muskaan's TIP*S

too clever by half

2026-04-01T22:54:00.004+05:30

or too lazy ... take your pick, LOL. So I actually completed a motif from scratch today as celebration of the International Tatting Day! Wanted to tat enough to upload to our Endrucks 1920 Project FB group and then continue tomorrow along with a blogpost. Wonder of wonders, my smart take meant I 'finished' the motif et al much before the end of the day!

I had decided to tat a butterfly when I realised it would mean a line/row bingo as mentioned in my post here. And my first search was in the EP directory of butterfly derivatives. This was one motif I hadn't tatted, so mind made up. That it would happen so soon, well .... and that it had block tatting was something I hadn't planned on either.

This is the E16 Grazia Butterfly derived and designed by Pina Pinto for the #Endrucks1920Project; pictorial and written pattern by Ninetta Caruso. with a bit of input from me. Here is the direct link to the PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/10mqdUjIcdRADIuGt5il0C2PUvGn0HthK/view

And as you can see if you compare the models in the PDF to mine, this is in profile! After tatting two wings it looked pretty complete for a butterfly in profile! I think it looks good even though it is only Half the pattern. Folded the central (body) ring and added one more antenna and voila, it's ready to fly or alight.

The decision was possible because I followed my alternate path (diagram on page 9 of PDF) and tatted the wings separately. However, I also followed my own tip to tat the antenna in one pass which is why the first antenna is too long. Shortened the 2nd one at the end, though.

In Anchor and Red Rose pearl cotton size 8, the butterfly is 3cm high and 5.5cm wide (without antennae). In Lizbeth size 20, these measurements should hold true. I didn't want the ombre tinted colourway to overwhelm the pattern, hence paired it with ecru/cream.

And so I submit my 4th motif for Natalie Rogers' Picot Bingo 2026 Level 2, crossing out two boxes and one line, yay!

Block Tatting
Tat a Butterfly

Here's where I stand at present ... please note that I have a couple more motifs already tatted but not shared, which is why I did not cross out any of the respective boxes.

PICOT BINGO for the last row, teehee!

Hope you had or are having a great ITD. Ciao for now!

Happy Tatting

2026-04-01T00:18:00.003+05:30

A very happy International Tatting Day to all tatters!

While I will be tatting and also gobble up some chocolate today, what I am sharing here is a coaster or mat I worked on recently. It is a tessellation pattern by Karen Bovard from her 2013 book, 'MORE Fun With Split Ring Tatting'.

It is made by joining individual houndstooth motifs on the go and there are slight differences in the motif depending on where it is positioned - whether in the main body or on a side, etc. The tails in the above piece are hidden but not trimmed. These acted as markers for my own comfort.

While the tatting itself is easy if you are comfortable with split rings, the arrangement of where each motif is attached needs careful attention. At least I needed that and had to cut off or retro-tat a few times.

The diagram was for a rectangle but I cut it short to a square. Which meant eliminating a row in the main body. To mark my place I marked the finished motifs in the diagram.

While I like the shape as is, it is not practical to use with all the arms sticking out. Hence I will be filling in the gaps, following Karen's pattern, but also outline it. Trouble is I can't decide the colour! Hubby suggested black or brown (the dark shade here is purple, not black) but I haven't made up my mind. Do you have any suggestions?

I had bought this book almost a decade back and so glad to have finally tatted something from it. The instructions at the beginning are very clear and detailed and make it easy to read the diagram-only patterns. There are myriad possible arrangements using some basic motifs as blocks or tiles and their niched arrangement in several patterns reminds one of MC Escher's tessellations. Of course, Karen has a lot of other designs, too as evident in the book covers. There are several I would love to try.

Karen even has a tip about making the split rings more circular. Huh, it just confirms why my own ring was circular too! (https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2026/02/who-knew.html)

However, the spine of the book did not allow the book to remain open at the desired page. Hence I scanned and printed out the necessary pages and consulted them.

UPDATE: (April 2, 2026) Karen has a new site which unfortunately does not show up in my feed. All the material from her old blog are also included in this new site. And she has some great tatting memes going ... looking forward to more. Here's the link - http://www.theshuttlesmith.com/

And I submit this as the 3rd piece for Natalie Rogers' PICOT Bingo 2026 Level 2 (https://www.patreon.com/posts/happy-new-year-147124370). Only one box to cross this time, though this too is a rings-only pattern, viz.,

Tat from a diagram

freeform fun

2026-03-29T11:25:00.004+05:30

I've been enjoying some tatting time almost daily for the past several weeks/months. One of the outcomes is this freeform sprig with 4 colours which was tatted on the go using 'branching encapsulation' to pull out the desired colour where required (scroll to end for details).

I'm not fully satisfied with the shape or rather the length of some of the stems. Also I didn't spend time in choosing colours - just picked the first 'flowery' shades that had been used in recent samples. Wound four shuttles with the different colours, some of them using leftover threads. I've always multiple shuttles very freeing despite the risk and discomfort of tangling threads.

I didn't start with all 4 threads together. Started normally with two colours and then added the 3rd and 4th colours where needed. If you look closely you might notice the difference in the thickness of the stems.

So this is the 2nd piece I am submitting for Natalie Rogers' PICOT Bingo 2026 (Level 2) which you can find here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/happy-new-year-147124370 and the boxes crossed out with this model include ....

free-form tatting
tat a flower
tat nature

Huh, if only I had included a butterfly, I could've had a row bingo!!! Oh well, next time ...

A bit about Branching Encapsulation -

The term was coined by Sherry Pence (2012) and she published a book dedicated specifically to this technique and you can scroll through her posts and samples here - https://ladyshuttlemaker.blogspot.com/search?q=branching+encapsulation. You can find Karen Cabrera's Lesson #155 - Branching Encapsulation video here - youtube.com/watch?v=2oB08uUYfzo&feature=youtu.be.

Elgiva Nicholls called it multiple dead ends in her 1962 book Tatting: Technique and History. Recently Marilee Rockeley (2024) worked the menorah from Elgiva's book using this technique and she also uploaded a video and free pattern here - https://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/search?q=branching+encapsulation

I had used branching Josephine chains in a card here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2018/05/i-love-floating.html but since they were dead end chains without any flower or bead, I used scrap threads to hold the bare thread at the desired length. You can find pictorial with options here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2015/03/dead-end-start-to-split-chains.html

Dedicating my 1000th

2026-03-21T11:25:00.002+05:30

For this 1000th post I kept musing on the choice of subject. And I finally decided to dedicate it to some of my favourite people who have shaped and inspired my tatting journey. This is a symbolic gesture to ALL the tatting teachers, designers, innovators, experimenters, explorers who have shared their own learnings and experiences.

Three Geniuses and a brand new stitch in tatting!

Two years back I stumbled upon two drawings that gave Ninetta Caurso's treble tatting stitch a basis in tatting history!

A drawing on page 31 in Anne Dyer's 1994 book, To Boldly Go Where No Shuttle Has Gone Before, showing the decorative chain picots.

A drawing on page 85 in Rhoda Auld's 1974 book, Tatting: the contemporary art of knotting with a shuttle showing her twisting the thread (this twisted picot is something I had pointed out in my pictorial) and passing the shuttle through it. Her tatted model is what we now call the vapour stitch.

Well, our very talented Ninetta engineered the two movements to create her treble tatting stitch (tds) all on her own! At the time she did not posses either of the books and till I pointed it out to her, she had not noticed! Basically, the chain picot became the 1st half of the tds while the vapour stitch became the 2nd half of the tds!

💧One of the reasons for the delay in posting this was ambiguity about whether I could share the diagram pic from the book with due credit. Anita suggested I ask Tamie Montgomery, who now runs The Online Tatting Class and is very mindful of such issues. She was very receptive and we discussed it. Although she said it was okay to use the accredited pics (like Georgia had done) since it was a 'technique', I still wasn't comfortable, till I hit upon the idea of showing it in thread as above.

💧💧💧

Auld is gold bead effects!

Last year I found some new beading effects by Rhoda Auld in the same book and took the liberty to give them each a name based on words used by her.

Framed Bead - The diagram on page 107 has been in circulation through Georgia Seitz's classes for several years now. Georgia pitched it as a way to add a bead in the center of a ring and I used it in this butterfly.

However, Rhoda showed it as a way to add a free bead on a long picot with bare thread framing the bead on both sides when slack is removed. Makes for some good possibilities.

