"But, really, why does anyone create? You feel a... a restlessness inside, a need to make something new, something no one has ever seen before. You want to add to the beauty and the richness of the world with a gift, an offering that is uniquely yours. It's an act of selfishness and generosity, all rolled into one."

-- Bruce Coville,
The Last Hunt

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

More Foxy Doodads

I'm almost out of time before I have to send everything off to my mom for the sale. I did get a couple more pendants made, though. The pattern is Fox's "Evelyn", another one that makes use of a doodad in the center. They both cupped a bit, the first one because the doodad I used was slightly larger than the specified 3/4 inch, and the second because I used size 50 thread instead of size 40. I felt this was OK, because it enhances the flower-like appearance of the first one, and on the second the cupping simply continues the contour of the doodad. I also experimented a bit with different ways to put the beads at the junctions of rings and split rings; neither method I used was what Fox described, and they both look a little different. It just shows how many different ways there are to add beads to tatting.


On this one, I used a square filigree doodad in antique brass finish, and Krystledawne's HDT's. The variegated is "Of Berries and Fairies", and the other two threads are the matching solids "Fairy Faint" and "Wineberry".

On this one, I left a long space of thread from shuttle 2 between the split rings. When I did the outer round, I added the beads as I made the joins in these spots.


This one uses a round silver doodad with a center cutout and holes around the edge, and the thread is "Midnight Oil" in size 50 by Yarnplayer. I've always wanted to make some jewelry in this colorway, so I'm glad to have finally gotten around to it. I just noticed a little bit of cat hair at the bottom, so I'll have to get it off before I mail everything.

This time, I added the beads to the shuttle 1 thread as instructed, but I still didn't do it the way Fox said. I put a bead on the circle of thread on my left hand, but did not move it up when making a stitch at any point, so when I closed the ring that bead ended up at the base of the ring.

In each of these, I added a closed jump ring by joining to it in the place of one Josephine knot. Since this made the jump ring parallel to the tatting, I then added a split ring finding to the jump ring, so that the pendant will hang right from the cord.

I've really enjoyed working with these doodads. I've always liked seeing when Jane adds a doodad to her tatting, and umintsuru has sometimes done it too. Thanks to Fox and Diane for inspiring me to join the fun!

8 comments:

  1. They both look lovely, lovely the thread colours, well done
    Margaret

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  2. Your midnight oil piece is fantastic (others too). I really love the doodad and how you've worked it. The beads at the base of the rings are great!

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  3. Very cool! I really like the second one. It reminds me of the cut-outs in a sand dollar.

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  4. Miranda, I LOVE what you have done with this pattern. Your tatting looks amazing! And that Midnight Oil thread is superb.
    Fox : ))

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  5. So, that bead goes inside the circle? I thought it got moved up from the right hand after the circle was closed???
    Fox : 0

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    1. Well, it's really up to the individual tatter, I think. I chose to put them inside the circle on the Midnight Oil one, but you don't have to. There's no right or wrong way, as long as you're getting the look you want.

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  6. Those are both really gorgeous!!! I really like the design of the doodad in the first one!! :)

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  7. It's really beautiful work with thread and beads! It'd be great to have some more picture demonstration so I could try it my self. Anyway, loved your blog.

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