Oversized Needle Tatting Basics on Video

I just finished one more video on Oversized Needle Tatting.  This one covers a few more of the basics.  If you are brand new to tatting, this video will get you started.  Even though I am using a very large tatting needle and super bulky yarn, the same techniques apply for thread and small needles.  Whether you're tatting on a traditional scale or giving my Oversized Needle Tatting a try, this video takes you carefully through how to make a double stitch, how to deal with a knot in your yarn and more.

Oversized Tatting - Are You Ready to Try Something New?

The Oversized Tatted Necklace pattern is here!  This one is for the lovers of all things fiber.  Have you ever been curious about tatting?  Well, I was and a couple of years ago, I sat down with some shuttles and thread and taught myself how.  I went from shuttles to needle tatting which felt more natural to me as a crocheter.  Then one day I thought about tatting with yarn.  

It's not hard to find larger tatting needles for yarn, but I had this idea in my head that I wanted to go bigger.  I wanted to tat on a grand scale, so I made myself a really big tatting needle and started to play.  The Oversized Tatted Necklace isn't the only thing I've designed, but it's a nice place to start.  

I wanted to write a tatting pattern for people who love to tat and for people who have never tatted before.  I liked the idea of presenting people with something new to try.  I know I'm keen to try just about anything involving yarn, so I wanted to make a pattern for people who feel the same way.  This idea felt like a puzzle to me at first.  How to you write a tatting pattern for people who don't tat?  Imagine writing a crochet or knit pattern for people who have never crocheted or knitted.  Daunting.

Adding to my disconcertion was the fact that I had never written a tatting pattern before.  In my study I quickly found that there are quite a few was to express the same thing in the world of tatting.  That made me feel more comfortable taking a few liberties of my own.  My tatting pattern is written in a less traditional way, but can still be easily followed by a seasoned tatter.  My goal was to respect the craft while making it appeal to the newcomer. 

That is my hope.  I hope that the next time you are shopping for that knitter/crocheter in your life and you want to surprise them with something different, you'll find my Oversized Needle Tatting and think, "Why not?"

I have more designs I want to share.  Each time I write a new pattern, I want to introduce a few new techniques.  The Oversized Tatted Necklace pattern is a great foundation on which to build, so build I must!  I've also started making Oversized Tatting Needles just like the one I made for myself.  I plan to make sure you have plenty of projects to entertain that needle and I hope you will be entertained as well! 

Abstract or Incomplete - What do you see?

Lately, my focus has been on tatting and specifically on writing up a tatting pattern.  In December, I receive a nice note about my Oversized Tatted Necklaces.  The writer remarked on their uniqueness and expressed an interest in making one herself.  This presented me with a challenge.  First, writing a tatting pattern which is something I have never done and second, writing a pattern that could be followed by a non-tatter.  I'm assuming this is the case as an experienced tatter could probably look at my necklaces and replicate them.  Still, I love the spirit of seeing something you like and wanting to make it even if you're not sure how.  It is the fuel of creativity.

Yesterday afternoon, with this on my mind, I spread a blanket in the sunny grass and spent two hours working on what I hope will soon become a fun tatting project for the non-tatter.  Whenever I find time to focus like this, something else always happens.  Another design or idea will emerge and become an irresistible distraction.  This necklace was yesterday's mental space invader.  

This will sound odd, but I think it was also inspired by an article I read this week called A Toast Story.  It had me thinking of connections, how important they are and how even a seemingly insignificant one can change a person's path.  This abstraction became an abstract shape, one with it's symmetry broken and it's connections off-kilter.  

When you look at it, do you see an abstract shape?  Do you see something that looks incomplete?  I put the necklace on this morning and walked into our loft where my son is usually waiting to greet me.  After our good mornings I asked, "How do you like my new necklace?"  "It's nice," he said and then paused to consider, "but you need to continue the humps to go all the way around."  I love that it gained enough of his attention for a closer look. 

The Longstitch Express - A High-Speed Crochet Pattern

I'm supposed to be working on a tatting pattern.  That's what I said I was going to do, but instead I took a little detour on The Longstitch Express!

I was having one of those afternoons in which I felt like making something, but I didn't want to have to concentrate hard or spend all day.  Quick and easy is what my mind demanded and as a result, I started thinking about long stitches.  Before I knew it, a pattern was starting to form in my head and I grabbed a nice big hook and a skein of yarn.  Within a few minutes, The Longstitch Express pattern was born!

 I love having a high-speed pattern for those times when your hands just want something to do and this one is perfect for showcasing pretty yarns.  The top photograph is Fiesta Starburst La Boheme.  It's a sparkling blend of brushed mohair, wool, rayon and nylon.  It's soft and airy and the longstitch shows off the beautifully contrasting colors.  The second scarf pictured is made with some of my own handspun yarn.  This is a light worsted weight singles spun from mixed Blufaced Leicester and dyed in shades of crimson, cherry and green.  I think this pattern would also be fun in thick & thin or novelty yarn.  

