New Snowflake for 2023

I actually started working on this snowflake two years ago but then was struck with tendonitis and had to put it aside for a while. I never picked it back up at the time so it didn't get finished or the pattern written properly.  It was still in note form.

When I did my demo (see previous post), this was the first snowflake that I sold and I had only one. So it inspired me to get my notes back out, complete the work, and have it as my 2023 snowflake.

I would like to thank Sue for her suggestion of naming it Holly which I think suits it very well!

Below you can see the photo of the real snowflake

I was working from

(photo taken by Wilson Bentley)

I hesitated as to whether I should join the points or not as they are not joined on the real snowflake but joining them gave the tatted snowflake stability. You can see below a sample I tried where I didn't join the points but it made the snowflake too "floppy". Do you think it looks more like the real snowflake though or not?  If so should I find an alternative where the points are not joined or should I keep with the model above?  Any input would be appreciated!

Just a sample, tatting not uniform
and I've just cut the joins!
The arms are slightly longer on this one.
Is it better or not?

I know I've not been so active on my blog in the last few years and probably not so many people visit anymore but might anyone reading this be interested in test-tatting the pattern?  I just need a couple of people who can try it quite quickly and get back to me with some feedback, it would be most appreciated.

Update 10.10.23:  Thank you so much  for all the offers of help, I'm good for test-tatters now!

Best wishes,

Frivole

Tatting Demo & New Lace Lamp

 I was invited to do a lace demonstration at a National Trust Property called Snowshill Manor this weekend.

Here is some of what I had prepared for the day:

I thought snowflakes in particular

would be most appropriate for a place called "Snowshill"!

And here is my table layout in the manor.  You can see the little lace lamp I made specially for the occasion but also to have a smaller "large lace" item that I could take with me when needed (my chair and large lamp are not that easily transportable).

I enjoyed creating the little lamp and would like to make more.  I'm also thinking it's getting near time to get my new snowflake pattern for 2023 ready!

What's keeping you busy at the moment?

Best wishes,

Frivole

Crochet Bag

My Mother-in-law came to visit a couple of days ago and she had this crochet green bag which I'd forgotten I made for her.  

The stitch still really appeals to me.

I'm going to have a search for the pattern now!

I can't even remember what the stitch was called.

This is when I'm mad at myself for not taking more notes on my projects.

I used an old-fashioned clip-clasp which my Mother-in-law really likes.

Otherwise, I've been busy tatting up snowflakes for a demonstration I'm doing on Saturday and working on a small lamp using my large lace.

What have you been up to?

Best wishes,

Frivole

Mark Myers Pumpkin revisited

Back in 2012, I posted this photo of Mark Myers' pumpkin pattern which I had tatted.  Unfortunately, the link didn't work anymore but a reader kindly gave me a new link from the Wayback Machine which works.  So if you had been looking for this pattern, you can find it here.  I know it's still summer and you're probably not thinking of pumpkins yet but hopefully, you'll be happy to have it come fall.  Mark Myers (aka Tat-Man) has many one shuttle designs and this one is no exception and a creative way of achieving the pumpkin shape.

Thank you Sarah for providing me with the new link!

Best wishes,

Frivole

Hanky Edging Completed

Here it is, the handkerchief with the one-shuttle edging (pattern on my Patterns page).

It's been all wrapped up and given away already.

Best wishes,

Frivole

New Gift Hanky

Someone has a special birthday coming up and she likes pinks so I'm making the one-shuttle edging again (see link on the pattern page).  I didn't have a lot of time and this seemed a reasonably quick pattern to make.  The colour of the hanky is an unusual shade of pink but I found I was able perfectly to match it with Lizbeth's Shell Pink Lt.

I started work with one of my usual favourite shuttles...

but then found that because all the thread is coming from one shuttle only

I was having to refill too often so I opted for the larger Starlit

(I added a hook to mine for efficiency when making joins)

I now hope I'll be able to complete the whole edging without having to refill again.

Back to tatting!  I need to get this finished soon.

Best wishes,

Frivole

Hanky Edging Completed

I finished the green edging for my mother-in-law.  It's simple but effective and the shape appeals to me, like little shells.

I attached it to the fabric edge as I went along.

This meant improvising on the corners depending on where I was at on the

pattern as I got close to the corners.

You can see these two corners are not the same

but it works fine and is not noticeable when you look

at the hanky overall.

The colours are like those of snowdrops that are blooming all around at the moment.

Spring is in the air!...

Best wishes,

Frivole