Piggyback Beads - Now this was fun to discover! On pages 99-100 Rhoda shows how to place two free beads one over the other using simple movements. I tweaked it a bit to make it easier to tat.

Instead of loading the bead on the core thread where she has to move the chain stitches, I loaded it on the knotting thread (teal in above sample) and the rest of the process remains the same. On an earlier page, Rhoda makes the teal picot longer and ties up both picots till required for joining. Hence there are many options depending on the pattern.

My sample is a bit wonky, but you get the picture, right?

💧💧💧

Generosity knows no bounds!

💧I can't thank Anita Barry enough for gifting me so many vital books on my list. Without these I wouldn't have been able to review and edit Net Best's, Six T's of Shuttle Tatting, not with any satisfaction or confidence. These have helped me to confirm, correct, or refine terms for her glossary, and even understand and discover so many gems, some of which I took the liberty of adding to the glossary.

💧Judith Connors has been taking an active interest in the glossary, too, either as an answer to my question, as a reaction to my blog post, or reaching out on her own privately. You can imagine what a treasure trove of knowledge she is and how lucky we are to benefit from her skills.

Judith sent me a copy of her 2000 book, Creative Tatting with beads, shuttle, and needle. It has some of my all-time favourite patterns besides numerous interesting effects and applications. While I read the book, tatting models will be later in the year.

💧Late last year I received a wonderful digital book by Carin Jansen, Riego ReTatted (2023). She needed some advice on selling the book through the USA, not being sure of its reception. With permission, I sought Anita's advice and we both gave our respective take urging Carin to put it on the market. Eventually she decided against it for personal reasons, though she has shared her Dutch version within her group. It is such a labour of love and we hope she will change her mind in future. Carin has chosen patterns from each of Mlle Eleonore Riego's books (1850-1886) and shared detailed steps and modernised versions/tips in a pleasant format alongside diagrams and written patterns.

💧💧💧

I'd like to think that my blog has stayed true to its name to the extent that almost 95% of my posts have a tip of some kind. Unfortunately I couldn't stay true to the url since this blog soon turned into a tatting blog ... not that I'm complaining, LOL.

Hope you continue to follow my blog and read my posts. 💞

You will find tutorial links to terms in this post here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/p/tatting-resources.html and you can use the search box on the right panel to look for past posts on the tags used here and much more.

💧💧💧

Many many thanks to all the wonderful tatters mentioned here and also to those not mentioned who have influenced, inspired, and improved my tatting journey and maintained my eagerness to blog.

spring magic

2026-03-02T22:24:00.003+05:30

It certainly feels like it! A mere week before there were no buds, no blooms. The potted plants were just about awakening from the cold winter months. And then here we are with such beautiful vibrant flowers! Spring magic or magic springs? Let's not forget the mighty role of the sun, though!

I haven't curated my pics .... sharing all I took, though a few were not rotated back to how I had taken them. Also these are only some of the plants in my hubby's balcony garden.

Petunias -

Love the vibrant shade! It is a darker magenta/purple than what I see here, though.

Dormant throughout winter. And now it can't seem to stop growing ;-D

A single plant. The very first flower dropped today after five days of giving pleasure. The buds just keep emerging and opening up. I'm glad they stay a while.

Madhukamini or Orange Jasmine -

These are not as fragrant as the mogra, and are also quite small. It is fun to look for them among the foliage each morning!

There are quite a few buds springing out almost daily and it has red berry-like fruit. Cute aromatic flowers. Expecting the plant to show many more flowers as the temperature and sunlight increases.

Ajwain or Oregano -

We have two plants and both have been fairly prolific even during winter.

Last week I pruned and snipped off a Lot of the leaves and they are drying out in the fridge. Within a few days the branches and leaves are growing!
Very happy and satisfied with their growth.

Money Plant -

It was difficult to take a good pic of the entire climber. The above pic shows only the leaves at the base.

We had to let go some of the plants sadly. Cycle of life. But the remaining potted plants continue to provide pleasure and hope. The moment the French doors are opened in the morning, we are greeted with enticing fragrance from the blooms and aromatic leaves/herbs. All this is my hubby's handiwork (including the title of this post!). This time my only contribution was to spot the first buds and/or leaves every morning and give him the good news! :-D

CWJ for EP tuts

2026-02-26T22:08:00.002+05:30

You might remember that I have been mentioning a resource document (EP Tutorials) from the perspective of Endrucks' original patterns and derivatives. Ninetta and I decided to restrict the technique tutorial links to our respective blogs, and the Endrucks 1920 Project, without any outside source. To that end we even created some new pictorials and/or videos - some of which are still underway.

The Catherine wheel join (CWJ), however, is something both of us had in our folders for the last several years but hadn't shared it online. My pictorial is from 2020 which I did for my Lock Join Plus series aka Reposition Methods, while Ninetta's diagrams were also drawn many years back. Bringing the two together, we present this PDF. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UmmjBqNwwQYIb9Ms9_-T5K6dPnZENCwl/view

A few selected pics from the pictorial -

In the same 2020 folder I have the pics for working the CWJ backside, but have not presented them here. Perhaps at a future date I will work on that presentation and include it.

And Ninetta Caruso's diagram page -

Download the PDFs :

Catherine Wheel Join (CWJ) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UmmjBqNwwQYIb9Ms9_-T5K6dPnZENCwl/view

Lock Join Plus aka Reposition Options series - https://drive.google.com/file/d/17zsM3JaLO7r0ajg8VOnv5IcJ-kLNqEiU/view

And in case you want a practice pattern, here's a quick one - E28 Heart by Muskaan - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-rWqmDAd51VwxOqtt9spD-FIX5zYDAUE/view

There are already plenty of tutorials, including video demonstrations on this join, links to which you can find by clicking on the Tatting Resources tab above. I am of the opinion that there is no such thing as too many resources. Each of us learns in their own way and one never knows which tutorial will click for an individual. So, hope some of you find this helpful.

Happy tatting!

a new heart pattern

2026-02-14T18:00:00.009+05:30

This year our Endrucks FB group has probably felt a bit orphaned with both Ninetta and I being engaged elsewhere. We miss the interaction and games, but just cannot carve out enough time at present. So it was such a wonderful surprise to see a new heart derived from Endrucks' pattern E13 by Lella Loops! She is an excellent needle tatter and has been a participant in almost all our games and more. She sent us the diagram and I prepared the rest of the presentation for shuttle tatting.

E13 Cuore Mio (My Heart) by Lella Loops, Feb 2026 for #Endrucks1920Project ... click to download pattern PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hs_J5JF1kOf7j8RE-4xqZGK4y7fcQHFw/view derived from Eleonore Endrucks' E13 pattern from 'Die Schiffchen-Spitzen', 1920.

It is a very clever construction ... Lella 'erased' parts of the lace and brought together two motifs to create this heart, with minimal changes to the stitch count, etc.!

I quickly tatted up my own model with shuttle and though I am not overly happy with my work, it will have to do for now. Worked in Anchor size 20 (equivalent to Lizbeth 10), it is 2" across and a bit more than 1-1/4" high.

It is a very easy pattern with the count being 6 or a multiple of 6 for each element and all rings are worked from the front in case of directional tatting.

The drop or inward picot is made using the node or set stitch - 2fhs, p, 2shs.

Not only does it tat up quickly and can be used to empty shuttles (it needs very little thread on 2nd shuttle) but I also love the way the two long side chains on the lower side have that little curve before tapering down. Now if only I had noticed the uneven closure of the large ring it wouldn't have tilted to the right, LOL!

Please use the hashtag (#Endrucks1920Project) and the name of the designer & pattern when you post online. Not only is it a courteous gesture to give credit, but also makes it easier for others to find the pattern. , ......

I know it is too late for today, but hey we don't need a single day or a reason to tat hearts to our heart's content, right?! Do here are some more free heart patterns - Hearts from Endrucks directory -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MpYw9XMB8Asz8zusj1ZpHvX8A8Ww424-rEVORtxcL1w/view and my own heart patterns -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LpHU69wNsQspIHgvt9pihgTNhHFDRBab3I5_MDEYyNw/view (hmm, looks like need to update it!)

