Beginner Tatters Can Design, Too!

 When my daughter, Sarah, was new to tatting at age 12, I encouraged her to start creating her own designs right away--just play with what she knew.  She had learned to make a ring, rings on bare thread, and rings and chains. She used these three elements to create this bookmark. It's a great way to use the last of the thread left on a shuttle. She shared it only with our close little tatting group at first, but when Mary McCarthey published it in the March 1997 issue of her newsletter, KNOTS!, Sarah was thrilled.

Sarah has given me permission to share this edited version with you that includes how I tat it in two rounds instead of three along with her original instructions. 

I eliminated the need for a separate starting ring soon after she designed it, by starting with the bare thread element and then combining the 'starting ring' with the ring and chain round resulting in two rounds instead of three. I am sharing the pattern as she originally made it, but including a diagram so you can explore other paths through the design. The long segments of bare thread combine with the tassel to create a fluid look that reminds me of jellyfish. I love it!

Designing and publishing your designs are two separate things. No matter your skill level, don't be afraid to play with your needles or shuttles. You may be amazed where your imagination and your fingers take you.

Have a great week, my friends, and happy tatting!

couple of motif bookmarks

It has been a long time since I tatted Sarah's First Bookmark so I made myself one in my favorite Manuela variegated thread. Then I decided that Fox's Abigail motif would make a great motif bookmark as well. I apologize, Fox, for messing it up on my first try. I repeated the clover instead of the large ring as I rounded the top. I was at the beginning of the next clover before I realized what I had done so I decided to continue anyway.

Added 2 pattern links

In browsing around the internet, I found a link to my oldest daughter's first bookmark pattern. It is a quick and fun motif bookmark with a tassel tail. Sarah doesn't find a lot of time to tat these days, but she dusted off her shuttles to tat a few Christmas presents. Enjoy!

Suzann also has a jpg posted of my Wheel Bookmark which was drawn by hand. Here is a picture of it to go with the pattern.