Holiday Wishes

Wishing you all a joyful Christmas

and a happy, healthy and creative New Year!

Christmas Decorations

I do love Christmas decorations and twinkling lights!  This year, I wanted to incorporate tatted lace in my decorations (of course!) - I always have many tatted snowflakes on my tree, as I'm sure most of you do too, and decided to also trace some of them onto our windows.  I used Snowdrop on the left and a variation of Aeris on the right and traced them with a chalk marker and then added several more little flakes around them.

I also decided to make a new wreath for our door and thought a little crochet robin was a must!

The pattern is from Stella's Yarn Universe.

He turned out pretty cute I think!

I then had fun making the wreath with my daughter, with a few purchased items

and gathered foliage, leaves, berries, etc. found on my walks.

How about you, what's your favourite Christmas decoration?

Maybe something new you made this year?

Best wishes,

Frivole

Mimosa Earrings

I hadn't made these in a while and I enjoyed choosing bead colours to match threads and making a few pairs.

I particularly like this combination of olive green thread

with bronze pearls and cream beads.

It made me think it's time for a new earring pattern.  I love tatted earrings, to wear and to gift.  I hope I can get my little grey cells working on that soon.  But maybe it will have to be a New Year project as December always ends up being so busy!

Is your house already all decorated?  Mine isn't but it's planned for next week.

From the last post:  Tatterjil and "Anonymous" if you could please contact me with your email, I can send you the pattern!

Happy tatting all!

Best wishes,

Frivole

... and the Random Generator Says?...

5, 1, 13, 8 and 4!  There were only 14 comments in the end so chances of winning were high for everyone! Tatterjil, Angie K., Lelia, Pam and Anonymous are the winners!  If there is an email linked to your comment, I will send the pattern there, but if there is not, please contact me to let me know where to send the pattern (especially the anonymous comment!).

Here is another variation of Alba I made today.  For fun I decided to add lots of picots!  I stretched it a bit when blocking it too and I rather like how it turned out.  So there you go, you can have fun with it and make the version you like the best.

Happy tatting!

Best wishes,
Frivole

Alba Pattern Draw!

First of all I would like to thank my test-tatters, I always appreciate people taking the time and energy to try patterns and give feedback, their work is essential in getting a pattern ready - Thank you so much!

I hope some of you will be interested in tatting Alba so I am having a draw for 5 copies of the pattern.  All you have to do is leave a comment on this blogpost and I will draw 5 names at random from the comments.

I'll make the draw on the 1st of December.

Good luck!

Best wishes,

Frivole

Alba Variation

I realise no doubt not every tatter is comfortable with using split rings, split chains and self-closing mock rings!  So I'm thinking of also offering a "simpler" variation of Alba which would look like this (and also because someone told me they liked a version with picots better!).  

In this variation, I have removed all the self-closing mock rings, 1SSCMR and self-closing Josephine Knots!  There is still one split ring to move from round 1 to round 2 but you can always cut and tie if you do not wish to use a split ring.

If it makes this design accessible to more tatters, I'm happy to add the variation to the pattern.  And here they are side by side.

I prefer the sharp angles and general look of the 1st which is more "snowflake-like" to me and closer to the photo of the real snowflake but the 2nd version is simpler to tat.

What about you?  Do you have a preference?

Best wishes,

Frivole

and P.S.  Sadly I had to re-instate comment moderation as I was getting too much spam again! Grrrrrr!  So I'm sorry you have to go through extra steps to post your comments (so I appreciate them even more!), I wish it wasn't necessary.

Alba - New Snowflake 2024

Yes. I think I'm stopping here for this one.  I'm going to call it "Alba" which comes from the latin "Albus" and means white.

It unusually has no decorative picots but I think this brings it closer in look and shape to the original image of the real snowflake which inspired the design (see below).  It also just makes a change!

