(I'm combining two entries plus the current one as one to avoid 4 posts for one day! These were also in my drafts)

I've been busy for quite awhile and relied on Google alerts for updated blogs but of course, it doesn't catch everything so I went through my links today to catch up - and in the process, I deleted any links that hadn't shown activity since July of 2007. I kept one or two simply for the content that is there because it's a great resource. I believe I might be missing a blog or two also. I try to catch them through the alerts but I don't always have time to add the link to my blog.

I'm also going to put links at the side for video tutorials of tatting techniques. There are several out there...no need to reinvent the wheel; although some are better than others, it's still good to see the differences in technique and how shuttles/needles/thread are handled.

I've also been so busy that I haven't had time to put the Hector photos in a slide show. (guilty gulp!)


A member on my Tatting Goddess Updates Group posted a question about the lock stitch chain which she had used in the past but forgot how and wasn't having much luck with googling. Riet answered her and I added to it. I thought it might be helpful for readers who aren't familiar with the lockstitch chain to put it here too. Riet had answered saying to make the first half of the ds normally and to make the 2nd half like you make the send half of a split ring - which means you wrap the thread unflipped. I continued with this:

You *can* make a lock stitch by not flipping either half of the double stitch as long as you are consistent all the way through. In other words, you can flip the 1st half and NOT flip the 2nd half OR you can NOT flip the 1st half and then flip the 2nd half. By not flipping the stitch, you have locked it in place. If you are using two colors, each color will show in the chain whereas if you tat a normal chain with all the stitches flipped, only the ball thread color will show. The lock stitch chain also tends to be longer than a normal chain with the same number of stitches because they are locked into place and don't slide to snug up. That's why you have to consistent with your tension too because you can't snug it up later.

from Judith Connors' Illustrated Dictionary of Tatting:

lock stitch - a double stitch of which the first half is not transferred. (1) It may be used to begin a pattern which starts with a chain, preventing the first few stitches telescoping into themselves. (2) It effectively locks and separates the tensions in two consecutive chains. This allows the second chain to turn up to 90º from the direction of the first.

lock stitch chain - A length of chain made by using a number of consecutive lock stitches, i.e. alternating unturned and turned half stitches. Because the tensioning effect of the carrying thread is negated, such a chain remains straight.

In my sample above, the lockstitch chain appears slightly curved. Part of that was my tight tension but it is not blocked. If I were to wet it and pin it on the board, it would lay perfectly straight when dry.

I mentioned this tatting in an earlier entry. They were designed by the late Betty Alderson of Snowgoose and published in The Needleworker, April/May 2000 issue. The Needleworker is no longer published but a few back issues are still available from Interweave Press. They are not of this particular issue and it is largely cross-stitch oriented but there are a few other needlework projects in each issue. I got mine secondhand somewhere along the line.

They are sachet bags and I still have to put some kind of potpourri in some net bags to slip inside of these and put a "thank you" tag on the other one. I like the little handle which allows you to hang it over a dresser knob. It probably would not fit over a door knob unless you made a longer handle or it was a small knob.

I intended to make two completely different colors but when I got done with the first motif, for some reason, I thought I had put the ball of thread back in the craft room and went to get it, winding the shuttles and starting off...only to notice it was a shade different from the one I had just finished. At that point, I realized I still had the first ball of thread on my table and it was not only a slightly different color, it was a different size thread! So both are similar colors and I really don't think I have time tonight to make another set. I guess I could just make one since I'm only giving each secretary one to begin with. That means I'll have a spare for some lucky monthly winner! I'm currently working on Irish Pam's drawing gift and that's another thing I haven't posted about.