Thursday, April 24, 2008

More Fantasia 2
















The yellow stuff stood me in good stead as a test working. This is "Anemone Blanda," the little oval doily from Iris Niebach's Tatting Fantasia 2. It is made by joining two of the triangles from the beginning of the book and surrounding them with two additional rows of tatting.
Although this piece measures just 6 by 3.25 inches (15 x 8.5 cm), based on its intended use as a resting place for one of my sisters collection of dragons, this is, indeed, a doily. I suppose to some folks it would be a coaster, but I'm not letting my sister put a clammy glass on it -- just a dragon.
This is my first piece done with hand dyed thread ("HDT"). After hoarding my HDT stash for so long I started to wonder what I was hoarding it for? What use is beautiful thread if it never gets used? This one is Yarnplayer's size 80 "Forest" with so many subtle shades of restful green. There wasn't enough to do any more on the little doily, but not wanting to waste any of it, I also made this "Primula" motif from Iris's book. It's an interesting little triangle made in one continuous round, with the aid of a split ring. It measures 2.25 inches (6 cm) on a side. It would make an interesting doily if joined together. I didn't have enough thread to do that. Still, there was more thread and I couldn't imagine just leaving it sit or (heaven forbid) throwing it out. I used the last of it to make this little next piece. (Of course, because Blogger is more technologically advanced than I am -- it looks larger than the triangle). This is actually the "Hiding Thread ends" exercise at the end of Tatting Fantasia 2. (Only Iris could make an exercise in "magic threads" this beautiful!) I just did it twice and joined them together. My sister thought it would make an interesting brooch, if I could figure out how to hide the fittings. I think it would need some beads, too. Maybe lots of beads would hide the fittings. It's something to think about.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

What a beautiful small oval doily for your sister's dragons. I like the fact that you used Yarnplayer's "forest". It'll be like a little "dragonland".
Everytime I see Iris Niebach's work posted I want to get her books.

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

Wonderful! I've been hoarding my HDT too... why? It's not doing anyone any good wrapped in tissue paper and hidden away. As soon as I finish my Iris Niebach doily in Altin Basak, it's on to HDT!

Tattycat said...

Beautiful! I'm so glad you finally decided to use some of your HDT! Isn't it wonderful to tat with? I have got to buy one of Iris' books. I keep seeing more and more beautiful things from her books.

Toptattyhead said...

Let me be the first to congratulate you, Marty, on your lovely tatting. Your tension and picot sizing is a pleasure to see! And the HDT obviously suits your style.

OmonSan said...

So great and fine tatting! I like the pattern and most defintely the thread!

Tatskool said...

That is perfect, looks lovely in Forest too, that was a super batch of thread.
Skeins of threads do look lovely to look at too, perhaps we could frame them!!

Gina said...

I especially like the triangular motif.
:-) Gina

LadyShuttleMaker aka MadMadPotter said...

Fantastic Marty!

Marilee Rockley said...

The doily is beautiful, and I agree, it is a doily, not a coaster. I'd like to see a picture of it with the dragon, if that's possible. I'm sure they will suit each other.
I agree that the last piece would make a lovely brooch. My only thought is that it would need to be mounted on something, some sort of backing, to hold the pin. If you figure it out, I'd like to see the result. I'm at a loss as to how to make pins with tatting as well, so I'm looking for ideas.
Anyway, your work is lovely as usual - you have been busy!

Iris Niebach said...

Ecellent work, I have no words. You are the first person to show a realisation of that not easy pattern.
Thank you so much for showing,
Iris

Elizabeth said...

Wow - your tatting is beautiful - so perfectly even. Just lovely.