The motif is from Anne Orr's Classic Tatting Patterns. It's called "Large Round Medallion with Cross in Center"; well, you can't fault her for accuracy.
This is a motif that I've always been drawn to; I really like the negative spaces in it. However, I've never made it before and had no idea how big it would turn out. Even in size 80, it's almost too big for the ball. Also, I don't know how Mrs. Orr made it lie flat, because I ended up with a ruffle around the edge even after blocking. But since it's consistent all the way around, I hope that it looks intentional.
The five 4-ring clusters that make up the cross are each tatted separately. I could have updated them with split rings, but I chose not to; I couldn't see a way to do it entirely without cutting and tying. However, I did update the two outer rounds by using a split chain and split ring to climb from one round to the next. Did I wind two shuttles just for that one split ring? Absolutely not. Since I was using an HDT on a floss bobbin, I just used the floss bobbin like a shuttle. It's not a convenient shape for it, but for just a few stitches it works.
The thread is the one thing I'm really happy with in this piece. It's Tatskool's "Gingerbread" in size 80. I have to admit, I'm not usually a huge fan of brown, but this colorway has a sort of glow to it; it looks really nice against the dark green background, too.
Anyway, since everybody has different tastes, I'm hoping somebody will like this poor ornament better than I do.
Well you can't really blame Anne Or as apparently she didn't tat! She published books on tatting. I like this poor bauble and I'm sure others will too. Put it away for a few days and then take a fresh look at it - you'll see it's unique beauty then. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, Jane. I had no idea Anne Orr didn't tat. If that's the case, I wonder who really designed all the pretty pieces in her books. And also, she has the earliest description of a split ring that I'm aware of, so I wonder who really invented THAT!
DeleteAre you kidding? It's GORGEOUS! I would own it in a heartbeat, no hesitation. You did great!
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I think it's just lovely and the color is outstanding.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Miranda. Love the design, the thread and the tatting itself. Lovely work.
ReplyDeleteFox : )
I really like it!! I think the colors are so great together!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the design and the colour seems to shine gold, really nice piece of tatting
ReplyDeleteMargaret
That is beautiful. I agree about the color.I would love to try that design when my skills improve a bit (or a lot!) more.
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