💗 Many many thanks to Lella Loops for her lovely heart and all her contributions! 💗

who knew

2026-02-12T18:42:00.012+05:30

What can I say?! So many comments in response to my previous post ... besides my blog, I had asked the same question in two FB groups and my own FB timeline. Received a range of answers from a spectrum of tatters. So instead of simply updating the post as previously intended, I decided to write this separate post and cover all points. But firstly I'd like to apologise for my tardy response - life has this habit of getting in my way, and also for the length of this post.

I] Most commentators misread or misunderstood my question (or perhaps I need to improve my English writing/questioning skills ;-D). Most answers referred to HOW to shape the ring into desired shape. I will try to share all tips, answer questions, etc., in no particular order -

1. Define Central Ring - According to Elgiva Nicholls' classification, it is an enclosed space medallion, a ring with many picots, at the center of a formation such as rosettes. The next round is attached to these picots which divide the pattern into equal segments. It is such a common starting point in vintage patterns (and sometimes even used as fillers) where the thread was cut off after making the ring. Later, of course, false picot and/or mock ring replaced the true ring so that one could climb out for continuous tatting.

2. Post the Shuttle - for a rounder version. This has never worked for me. I post the shuttle only in backside or RODS rings after ending with an extra 1st half-stitch. My trials and experiments. So, in my samples, since both rings were tatted frontside, I did not post the shuttle.

3. SCMR for Roundness - This is true BUT it needs two threads whereas the example I showed is a single shuttle/thread model. This can be seen in the bare thread between the two rings.

4. Closing the Ring - Several comments focused on how they close their ring to attain the desired shape. The above sampler by Anita Barry employs both the movements outlined below.

Shape and Pinch: While closing the ring, bring the two ends together, hold in pinch and close the ring in desired shape.

Direction of Pull: Further, if core thread is pulled downwards, we get a teardrop, while if it is pulled to the left (for right-handed tatters), a rounder ring emerges. In my samples, I closed both rings exactly the same way -- I did not 'pre-shape' under the pinch, and I pulled the shuttle thread downwards and very slightly to the left (which has been my go-to for decades).

5. The Tension of Tension! - The tension while pulling the shuttle thread to close the ring can reflect on the shape of the ring. The tension of stitches can also affect the amount of play the core thread has. Are stitches just a wee bit looser in a highly picoted ring than when only a few picots grace the ring?

Conscious: A ring closed too tightly results in a teardrop shape and when closed "more loosely" can result in a rounder version.

Subconscious: A couple of comments pointed out perhaps our subconscious works differently while closing a picoted ring as compared to a plain ring (including the knotting of stitches). It is certainly possible! Brains work in mysterious ways, don't they? Or perhaps our muscle memory wasn't trained meticulously enough ;-D

6. Pull into Shape - This is done after closing the ring. I agree that if a regular teardrop is tugged outwards with gentle fingers, it can become rounder. Yet, in my opinion, the type of thread and the tatter's tension also play a role. And blocking was also suggested. Both my samples were fresh off the shuttle without any finger-shaping or blocking. However in the new sample above I pulled the middle ring for a rounder shape.

7. The Pull of Additional Rounds - When new rounds are joined to the central ring, it pulls the ring into a rounder shape. Agree, but my samples were free, unattached.

8. Twist of the Thread - Perhaps the S or Z twist in a thread affects the shape of the ring. It, however, does not apply if tatted with the same threads at the same time, with the same shuttle. The bare thread between the rings is evidence.

I think this covers all the HOW answers. And, I believe after working new samples, that some subconscious pull and tension might partly be accountable for the shape of my rings. And I used Anchor knitting cotton size 10 for the old green and new blue samples which is twisted less tightly than the yellow samples done in Anchor mercerized cotton size 20 below which is relatively stiffer and holds its shape better despite any attempt to post-shape. Also I don't bring the ends of ring together to pre-shape before closing, which leaves more room for the structure to take its own natural shape.

II] Now to the WHY part which was my main question. My theory pertained to the presence of a lot of picots and I even sought hubby's help in trying to tease out the exact physics behind it. The following listing is chronological.

A. His response was that the outer edge of the picots creates a larger circumference than a picot-free ring in relation to the inner edge, which tends to pull the structure outwards, hence the rounder shape. This was similarly echoed by some respondents.

The 3rd blue ring with picots on one half was hubby's idea. However, more tests with larger rings might be required to reach any conclusion or visual cue.

B. I was happy to see many identified the presence of picots as a major factor. The picots provide extra thread between stitches which might "ease", "relax" or "give permission to" the movement of stitches away from the otherwise tight squish of a picot-less teardrop. This was my contention, too, before I asked hubby. Some also pointed out that the picots circumference gave an impression of a rounder ring even if the inner edge remained more teardrop-ish.

C. Barbara A was reminded of her teacher who was an engineer and the maths behind it is that each picot acts like another ring. So basically there is an outward pull or one can say a mix of pulls, leading to a rounder ring. She shared this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y87yq5E4Ok0

III] On The Side Lines

i) Mary A asked "Have you ever wondered why Josephine rings are always beautifully circular... until a tatter tries to put picots on them?" This is my understanding - JRs are inherently small-ish spiral rings made by repeating the same half-stitch. Unlike double stitch which is 'balanced' due to mirrored 1st and 2nd half-stitch, the spiral stitch is made of only the same half-stitch hence the inner edge circumference is way smaller than the outer edge, resulting in an almost perfect circle. {the horizontal bar is broader than the vertical leg of any half-stitch or double stitch}
When a picot is added, it causes a disruption and the inherent tendency to spiral becomes more pronounced affecting the smooth roundness. You can test this by tatting a larger JR where the spiraling effect becomes evident as in a Josephine chain and gives an indication of the picot's behaviour.
Hope this makes sense? Jump in ....

ii) Round Split Rings were mentioned by some. There are books (by Karen Bovard) where she explains how to make a rounded SR. Goes to show that we can shape any ring as desired using specific means and pre-planning. Remember Square Rings?

iii) Gimme a Leg Up! Now here's an interesting issue that emerged when Anita Barry tatted up samples using paracord and her hubby noticed that the legs of the half-stitches seemed a bit different. Is there a "dominant" and a "recessive" leg?! Obviously the movements of tatting the 1st and 2nd halves are different; does our subconscious hold the reins differently?

Phew! Since everybody has been so forthcoming and enthusiastic with their input I will end this post with a few more possible factors to ponder ---

Thread size;
Thread type;
Individual Tatting Styles - so many nuances that can affect our tatted lace;
Very Small Joining Picot which may stretch the ring,

If you have managed to read this far I am truly thankful. And my next post will have a cute little heart pattern to relax from this avalanche :-)))

Many many thanks to all you wonderful tatters for chipping in with your experience and advice! This is how the community grows, evolves, and flourishes.

did you ever

2026-02-04T10:33:00.002+05:30

Did you ever notice or wonder why a central ring is round while a normal tatted ring is tear drop shaped despite having the same overall stitch count?!

I've been ruminating over this for a few days and have only one theory. However, I would like you to share your thoughts before I update this blog with my own answer. Both rings above have 20 stitches each. I haven't done anything special except for picots in the central ring version. In fact these are straight off the shuttle, no blocking, etc.

Another pic showing one more ring (5-5-5-5).

This is what I've been enjoying about working on the Glossary. I had added an entry called Shape of Ring which got me delving deeper into this topic. As always happens with me, one thing leads to another and suddenly there are quite a few examples, factors, etc. I don't want to reveal too much though Net Best had given me blanket permission to share anything from her book .... I had refused her then and even now it just doesn't feel right. I tread carefully trying to share only a few of my own inputs here.

But I can share Elena Kozinenko's tip about how a ring is pre-shaped before closing can determine the final shape. It really works and I have tried to incorporate it into my tatting repertoire since. In fact since then I noticed how so many excellent tatters do it similarly. Hadn't ever realised the significance. Never too late to learn and improve ;-D You can find her blog post here along with a link to her video here -https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/perfect-tatting-part-7/

So, waiting to hear your thoughts ....

something new

2026-01-23T18:40:00.005+05:30

For the last several weeks, starting around mid-December, I've been mainly focused on completing the Glossary for the book 'Six T's of Shuttle Tatting' by Net Best. Long back I had divided the glossary into separate letter files for ease of work and have gone through anywhere between 5 to 10 drafts of each over the years. Angela has been a patient and efficient support. This time it is 'final' ... my humble request to the tatting community is "Please stop bringing out new effects and techniques for this year so that I won't need to include it in the glossary ;-P Take a pause, my talented community!" 😁

So anyway, I've been tatting samplers for the glossary which were missing or for new entries. This, and the fact that I need a refresher on a few 'rarely' used techniques, I took up Natalie Rogers' Picot Bingo 2026 challenge again this year after skipping it last year. But instead of a completed project I might only make small samplers - to keep it short and quick. Some of these will actually dovetail with the glossary samplers, thus reducing any distraction or time constraint.

