Pattern Conundrum

I’ve been working on the pattern for the August Split Ring Cross I recently made. I have the diagram done and the written part done, but I am having problems making up my mind on how to add the different pieces to the pattern. I’ve made a couple of detailed drawings/directions but am unsure just where to place them in the written pattern.

August Split Ring Cross in Harvest Orange Med

I’ve made a detail for the facing 3-ring sections and for the corner sections, then one large one for the overall cross. The overall diagram does not have the stitch count as the count is repeated over and over and I think the detail will show it more clearly. In the written pattern, do I start with the details on the front page and then the overall, or visa-versa? I keep changing my mind.

I also have a couple of pictures with details of how I did a few things. I’m thinking I’ll add those at the end, a separate page for these. I suppose I could put the detailed drawings on this page as well. Hmmm.

I’m saying the pattern is done for now but I might change it up later. If anyone wants the pattern, please email me. And let me know if you like the layout of the pattern.

I’m still working on the runner but it is a larger project which I only work on at home. If I have time this week to sit down and tat I’m hoping to get the tatting part done. Then it will be putting it all together, which also means sewing. I’d much rather tat. We’ll see how far I get with it in the next week.

“Saying ‘yes’ to one thing means saying ‘no’ to another. That’s why decisions can be hard sometimes.” Sean Covey

August Split Ring Cross

I’ve been working on the runner but it is not a take-along type project. I don’t want to get it dirty or make mistakes due to inattention. Instead, when I’m out and about or don’t have much time to tat I’ve been working on the cross pattern I recently made.

Tatting while waiting

I took our truck in for service recently. It was going to take long enough I got a loaner car to drive while it was in the shop. While I had the loaner I also had to do a little waiting in a parking lot. This was an opportunity to work on the cross. This time I was tatting it in a thread of a single shade instead of a variegated one. I like this much better for being able to see the pattern than I did the other thread.

August Split Ring Cross in purple

It came out very well. I gave it as a gift to a lady at our church. I was in such a hurry to get it to her that I forgot to take a picture of it on a plain background to use for the pattern. I like this background, but it distracts from the pattern when using it to make the cross. So I get to do another one!

That is actually a good idea. As I’m making the next cross I’m checking the pattern for mistakes. I’m finding I’ve left out quite a lot! I still have a lot of distractions.

I put out hummingbird feeders this spring and didn’t seen any until a week and a half ago. I’ve finally seen several!

Hummingbird at feeder

They are very fun to watch. And this feeder is right outside the window in front of my computer. When the birds show up it is very distracting! Anything I’m working on ends up taking longer than I thought it would.

I think I will have the pattern for the August Split Ring Cross done by next week. I have to finish tatting the cross again so I have a picture for it and fixing those pesky mistakes I keep finding!

“Art is pattern informed by sensibility.” Herbert Read

Distractions

I’ve been doing a lot of debating on my next steps on my daughter’s runner. I have been working on it, just not necessarily making much progress. I’m pretty sure it will be a Christmas present now, I might have it done by then.

This is not to say I haven’t been tatting or otherwise crafting. There have been a lot of things to keep me busy.

For the fun of it I made coasters for the people in my department at work. None included tatting as most are men and I’m not sure they would appreciate it. Not saying some men wouldn’t like it, just I don’t want to go to that much work for anyone that I don’t know would appreciate it. I’d prefer to give gifts that the recipient likes, not just what I like.

Coasters for work

I had fun looking for material that I thought each one would like. They were appreciated by all of them. The little yellow character is an inside joke with one of my co-workers.

Another distraction is wanting to give a gift to a friend at church, so I made another cross bookmark.

August Cross bookmark

I like the pattern I came up with but not how it works up in this thread which is Lizbeth #113 Jewels in size 20. I think the colors muddle the center so much you can’t appreciate the pattern or the thread. I did start another cross with a single-color thread but made a mistake big enough I decided to start over. Then I had other distractions come up, so it is not done.

The other distractions were birthday presents. I forgot they were coming up and had to hurry to find something for them. I gave both of the birthday girls money, but I think that can be very impersonal even if it is something they want. I decided to give them each a little something more.

Green birthday bookmark

One of the young ladies likes green of any shade. I looked through my stash and found Lizbeth #667 Green Orchid Med and #684 Leaf Green Med in size 20. Of course, I couldn’t make up my mind which pattern to do but finally settled on this one. She was very happy with it.

Purple birthday bookmark

The other young lady likes shades of purple. I found Lizbeth #632 Purple Med and #646 Purple Iris Lt. in size 10 in my stash. As both bookmarks needed to be done the same day – the next day – I found I was running out of time. I came up with this pattern, which when made in size 10 was long enough in the short amount of time I had left. I didn’t get to see her open it but I was told she liked it.

I’ve enjoyed my recent distractions. I really should be distracted to do more work around the house, but those aren’t nearly as fun.

“You can always find a distraction if you’re looking for one.” Tom Kite