Saturday, March 16, 2013

Celtic Bookmark III

Really, I drive myself crazy. Yesterday I hurried and scurried to finish the interlocking layers before I went to cook dinner.So naturally I twisted the last section. I didn't notice until I had done a couple of repeats down the second side of the outer row. That was too much to undo, so I had to cut and rejoin and hide four threads. Sigh. That was the second bit of cutting on the outer row. I started off reducing the short chain from the 6 ds of the pattern to 2 ds, but the row was still a bit ruffled. So I cut it off and started again, leaving the short chain out altogether. It lies much flatter, which I think is better for a bookmark.

Here are my 'notes to self' for when I come back to this pattern

1. I used size 40 thread instead of the 20 that the pattern specifies.
2. I used the alternative method in the pattern, tatting layer 2 first and then weaving it in and out as I tatted layer 1.
3. I concentrated on keeping the tension tight in layer 2, but also reduced the stitch count. For the rings I used 20 ds instead of 24. Chains are 10 ds instead of 12.
4. I made very small picots in the direction-changing chains for joining. Instead of doing a SLT as the pattern said, I did the second half of a ds. So my 3-part chain was 9 vsp 1, turn work, second half of stitch, 10, turn work, second half of stitch, vsp 10.
5. I blocked this layer before starting on the next.
6. For layer 1 (tatted second) I used the same stitch count as the pattern. So there are 12 ds in each ring and split ring. That's the yellow layer in the  photo.
7. For the outer layer, I kept the stitch count the same as the pattern for the rings and long chains, (6+6 and 12 ds respectively) but left out the short chains.

10 comments:

  1. Notes to self always seem to help, don't they? If I ever take up the challenge of trying this technique, I'll try to keep your tips in mind!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :-) I don't want to go through the same learning process all over again!

      Delete
  2. this looks very nice. I think you did an excellent job or reworking the pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This version is looking MUCH more professional. I hope you'll be willing to write up a "finalized" version when you are happy with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie, it's not my pattern, so I don't really want to rewrite it, but if you use my notes in conjunction with the pattern, you should get the right result.

      Delete
  4. Wow I really love this version, love the colours - it looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I must have been on another planet while you've been doing the last several posts! Congratulations on the Ribbon for your sweater! It's gorgeous, and I'm sure you'll do well at the National competition!

    Now, as to this bookmark, I had no idea you have been doing several of these, and taking notes as you tatted them. I had put this pattern aside (or her notes about it ) several years ago as 'something to try' one day, but it seemed so daunting! You have conquered it, and I will be filing your notes away with the pattern! Thanks also for making it easy to find on the web. I have to update my links from my post of March 11, 2009! I love all of your versions, and the red and white is quite striking!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kathy.It's really not as daunting as it looks, since the three layers are tatted separately, but it was a bit too ruffly, which is why I made some changes. Give it a go!

      Delete