Forgoing Frustration

Update: Jan Stawasz Do**y
I have wasted so much thread trying to get a final round that is 1) without mistakes 2) the appropriate colour and 3) the right weight of thread, that I took a break before stumbling on the perfect solution. That I shall keep hidden from view till I finish!

*****

Here is what I attempted in the interim:

This is one of many of the pattens I have tried from this book and I have to admit I am not at all impressed!

Angeline Crichlow must be acknowledged for contributing much to the tatting community by writing the book, teaching and by her enthusiastic education of the public about her beloved art-form, but I have had no luck with any of her patterns - not one, as the stitch counts all seem off, as in the example here.

This is supposed to be flat, not cupped:

The thread called for was one size from what I am using, so I cannot say that is the reason for the problem.

No matter - it was a fun escape from the doily and I liked the thread and the beads were fun, so cupping or not I finished it!

LATER: Please note the comment by Frances, who noticed I left out a bunch of chains and that is why the row was so tight! I cannot blame poor Angeline for this - my apologies all around! [though I have had problems with most of the patterns of hers I have tatted : )) ]

Yessss!

One row to go and I might JUST have enough thread..

Noooooo!

I had almost finished the last two rows and I noticed I had missed some picots in the very last row so I cut it off - upsetting enough, right? ( I was so disappointed that I did not even take a photo of the almost finished work.)

Then I realized I had snipped a picot in the SECOND last row!

Now I am back to beginning of the last two rows all over again.  : (  And I do not have any lilac thread left!)

However, I do have a ball of Olympus light lilac, which may in fact be a better colour for this piece anyway. Aha, the silver lining. : ))

This should keep me busy over the weekend. I think I am thinking too much about Monica’s thread and the little linen square, and while I was tatting, my

                                                     little                  
             
                                                                            mind
                                                     

                                    wandered...

Stawasz Success - So Far!

(un-blocked!)

There is one round after this one and it will be done and I can begin the larger “doily.”

It is unfortunate that I was trying to just use my stash and chose the little balls of Olympus to begin as I have run out of pink and white and have only the lilac for the outer edge - not the best combo for the pattern, but there you have it.

At least the tatting, which is what it is all about anyway, is on track! I am amazed I am getting through this and not finding it too difficult. I hope this recent understanding of the Jan Stawasz patterns will extend and translate to the larger piece!

NOW:

This fantastic hand-dyed thread comes all the way from Monica in Argentina! Thank you Monica.

We traded threads, and I trust that the Canada Post Corporation has not embarrassed me by not delivering my threads in good time... : O

I know exactly what I shall do with the #80...

When I was purchasing thread - Finca - for the large doily, in the Portuguese shop that I frequent for this thread, I spied some lovely linen squares on the counter. They are sold for crocheters to work around and make into large tablecloths or other things, like runners.

The linen is of a very good quality and the cutwork is pretty.  I purchased one square which measures 7X7 inches. 

The edges are rough and unraveled, but there were holes all around the square, so I was advised to crochet around the material through the holes and it would be perfect for adding a tatted edge.  The advice was indeed correct. 

The real deal looks much finer than this photo...

So, here is my next project, 

the relief work while I attempt the big “D”.

QUESTION FOR TAT-LAND

There is 50 meters of this #80 thread. I am wondering if that is enough to go around this little square, which is so much smaller than a small hankie. Any idea, tatters? I am going to use  Mary Konior pattern, a very simple one called Oakes and Acorn.