Endless Hearts Braid with Corner

 

This is a pattern I was working on quite intensely, in early 2013. In response to a request, I even created an SCMR corner for it. 

But then I stalled, because it was so onerous to tat! I needed two paper clips as strivers for every repeat of the pattern – they went on, then off, then on, then off, over and over again. 

When it came to describing how to tat it – well, that was even more hideous! I took pictures for a tutorial, then realised that I still needed to write long and convoluted sentences about joining to the undersides of chains…

So, I just gave up – though I did go on to write up and publish other patterns using the little hearts (see under "My patterns").

But, in July, Muskaan shared about the Intruding Picot. I saw at once that maybe this picot could replace those pesky paper clips. So I dusted off my Endless Hearts samples and scribbles and started experimenting with it again. I eventually stumbled on a join that was new to me – I call it the Encapsulating Picot Join. That solved most of my problems, and I was able to tat the Endless Hearts without strivers or tears, and then to write it up and draw diagrams for it.

And now, after extensive test-tatting and rewrites, here it is at last!

My test tatters made many suggestions, reflecting a great array of tatting styles! I wasn't able to use them all, but I have compiled them in the next blog post, so that you can try them out, if you wish.

For St. Patrick's Day — the Trefoil Hearts Shamrock

Early last year, I was on a roll with the Trefoil Hearts. After I had done the Butterfly, I came up with a cross made out of Trefoil Hearts (you can see it under the Designs in Progress tab), and then — since everyone was tatting shamrocks — I also tatted this Trefoil Hearts Shamrock. Unfortunately, I only posted it the day AFTER St. Patrick's Day!

So, this year, I am not making the same mistake. Here is my pattern for the Trefoil Hearts Shamrock, nice and early! I haven't run it by any test tatters yet. So, if you do find any problems with my pattern, please do let me know, and I will post an updated version. Thanks! :-) (The thread I used for this sample is Lizbeth Leafy Greens, Size 40.)

Trefoil     Hearts Shamrock, March 2013

TIAS January 2014 and before

Jane Eborall is currently running a TIAS (Tat It and See) at this blog. She releases a mystery pattern in small instalments, and we tat each instalment and make guesses about what it is. Jane does it every January, and I've been taking part ever since I first started tatting in December 2011.

The first year I took part (January 2012), I had been tatting for only a month. I had never done an SCMR, and I had only just learned the split ring, but I followed along, and was very proud to arrive at the finish line with this goat:

In January 2013, I did the TIAS again, and this time it was a pram. I did it frontside/backside, and so for the first time did backward-facing split rings and split chains.

In September 2013, there was an extra TIAS from Sherry Pence. Again I took part, as you can see from my blog posts for September and October 2013.

This year, I got a late start, but now I have caught up to Day 7 (out of 14, I think). What can it be? My wild guess: the Sydney Opera House. :-)

You can join the TIAS at any point. Do try it — it's a lot of fun!