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Friday, September 18, 2015

Small Doily

It has been far too long since I have updated my blog (or followed along with other people's blogs, for that matter)! I was pretty busy this summer and went over a month without tatting. I really started to miss my creative outlet.

To remedy that, I looked through some of my antique tatting books last Friday to see if I could find anything to tat. Not seeing anything I really liked, I decided to revisit the Frauberger edging I have been blogging about in my previous posts. This time I incorporated it into a small doily:


It's tatted in Lizbeth size 20 White and Fruit Fizz. The doily measures just under 6 inches across. I had to block it because it wasn't laying perfectly flat, but I have some ideas to improve it. Here it is from a bird's eye view:


In typical fashion, I used my iPad to make a sketch before tackling the design:


The symmetrical drawing App has been an invaluable tool in drafting patterns. Without it, I'm not sure that I would be able to come up with so many ideas!

20 comments:

Madtatter80 said...

That is beautiful, glad you posted, nothing wrong with breaks. In fact looks like it helped with creativity love it!

Małgoś 13 said...

Piękna serwetka.

Ninetta said...

It's really nice! I agree, nothing wrong with breaks, and the drawing apps is always handy, just in case! I don't know if it could be of any help, to have different size rings for those connecting the onion rings, they are different in the sketch too. Happy tatting!

Robin Perfetti said...

Thanks Ninetta! I know exactly what you mean about the ring sizes, and I've been trying out different combinations. We must think similarly about designing patterns :)

Eliz Davis aka Tatknot said...

A lovely design and very effective in these colors, too. I've been playing around with the app for drawing up design ideas. It's quick and fun, but I think I need to use a stylus. You encourage me to keep playing with it.

Jane McLellan said...

Lovely doily. Clever to be able to convert a straight bookmark into a round doily.

Madtatter80 said...

Some times I thing the ring sizes change while using the same thread some thread seems to get thinner in places and gives me a different size ring. I may be totally off with this comment, may not understand you two :) I just got through making several onion rings that is why I said this.

Robin Perfetti said...

Looking at the two small rings that connect each onion ring together: Making the top ring slightly larger than the bottom ring helps the outer round to curve and also compensates for the small increase in circumference. (As the doily radiates outward, the circumference gets larger and larger). I'm pretty sure that's what Ninetta was talking about (though I could very well have misunderstood).

Differing thread size is also a big problem in the above doily. The white thread is so much thicker than the colored thread, which makes it hard to estimate a good stitch count. I don't know why white thread is always so thick (I've encountered the same with white yarn when crocheting).

ewa_m said...

Piękny wzór i tak cudnie wykonany :))
Pozdrawiam

muskaan said...

Interestingly, Robin, your drawing actually shows the difference in ring sizes !
I have the same problem with white - and I find white thread to be stiffer than coloured ones in the same brand & size. Hence have refrained from using alongside colours in projects :-(

Your doily is looking superb ! Love the spray of colour ; and exquisitely tatted as usual :-)

Bernice said...

Lovely, I'd love to tat this one.

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

Your doily looks wonderful! Every time you mention the iPad, I take mine out and try designing something. I think I'll need to visit you when I retire to get some personal lessons! ;-)

Robin Perfetti said...

Thanks muskaan! The drawings are very useful for being able to visualize small differences before starting the actual tatting. Though part of the ring unevenness is due to having trouble drawing on the iPad :)

Robin Perfetti said...

If I can figure out a good stitch count so this lays flat without blocking, I could always use test tatters to give the pattern a whirl.

Robin Perfetti said...

Even with lots of practice, I still use the "undo" button very liberally when drawing. I wish there were more options for symmetrical drawing programs, both for tablets and computers.

Jenn said...

The doily is gorgeous!!

GraceT said...

That's wonderful! Congratulations on another lovely pattern. By making variations, you're doing what Frauberger herself did. Well done!

God's Kid said...

Awesome doily design!!! :)

Unknown said...

I love tatting your patterns. They are beautiful, designed well and very easy to tat. I am always anxious to see your next design.

Robin Perfetti said...

Thanks Deborah :)
Believe it or not, I really enjoy the process of designing, though it is often tedious. Blame it on my father's side of the family, and their obsession with puzzles and learning (I think I inherited those genes). I'm just finishing up another design now, and will be posting about that tonight or tomorrow.