Friday, June 3, 2011

Technique Practice

I haven't picked up the doily yet today, but I did some technique practice.  After practicing a little more on the motif I was messing around with yesterday, I started my tatting time today by trying Mary Maynard's candy cane again (see the previous post for the link). I'm really pleased with my split chains. I also successfully tatted over ends and enclosed the final ends with the Magic Thread technique. I often forget to include my loops or get them in backwards, but I took the time to carefully think out where they needed to be.

The other motif started out as Lene Bjorn's Thirteenth Day of December from 24 Snowflakes in Tatting. While grumbling to myself about the thread I had chosen to use, I missed a small chain segment in the second round of chains. I didn't realize my mistake until I had come around with the third round of chains. I decided to quit with that round and hang it from the messed up chain side as an ornament. It is a wonderful pattern which I will use again with a thread I enjoy. It served well to give me some split chain practice though. There is a short 4 ds split chain in every round. The Magic Thread technique took care of the ends again.
Now I'm going to go work on the hanky edging for a while.

9 comments:

Crazy Mom! said...

very pretty!

MTT is the BOMB! Makes finishing a breeze.

Suztats said...

I think it would make a smashing tree covered with those white flowers and the red & white candy canes!

Eliz Davis aka Tatknot said...

I do agree. I tend to fail to plan ahead so I can get them in the right place, but I intend to start doing that planning. I LOVED having no ends to sew in. It gets harder and harder to see the eye of the needle. LOL

JB said...

Both pieces looks great. Good job on your split chains.

Typstatting said...

Looking real good isn't it great to be able to do split chains!

Fox said...

By Jove! I think she's got it! Nice!
Fox : )

Fox said...

p.s. Jane E's calyx needle solved the sewing up problems for me. I never plan ahead with ends and these needles work like a charm! I find the Magic Trick too bulky.
Fox : )

Eliz Davis aka Tatknot said...

Thank you, it does feel good. Would you believe I woke up yesterday and today reviewing the steps for the split chain? LOL Now my goal is to use it at every opportunity so I won't lose it again.

Thanks for the tip about the calyx needles, Fox. I do like the Magic Thread method, but I know I'll sometimes forget to place a loop, or place it headed the wrong way, and need a backup plan.

God's Kid said...

Those are wonderful! :)