Real Snowflake photo by Wilson Bentley

For now I have put the other option I was working on to the side, firstly because I felt the first one was more interesting/original and - and this is the big one - I couldn't find a way to make it in one pass.  I also wasn't happy with the shape of the tips yet so it needed more work altogether.

Discarded Option

Below I'm showing a small photo of Alba and the snowflake photo side by side

because I think when viewed small, or from a distance, or with squinting your eyes,

you better see the similarities or differences in shape.

So it's not as close as some of my other designs

but I still feel the snowflakes, real and lace, share some resemblance.

I hope you think so too?

Regardless, the snowflake photo provided me with inspiration

and a good starting point for this new design.

I hope you like it!

Now on to writing the pattern!  And if anyone reading this likes the look of this one and fancies trying it for me, I always appreciate assistance in this department.  I plan on getting the pattern done during the course of this week. This pattern makes use of my 1SSCMR to make the points on the chains, a technique for which I have made a video which can be viewed here should you be interested.  It also uses one split ring for moving from round 1 to round 2.

Best wishes,

Frivole

New Snowflake for 2024?

Oh no!  It's already November and I'm only just getting around to thinking about and working on a new snowflake for 2024!  I had my daughter flick through the pages of my favourite book of snowflake photographs and make a pre-selection for me and from those I decided to work on the one below.

This is where I'm at so far.  It's not that close to the original but it gave me a good starting point.  Let's say that my snowflake this year is "loosely" (rather than closely) inspired by a real snowflake.  I've said before how it can be difficult to closely mimic a snowflake with tatting as real snowflakes are all straight lines and angles whereas tatting is all curves! I'm still testing things and working on samples. I'm particularly frustrated because at the moment I can't seem to find a way of making this design in one pass!  I'll keep trying!

In the meantime, any feedback welcome!

Best wishes,

Frivole

Tree with Baubles.. and Pumpkins

Here is the Christmas tree with red baubles!  This should be my last post on the little tree but I wanted to show it to you one more time with its tatted snow and baubles.  I strung some red beads on each shuttle and placed them randomly as I was tatting the tree.  I also went fancy and did the trunk in brown instead of carrying on with the same thread throughout.

Oh, and I nearly forgot to say that I also started a series of videos on how to make the tree, you can find the videos on my channel (link in right side bar).

It's currently more the season for pumpkins than for Christmas trees really so I've also been having fun making these cute crochet pumpkins (following this video).  They're quick to whip up so I made a few for family and friends.

Best wishes,

Joëlle

More on Little Christmas Tree

I was looking at one of my trees last night and all of a sudden wondered... "why not make the snow with tatting instead of crochet?"

So here is a version with tatted snow.

Little Christmas Tree Pattern

In fact, I think I prefer the tatted snow as it's a little firmer and is perhaps even better at helping give the branches their shape.  I have now amended the pattern and added the information on tatting the snow so if anyone wants to re-download it, you'll now get the most recent version.

Here's trying to give you a better look at the tatted snow.

As I mentioned in the pattern, I used normal lock joins on this version but it would look nice with Catherine Wheel joins too.  Perhaps I'll use them on the next version when I try adding beads for baubles as well.

My forest is growing!

I'll look forward to hearing from anyone who makes the first tree.  Feedback is welcome!

Little Christmas Tree Pattern

Best wishes,

Frivole

Little Christmas Tree Pattern

Well here it is at last!  It's more than 10 years since I first talked about it so hopefully it was worth the wait! Again I'd like to thank the designer, Mrs. Roesti-Holenstein, for generously giving permission for me to share her pattern on my blog. I also want to thank my German friend for being the intermediary and for her help in making this happen. I really felt this one would be enjoyed by many tatters. And now is a perfect time of year to share it too!

Little Christmas Tree Pattern

I've uploaded the pdf on Google Drive and set permission to "everyone with the link"

so I hope it works!  Let me know please.

This is what it looks like, just finished, without the crochet snow.