Whether you like to crochet for charity, whip up quick gifts or just crochet for fun, I think you're going to love this pattern.  The long chains created by the lengthy stitches give it a laid-back, deconstructed look.  The pattern creates a scarf that is over six feet, but you can make it longer if you like to wrap your scarves around your neck two or three times.  It can easily go from being a light accessory to a cozy bundle of warmth.

The pattern is already listed on Etsy and Ravelry and available for instant download.  The next time you're in the mood for a fast and fun project, I highly recommend taking a ride on The Longstitch Express! 

Talkin' Revolution Circular Scarf

Happy New Year!  This is the beginning of the 7th year for the Wind Rose Fiber Studio Blog.  My very first post was on January 5th, 2008.  Back then blogging was new and strange, at least for me, but now it feels like part of my everyday life.  It's comforting like a journal sitting on a bedside table.  It's always here, waiting and available, just in case I have something to share.

I happy to be able to begin the new year with a new pattern.  The Talkin' Revolution Circular Scarf Pattern is complete and available for instant download either on Etsy or Ravelry.  I already blogged about it on December 19th, so today I'll just say how happy I am to have another pattern written and ready!

My next project takes me out of my comfort zone.  I had a follower on Etsy ask me about how to make my Oversized Tatted Necklaces.   I started to teach myself how to tat in 2010, and though I've made a fair number of projects, I have never written a tatting pattern.  Because tatting is less widespread than knitting and crochet, I'm considering writing it up in more of a longhand for people who have never tatted.  I am also studying up so I can write it up as a true tatting pattern, but that is also challenging as there is more than one way to say the same thing in tatting.  It's a knew language for me to learn and I am sure to make some novice mistakes.  

Well, that's what I'm up to in this new year.  I this post finds you happy and hopeful for a 2014 full of inspiration and creativity!

I Crocheted a Cover for my African Basket!

 I love African baskets.  I discovered them years ago at a craft show in which I was one of the vendors.  Two booths down from mine was a man from Ghana selling hand woven baskets and I went home with two or three.  Since then, I see them more often.  I don't know if they have become more popular or if they are just on my personal radar, but they are beautiful and perfect for us yarn lovers.

In my home I have a studio which is a pet free zone, but when I dare to venture out into the rest of the house, I have two cats with whom to contend.  They would like nothing better than to find an unattended basket and it would take them seconds to shred the yarn therein.  As a result, every time I need to put a project down for a few minutes, I have to find a high perch or some place that is cat safe.  One day last week I was thinking how nice it would be if one of my African baskets had a lid.  That way I could easily take my projects anywhere and tuck them safely inside the basket when I needed to take a break.

Last night I set to work crocheting my new basket cover.  The crocheting took no time at all and then I devised a way to attach my cover.  I was pretty happy when I came up with my button and elastic joins.  There are six spaced evenly around the basket and it's easy to open a couple and fold back the cover to gain access inside.  When the cover is on, it can be used as a mini basket to hold other items you may need at hand.  The cover can also billow up to stuff the basket full if so desired.  

 I know I haven't given all the details, but I'm thinking of writing it up as a pattern.  It would be easy to adjust for any round basket and it's a fun little project.  Before I sign off for today, I just wanted to share a great online store for purchasing African baskets.  Their shipping is fast and the baskets come in great condition.  It's called Baskets of Africa and they have a gorgeous selection of styles available.  Wouldn't a basket stuffed with yarn and topped with a crocheted cover be a great gift idea?  Hmm... maybe next Christmas.

Talkin' Revolution Circular Scarf ~ The Pattern is Almost Here!

Happy Festivus!  A friend just wished me that in an email.  My son had to remind me it was from Seinfeld.  Poor George!  I hope your holiday is going better than his did that year!

This is a busy time, but somehow I have a sense of calm this year.  Have I finally grown up?  Have I achieved a true state of mellow?  I can only hope that it's not a one time anomaly.  In the midst of the usual holiday milieu, I have been working on my latest creation and I'm about one free afternoon away from having the pattern complete. 

I call this scarf Talkin' Revolution as a mixed homage to the time period that inspired me and the general annular nature of this 30" circular scarf.  I was really playing off those swirly 70's textile designs and the whole modular thing.  I began with the outer layer using hexagons as my building block and then yoked them together with curvy lines.  I went with a classic chevron for the back layer, but it has an updated feel made from this gorgeous hand painted yarn by Manos Del Uruguay.  The two layers are joined with a short latch hook style fringe which also takes me back to my youth.

In this photo, the sunshine and natural rock really bring out the earth tones and you can see the pink has a touch of flamingo.  This is actually a challenging piece to photograph.  I'm hoping I can find a model so you can see it on a human.  After all, that's who I made it for!

So that's what I've been up to and I admit I'm a little nervous about this one.  Just because you get an idea in your head, doesn't mean it will appeal.  Sometimes I sit back and look at my designs and think how quirky they are, but they also just make me happy. 