Learnt something 'new' - Stacked Dimpled Split Rings by Sandra Eichelberger (Crazy Mom Tats). It is a very clever application of techniques towards continuous tatting which she shared here - https://psychotatter.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-tat-stacked-dimpled-split-ring.html

NOTE: 'Stacked' is used for tatted elements that overlap and/or lay one above the other as a 3D formation. Hence in the present technique, 'stacked' is a bit of a misnomer and is probably used to indicate continuous tatting in a line or row of rings. (Thanks, Mary Arnold)

I used her stitch count. It is like working a split ring backwards where the 1st side is worked after working the 2nd side and the 1st side lies on the right instead of the left. Reminds me of Teri Dusenbury's SQDR (where she started with 1ds and then the entire ring was worked with reverse stitches) or a Reverse Ring, applied here to a dimpled yorkie split down the center.

It was a bit of a challenge to figure out the process but once I got it, it went smoothly. I think a pictorial or a video would help a great deal.

TIP: The main thing to keep in mind is to make the mock picot long enough. Notice how the dimple in the 2nd heart from top is less pronounced? The fault lies in a short mock or false picot.

Tied in a quick tassel made from the first scrap threads I could get my hands on. So one more tatted bookmark in my stash, though the body could've been longer.

The boxes crossed out in the Picot Bingo 2026 game (Level 2) -

Dimpled Ring - I'm sure these count even if they are split.
Tat a Rings Only Pattern - why do we limit ourselves to vintage rings only style patterns, LOL?
Tat a Heart - five hearts here.
Mock Picots - gravely important in this pattern/technique!

Two different levels of cards are shared by Natalie although I believe the above project falls in a bit of a higher category than even Level 2 (wink, wink). Check out the details and downloads here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/happy-new-year-147124370,

UPDATE: (31 Jan 2026) Jane McLellan had worked on this technique to create a bookmark and a beaded bracelet here - https://janemactats.blogspot.com/search?q=stacked+dimple+rings

Many thanks to Sandra and Natalie !!! Keep it interesting and challenging! Great opportunities for new learning and consolidation of past learning.

continuing belatedly

2026-01-03T23:53:00.023+05:30

This is how I feel ... 2025 is simply continuing into 2026, LOL. Not looking for anything special, anything different, anything grand. I am more than happy to continue as is.

Since I did not prepare any special image, and I do like a post with at least one pic, let me borrow what I did for our Endrucks 1920 Project Facebook group. And all the tatting you see is by our Endrucksian tatters!!!

So wishing all who visit my blog and especially those who take the time to read and comment, my

💗heartfelt wishes for a happy, healthy, and fun-filled 2026 with tons of creative time to fulfill all your desires! 💗

Under one of my recent posts in FB, I noticed one question - What is the Endrucks 1920 Project?

Now that got my curiousity and I immediately clicked on it and this is what Meta AI has to say about our Project ...

All stars on the border are tatted by
🌺Anita Schaeder 🌺Anna Bonelli 🌺Anna Tedesco 🌺Antonia Lai 🌺Cristina Reb
🌺Daniela Galli 🌺Irma Noemi Figueroa 🌺Jane McLellan 🌺Jiamrat Supapol

🌺Krystyna Mura 🌺Lella Loops 🌺Manju Talekar 🌺Margaret Davies 🌺Muskaan

🌺Ninetta Caruso 🌺Paola Bevilacqua 🌺Paola Emilia Rotuletti 🌺Reiko Akamatsu

🌺Ruth Palsson 🌺Sally Biggers 🌺Silvana Buonvino 🌺Stephanie Wilson

🌺Ulrike Klauser 🌺Winnie Ho

Majority of the stars & snowflakes are derivatives of E3 & E12 for the Tat Me Endrucks Dec2022 game and the rest are the E15 Leafy Stars which I showcased recently. Links to roundups for details are listed at the end of this post.

🌺💗🌺💗🌺

A brief recap of the year gone bay to emphasize the continuity since there are a lot of fairly big to medium sized projects underway ....

Net Best's book that I am editing - the Glossary which I considered almost done last January with merely some samples to be tatted ... turns out there was so much more to add and improve. At present only some models need to be tatted and a bit of clean-up is required. And then to get to the chapters.
The updating of all PDFs in our EP collection is still ongoing, though Ninetta and I have covered some ground there. This may carry on through the year.
Since late late August, we are also compiling a tutorial resource doc dedicated to techniques and effects used in our Endrucks' patterns and derivatives. This doc will be released very soon though some PDFs remain to be completed.
Manju had derived the entire alphabet from E17 which I am diagramming and presenting. While she has sent me the pattern and pics for all, I have managed to finish A to N. So the rest will continue through the next several months. The HAPPY you see above is Manju's!
My blogging might continue to be sporadic if I follow in the footsteps of 2025 and I might not be able to respond to each and every comment, though I definitely read and appreciate each.

I lost almost six months at a stretch last year when I couldn't focus on any 'heavy' thinking (the updating came at the right time in that sense). This year I hope no such problem will loom up. I have learned to not stress myself out trying to reach a deadline - I do what I can, when I can, and how I can, to the best of my ability and circumstances .... enjoying the journey and each moment.

Meanwhile I learned a lot, read and researched, discussed with experts, and concepts became clearer, and I also received patterns and books from friends!

💗many many thanks to all of you for being a part of my journey 💗

Roundup Posts

https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2024/08/roundup-1-stars-and-snowflakes-for.html

https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2024/08/stars-and-snowflakes-for-tatme-dec2022.html

https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2024/08/it-was-my-turn-stars-and-snowflakes-for.html

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/10/leaf-to-star-spinoff.html

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/12/more-e15-leafy-stars.html

full of options tatting

2025-12-26T11:23:00.003+05:30

In our endeavour since July 2025 to update patterns in our Endrucks 1920 Project collection, some PDFs posed a dilemma. For instance whether to leave the E1 shamrock and it's butterfly offshoot in the same PDF or to separate them. A survey in our FB group voted overwhelmingly in favour of the former. We took the opportunity to include a stepwise pictorial, add some missing portions, as well as options to work certain parts through some mini-pictorials.

E1 Happy Hands Shamrock and Butterfly by Diana Howe and Muskaan :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_D5xY68NyfsKMB4LDr0GUv-WYC0VCba6/view (updated pattern link)

Following are some notable features -

This Way or Tat? (TWoT Notes): This is one of those patterns where many paths and options are possible. Diana had diagrammed both clockwise and counterclockwise pathways (my E1 Happy Hands Heart from which it was derived could also be worked either way), and my working of the shamrock followed a third. Since it is a two shuttle pattern, just follow the shuttle which is in the right position, but adjust the instructions accordingly.

I used contrasting colours in size 10 knitting cotton for the pictorial to clearly indicate which shuttle is in use.

Dimpled Yorkie: Since the heart ring is fairly large, it is a good idea to apply the two-step closure option as in the dimpled yorkie. Notice the bare thread on the left, just before the ring starts? It is part of the false picot ....

False Picot: Since there will be two back and forth chains at the base of the heart, a false picot is needed to prevent overcrowding. And the bare threads need to be long enough to accommodate them.

False Picot v/s Mock Picot): I distinguish between a false picot and a mock picot. The former is just bare thread left before and/or after an element to simulate a picot. The latter usually uses an overhand tie, a lock stitch, or a paperclip/spacer to make the picot. False picot is a much more vintage term than a mock picot, often used interchangeably, and the construction is left to the discretion of the tatter. However one should be aware of this since it may affect which of the two shuttles you will be using to continue. Does it coincide with what the designer intended? If not, the tatter will need to adapt accordingly.

Lock Join and Under-Over Join (U-OJ) aka Alligator Join: During my early trials with the original E1 pattern, I finally settled on making a lock join through the false picot in order to keep the chain in place. This was followed by ensuring that the two threads/shuttles were on either side of the picot (one above and one under).

