Evolution Of A Sunflower

 

I want to make a food cover with tatted sunflowers. I started with my own pattern, Sunflower In Maltese Tatting; there's a link to the pattern on the right of this blog page. I couldn't find Martha Ess's instructions for Maltese tatting, but my pattern is clear enough that I didn't need an update. It took me a few goes to get it right, but I did. I think my thread isn't ideal though. I don't like the way the picots tend to twist. Can anyone tell me how to avoid that? Letting the shuttle dangle didn't solve the problem.

I decided that I want a more substantial sunflower. I used the method for the centre of the Maltese flower, more or less, with the petals from the daisy I've been using for food covers.  I had to make a few changes, but it works, I think.

UFO No Longer

 

I cut this shirt out months ago but never got around to sewing it. Now, I'm trying to finish off projects that have been lurking. As an added incentive for finishing this one, Jack tore a shirt beyond repair last week, so does need another one. 

Sleeve Progress

 

Knitting goes much faster when you're working with one ball of yarn rather than 12. I've finished one sleeve, working mainly in the evenings. 

The yarn name is (mmm) interesting:

Take a quick look and you'd think it was angora. But look at the small print and it turns out to be 50% acrylic and 50% nylon. No rabbits have been anywhere near it. 

Buyer beware, I guess. 

That Sinking Feeling

 

I've almost finished knitting the first sleeve of the pullover I was asked to finish. I got the hang of colour changes and shaping, but I began to wonder if there's enough yarn for the second sleeve. Yesterday I got out my scale to help me decide. First I weighed the second needle - 16g. Then I weighed the sleeve and took off 16 - 138-16=122g. Then I measured the yarn that's left - 92g. While the method isn't terribly accurate, it's clear that there isn't enough yarn to knit the second sleeve. 

What to do, what to do? I could abandon the project; I could knit three-quarter length sleeves; or I could knit the sleeve all in white, as there's plenty of that. While option one is tempting, I'll probably go with three. Perhaps that's what the original knitter intended? I have no idea. 

Colourways

 

I thought I'd make some beaded crochet bracelets before Saturday's market. I've done two, using the same pattern in different colourways. It's interesting to see how the different colours give a really different look. I wonder which would be more popular?

Tatting Refresher

 

A few weeks ago, I saw a note on an local online group from someone looking for help with her tatting. I got in contact and on Saturday afternoon Suri arrived with her shuttles and some tatting she'd done a long time ago. She wants to tat a bookmark, but when she had a go, she realised that she'd lost the knack! With a bit of demonstration and a lecture about 'the flip' Suri got it right, tatted a few rings and chains and is on her way. I'm happy to give further help if she needs it, but I'm sure she's good to go.

I wanted to show Suri one of the patterns on my blog, but when I clicked on it, I got an error message. Oh dear. I've just investigated and it seems my account has been closed, perhaps because I haven't logged in recently. I've written to Keep and Share to ask them to reinstate it. 

A Knotty Problem

 

The person who knitted the back of the sweater I'm finishing was obviously concerned that new yarn was going to work loose. At each join they've tied a whole series of knots! Honestly, it's unnecessary and just makes a mess on the back. I had to undo all the knots before I could sew the ends in. I did sew all the ends in though and ended up with quite a  pile of orts:

I've started knitting a sleeve. With the colour changes and increases to shape the sleeve, it feels like that game where you have to pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time.