Cyber Monday at Wind Rose Fiber Studio

In just a couple short hours, it will be Cyber Monday!  This has become my favorite day to shop, but I can't forget that I also am a shop.  Please enjoy 15% off your purchase at Wind Rose Fiber Studio using coupon code CYBERFIBER3.  There's no minimum purchase required and you'll also receive an email with a coupon for 10% off your next purchase.  Thank you so much for shopping at Wind Rose and have the happiest of holidays!  

Welcome!

I've been blogging for a few years now, so "Welcome" seems like an odd name for a post.  It's actually the name of the video I just made for my YouTube channel.  In their recent updates, they have been spiffing things up by encouraging everyone to have a greeting video on their channel, so from me to you, welcome to Wind Rose Fiber Studio!

Happy Christmas Hat ~ New Crochet Pattern!

Early this year, I had a nice reader ask me if I would be writing a pattern for my Happy Christmas Hat.  (I think I shared a photograph in a post once upon a time.)  I promised her I would and that I would have it done in time for the holidays.  

That promise has kind of haunted me this year.  It's so easy to have our days and weeks fill with commitments and distractions.  Now, with November here and Christmas right around the corner, I had to make good on my promise.  

The great news is that this pattern is very quick and easy.  You can have whimsical hats made for the whole family in no time!  The pattern includes sizing for infants to adults as well as a choice between flowers or loopy pom-poms and a scalloped or straight brim.

The yarn for this hat is easy to find at the big craft stores like Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.  I enjoy making this hat in Bernat's Soft Bouclé.  I love the texture and that it blurs the stitches together.  You can also use Bernat's Boucle for the brim, but in this version I used Sensations Beautiful.  It's so fluffy!

The pattern is for sale at a special holiday price.  Right now you can buy it for just 99¢ on Etsy or on Ravelry.  In both places it's available for instant download.  This hat is super cute on babies and kids, but it's pretty fun to see it on Grandpa too!  Happy Christmas everyone!

Layers of Lace Wrap Around Scarf - New Crochet Pattern!

Today I am excited to share my new crochet pattern.  Here's the Layers of Lace Wrap Around Scarf!  I've been working on this pattern for quite a while now, so it feels great to have it completed and available both on Etsy and on Ravelry.  

As a side note, isn't Instant Download great?  I love designing patterns, but I enjoy buying patterns just as much.  There's nothing quite like the immediate gratification of purchasing a pattern, downloading it, and never having to leave your office chair.  In fact, I went on to Ravelry today to upload my latest, and couldn't help purchasing a beautiful pattern from another designer.

 


This pattern came to me as I was designing another scarf.  I was going to bundle it with my Free Falling Scarf, but then I decided it was unique and should have it's own billing.  I got so excited about this one, that I haven't finished the Free Falling pattern yet.  I guess I'm designing out of order, but when inspiration calls, you must answer!

I have always loved the affect of layering.  The Layers of Lace scarf uses two different yarn weights to take full advantage of the colors and open stitching.  The lighter, lacy purple takes on a transparent quality allowing the darker layer to show through.  I was thrilled with the way these purples and plums came together, but of course there are endless color possibilities.  Right now I'm working on one in earth tones with blues and greys.  I'll be sure to share that one when it's complete.  

Spinzilla 2013 ~ Days 6 & 7

We have crossed the Spinzilla finish line.  My final tally for the week:  3,136 yards!

I am ready to spend a day doing something other than spinning, but I had a great week.  These events are so awesome because they remind me that there is an amazing community of spinners.  It's easy to lose sight of that when you are the only one in your neighborhood with a wheel.

Just to recap the last two days, on day 6 I finished up my thick & thin Boots & Jeans.  Then, because I had so much fun spinning that, I spun some more thick & thin using Merino rolags and South African top as my ply.  It all made for a relaxing day.

On the final day I decided I would finally spin my remaining mountain of German milk sheep wool, all 21.7 ounces of it!  I spun and spun and spun, and I swear it wasn't until the end of the day that the pile finally started to look smaller.  I spent the last couple hours of Spinzilla spinning like a maniac trying to get it done.  In the end, I finished all but about an ounce.  I had to stop and weigh my spool for my official Spinzilla count.  Then I put the spool back on and spun the rest of that wool!  It felt so good to finally spin what was originally 36 oz of fiber!

What a week!  I feel like I learned a couple things about my spinning self.  First, I am not a production spinner.  I am a spin for fun kind of girl.  Second, I have a love/hate relationship with competition.  I love that it motivates me to do more than I would ever normally do.  I hate that it makes me worry that I am not doing enough and the fear that I may let my team down.  Would I do it again?  Yes, I think so.  It was fun to submerge into my own world for a week.  It's an indulgence that I don't typically allow myself.  Some women go to the spa, but as for me, I'll take a week of fiber arts!