I think adding the snow really helps give the tree a nicer shape.

It helps spread the "branches" better.

Here is a slightly more top-down view of it.

The pattern (as I have written it) has not been test-tatted by anyone but me so if you make it, please feel free to let me know if you find any mistakes and amendments you think would benefit tatters.  I'm a big fan of patterns made in one pass so I have used split rings and split chains to move from round to round.  If you are not confident with split rings and chains, you can cut and tie for each round (there are 6 rounds).  I have videos that show how to make split rings and chains on my YouTube Channel if you're looking for a bit of help on making them.

On split chains in particular, I know they don't get used all that often in patterns and may seem a bit daunting but they're not that difficult once you've practiced them a bit.  They are a really useful design element to help move from round to round and for that reason, I think they're great!

To finish, I'm adding this last photo from my original post 

which shows how well the little tree fits on top of a pen!

And of course will also look lovely hanging as a decoration.

I'm thinking of making a series of videos that demonstrate how to make the tree, what do you think? Oh and Lavinia's comment reminded me that I've been meaning to tat the tree with some little red beads in it for baubles, I think that would look great.  I'll try to make it for my next blogpost.

Addition 11.10.24:  Looking at my tree tonight, I wondered why I'd not tried making the "snow" with tatting instead of with crochet?  So I did!  And yes, it looks great and works very well so if you're not a crocheter or simply if you prefer to do it all with tatting, here is what it looks like.  I think I might even prefer it myself to the crochet version.

Best wishes,

Frivole

Great News! - Christmas Tree

I can't believe I'm talking about the "C Word" on a 1st of October but I was eager to share my news and also this will give more time to people who may want to tat this for Christmas.

Several years ago now, I made a blogpost about a lovely Christmas tree pattern designed by Edith Roesti-Holenstein which a friend from Germany had helped me obtain.  I had several comments and enquiries by tatters who wanted to make it but the designer was not online and only sold paper copies locally or by post if I remember correctly.

However, I am delighted to say that after exchanges and with help from my friend as the intermediary, I was given permission to share it here on my blog!  It's taken me a while to get around to tatting it afresh and I thought it was more complex to tat than it actually is.  You do have to cut and tie after some of the rounds but to be honest this is then hidden underneath and you could just knot and cut the ends if you wished instead of sewing them in.  However, I'm trying to see if there is a way of making it in one pass which would always be my preference!  The "snow" is added afterward with crochet.

Quick update:  I've been working on this tonight and it IS doable in one pass, with the use of split rings and split chains.  I often use split rings but split chains a lot less often so this will be a good opportunity to practice them!

I will try my best to get the pattern together as soon as possible and make a new blogpost about it when it's ready.  So keep checking back if you'd like to tat the little tree!

The tree in the background is the one I made many years ago and the one in the foreground is the one I just made.

The other thing I need to figure out is how to share the pattern as I've had many problems with Google Docs over the years and people telling me they can't access my patterns there.  If anyone has good suggestions on how best to do that, I'd be grateful.  I'll see if I can just post the pattern straight here into a blogpost.

To be continued...

Best wishes,

Frivole

Tatted Flowers & Lavender

Oh I can barely believe we're already in September!  My last post was back in July, I'm really neglecting my blog.  It was a wonderful busy summer filled with travel, sunshine and happy family reunions.  How was yours?

I found this tatted double flower motif by Jan Stawasz (from his second book "Tatted Treasures") while I was tidying. What does one do with such pretties?  I have a box full of them and am really not sure how to use them.  Maybe decorate an Alice band for my niece?

While on holiday, I picked some wonderful fresh lavender and decided to make "lavender bottles". They are such a nice way to preserve lavender and the fragrance lasts for years.  They eventually dry up but if you press them a bit between your fingers the fragrance is released anew.  Great to keep in your clothes drawers.

