"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

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Change of Plan

First, I have to report a Tatting Sighting. If you live in the US and have Netflix, you should definitely watch the show Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. If you live in Australia, I assume you can see it on TV, or telly, or whatever you call it down there. For the rest of the world, I don't know how you can see the show, but you should definitely find a way.

Anyway, in Miss Fisher's 1920's house there are a number of doilies that I have often suspected were tatted, but there was never a clear enough shot to be certain. For some reason, the camera tends to focus on the actors instead of the doilies. But a new season of the show just made it onto Netflix, and in the very first episode there is one very clear, focused close-up of the doily in the middle of Miss Fisher's drawing room-- and yes, it is most definitely tatted!

Now, on to the change of plan with my own doily. I was planning to make it round, with one central motif surrounded by six others. I wasn't really happy with round, since it's going on a rectangular box, but I thought if I made it oval it would be too long for the box. That's because I was thinking of making it oval by starting with the round and adding just two more motifs at opposite points of the circle. Then I realized there is another way of making it oval: a row of three motifs, then a row of four, then another row of three. This oval will be just a little shorter than it would have been the other way, and will fit on the box. And by oval, I mean elongated hexagon; it will truly be a miniaturized version of what's in the book.


This means tatting more motifs than I originally planned; I now have three left to do. That's the advantage of a doily made of motifs over one made in the round: you can easily change the size and shape as you go. Think of Jeff's Windmill doily (is it still a doily, Jeff, or does it qualify as a tablecloth yet?).

The last three motifs shouldn't take too long, but then there's the edging. I always get bored with edgings.

Finally, a plea. Does anyone know where I can find more plastic crochet hook caps like this?


I can't find them online anywhere, but maybe I just don't have the right search terms. I e-mailed Lacis, but they said the caps aren't available. There's nothing on the Clover website. I tried knitting needle caps, but the small size was still way too big. I have three crochet hooks small enough that they really need caps so they don't stab their way through my tatting bag-- sizes 0.4mm, 0.5mm, and 0.7mm. This is the only cap that hasn't gotten lost, and you can see the sorry condition it's in. So if anybody knows a source for these, I will be eternally grateful!

13 comments:

  1. Hi Miranda
    I carry my crochet hooks in the tube with a lid, that a set of tatting needles came in.
    Bev

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  2. Miranda, Have you tried fish hook guards on your crochett hooks? Don't know if they will work but they look like they might. If you know a fisherman or have a fishing store somewhere near by, you might be able to just pick up a few for a reasonable price just to try. Or check with your pharmacy ... they might give you a few needle guards which might work. Just some thoughts.

    Sarah

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  3. And I forgot to add, when I go travelling I take my scissors, shuttles and crochet hooks in an old spectacle case. Perfect size!!!!
    Bev

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  4. Miranda, I watched every episode of that series on Netflicks and thought the doilies were crocheted! You have good eyes. : )

    I have an extra plastic cap from who knows where. It might fit one of your hooks. Please update me on your addy by email. : )

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  5. Like Fox, I, too, thought they were crocheted ! I will now keep an eye out for them - this is so exciting (even more than the series itself ;-P)

    I keep my finer crochet hooks, with out without the hook caps (especially those that are in frequent use) in a plastic toothpaste container - the kind we get complimentary in first /executive class in airlines. One can line it with felt.
    It barely takes up any space & there's still plenty of room inside for some large needles, pins, safety pins, & even a good sized tweezers, beside 3 crochet hooks, 2 with caps.

    As for the plastic cap for your hooks - here's an idea (dunno whether it will work, but probably worth trying). Measure & cut a strip of transparent plastic (or how about coloured ?! - less chances of losing) from a Transparency Sheet. Roll & cover with cellophane tape a few times around. This will secure everything, as well as add sturdiness. And if you like bling, then you could use Washi tape, etc. - different for different size hooks :-)

    I like your Oval idea !!!

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    Replies
    1. I think some or most of them probably are croceted. But I just got to watch Season 3, and there's one shot there of one that is very clearly tatted. Totally made my day!

      Thanks for the cap ideas, too.

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  6. I look forward to seeing how your doily turns out!

    About the plastic crochet hook caps, perhaps you could fashion something out of plastic tubing, kind of like these scissor protectors:
    http://teresawoods.blogspot.com/2010/06/last-night-in-montana.html
    http://teresawoods.blogspot.com/2010/08/another-week-gone.html

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  7. I'll be watching the new season of Miss Fisher very closely now.

    I've seen people make hook protectors from coffee stirrers, the ones like skinny straws. Either they just cut them very long or they fold over the end with super glue or a staple.

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  8. That is going to be so beautiful!!! :)

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  9. I found the show on Netflix so I'll have to have a peek when I get a chance. I think your doily will look great no matter what shape you use. My Windmills Doily is still a doily, I think. When does a doily become a tablecloth? Hmm, you got me wondering.

    As for the caps, I always lose them, so I can't help you, but it looks like others have given lots of good ideas.

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  10. I LOVE Miss Fisher! I haven't started the new season yet. I'm in the middle of Longmire right now. I've already read about your cap solution. What's that saying... necessity is the mother of invention?

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  11. Hi Miranda,
    Yes there was quite a bit of tatting in that series. Good on Australia!! We are finally getting the word out there LOL

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