Worth The Wait

Finally, it looks so much better! 

I suppose the whole technique is clicking into place in my fingers and my brain. I was at the end of my knotted rope.

Here, I learned to add in new thread more neatly,  

and how to join up to the new row in the round.

Another new stitch - box stitch. : )

Today

You can see where I am going with the colours now.

I tried the connecting rings and chains using dark brown and a variegated purpley thread, but it looked very wrong. So I settled on the light brown followed by motifs in white...the new addition.

Armenian Lace, you ask? Still plugging along. I had to retrieve it from the depths if my cupboard. I can't seem to just walk away.

Thanks, Etta, for your very encouraging email. You gave me a real boost! : )

Almost Another Round Done

: )

Roadblock...

I'm afraid the Armenian lace project is beginning to feel a bit too much like.....argggfhhhhh....SEWING!

I am not pleased. Into the drawer it goes, out of my line of vision till I can comfortably try it again.

Taking a break from JS for a day, I tatted this:

Thread is HDT by Yarnplayer, 

sent to me by a dear tatting friend.

...from this book:

1. 

Loving Armenian Lace

First, progress is good on the Jan Stawasz. 

My plan for the next row did not materialise, as it did not look as good as I had anticipated;  I had to cut it off. So, on to another attempt.

The Armenian lace project is going well; I’m slowly getting the hang of it!

I can’t really complain, for I am expecting muscle memory to snap to it way too soon. But because I am so excited about this new skill, I am very impatient - so what else is new?

Learning new techniques!

Can I not entice anyone to come and play with me?

Does this not look like fun to anyone?

Boo Hoo!

Stimulating Stawasz

Almost done with the small motifs for this round. It is going to a larger piece than anticipated. It is also going more quickly than I thought it would. Maybe that is because the process is so much easier than Armenian Lace!

Talking about Armenian Lace, I am VERY proud of yesterday's accomplishment, which took about only an hour to knot! Here is the final attempt. Tiny - but mighty. : ) 

Managing Without Mail

I am waiting for 2 books... 

The instruction will certainly help. Yesterday,  Cathy Z  commented that most instructions say to knot from left to right; I had read only the online Pricilla book which states you knot from right to left. I am way more comfortable left to right, so I was relieved to hear this. Thanks Cathy Z!

I need those books!

Mat Update

Three more motifs to go and then the next row, 
which I am eager to begin. 
I have plans for it... : )

SOMEONE is definitely NOT amused with my recent behaviour.

Armenian Lace Obsession

I have ambled into new territory and after entire DAYS absolutely mesmerized by this new obsession, I took a break to resume my Jan Stawasz mat.

Sadly, is all I have accomplished after hours and hours glued to a chair with a needle and thread...

En 

I have even bought the book because I need paper, not an iPad for this venture:

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of this book and some #30 DMC thread, which will hopefully be easier to work with than the breakable, uneven despicable Lizbeth from my #80 stash.

Anyone in Tat-Land familiar with this knotted lace? I know TotusMel is enjoying her newly acquired talent. Her “learning piece" doily is amazing. Her adventure is what inspired me to try my hand at Armenian Lace. She also just completed a few really lovely collars. Check out her blog and see some amazing work. Pamela, you rock!

Returning to tatting was strange. My #80 mat felt thick and clunky for the first few minutes!It is taking a while to get through the 12 required motifs to get to the next round, but I’m happy with my progress and I still love the design:

Better Background

... as suggested by Miranda. : )

Jan Stawasz pattern

#80 Lizbeth 

Row 2 Completed

Nothing To Sneeze At

#80 Lizbeth

Pattern by Teiko Fujito  
   Hankie from a friend : )

Steamin' Ahead with....

Can you guess? Recognize this one?

It has been lingering in my head since I tatted one motif ages ago and really liked both the look and the process: a winning combo.

Lizbeth #80

Deceptively Simple

Found it! 

Tatting From Burda book

Not as easy or straight-forward as it seems, this little pattern had me wondering how to get those outer rings tamed. It took three times to realize the pattern did not work and I had to increase the stitch count by10 ds per ring, making the final count a massive 42 ds per ring! Whew! Lots of anxiety closing them up! They ended up all fine, even the one that decided to become bent for her photo shoot!

I am so pleased with the result that I may at some later time re-tat this. Unfortunately, I have no idea who designed this, as I printed it from the Internet somewhere ages ago and don’t know where I found it. Anyone?

Next, I have made progress on the edging; I will have enough thread.

It would not have been sufficient had I had continued with Robin’s pretty border design, so it is auspicious that I decided to switch patterns. All is good - for a much-needed change from the grumbling. That means no trucker-talk, Sherry!  : ))

One-shuttle Olympia

"Olympia" -  Another Ben Fikkert,

smaller than "Buttercups"

Yarnplayer #80 HDT

The hankie now rounding the first corner...

I like this simple pattern by Teiko Fujito, and I like the blue thread I've used. 

Both colour and design seem to suite the handkerchief design. I'm just hoping the thread lasts till the end of the edging. So, of course, I am tatting very fast; that always works...