I tried different materials to weave them with but in the end, the nicest is probably very thin ribbon as in the ones below.  I think they make the pretties diamond pattern.  The very dark purple doesn't come out very well in the photo unfortunately.

I hope you all had a lovely summer too.  After fresher rainy weather recently, we're back to sunshine and warmer temperatures this week so I'm making the most of it.  I love autumn too but always feel a little sad when summer comes to an end.

Best wishes,

Frivole

One More Pair

I just didn't have the right earrings for today's dress... so had to make some!  Following on from the previous post, here is another lovely beaded earring pattern.  It is a free pattern from the Blog "Linda's Crafty Inspirations" and they are her Peyote Fan Earrings.  She has many free patterns on her blog so if you like beading, I'd recommend checking her blog out.

I love tatted earrings of course but I'm also a big fan of beaded earrings and always enjoy making them.  Do you have a go-to beaded earring pattern?

Summer is finally here today after a lot of cool rainy weather here in the UK so I'm making the most of the  welcome sunshine!  

Best wishes,

Frivole

Beading & Large Lace

Oh dear, where does the time go??  I can't believe I hadn't posted since Easter!  Maybe it's because I've done very little tatting lately (standard size tatting) although I'm currently working on another large lace lamp.

In the meantime, a little beading interlude... I always enjoy making earrings and when I last visited my local bead shop, I found a few kits I fancied having a go at, also because I had some birthday gifts to make and I always like making earrings as gifts.

So here are four pairs I made, different models, different colours.  

Summer has been slow to arrive but I hope you are enjoying some sunshine and happy days wherever you are!

Best wishes,

Frivole

Easter Egg

I unfortunately ran out of time to complete the second egg as I ended up having an impromptu invitation to go away for the weekend but I managed to decorate one of them!

Happy Easter!

Wishing you all a lovely time with family and friends this holiday weekend.

 Best wishes,

Frivole

Easter

I found these little ceramic eggs in my local charity shop yesterday...  I thought they were shouting to be decorated with tatting!

I'm using a vintage edging from the Tatters Treasure Chest and I think I will combine it with one of my patterns.  We'll see if it works out!

Best wishes,

Frivole

Flower Earrings

First of all, thank you very much to all of you who responded to my posts about missing comments.  I'm so glad and really appreciate every single one of your answers.  I apologise if I don't respond to each individually but for some reason Blogger has become incredibly slow at loading!  When I want to respond to comments, it takes ages to load up the response box and then more ages to load up my answer so sometimes I just give up.  Does anyone have that problem who's on Blogger also?  Not sure why it has changed as this never was a problem until a few months ago.

I removed comment moderation but straight away started received spam again!  Grrrrrr.  So I'm afraid I'll have to re-instate it... and this time will try to remember to go approve comments when they come in!  (Silly me).

Now, you've seen these earrings on several occasions as it is one of my favourite pattern to make as a gift (and for myself because I also have several pairs in different colours).  I made this pair for my son's girlfriend, the colour is "Maple Syrup" which I couldn't resist buying as I'm such a maple fan!  And the shade was just in her colour palette.

I've not tatted any bigger projects for a while now so I hope you don't mind seeing the little ones I manage to make here and there.  I've got crochet and knitting on the go but not so much tatting at the moment.  I always like to hear what you are working on too! 

Best wishes,

Frivole

Dewdrop Earrings

Thank you again for all your responses on my previous posts!  Now I've found them and know where I went wrong... and yes, it was all me!  Don't activate comment moderation and then forget about it is the lesson!  I've now de-activated it but I'm still getting spam so may have to re-instate it.  Hopefully when/if I do so again, I won't forget to go check my comments and approve them!

Thank you so much to all of you who write comments on my posts.  I really appreciate it and am relieved to know that people are still visiting.  Phew!

Here is a pair of Dewdrop earrings, pattern by Jane McLellan which you can find here.  Jane answered my post about her "go-to" pattern so I decided to make a pair.  Really lovely.  Could be made with variations and endless colour choices of course.  I see I'll be making some of these for friends too.

