Criss-Cross Snowflake Pattern

Ok, after much soul searching (and I still don't know if I'm doing the right thing!), I decided to list this pattern in my Etsy shop.  In the hope that if I can earn a few pennies with my tatting, my husband and children will forgive the too-many-hours I spend with my shuttles!

This pattern also looks great with beads

either bugle or seed beads

(or both as in this one!)

My special thanks go to Carol Lepard who test-tatted this pattern for me.  You can see her versions of this snowflake here.

Now, so as to be forgiven (will I be?), I am offering the pattern for free to the first 10 people who comment.

Best wishes,

Ooh! I'm Chuffed With This One!

Looks like I'm still rolling!  

Started last night on this new idea and here is the result:

I know I shouldn't be congratulating myself, it's definitely not good manners and I apologise, but I really like this one.  I think I will call it "Flocon Royal" as there is something regal about it to me...  I don't know why, it's the shape above the crystals that makes me think of crowns...  I will be re-making it with a different thread and with Swarovsky crystal bicones but I was too impatient and had to make a post about it straight away!

I may have this as my first pattern "for sale" (when I get around to writing it up that is!).  I've been really encouraged by all your positive comments to my patterns so far.  Thank you!

Meanwhile I've been working on the pattern for the trellis/criss-cross one so this will be coming up soon. 

AND, just one more day for the shuttle giveaway.  Don't forget to leave a comment in the previous post if you want to be entered.

Best wishes,

My Christmas Gift to You

I said a few posts ago that I wanted to celebrate the fact that I have now more than 100 followers AND that my tatting video has been seen more than 10,000 times (still find that amazing!) so I want to thank you for your interest in what I do. I've always felt in my own little world when it comes to needlework, working in my own bubble, but with the web, I've enjoyed "meeting" many like-minded spirits!

So again, thank you for your support and interest

and taking the time to write comments to my posts.

On top of that, it's now December so it's time for gifts!  Here is mine:  La Cossette has kindly donated one of the popular "Holly in the Snow" shuttles so that I could hold a giveaway.

Please leave a comment and you will be entered in the draw

to be held on... December 7th, sounds good?

I don't want to wait too long so there is time to ship it

wherever it may go.

AND... I'm still rolling!  And came up with another snowflake design:

I think le Flocon Frivole might still be my favourite so far

but I'm enjoying this bout of designing creativity!

Best wishes,

I'm on a roll!

This is ridiculous, two posts on the same day... but snowflake fever has overcome me!  I didn't know for a while whether it would come together but I just finished this and I felt like sharing it.  So here is another design I've come up with.  I started last night and it did take a little while to get the right tension on those long crossed picots so they crossed in the middle and were pulled into shape, just so!  It was an interesting challenge but I'm pleased with the result.

I like the way it kinda makes a snowflake within a snowflake...

Do you see what I mean?

If you squint while looking at it, 

you will loose the detail

and see the shapes.

I now need to find it a pretty name.  Any suggestions?

Best wishes,

Variations on a Theme

I've been experimenting with my snowflake design.  I wanted to make a simpler version that is tatted in one pass.

Here are two different versions.

The one on the right looks more like a star than a snowflake.

But the one on the left is simple and still retains it's "flake" qualities I think.

Best wishes,

Snowflake Pattern Ready

Thank you to all those who expressed an interest in getting the pattern for my snowflake.  So here it is.  The pattern requires you to know how to start on a chain, make a split ring and self-closing mock rings (I have made videos for two of these techniques, links in the side bar).

I would be most grateful to the first few who will wish to tat this, to let me know if they find mistakes (there are bound to be some!) so I can correct them as quickly as possible.

Yes!  Somebody has already found one and I have just reloaded the pattern!


IF YOU DOWNLOADED THIS PATTERN YESTERDAY, I HAVE NOW CORRECTED A FEW THINGS KINDLY POINTED OUT BY TATTERS, SO PLEASE RE-PRINT!  Thank you.

Here it is in size 20, 40 and 80 threads.

Best wishes,

Cardigan Finished!

Here it is for those who were interested in the knitting.  I finally finished my cardigan and wore it for the first time yesterday.  I'm particularly pleased as I improvised as I went, changing the sleeve shape and making up the collar as I knitted (had an idea of how I wanted it to look but just guessed at how I should knit to obtain the shape!).  So all things considered, not a bad outcome.

This cardigan looks mostly blue and green but is actually made up of many

colours (10 in fact).  I particularly like the shades of purple (which can 

be seen better in this bottom photo) 

and how they are incorporated into the design.

Call me crazy but I already know what I want to knit next.  Now you know why I keep saying there are just not enough hours in a day!

On another note, I feel I need to celebrate a milestone:  I am honoured to now count 100 followers of my blog - Thank you so much for your support!  AND I have now had over 10,000 views of my very short tatting video, the first video I ever made, amazing!  I shall have to find a way to celebrate, keep you posted!

Best wishes,