Here's the finished version of what I showed you yesterday:
This is, of course, my new "Ice Crystal" snowflake. See how nice and straight the spokes are from using Sherry's blocking template? I'm also pleased to report that blocking greatly improved my Dora Young knots. Yes, that's an improvement. In case you couldn't tell, it's the spoke at the two o'clock position. At least the colors are in the right places, which couldn't have been done with regular split rings. See Jane's explanation of Dora Young knots
here. The reason mine are so uneven is because I have a hard time judging how much bare thread to leave before the lock join. I always leave too much, so that the split chain side is looser than the regular chain side. I know, I know, practice makes perfect, and I should just do a lot more of these. I will eventually.
Right now, I'm tatting another of these, this time in a single color so that I can just use split rings. The blue and white one is size 20. I don't particularly think this flake looks its best in a large thread-- to me, the airiness of the design calls out for a finer thread-- but I had to make this one big because it's for my Grandma, and her eyes aren't what they used to be. The one I'm making now is in size 80. I've still got about 1 1/3 rounds to go, but here's a size comparison just for grins.
I'm also finishing the pattern, incorporating the suggestions made by my wonderful and patient test-tatter,
Trayna.
So so pretty. One day I'll try blocking but after over 50 years not doing it I feel it may well be a failure!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy tension has improved over the last couple of years to where I sometimes don't have to block, but with this design it is a must-- even though it's my own! I have to fold the previous bits out of the way so much that the end result is a very crumpled snowflake. Plus, the chains in the outer round do require a bit of taming.
ReplyDeleteI also find that the same design can sometimes have different shapes depending on how it is blocked. Just compare the shape of this snowflake to the one on Trayna's blog. Same pattern, just blocked differently.
I do find, Jane, that your designs seldom need blocking as long as my tension is correct.
Your snowflake is just as perfect as can be. Love the design! What more can one say! Bet your Grandma will be very proud of it and also of you!
ReplyDeleteAll of them are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the one with the blue and white most because blue is my favorite color, but it looks majorly amazing in your snowflake!!! :)
Can't wait to see the new one when it's finished!
Could not figure that last pic out for the longest time! Now I see there are two flakes there... Quite a difference!
ReplyDeleteHard to compare Trayna's t yours as the pic is black and white - can be misleading to compare it to colour...
Your pattern is so pretty. Your Grandma will love it.
Fox : )
It's a beautiful pattern!
ReplyDelete...just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat this star really attractive beautiful
ReplyDeleteStar!