, I worked on the Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk pendant that I had started on Friday.  This is the finished piece:

I used an entire skein of the silk thread, but am pleased with the result.  For the foundation medallion counts, please refer to the Veteran's Day post from Friday.

Here is an image of the work in progress:

I just love the beautiful sheen and luster of this thread!  Valdani has outdone itself with the silk thread line.

As I was tatting, Jim and Lily Fey (my faithful tatting companion) engaged in some tug-of-war matches.

They had a ball playing and later napping whilst I tatted away.

This is the look of a true tatting buddy!

I hope you are having a wonderfully creative weekend and look forward to sharing more tatted goodies with you this week.  Until Monday~

Happy Tatting!