T-Shirt: Neckline Edging and Butterfly

I finished this T-shirt project before I started Motif #1 and had planned to add this whole section to my post yesterday, but I had some blog problems, so I saved it for today.


Motif #2 (Round 2)
Edging and Butterfly in Lizbeth 'Springtime'




These colors definitely ‘pop’ on a dark background!



After I finished the edging, I sewed down some pieces of tatting to form a ‘butterfly’ – then attached a butterfly pin in the middle.






I wanted a quick project that I could work on at car cruises, and also was curious to see how the Springtime thread (#115) would evolve color-wise, so I used a very easy “edging” pattern. I’m happy with the way it turned out, and I discovered I have a jacket that has these colors in it!


More about Lizbeth Threads – Plus a Question
You may recall that back in April I was very surprised and pleased to find Lizbeth thread at a ‘nearby’ Hobby Lobby store in Boardman, Ohio (an hour away). I went back in August to purchase more colors to add to the three I already had.

To my delight, not only did they have more colors (they now have about 20), but I lucked out by catching the last day of a sale! So, of course, I had to buy 10 more colors!

I’m amazed that Handy Hands now offers Lizbeth in 76 colors in both size 20 and 40! I can’t imagine owning all 76 (152) – or what I would do with them, although I’m delighted they’re out there.

I find I now have to keep track of my Lizbeth ‘stash’ on a chart, much as I used to do with my cross-stitch threads. I’ve never had that ‘problem’ before with tatting threads, since for so many years there weren’t that many colors to choose from. This is a great age we tatters are living in!

Question about Lizbeth names and numbers: For my own convenience, I added a small label (using one of those label machines) to each ball, showing the name of the thread, because the name isn’t on the ball itself, just on the plastic bag it comes in..

What puzzles me, however, is that the Handy Hands chart on their website lists the names of the threads but not the numbers, although they indicate the number(s) that each thread coordinates with!

How do you know what the coordinating colors are if there are no numbers for any of the colors on the chart? Am I missing something? . Maybe there’s another list somewhere?

UPDATE: Laurette (www.knotty-things.blogspot.com/) kindly sent a comment and explained how to read the Lizbeth chart! I had totally ignored the ‘price’ side of the chart where the number of the thread is right next to the size, as in “20-102”! At first the numbers are visible, but later you have to click on the ‘down’ button to see them. But at least I now understand it ! Thanks, Laurette!

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I guess this weekend marks the official end of summer. :-( We’ve been having great weather these last few weeks, and I hope it will continue for awhile.

Second Round of 25-Motif Challenge

Some Recent Tatting using Lizbeth Thread

I took a little “hiatus” from blogging to enjoy some of the spectacular weather we had during August and the beginning of September, although I always check the tatting blogs to keep up with everyone’s projects. I’m constantly amazed at the creativity out there!

Motif # 1 (Round 2)
Antique Pattern circa 1872 - in Lizbeth ‘Caribbean’

I couldn’t wait to try out Lizbeth’s Carribbean thread (#122).

This is one of my first ‘successful’ attempts at front-side, back-side tatting, although I didn’t start doing that until the fourth motif from the right. From then on, the rings are done ‘normally’ and the chains are done with the 2nd stitch first. I'm beginning to feel more confident about it and do appreciate seeing all the knots facing the same way.

I looked through my internet patterns and found this classic ‘shuttle-and-ball’ edging which is nice and deep, but has easy rings and chains. Here’s my progress so far.

The pattern was posted by Etha Schuette in October 2000, and she copied it from Godey’s Lady’s Book, Vol. 84, p. 278, 1872.

Etha is also known as “Maus”. She had a website called ‘Tatting Treasures’, which seems no longer to be available (at least I can’t find it). Etha attached this edging (in variegated blue and white for the chains, and white for the rings) to a small fabric-covered box for storing her shuttles. It was very attractive and eye-appealing.

As yet another ‘challenge’ I’m working on drawing a diagram for this pattern, using Microsoft Publisher, and hope to post it as soon as I figure out how to get the drawing out of Publisher and into Blogger. (Hints anyone?)

You will see this pattern again soon for another project I’m working on, using white thread.

Inspirational Places to Tat
I’ve started to take my tatting with me in the car again, which I used to do all the time, years ago. In my next post, I’ll show you some of the scenic places where we recently took day trips, and where I would sit and tat. It's definitely a blissful experience to tat in peaceful surroundings outdoors!

These photos were taken at North Park,
only about a half hour from our home.

I was delighted to get this photo of one of the
blue herons that reside there, although I wish my camera had a more powerful lens.

Here is a bridge where cars and bikes cross over the lake..

The land for the park was set aside and developed in. the 1930s. It’s a very small lake, a kind of “V” shape, but many enjoy paddling a boat around it.

The park also has a beautiful outdoor ice skating rink overlooking the lake. These days, I can't join the skaters, but I love watching them!

I’m delighted to be starting my second round of the 25-Motif Challenge!