However the lock join can be eliminated completely and only the U-OJ can be used if so desired. And which thread you wish to keep above and which under is entirely up to the tatter. Just make sure to adjust instructions accordingly.

The first heart motif is complete in the above image.

Armadillo join: While in the above model we went with the original consecutive joins (picot join on top and lock join below), this can be substituted with the armadillo join as explained in my previous post. https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/12/armadillo-join.html .

Over The Top Join (OTT): This is an adaptation of the U-O join when the space is too small for a shuttle to pass under (or one forgets to position the shuttles ahead of the final chain segment in the pattern). Above image shows Ninetta working it in the 2nd or 3rd repeat.

Ninetta's E1 shamrock and butterfly versions! Can't thank her enough for all her enthusiastic and prompt support in so many unexpected ways!

Stem : Diana recommended the BDS or padded chain for a stem. However, any decorative chain or cord can be applied such as the lock chain in above model, a pearl tatted chain, etc.

Never let it be said that tatting is just rings and chains and picots, LOL.

We will soon be releasing the EP Tutorials document which endeavours to list all tatting techniques, effects, and terms used in the Endrucks patterns - original, reworked, and derived. Until then you can find tutorial links in the Tatting Resources tab above (https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/p/tatting-resources.html).

Please give credit to the designer and pattern, and use the tag #Endrucks1920Project when you post your version of the pattern.

armadillo join

2025-12-23T23:06:00.005+05:30

Back in 2015 when I first ventured into tatting Eleonore Endrucks' patterns from her 1920 book, Die Schiffchen-Spitzen, (I had started with E22 for the summer homework by Georgia's Online Tatting Class) there were patterns including the very first one where the 2nd repeat/motif joins to the first with two consecutive joins. One is a normal picot join to a picot lying above the line of tatting (on the previous motif) and one is a lock join to a hidden picot lying below (on the same motif).

I tried various methods to incorporate both joins into one continuous movement but was unsuccessful - the result just didn't seem neat. So you can imagine my immense excitement when I encountered Gretchen Miller's Armadillo Join earlier this year (July 2025)! She came up with it as a solution to linking two pieces of enameled metal for one of her patterns. She uploaded a video here -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JRveDx6Wf4 . When I sought her permission to share a pictorial she was happy to note that the join could be used in pure tatted lace as well. And what I had missed in my 2015 trials was the final step, LOL.

ARMADILLO JOIN

Gretchen Miller (Tattered Armadillo) July 2025

video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JRveDx6Wf4

Since I have created a PDF for the pictorial which can be downloaded by clicking this link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PfM7UMj9YIIW3cA8fEVB1OgaXabFeo_L/view - I will keep the text below to a minimum.

Shuttle 1 - mustard thread ; ball or shuttle 2 - blue thread.

Note: The join is worked with a single shuttle.

Normally, one would consecutively make a lock join to the chain picot below and a picot join to the ring picot above and then proceed with the current chain. Armadillo join allows us to make both linkages simultaneously.....

... by pulling a loop of the ball thread up through the picot above and then bringing it down through the picot below.

Then shuttle is passed through it. Notice how it is basically a picot join, except that the loop goes through two picots on opposite side of the current chain.

But here's one extra step where the shuttle is brought back to the left by passing it under the loop.

The linkage is complete and now all we need to do is remove all slack.

Now steps 7 and 8, I find, require some practice and dexterity to remove slack from all the threads and loop.

Thus we have not only linked the current chain to two picots, but have simultaneously moved across to the right! Clever, right?!

I haven't been able to experiment and explore it too much, although I did make it backside on the E1 sampler at the top. And my next post will feature a derivative pattern where it can be used.

Many many thanks to Gretchen for sharing this join!

Finnish finish

2025-12-20T18:26:00.007+05:30

Oh yes, this is how Marja Jalo, from Finland, calls her way of ending on a chain. She has kindly agreed to share her method through a pictorial here -

Finnish Finishing by Marja Jalo, 2025 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kv1tc3msre8seFo58jjpPj4ON6_3XXR-/view

Can't have a post without a pic, so this is my quick version of the Finnish finishing method. I deliberately left a bit of the end tails to show where each one finally ends.

Comparison and Thoughts -

This is a slight adaptation of Frivole's Finishing on a Chain method -https://www.flickr.com/photos/28725259@N02/albums/72157626237151128/with/5514379237 which I had tried here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2015/03/hiding-ends-sans-sewing.html and Ninetta had applied here - https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2015/06/better-late-than-never.html .

Basically we tat the final chain as a single shuttle split chain (SSSCh) by pulling out a loop of thread from the shuttle and tatting with it.
Frivole ends without any sewing while Marja sews in one end. Since I have no issue with sewing tails now, I didn't mind it. I whip stitched the green (ball) tail on the chain itself, but one can sew it under the ring or any other element to reduce bulk.
My slight variation is that after passing the green (ball thread) tail through the shuttle thread loop and pulling the latter tight, I needled this green tail and only then joined it to the picot on the ring.
I also find that Frivole's method requires a long enough chain to hide both tails while Marja's can work even on short chains.

I used a similar method when Ending on a Floating Chain, which was worked partially as a SSSCh - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2019/12/open-treasures.html

And for a whole host of hiding ends methods, check out this post - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2016/11/beginning-or-ending.html

Many many thanks to Marja for sharing her method ... we are always the richer for having options! And check out her blog, if you haven't already.... besides all her other projects and experiments, I always remember her when talk of using yarn in tatting arises. https://solmujenlumoissa.blogspot.com/2025/

My next post will have a brand new join pictorial! Hope to see you then...

more E15 leafy stars

2025-12-08T14:06:00.003+05:30

Stars started shining almost immediately after I had posted about Manju Talekar's E15 Leafy Star here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/10/leaf-to-star-spinoff.html. It is my fault that I couldn't blog about the new entrants sooner. So let's go chronologically (all from Nov 2025) ....

Stephanie Wilson

It was such a pleasant surprise to find this beauty waiting for me in my email inbox! Here's what she said -

I couldn't resist. This is size 40 Lizbeth thread, yellow ombre to suggest 'twinkling,' although that's probably a very BIG stretch of the imagination. I left out the decorative picots for a smoother look....more like a star, to me, at least.
For a Christmas ornament, it would probably be better to tat in size 20 thread.

Pop Maria Lenuta

And this one twinkled in my blog feed! Read what Maria writes in her blogpost -

https://maryshandmade.blogspot.com/2025/11/fulde-de-zapada-leafy-star-by-manju.html

Jane McLellan

You can imagine my excitement when these emerged in my blog feed! Read what Jane has to say in her blog - https://janemactats.blogspot.com/2025/11/seeing-stars.html

And they only multiplied!!! Here's what Jane posted - https://janemactats.blogspot.com/2025/11/still-tatting.html

And the stars are finally settled in their very own milky way!

https://janemactats.blogspot.com/2025/11/one-done.html

Katie Verna

Are you wondering whether the star is partially hidden behind some clouds? Here's what Katie writes -

My little version of the Leafy Star--ran out of the red thread, so thought to add green at the bottom to make it like a flower, but it looks more like a demon or fierce animal with a beard! Fun little piece to tat!

I suggested adding a few whiskers to bring out the animal better :-D

Padma Mandayam

Padma was so inspired by Katie's version that she worked her own star, too, in variegated thread. Clearly the pattern lends itself to variegated shades as well.

Elzusia

Elzusia did not exactly tat the star but she showed us her collection of fall leaves one of which is the E15 Leaf Doodle that inspired the star. Check out her blog post here -https://mojeroznerobotki.blogspot.com/2025/11/jesienne-liscie.html

UPDATE (8th Dec2025): Somehow I missed Elzusia's post where she actually tatted this star in metallic thread! I am so glad she left a comment with her link - https://czasnafrywolitke2.blogspot.com/2025/11/srebrzysta-gwiazdka.html

Is it any wonder I am seeing stars (of the brilliant, optimistic, happy kind) everywhere?!

