January Cross 2019

Have I mentioned that I ordered several of the Lizbeth Metallic threads? Have I mentioned that they are easy to tat with? I have? Oh. Well, here I go again

I’ve used a few but not all of them yet. In ‘December Tatting’ I used Lizbeth Metallic Silver #311 and Turquoise Green #321. In ‘Old Snowflake in New Thread’ I used Antique Gold # 328 and Raspberry Pink #316. Now I’m using Violet #315.

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to tat but I knew I wanted to use the Violet in something not too big that doesn’t take too long to make and nothing too complicated. I like to have bookmarks on hand because they are easy to mail and they work for so many occasions, so this what I set out to do. I like to make crosses, but not the same ones every time. So I made a new one.

January Cross 2019

I’m amazed at myself – I used this metallic thread to design a new pattern. I didn’t start with a cotton thread of any size, I started with this. The biggest issue I had was trying to count the stitches. The glittery thread makes it a little hard to see the stitches in lamplight.

I was very inspired when I named this cross – January Cross 2019 (LOL!) I guess a name is just a designation to differentiate one like item from another, so it doesn’t have to be poetic, right?

After using the metallic thread I made this pattern in Lizbeth Purple Medium #632 size 20. It came out a bit smaller than the ones in the metallic thread even though Handy Hands claims it is similar is size to size 20. Similar is the keyword.

January Cross 2019 Lizbeth Purple Med #632

I’m happy with this cross. It has four thrown rings and two split rings but still an easy pattern to tat. I’ve written this out. If you are interested in getting the pattern (versions 1 & 2) check them out on the My Patterns page.

“You will enrich your life immeasurably if you approach it with a sense of wonder and discovery, and always challenge yourself to try new things.” Nate Berkus
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/nate_berkus_612444?src=t_new_things

Happy Valentine's Day 2019

A tatted heart for Valentine’s Day

Old snowflake in new thread

I found a tatted snowflake in a drawer recently, made from a pattern that I came up with a few years ago, maybe from 2010 or 2011. This is one that I never wrote down (it is soooo much more fun tatting than to write down patterns!). I recently bought several of the Lizbeth Metallic threads and was looking for something to make with them. This snowflake was a perfect pattern to try out the thread. The first one had seven arms instead of six – oops! But it looks great in metallic thread! See it in my last post.

So I made another one, this time with six arms. I also gave it a name, Snowflake – Adie.

Snowflake – Adie

This one is made in Lizbeth #328 Antique Gold (I think! It might be #300 Gold) and #316 Raspberry Pink. I love how it turned out!

The next one I made I switched up some of the stitch count. The chains between the arms are 7-7 instead of 6-6 and the ring inside the arms don’t have two of the picots. The threads are the same as the other one but reversed.

Snowflake Adie in Raspberry Pink

I was asked about the pattern so thought it was time to write it out. I tatted the second one of these with it so I’m hoping I caught all (most?) of the mistakes. There are a couple of stitch count options mentioned on the pattern.

I was going to put it on My Patterns page but I found out that a lot of people are not able to download the patterns. This is because I’m getting too much traffic for the server where they are stored. For the moment, until I can figure out what to do about it, if you are interested in trying the pattern email me at the address in the ‘Contact Me’ tab and I’ll email it back to you.

I’ve been very pleased with the Lizbeth Metallics thread. My biggest problem has been threading a needle to sew the ends in. I found an embroidery threader which works wonderfully! I have several other colors of this thread that I’m looking forward to trying out, I just have to decide what to make with it. Maybe hearts?

“We are like a snowflake all different in our own beautiful way.” simplethoughtsquotes