Wednesday 14 October 2015

Snowflake 2015

Yes, I think I'm happy with this one.  I went back to the drawing board and decided to start over again, looking for inspiration where I found it before:  by looking at photos of real snowflakes.  I love snowflakes.  They are just amazing.




I won't bore you with all the detail but obviously there were lots of samples tatted, different paths taken, lots of cutting and starting over again.  The image below, of a real snowflake, is the one that inspired this design.  



Because of the long(ish) free arms, I wanted to make sure the design was stable and using double rings for the arms fulfilled that purpose.  The tip is done with a chain joined back on itself instead of a SCMR (which I also tried) because that gave the design more strength.  Important to the look of this snowflake is the different length of picots.  I think I will provide a gauge with this pattern.  The picot on the very tip has been pulled because I blocked and steamed it and I like it that way but you could also leave it rounded like the others.  I was also pleased with being able to have the hexagon shape at the centre of the real snowflake incorporated into my tatted design by joining the chains on the side, otherwise the centre would have been round.



There are no complicated techniques in this one (not a split chain or SCMR in sight!) so it's tattable (can you make an adjective out of tatting??) by anyone, even beginners.  It's just rings and chains and best of all, it's tatted in one round!

This will be the snowflake that will go in my Christmas cards to friends and family this year.

Right, now on to pattern writing!

Oh, and I just need to find a name for it….

Best wishes,
Frivole

p.s. I might need a couple of test-tatters if anyone is interested and has time?
Update 15.10:  Thank you very much for all the offers, I'm good now for test-tatters!  :-)

39 comments:

  1. Looks great and sounds like fun, I don't mind test tatting if you still have a slot for it.

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  2. Always enjoy reading your blog. Am a self taught tatter and always looking for a new challenge to conquer. Would love to try some testing for you. Love that snowflake!!!

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  3. Oh is that an exquisite snowflake!!!! :)
    I would be willing to try test tatting this if you would like.

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  4. I would be happy to test it if you need me. Love the snowflake.
    Elizabeth
    LeVert92 at aol.com

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  5. That's a really pretty snowflake!

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  6. Beautiful snowflake, and clever use of rings and chains to go up and down each spoke. You say it's not complicated, but I still can't figure out exactly how it's done. I will just have to try it out for myself when it's available :)

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  7. Most happy to test-tat this. Very nice! : ))

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  8. Replies
    1. Yes, it's a small detail but I'm happy with that. :-)
      I just tried adding an extra stitch to emphasise it more but I think it's better like that and I will leave it.

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  9. I'm into snowflakes at the moment - this one is gorgeous!! It looks like you have plenty of testers, but I'd be happy to test as well if you still need more.

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  10. This is gorgeous!! Another Winter beauty that you have created!!!

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  11. Quelle merveille ! Dommage que je n'aie pas suffisamment de temps pour envisager de me porter testeuse. <3

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  12. I'd love to test tat if you need another but I can wait too. I love the delicacy yet substance in this one!

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  13. I teach a snowflake unit every January, and we always read the book Snowflake Bentley. How about Bentley as a tribute to the man who photographed so many beautiful snowflakes?

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    1. Just been looking up Wilson Bentley… I like your suggestion very much Diane. Thank you!

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  14. Bonjour Joëlle,
    Quelle merveille!! Si tu as encore besoin de "testeuse", je serai honoré de faire partie des chanceuses que tu choisiras. Le flocon que tu as réalisé est une pure merveille. Bravo, et continue de frivoler en souriant.

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  15. Bravo, ce flocon est de toute beauté. C'est beau de voir la photo du 'vrai' flocon qui t'a inspiré et combien ta création est proche de la Nature.
    Si tu as encore besoin de 'testeuse', n'hésites pas à me contacter.

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  16. You have perfectly captured & immortalized a snowflake ! Wow ! Very inspiring :-)

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  17. Can't wait to see the pattern---is gorgeous! It looks very difficult so look forward to seeing how it's done!

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  18. Beautiful! I can't wait for the pattern. You create some of the best looking snowflakes.

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  19. Brilliant design! Love that hexagon shape in the center. You have always captured true snowflake shapes, and you must have been delighted when this one came off your shuttles! I don't know how you've found the time to design this, with all the other projects you are working on! The blanket is wonderful!

    You asked about silver thread. One brand that I always use is DMC metallic gold or silver thread that comes on a spool, found.in embroidery areas of craft stores.
    http://www.dmc-usa.com/Products/Needlework-Threads/Embroidery-Threads/Metallic-Embroidery-Thread.aspx

    It is equivalent to size 30 and works very well for jewelry or earrings, as it holds up to pulling and tugging of rings. (I did Monica Hahn's larger butterfly in gold thread back in 2008.) I use a lower 'tension' when working with it. However it may be too 'fine' for a snowflake. DMC makes a thicker metallic thread, found on a skein, marked size 5,,and I successfully used it on Sherry Pence's treble clef motif, but it was a little 'thick'' to work with.

    I have used Aleene's fabric stiffener successfully for 25 years (usually diluted), and also I have used glitter glue or fine glitter sprinkled afterwards on some stiffened items, and it is quite effective. I was pleased that my sister-in-law's 25th anniversary bell still sparkles in person (white thread and sprinkled lightly with silver glitter after shaping over a Styrofoam bell form, while stiffener was still 'tacky' ) I hadn't seen it since 1998, and borrowed it for my 1/09/2014 post and tribute to Mary Konior, as I used her Maids of Honour edging to make the bell.

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    1. Hi Kathy, thank you for for comment and suggestions. I will look into the threads you suggest. Do you have an email where I can contact you? You can use the button "Contact Frivole" at the top of my page if you don't want to leave it here. Thanks!

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    2. Although I still have several spools of the DMC thread, I always check the stores to make sure they are still making it! At one time they even had green, red, and white, and I wish I had purchased them at the time! kathynik at verizon dot net

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  20. Such a lovely snowflake, brilliant.

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  21. Thank you very much for your nice comments. I'm making good progress writing up the pattern. Still not decided on a name though so suggestions welcome!

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  22. Both beautiful and realistic. I will look forward to the pattern.

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  23. Beautiful and elegant like all your snowflakes! I'm hoping to see the pattern in your Etsy shop after you get it written up. :)

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  24. Je crois qu'il n'y a pas de flocons que j'aime autant que les tiens. Celui-ci n'échappe pas à la règle, il est magnifique!

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  25. Just thinking about names here. Frosty Lace? Lace Crystal. Crystalflake. Sugarflake. Iceglow. Trying to inspire some imagination ;)

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    1. Thanks Cindy! I like Lace Crystal best out of those but I appreciate all suggestions! Might end up having a poll to decide on a name.

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  26. Il est superbe ! Hâte de pouvoir essayer ce modèle !

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  27. Gorgeous snowflake! Looking forward to the pattern release :).

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  28. Wow that is a lovely snowflake, such a clever design.

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  29. Magnifique! Quand pourrons-nous avoir ce modèle? j'ai hâte......

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  30. I love this snowflake it is soo pretty. I wish I knew how to tat I am not getting it quite right.

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  31. Your snowflake is beautiful! I would love to have the pattern and make it for my tree!

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  32. When and where can I find/purchase your pattern for this gorgeous snowflake?

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  33. Hi ML, this particular pattern is for sale in my Etsy shop (link in the right side bar). :-)
    Other free patterns to be found on the patterns page (link in top bar).
    Thank you for your comment!

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