Bonnie's Butterfly - Version 2

Another one. This is the water-skeeter looking butterfly, and I like it anyway. As before, I'll post a .pdf version of this .jpg at Here-Be-Tatters and ETatters.

Bonnie's Butterfly - Version 1

This really is just a diagram for version 1 of Bonnie's Butterfly. It works the way my brain works (so those of you with working brains might have trouble actually following it's ...um... logic). The "paperclip" notations are where I put a paperclip between stitches on the chain to leave a space to pull down a bit of thread for joining the later-made ring. As with the other diagrams, I'll post a .pdf version of this one on Here-Be-Tatters and ETatters.

Instead of tatting...

This is what I've been doing lately...knitting. I make do, but am not a pro by any means. My mom gave me 14 ounces of knitting worsted (7 of each color) and asked if I could make a hat for her great-granddaughter (who is turning one this month). Yeah, I could do that -- after all, the kid made me a great aunt (not that I wasn't already pretty darn good, you know).
I made the hat on the right from a pattern book called "For All My Children." (I think someone in the publishing house must have been hooked on 1970s soap-opera.) There was so much yarn left I made the hat on the left. There was still a bunch left, so I made the little poncho (from the same book). STILL more yarn! I was talking to my dad who said maybe I could just make a pair of mittens. Right. I made up the pattern for those. Thank goodness really little kids don't need thumbs in their mittens. You know -- I've still got some yarn left. Maybe I could...nah...I think I'll just give it back...

Allix's Butterfly, version 2

The second version requires a knowledge of crochet chains (fortunately, those are not difficult) to make the antennae. The lovely thing about that is there are NO threads to hide -- they're right there in plain sight with a little knot in the end. See, I think all antennae should have knotty-looking ends. The only real difference is the starting point at the body ring and those crocheted antennae at the end. I still like this one.

Butterfly Pattern Three

The first version of Allix's Butterfly starts with the antennae and makes a leap of faith across the head to work the second wing. The magic threads didn't work so well in the sample and it appears somewhat pulled apart between body and head. I managed to sneak this one past my youngest niece, as it does NOT comply with her rule: "head, thorax abdomen...insects have three body parts." Even so, it's one of my favorites.

Like the others, I'll post a .pdf version of this .jpg at ETatters and in the pattern files of Here-Be-Tatters.

Oops. I've been informed that when the pattern prints the sequence numbers, stitch counts and instructional notes are too tiny to read. I've redone the pattern, and hope the crowded numbers are not too confusing.

Pattern for Version 2 of Butterfly One

Because I'm working my fingers to the bone (and only getting bony fingers to show for it), I don't have a lot of new tatting to show off. Seems like a good time to go back to sharing those butterfly patterns I've got. This one is substantially the same as the original version. Instead of being built on an internal split ring, it is built on a chain that is joined together at the end. Hmmm -- it might work as a SCMR, I never even thought to try that. This has not been test tatted by anyone -- it's just my notes on "How I did It" (makes me feel like Viktor Frankenstein).
If this .jpg doesn't work for you and you are a member of Here-Be-Tatters or ETatters I'm posting a .pdf version on those sites.

Fantasia, Too

Margerite is such a delightful pattern, I had to do it twice! The first one is DMC size 80 tatting thread in a purple ombre. I like the way it turned out. It's all done without breaking the thread. Wound as continuous thread on the shuttles, that means only two thread ends to hide -- and the magic threads worked. It didn't need much blocking either. These both measure just over 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter at the widest point.
The second one I did in two solid colors, so there were thread ends to tat over at the beginning. I used one DMC size 80 tatting thread in lavender and one in turquoise. The turquoise was pretty old. it held up well until right at the end, then it broke before the final round of chains and once again in the middle of the final chain row. Lots of ends to hide and no convenient magic threads. I found a needle that would go through the work and did manage to get it hidden under the "waistbands." It was still disappointing to have that happen, but I don't think it shows.

Fantastic Fantasia!

I've been exploring Iris Niebach's Fantasia -- slowly. That is, I've been working the patterns in the order they appear in the book. This is "Trifoglio" in pastel Coats hand-quilting thread. It is a bit tight and doesn't show the really lovely hearts in the original pattern or the pretty negative spaces. I need to use a different thread and relax! It measures about 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. I keep thinking I need to find some clear coasters to encapsulate these little doilies. Then I could take them to work and horrify the boss. The firm I work for moved into a remodeled Victorian mansion. The outside is on the Historic Register, but the inside has been modernized. The boss wants it kept all modern. I think I should cover my desk in doilies (under the glass) and use doily coasters. It would make me happy!

The second one is "Stella alpina" which I worked in Coats variegated "southwest" colored machine quilting thread. The pattern is great and fun to work. I'm disappointed in the colors, though. I like brighter colors and don't care too much for all the orange in this one. It's just a bit smaller than 'Trifoglio", being only about 3.5 inches (9 cm) in diameter at it's widest point.

Iris Butterfly

"Apatura Iris" from Iris Neibach's book Iris. This butterfly is made in one pass. If the thread is wound continuous between the shuttles, there is only one pair of threads to hide at the end. I really don't know how she does it -- such beautiful and complex patterns and no cut threads! This was my first attempt at block tatting so those are a bit uneven. I kept getting confused about which direction I was supposed to be going! This one is made with DMC size 80 tatting cotton in a purple and green variegated thread. it measures 2.75 x 3 inches (7 x 7.6 cm), including the antennae. I like this butterfly a lot, and will be making another one as a gift for a friend. I just need a bit of practice first.
I also made the little Iris square from the same book, but was impoverished that day -- I couldn't pay attention. The counts on the center rings are wrong and my magic threads were so magic they just disappeared -- without taking the tail ends with 'em. Another practice piece with a dab of fabric glue on the back. I am anxious to get enough attention together to actually make one of the doilies or mats from the book.

Aphrodite

Such a delicate little thing, she is. Measuring just 1.75 by 1.25 inches (about 4.4 by 3.2 cm), this version of Aphrodite by Sherry Pence is made in Coats hand quilting thread. it took me two tries to get the thread spacing between the rings to work right. Oh, but those spaces make such lovely wings. This one was done late at night so nobody was there to chant insect body parts at me. Even the antennae turned out just right. Now that I've done the pattern once, I need to go back and do it in two colors like the original pattern!