Thursday, March 7, 2013

Delightful Doilies Dominate...

Pattern by Jan Stawasz 
HDT by Krystle

...daily. Seems this is what I want to tat these days. You can see why; the shape is alluring in most of Jan Stawasz’s patterns. This pattern is from his new book, part of a larger pattern. 

There is a wealth of material in that slim volume, enough for months and even years of tatting; very good value for your dollar, in my opinion.

His diagrams are murder to understand, for me. I find all his differing numbers, due to his fs/bs method of tatting, very confusing and I have never completely figured out what he is doing, what he intends.

Perhaps he starts the numbers in red with the second half of a stitch on the back side? Is that what he does?

Whatever. I look at the numbers, make my own diagram and Bob’s your uncle. The above motif turned out well in spite of the instructions I have manipulated!

Also, I have used three differing thread weights in this motif - the colours worked!

That beautiful thread is perhaps my absolute all time favourite HDT: Wisteria Lane.


אּאּאּאּאּאּאּאּאּאּאּאּאּאּ

Now I have another beginning - a small motif, so I will not call it a doily. 

As a matter of fact, the motif in the top photo is only about three inches across, so should I call it a motif?  I don’t know why but I do not like the word doily. Never have. It makes me uncomfortable to say it out loud! I wonder why that is???

Karey Solomon’s newest book:
I am SUCH a fan, though this is the 3rd go-around on this pattern. 
Her patterns always confound me till I “get” them.


The one I am tatting is called ‘Golden Arches,’ 
and is the yellow one on the back cover. 

You can clearly see what changing the colour does to a design very clearly here! 
Makes it a whole new vision. : )

26 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Spring....? S p r i n g? Can you spell that? Do we have it in Canada?
      Fox ; O

      Delete
    2. I am waiting impatiently for spring! In Poland spring came for a while, just to give way to winter again ...
      And how is the spring in Canada?

      Delete
    3. It is threatening to appear! Actually, the US has had a much worse winter than we have. In the past Canadian winters were a lot worse than they have been in the last few years. I should not complain!
      Fox : )

      Delete
  2. I like Jan Stawasz’s patterns. They're very pleasing to the eye and are fun to work. Apparently my puppy thought they were wonderful too as he chewed part of the cover off my book.

    Had to laugh about your aversion to the word "doily". There are certain words that I cringe even thinking about. No, I'll never tell you what they are! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Funny, isn’t it... you do understand what I mean! I have a few others like that... : ))
      Fox

      Delete
  3. Anti-scratch mat, ASM. Try it, it rolls off the tongue.

    So many have said what ou do about that book. Must try something soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ? I am mystified by this comment??? Try it in Latin, perhaps.
      Fox : O

      Delete
  4. I love the colors you've chosen to use... so bright and cheerful!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think that what Jan does is to position his picots in between the stitches; so the extra stitch count is telling you to tat the first half of the stitch, THEN the picot, then second half.Whereas usually we tat a full stitch at each side of a picot.
    I have never entirely understood it myself either, fortunately his patterns seem to work in the normal way.
    I have Karey's book, and I absolutely love it! - seeing all your beautiful threads has been a joy.

    Have you seen this site?
    https://picasaweb.google.com/112145673664473511467/WZORYFrywolitkiTattingFrivoliteChiacchierinoZInternetu#5520513163845957074

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Goodness! That is quite the site for tatting eye candy!
      Fox : 0

      Delete
  6. There seems to be a theory that 'doily' came from a man's name D'Oyley, who had a textile shop.
    I have a problem with 'napkin'. Then theres th amusing Anti-Macasser!

    Thanks for 'reviewing' Jan's book and pattern writing. I'm glad you have found a way to work around the confusing directions. He does have amazing designs. Karey has great designs, too! We have such a wealth of choices today!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy, Don’t we just! Such a wealth of material out there for Tat-Land to enjoy. I have a hard time choosing these days.
      Fox : )

      Delete
  7. Jan has 3 sets of numbers that he uses in most of his patterns. Red is for His way, blue is for the traditional way, and then the black can be used in either His or the traditional way. My suggestion is to pick one pattern. Really concentrate on it and tat it using His way and the black numbers. Then tat the same pattern using the blue and black numbers. Then you will get a better understanding of what he is trying to get across to us. It is confusing at first, but by tatting the same pattern both ways, I think you will understand what he is trying to show us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you tatting-marie. That is useful info. However, I am not sure what his method is! I will have to sit down with the book and really study it. Thanks again.
      Fox : )

      Delete
  8. I also don't like the word doily even though I sure make a lot of them! The word "mat" isn't much better - it makes me think of what you use when framing things...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love that jolt of green! It's almost the same colour of paint DH chose for our barn. The neighbours were not pleased having to don sunglasses every time they went outside. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh la la that must be quite a sight! Great for Saint Patrick’s Day! : )

      Delete
  10. Both are gorgeous!!! I really like the colors and the designs!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I too love Wisteria Lane. How about calling them mats? or coasters? or one of the synonyms for doily is serviette.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I wrote a really nice comment and it disappeared when I accidentally clicked on something. Has that happened to you??

    What is wrong with 'doily'? Why does it bother you? Your 'coaster' pops with colour.

    No Jan Stawasz book for me yet. It does sound very interesting. Will put it on my tatting book wishlist. I also have the Burda Tatting book and Tatting Patterns: The Classic Collection (Aunt Ellen's Treasury). What is on yours?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, umintsuru!

      I cannot explain the aversion. There are several words in my head that suffer the same discrimination! Who knows why.

      I noticed the Burda Tatting book last night on EBay at a good price but postage these days is prohibitive

      Delete