Thank you all so very much for your wonderful 'gift' of Endrucksian tatting

ps: I want to apologise for not responding to every comment left in my blog over the past several weeks and for not leaving a comment in other blogs. I do read all comments and blog posts, but due to a large amount of time already spent in front of the screen deep in other commitments, I am taking a bit of break where and when possible. It is also the reason why I am not blogging as frequently as I'd like or want to. Thank you for your patience and support - always treasured 💕💕💕

EP Medley 3

2025-11-25T22:44:00.002+05:30

Continuing from my last post, here are some more models that were tatted, derived, adapted or designed for the Endrucks 1920 Project. Due to the 20 tags limit in blogger, I had separated these from the previous EP medley as containing tatting around bezel and/or with beads.

E16 derivative - adaptation & rearrangements.

E16 Wrist or Slave Bracelet derived and tatted by Natalia Prokhorova (May 2025)

reworked E16 pattern:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MuZTviUxkdBoz24xXglcn7wbO1rHuhm8/view

Now isn't this a beauty!!! Extracting two main motifs from the E16 pattern and positioning them into this gorgeous hand jewellery!

Here's what Natalia says -

Motif 16. I slightly changed the central motif, made it more symmetrical and removed one row of the chain that did not fit into the pattern (too dense). I embroidered with beads that I found at home, so the choice was not rich. In principle, the pattern works, only some corrections are needed -in some places add a couple of knots, in others remove. I won't talk about other shortcomings. I can post the patterns if someone wants to play with them.

Ninetta is working on presenting this pattern where more pics will be shared.

E43, E16, & E12 adaptations & rearrangements

Three Fish Necklace - derived and tatted by Natalia Prokhorova (Oct 2025)

based on E43 Fish pattern by Manju Talekar: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JsRV0DYDD7-coE7QAvZl7LORk1V5Oaiy/view

reworked E12 pattern: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E26K3FFgHygdkEKUvVHn-f0MFlENDsqA/view

Imagination knows no bounds!

This is what Natalia says -

This is a necklace with three fish: the first fish is a pattern 43 from Manju Talekar + some beads, the second fish has the tail from pattern 43 (it used to be the head, it's movable) + natural shell, cast using the Guastalla Edda method, the third one is pattern 12 (the medallion - adaptation by Krystyna Mura), the middle is from the pattern 43 too.

When I asked her whether there was any cultural significance to the fish, she replied -

I just liked the pattern, but one fish wasn't enough, and two looked odd, so I had to make a third. Just in case, I tatted two more small motifs, but that was clearly too much, so I made earrings out of them, although they're rather poorly tatted. The pattern for the first and third fish already exists, with minor modifications, and it's unlikely anyone will make a shell of the same shape and size, so a separate file isn't really necessary....We love to eat fish, so from a gastronomic point of view, it is present in our culture. I live in Canada, in a small town also called "lobster capital".

E32 Heart Ice Drop adaptation by Lella Loops (Feb2025)

pattern link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dT064jDn98F0_KEZabs51_GF9IxPyEQI/view

adapted from E32 Ice Drop by Ninetta Caruso:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dT064jDn98F0_KEZabs51_GF9IxPyEQI/view

Simple yet clever adaptation and again a confirmation that needle can be used effectively to tat these patterns.

Lella Loops says -

My needle tatted version of E32 ice drop by Ninetta Caruso, adapted for Valentine's day.
Two needles and little changes to reach the heart shape (or I tried to)

Well it worked splendidly, didn't it!

I just noticed that this pattern PDF has notated count on the model pic as a quick share. So we need to add the written pattern as well.

E28 & E24 combo adaptation & arrangement

by Manju Talekar (April 2025)

E28 Heart by Muskaan: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-rWqmDAd51VwxOqtt9spD-FIX5zYDAUE/view

reworked E24 pattern:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZpHou6AOWM3LZJVbEMNB_gurWqtjazRx/view

We were pleasantly surprised when this cute bunny hopped into our FB group on April 1st this year!

Manju wrote -

Happy International Tatting Day 2025 !
Greetings from Bunny, popped out from E-28 Heart by Muskaan and E-24 pattern reworked by Ninetta, Thanks to you both for the pattern.
Happy Endrucksian tatting

Some day in future, we will ask her for the pattern and prepare a PDF. Hopefully before Easter 2026?

E32 application

E32 tatted decoration for tealight candle by Marja Jalo (Nov 2025)

reworked E32 pattern: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vhseit_8cVsqFMlSefcrWmKWP-Ae-Xlj/view

My blog list threw up a sparkling surprise on Sunday in the form of the E32 edging being used so effectively to decorate the tealight candle! Read more about the entire project and Marja's notes and thoughts in her blogpost here - https://solmujenlumoissa.blogspot.com/2025/11/e32-frivoliteettikoriste.html

Ninetta and I are forever grateful for the wonderful models tatted and shared ... each one inspires towards further play!

EP medley 2

2025-11-18T11:10:00.001+05:30

What was supposed to be one post now has to be done in two parts because blogger has a new rule - only 20 tags allowed. Earlier the limit was 200 letters. All I can ask is that you bear with me and return to see the beauties in the next post as well.

Back in April 2022, it was my intention to share a mix of Endrucksian models from our members, showcasing the different effects, applications, adaptations, etc. as inspiration. Along the way there was so much to share from our games, and the burst of pattern PDFs that this fell by the wayside. Now I am trying to revive it whenever possible ....

E28 & E39 combo adaptation :

This is the E28 Gift Box with E39 Rose by Daniela Galli (March2022)

Daniela said -

I try number 28 but I pull, I tighten the bows (chains) too much and the result is a little hat... I decide not to throw it away, this is the result .. I made a mini box

Although I cannot be certain, I think instead of 8 repeats she made only 5 (or is it 6?) repeats around; which is why there was so much cupping, LOL.

She repeated the cupped doily for the base and lid getting a nice box.

The box showing a partially open lid.

And she went on to decorate the lid with an adaptation of the E39 motif into a 3D rose, adding layers to the rose, and then some random tatted foliage and flowers. She has already adapted other Endrucks' patterns for 2D and 3D roses! Like the rose below ...

E42 application :

pattern E42 Roses by Daniela Galli:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HiDjl4A_CkRcRGqpjhEItWqgEI1bGMhE/view

Roberta Porati (June2025) tatted up some of the E42 roses along with some foliage-type fillers to decorate a comb! One can see blocks, rings, chains, and even some Cluny tallies interspersed around the roses. Although at the time this is what she said -

I'm undecided whether to stick it on the comb or on 1 headband,....

E5 adaptation :

Debbie L Fister (May2025) extracted a motif from the E5 edging and adapted it for bookmarks, adding long tails. This is what she said -

The first 2 tatted as written version 1. # 3 tatted beginning at top & made in 1 pass. I think version 2 would have been the better choice. I never got the hang of tatting an anticlockwise ring.

E12 application :

pattern E12 Bat by Krystyna Mura:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E26K3FFgHygdkEKUvVHn-f0MFlENDsqA/view

Cynthia Dooley (Oct2025), a needle tatter, worked up this flock of bats to brighten up a T-shirt! And she chirps -

Daddy bat, Mommy bat, Baby bat on flight for Halloween. Sewn on to T-shirt. ... What fun.

These are but a teeny tiny sample of the works done by our members. To reiterate, all patterns are derived from Eleonore Endrucks' 1920 book, Die Schiffchen-Spitzen which contained only 44 patterns!
To see the EP medleys so far - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/search/label/EP%20medley. (Technically my current post is titled #2, but several more were published under different names.)
And remember to check out the 16 Directories for plenty more derivative patterns and models. Links listed in the EP Links doc here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1TZBg-HIzseGEUoJ-rko7tNbtSgZY5A18Oy2Y9Hh0Y/view
Please use the tag #Endrucks1920Project when you post and state the name of the designer and the pattern clearly.

Ideas spark when tatters come together to inspire with their tatted realisations! Ninetta joins me in thanking all of you and look forward to many more ...

a winter butterfly

2025-11-13T23:26:00.001+05:30

Trying to catch the last golden rays of the wintery sun!

Ninetta Caruso has shared a lovely new butterfly pattern with us! She was updating the E13 edging pattern which Silvia Passaquieti, one of our original volunteers, had reworked back in Nov 2020. This update is part of the ongoing exercise to systematise all presentations in the Endrucks 1920 Project.

And that's when Ninetta noticed that ....

... a motif from the E13 edging looked like a butterfly's wing in profile!

I was privy to all the trials, thoughts, doubts, and discussions - the various stages leading to this final pattern. Let's hope she shares her design process, too.