Don't look too closely as I slightly messed up the top ring where it joins to the finding but I know where I went wrong so the next pair will be better.  I like patterns like these where you can quickly whip up a pair, especially when you want to match an outfit for example or make a gift for a friend.

Best wishes,

Frivole

Not Able to Comment?

Ok, I'm starting to worry...  it's two blogposts in a row that have not received any comments at all.  Of course, it may be that they were not interesting and no one wanted to write anything but it still seems a bit strange to me.

Would some of you reading this (I hope some of you are!) kindly try to write a comment and if it doesn't work, could you email me at frivole*at*btinternet.com and let me know please?  I'd really appreciate it.

And here's a little tatting image to decorate this blogpost.

Thank you very much!

UPDATE 31.01:  Thank you very much everyone who has taken the time to write me emails and commented - it's working again!  It's true I had changed the settings a few months ago for moderation because I was getting so much spam.  I've now changed them back and hopefully the spam won't come back too soon.  It's lovely to hear from people, I really appreciate it so thank you everyone!  I will answer emails over the next couple of days.

Second Update 01.02:  Thank you again for all the responses, it's really cheered me up that people still enjoy blogs and that you do come and visit mine!  :-).   I feel rather silly that I had changed comment moderation (due to too much spam) and promptly forgot to go check on blogger to approve them!  So it's all my fault, I can't even blame technology for this one.  I have now removed comment moderation but see that I already have spam coming back in so I may have to leave it on (sorry as I know it's a bit annoying to deal with).  I'll leave it off a while longer but if it gets too bad, I'll have to start moderating again.  Hopefully this time, I won't forget to go approve comments so they appear on my blog!  

Best wishes,

Frivole

D*i*amond Earrings

I hope people still enjoy reading blogs?... Or are they now "passé"?  What is your favourite platform to view craft content?  

I recently made a new video on how to tat these easy d*i*amond earrings (I'm adding the asterisks because last time I posted about such earrings a few years ago, I got so many spam comments!), you can view it here.  Making the video caused me to tat a few more pairs so here they are.  Two of the pairs will be gifted to friends.

They don't take long to make and the pattern is super simple to remember:

R3-3-3-3, rw

C7, rw

*R3+3-3-3, rw

C7, repeat from *

There are slight variations in each:

The green pair is joined at the first and last picots of each rings (as per the pattern),

whereas the grey and the black pairs are joined at the second,

and penultimate picots of each ring.

The grey pair has beads at the tips.

The black pair has beads at all the joins

(not very visible as they are black on black).

I shall make another pair with a more contrasting bead on the joins.

I stiffen those earrings with a bit of diluted PVA glue so they keep their shape when worn.

Do you have favourite earring pattern, one that you go back to again and again?  Please let me know!

Best wishes,

Frivole

Happy New Year!

Ooh, I realise I didn't even post a Christmas message this year but I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with family and friends and that you are looking forward to a great new year 2024 full of joy, happiness and creativity!

After working on the Holly snowflake, I didn't do much tatting, concentrating more on making Christmas decorations and cooking and baking and just enjoying time with the family.  

This year, inspired by some instagram videos, one daughter and I had fun making dried orange and leaf garlands, up cycled cardboard decorations and little orange foxes to decorate the house:

Each year, I enjoy making a nice-looking meatless Christmas dinner option:

And finally, the town hall looked really pretty decked up in its Christmas lighting:

During the holidays, I had cold feet and decided I needed a new pair of slippers.  I followed Jess Coppam's pattern for crochet slippers and made these:

And then thought my husband would like some too so I modified the top of the slippers and made him this pair:

They are quick to make with super chunky yarn and size 6.5mm crochet hook.

How is the start of the year shaping up for you?  Any exciting projects you will be working on?  I always enjoy hearing from you!

Best wishes,

Frivole