I did it!

My first post today (below) was evident of my frustration with tatting. Now, I'm extremely happy, I finished a complete piece, after a second mishap.  See my results below.  It's only 2" across, and I used size 5 Pearl Cotton, but I'm really proud of it. I think my son thought I'd lost my mind. I kept saying, "It's working, it's working."  LOL

What a laugh!

I've been trying small projects to get used to terms in patterns, sizes of picots, appropriate needle size with thread size, working from the ball, etc. I tried a small wreath pattern over the weekend. I didn't use a great color for this pattern, but thought it was fine for practice. I worked and worked on this pattern, taking out stitches when I counted wrong, got it just about done and realized that along the way I had dropped a picot in one part of the pattern, and another picot in another part of the pattern. So the result was quite deformed.
I was frustrated this morning, thinking I had made a big mistake trying to learn to tat, but then remembered the time I taught myself to crochet. It took me some time, but I did it, and now can crochet without really thinking about it. I know I'll get it. Just need to give myself time.

Pattern needed!

I'd like to find a tatting pattern that would fit this tray. My great-grandmother made this tray. The inside dimensions are 14 x 9", so I'd like a pattern that is about 13 x 8". If you know of one, or can help me make one of my own, please email me. Thanks.

Shuttle tatting!

I found some shuttles. My great-aunt (now 102) gave me a box of assorted needlework tools (embroidery hoops, rug hooking hooks, shuttles, etc.) some years back. I'd forgotten about them until I was cleaning last weekend. The room I'm working on is a second floor kitchen (my house was duplexed some years back), and has become a catch-all for anything that didn't have a place to roost. I was sorting everything, throwing a great amount of junk, and boxing things to be donated, which was greater than what was thrown. Anyway, I found the shuttles, so after I get a better hang on needle tatting, I'll try shuttle tatting.

I really am enjoying needle tatting.

A flutterby!

I made the butterfly in the Barbara Foster book. I know the picots are a little big. I'll try it again.

Without a tag, I can't quite tell, but I think I'm working with a #10 Perle. It's what I had, so I'm using it. When I get more comfortable with tatting, I can change the thread. I have lots to choose from.

I'm teaching myself to tat!

I've been enjoying samples of tatting from several sources, for several years, and decided to give it a try. There was the choice of either shuttle tatting or needle tatting. I chose needle tatting and here are my first samples. The first is a ring, the second is a joined ring. It's really fun to do. Now unto a "real" project, after I finish learning all the stitches. :)