E13 Disclosed Butterfly by Ninetta Caruso pattern PDF link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yxSqjL2ZpKPnwcqhG9YkbhBG_wjfLQmT/view

TWoT Notes: Habitually, I worked it directionally, starting the first wing (on the left in above pic) with the first ring frontside. For the right wing, I started the first ring backside to get a mirror image.

The pattern itself is a scroll - alternating rings and chains - throughout. In fact each wing is worked with a ball and shuttle. Yet, it is not a pattern one can easily commit to memory. The rings and chains are cleverly arranged and attached and require mindful tatting.

An upended view with the butterfly playing dead ;-P

Each wing is worked separately. Then the split ring braid attaches to both simultaneously. I chose to do the body in a different colour and twisted the head ring from vertical to horizontal .

I really liked Ninetta's version of the antennae where she lightly twisted the picots [actually she cheated by twisting them afterwards, LOL] so unlike all my earlier tightly twisted picots, these are less tight.

Now there is cupping in the wings which I kind of like, except that mine face downwards as if the butterfly is just getting ready to lift off; contrary to Ninetta's model where the wings are uplifting!

I really must make my chains less taut or add one or two extra half-stitches to avoid cupping. I seem to have this problem in several patterns.

The proof of how much I liked the pattern is that I just had to squeeze in time and energy to tat it! It took two sittings only, but took several days to finally take pics and blog. Incidentally, this is my first E13 pattern/derivative. Can't thank my dear PIC, Nin, enough, for this pattern and all she does for the Project!

E15 from Eleonore Endrucks' 'Die Schiffchen-Spitzen', 1920, reworked by Silvia Passaquieti Nov2020 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qZ0BsgjQ81es0J7G1FI3mng3xwjjeHOT/view

For more butterfly patterns and inspiration check out our Butterflies from Endrucks Directory - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dtWGgZZEGBBwLDpJgRChAEo91l4uuXq-fxRNzKDc6r8/view

Please do not forget touse the tag #Endrucks1920Project in your social media post, and please state the name of the designer and the pattern, too.

leaf to star spinoff

2025-10-31T22:30:00.006+05:30

A large majority of our games in the FB group have ended up with more spin-offs and patterns than what we originally went in with. The same happened with the #LeafMeEndrucks Sep2024 game where you got to see the beautiful versions collated in four roundup posts (links at the end). One such is a star (which started out as a starfish) born from the combination of five E15 Leaf Doodles #2.

Following is the E15 LEAFY STAR by Manju Talekar (Sep2024) pattern PDF link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/15PQwxt3BXZkEv7kPSRK_U091VnSsqTTj/view

Manju sent in her drawing with the stitch counts, notes and tips and we soon converted it into an Inkscape diagram and complete presentation.

The negative space in the center created when 5 leaves are joined, is filled with a simple medallion.

NOTE: The model can be tatted continuously (in one pass) by climbing out of the center motif with a split chain and climbing into the first arm with a split ring. This option is provided in the PDF.

It didn't take long at all for some members to jump in with their versions!

Gelsomina Carbone - (Nov2024)

Now isn't this interesting how Gelsomina arranged the star as a flower with a large bead in the center!

Jessica Hanson - (Oct2024 and Oct2025)

Notice that she did away with all decorative picots, giving clean outlines and a sharper star shape!

Such lovely backgrounds!

Jessica tatted her white version last year and showed us the two pink models earlier this month. She considers this one of her favourites!

Notice that the lower model has beads - minimalist but strategically placed. Let me repeat what she asked in FB to help her decide, and perhaps you can pitch in with your preference --

"To bead or not to bead? Which do you like better?"

Liberata Cacciottolo - (Nov2024)

This version in metallic thread looks quite sparkly with relatively long picots and the shadows seemingly uplifting the model!

Mela Cabo - (Feb2025)

Another lovely shade of metallic thread and a nice background .

Silvana Buonvino - (Nov2024)

Silvana's silver center and gold arms highlight the pattern in a way different from the monocolour ones.

Now that it is stars and snowflakes time of the year, we expect plenty more models to fall into our lap!

Now this E15 motif is so versatile that I myself adapted it to one or more versions of leaves, tree, candle flames, bell, poinsettia, maize, etc. etc. And a year before this leafy star, Paola Emilia Rotuletti created the E15 Star (Oct2023) which was also used in the Dec2023 game. While Ninetta will share all pics and details, you can find Paola's version in our Snowflakes and Stars from Endrucks Direectory here -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NKMYK3i4PI9pRmyotGCk5GkV2xcDS_hSgJfh322EQFQ/view

Moreover, if you remember, Manju herself also created the enigmatic E15 Ganesh, E15 Holly Leaves, etc., during the game.

Please use the hashtag #Endrucks1920Project, and cite the name of the designer and pattern when you post your version on any social media platform. And the hashtag for this game is #LeafMeEndrucks.

Thank you everybody, for making this all worthwhile and keeping Ninetta and me happily busy :-) Now if only we could tat all of the wonderful ideas and patterns that keep coming in ;-D

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-power-of-15.html

a lasting lacy legacy

2025-10-29T22:43:00.001+05:30

Marigolds are an auspicious flower, present in almost all Hindu religious ceremonies, festivals, rituals, and pujas. Garlands made of marigolds (often combined with mango leaves) commonly adorn entrances, houses, temples, halls, etc. Garlands are used to welcome guests and dignitaries, placed around statues, even on a new car or vehicle. The florets are used for floral rangoli, natural dyes, etc. Not merely for happy occasions, even in death marigolds are an indispensable part of the ritual, adorning the body as well as the pyre reminding us that life is transient and we are here for a short period.

It was sheer coincidence that hubby and I had taken pics of two fully bloomed yellow marigolds in our little garden when my buddy Anita sent me this heartfelt and heart-wrenching article. It was as if the universe was trying to send auspiciousness and peace to my friend and to her friend.

Here is the full article which I have also saved as a PDF since Anita feels that this article is an incentive to tat everywhere and to tell people you tat, too. And I'd add - keep your lace stock as full as you can; share and replenish frequently.

It is so interesting that what looks like a fully blossomed flower is actually a collection of a large number of little flowers or florets! Hopefully our lace collection reflects this - lots of lace to give away and spread cheer or fulfil a wish.

A Lasting Wish by Anita Barry, Oct2025 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vYhQCPt5LREnw6ULUcMuY3g69tjPItpY/view

A lasting wish.

We’re Lacemakers. We receive requests for items. Requests may be for family, or for friends, maybe for churches or for historic places or societies. Grab a tissue. I received this recent heartfelt request.

A friend I knew 15 years ago contacted me on Facebook Messenger. I recalled her name in an instant. We had been in an organization together. I responded to her correspondence and she later telephoned me. She updated me. She had been stricken with Covid last year and again this year. Her heart had been severely compromised. She hopes to live through Thanksgiving and hopefully till Christmas. I was speechless. She is younger than I am. She’s only 60 years old.

Like me, she has two sons who are about the same age as my sons. Both her sons are married. One son already has a daughter, my friend’s granddaughter.

She told me when she was married on her wedding day, it was sentimental for her to carry her grandmother’s lacy handkerchief.

Now, with a short time to live, she wanted to provide lacy handkerchiefs for her granddaughter and for her future unborn grandchildren for their wedding days. She was asking for four lacy handkerchiefs from me. She was guessing maybe her sons would each have two children of their own and she’d need a total of four handkerchiefs. (Yes, you better believe I was grabbing for tissues as I was trying to steady my voice. Steadying my voice was a monumental task, but I needed a strong voice on the phone to keep her from crying.)

Remembering me as a tatter, she sought me out for this last and lasting gift.

Absolutely. Absolutely!

With chills, rolling along my spine I responded I would surely provide her handkerchiefs with tatted lace in a quick manner.

I checked my stash. I sorted through my handkerchiefs with attractive tatted lace edgings, examining each one. I counted three suitable for her future grandchildren on their wedding days. I didn’t have enough in my stash to honor the request. So, I contacted another tatter to assist me.

I telephoned my dear friend and fellow tatter, Bonnie Swank. Although Bonnie and I now live many states away from each other, I knew Bonnie would have a collection of handkerchiefs with tatted lace. While on the phone Bonnie and I talked about our assortment of handkerchiefs, and about the request, and about future weddings. She selected two very lovely handkerchiefs in her collection trimmed with tatted lace appropriate to be carried on a wedding day.

