Latest Piece of Work

This one is Renulek's (I love her work) 2014 Spring Napkin. I am starting in on round 8. There are 13 rounds. At round 7, the doily is about 12" across. The colors I am using are Lizbeth 656, Wedgewood Dark, and 655, Wedgewood Light. 

    By the way, Wedgwood does not have the second "E" if you are talking about the ceramics. I do own one small piece of the ceramic. A small round tray. 

 I already have a home for this. One of the ladies at my doctor's office saw me working on it while waiting and mentioned it. I told her I would put her name on it, so it is going home with her when I get it done. I usually take a few photos and then give away the things I make. I tat for the process more than for the finished product. I already have a ton of doilies around the house so now I give them away. I mostly like to do doilies. They are useful, decorative and usually somewhat easy to make. I just enjoy the process.

Tatting Fantasia 10

 

    I got this book a month or so ago. I collect books and this one is the latest to complete my collection of Iris Niebach's work. I decided to start in on it with the first medallion. These are my thoughts on that and comments on working it.

Finished

    The first thing I would say is that this is not a book for beginners. Don't let that scare you, but you will need to know some techniques beyond chain and ring. You will also need to know when to use them. There are places in the pattern that do not specifically say how to hold your thread, when to reverse work, or not reverse work. There are times when there are optional methods. You will need to pay close attention to what element you are working and how it must be done. You should be familiar with using picot gauges.

    In this pattern  you will need to know how to make an SCMR (self closing mock ring). You will need to know when to use a thrown ring (ring on a chain)You will need to keep an eye on which way your tatting is turned. For instance, there are places that you are chaining, but it is easy to get the chain turned the wrong direction. One of these is at the basketweave area. You must pay attention! 

Basketweave

    All in all, this is a fun, interesting pattern. Iris always has fun things to try in her work. If you want something with a bit more challenge, I would say get this one.