Friday 12 July 2019

New Snowflake for 2019

As I said in a previous post, I was rather sad that I didn't manage to create a new snowflake design for 2018.  So I thought I'd work on one now, in the summer, while I'm on break from university as I know I'll get busy again in September and might not find time then.

I love looking for inspiration in real snowflakes and trying to recreate their shapes with my shuttles.  One of the favourite books I own is a book of real snowflake photos by Wilson Bentley (thank you to my friend H. for so kindly sending it to me).

This is the one that caught my eye this time as I was leafing through its pages....



And this is the resulting tatted snowflake:


Real snowflakes are angular, with some curves, yes,  but also with straight lines and sharp points... whereas tatting is mostly round and curvy.  It's therefore not always obvious how to recreate the shape of a real snowflake with rings and chains.  In this case, I made use of lock chains which are straight and also produce a nice sharp angle where they meet under the two small rings.

I'm showing them again smaller so it's easier to see the overall shape.  There are still some changes I'd like to make... but if I don't get any closer, I'll still be happy with this version.




This wasn't my first iteration...  there were many!  Another that I liked and which came before the one above is the one below.  It's nowhere as near to the real snowflake but I was happy with this design too.  It still needs a bit of work but I will probably write a pattern for that one as well.  I particularly like the shape of the points.


In fact I made many different snowflakes that I like or from which I liked various elements.  Here's a bad (low light) photo of them on my table last night.  They're all slightly different... and I still have more ideas I want to try!  So maybe I'll make up for last year by having two this year.



As you can see, my testing has enabled me to make many versions and samples - there are even more than the ones shown on the photo - so that I'll have most of my snowflakes ready to send to friends and family in their Christmas cards when the time comes (I can't believe I dared to say the "C" word in July!!).

Best wishes
Frivole

23 comments:

  1. Your snowflakes are really special (I'm talking about previous ones as well) and I think it is good inspiration to try to recreate a real snowflake. I don't think many of us would have the patience to make so many attempts and designs in search of the best look. :)

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  2. Oh wow, you’re so clever! To recreate a real snowflake in tatting is no mean feat.

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  3. I love how much this looks like the actual snowflake! I envy your patience and talent for designing.. The iterations are lovely too, especially bottom right!

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    1. Thanks Michelle! Glad you like the bottom right... I'm rather partial to that one too. :-)
      Oooh, but I like them all!

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  4. Looks exactly like the original! Beautiful ❤!

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  5. They're all so pretty! Why not publish an e-book of snowflakes? I'll be first in line to purchase one!

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    1. Oooh... and e-book Diane? Never thought of that before... I shall look into it. :-)

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  6. Really wonderful snowflakes!!! :)

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  7. Great!!!
    It really looks like the real snowflake!

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  9. Love all your flakes over the years. This one is very pretty too.

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  10. Wonderful flakes! I know from trying how difficult it is to create from the photos in the book. Your reliable center is a grand platform for the final rounds.

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  11. Gorgeous snowflake your snowflakes are always special

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  12. The decorative patterns of your snowflakes are like in real snow. You've succeeded brilliantly.

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  13. I agree with Diane - an ebook of snowflakes! Your designs are always so beautiful, your creativity is so wonderful! You must have the patience of a saint - I would be ripping my hair out after a try or two.

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  14. They are all lovely Joelle. I also agree with Diane about producing an e-book of snowflakes. I'll be second in line to purchase it!

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