Within two days, miles away from each other, Bonnie and I both prepped the handkerchiefs, ironed them, wrapped them in tissue, placed individual notes with the handkerchiefs, packaged the handkerchiefs, and mailed them destined to my friend.

Within days the handkerchiefs arrived in the mail and were received with deep appreciation.

As Lacemakers, we were able to fulfill a last wish.

Lacers, you never know when you’re creating a memory.

You never know when your lace making is becoming a lasting memory to someone else.

You never know what type of request you’ll receive.

You never know when your talent, your skill, and your passion will be used to create a lasting wish for someone else.

Hugs to all of you who make lace,

Anita Barry

If you wish to save, print, and share the article here is the link again....

Julie's Request A Lasting Wish by Anita Barry, Oct2025 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vYhQCPt5LREnw6ULUcMuY3g69tjPItpY/view

Feel free to share it and we can only send our wishes that Julie gets to spend Christmas with her family and has a peaceful transition.

Related Posts with my tatted marigolds

my tatted marigolds, with pattern PDF - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2017/03/marigolds-in-row.html and

spring garland with pattern PDF - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2017/04/sights-n-scents-of-indian-spring.html

leaf me roundup 4

2025-10-28T10:56:00.008+05:30

I can guarantee that you haven't yet had your fill of the Leaf Me Endrucks Sep2024 leaves that have been gracing the last three posts. So here's the final installment, for now at least. Showcasing what our members made with the E15 Leaf Doodle versions 1,2,3 pattern! Details of the game and links to the pattern PDFs can be found here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/leafy-game.html and pics from our members in Part 1 , Part 2 , and Part 3 .

27. Paola Bevilacqua

Tatted with Sanbest metallic thread with quite a nice sparkle!

"Earrings, Sanbest metallic yarn,"

"A small composition of leaves and pumpkins, (interpreted by me, shrinking the form and the small leaves). Sanbest gold and green-gray metallic yarn, gold-red master of E. Goosebumps."

"I combined the August job with the September one."

This is quite a composition! The August reference is to the Veg Patch Endrucks Aug2024 game which required us to tat a pumpkin from either of two patterns. Details can be found in our EP Events doc here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZiNdE53cvqj2cLlxVP-wlga8aocPtzs5/view

28. Reiko Akamatsu

I notice that Reiko has used different colour for the rings and chains in every leaf, making each one almost unique.

Quite an enticing assembly!

29. Sally Biggers

"For my contribution to the September Game #Leafmeendrucks, I have created 5 leaves from the E15 patterns Doodle #1, #2 and #3. In the photograph, leaf # 1 was created using Doodle #3, leaf #2 was created using Doodle #2 and the ones numbered # 3, #4 and #5 were created from Doodle #1, modified only a little at the base. I attached each leaf to a cloth-wrapped florist wire then bound them all together using floral tape. Lizbeth size 20 threads in the colors 181 Cranberry Bush and 683 Leaf Green Light. Almost ready to add a flower to the mix!"

"#leafmeendrucks leaves and flower completed. The flower petals are based on the E15 Doodles #2 and #3 although they have been oriented with the pointy part facing downward toward the center of the flower and an extra edge of picots added to enhance with some frill. That extra edge hides some 26 gauge silver beading wire so the petals can be shaped more easily."

Clever inversion of the leaves to create the flower petals, and a nice sprig or boutonnière is assembled!

30. Stella Marina

On a tatting spree for sure!

Stella hopes to fill the tree with more leaves since it still looks a bit bare to her. We must ask her if she has a new pic!

31. Stephanie Mc

"Inspired by the work of Ninetta Caruso. I changed the way to add the wire so that it’s completely hidden by the thread (it’s a sewing thread. So time consuming!!!). I would love to finish it for the end of the weak . Wish me luck and perseverance!"

"So, I haven’t finished yet, but the project is well under way. About 10 more leaves to reach the 24 leaves suggested by Ninetta before assembling the plant!"

Hmm, another update reminder in the works. Hats off to such fine miniature lacework!

32. Ulrike Klauser

All three leaf doodles tatted!

"Two leaves in a new context. Many thanks to Muskaan. The snowflake is a spontaneous variation of an etsy-pattern."

Ulrike enjoys displaying tatted lace in a mixed media composition.

33. Vani Kattoju

From simple leaf to compound leaf!

An eye-catching 3D flower.

"The leaf doodles from E15, I enjoyed tatting them & have so many ideas & ways to use them .
Here are some simple & compound leaves, great as book mark or a small framed piece and a 3D flower (brooch, clips or just for decorating a vase)"

So we had 33 participants who sent in easily over a 100 leaves, probably closer to 200?. As you would've noticed hardly anybody tatted one single leaf! They not only went in for multiple models, several tweaked, but also creatively gathered them into inspiring compositions and applications ranging from flat to 3D, in diverse threads, sizes, colours, shapes, and uses! Yet the fount of ideas hasn't dried.

As with most of our games, new patterns emerged. We encourage our members to share their notes, tweaks, patterns. At least a couple PDFs are currently under construction, a couple already shared, and soon I will post about one such star offshoot which members immediately picked up and tatted within a few days.

For details and links of all our events starting Aug2022, check out our EP EVENTS doc here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZiNdE53cvqj2cLlxVP-wlga8aocPtzs5/view and these are the links to each pattern :

E15 Leaf Doodle #1 by Muskaan - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NL5KHsLxOHkfILCTTKojfhHy6B9v9EG3/view

E15 Leaf Doodle #2 by Muskaan - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i8XWpjtcrvK8C_cfa8KyGvJiXNn_KPP7/view

E15 Leaf Doodle #3 by Muskaan - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m8chbwS1oD6Xjq4Uwm2R291zdAUL1VJ1/view

Please use the hashtag #Endrucks1920Project, and cite the name of the designer and pattern when you post your version on any social media platform. And the hashtag for this game is #LeafMeEndrucks.

My heartiest thanks to Ninetta Caruso for her constant presence, action, and support, working shoulder to shoulder with me on this ever-growing Project. We both rue the fact that we cannot accomplish all that we want to and only wish life would give us more time ;-D

Many many thanks to all our participants for all your hard work, enthusiasm, encouragement, and contribution!

leaf me roundup 3

2025-10-25T00:07:00.004+05:30

I got caught up in other tasks and this post got delayed. Nevertheless, I am sure it is worth the wait! After sharing part 1 and part 2, let's get right down to admiring what part 3 showcases for our hungry eyes! To remind - this is the Leaf Me Endrucks Sep2024 game based on E15 Leaf Doodles #1,#2,#3.

21. Marja Jalo

In true fall colours, Marja shared her thoughts here - https://solmujenlumoissa.blogspot.com/2024/09/kapypitsiruskaa.html

She visualised this as a key ring - https://solmujenlumoissa.blogspot.com/2024/09/ruskakoru-kapypitsilehdista.html

But this parure really takes the cake! This gorgeous necklace uses 21 beaded E15 leaves and she also combined it with a pair of earrings.

She was gracious enough to put together this collage especially for our group. The way she used beads can be seen more clearly and she explains it further in her blog post - https://solmujenlumoissa.blogspot.com/2024/09/ruskakoru-kapypitsilehdista.html

22. Michelle Forclaz

We didn't receive many models using 2 solid and contrasting colours and this makes a nice change.

The pink model has beads embedded in the chains!

"Four leaves on a walk" is how Michelle describes the above cluster.

And more leaves, this time on a tree that is shedding them!

Now these variations of the E15 leaf 2nd version are quite eye-catching! They would look good as tree ornaments and tatted icicles, I think.

23. Muskaan

This time I used metallic thread.

The lovely models and enthusiastic participation inspired me to pick up my shuttle and tat a 4th version based on my E15 Leaf Doodle #2!
It is a Laurel Leaf or a Birdie on a paperclip! https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/leafy-birdie.html

And this is my E15 Grape Leaf where I assembled the three versions of E15 Leaf Doodle and then joined them using an outlining chain - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-3-in-1-leaf.html

24. Ninetta Caruso

Just look at the tiny size of these leaves!

And then she went on a tatting spree and assembled the foliage into a miniature Garden Croton for her miniature lace shop! https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-lace-shop-of-my-dreams.html

"This is only one of the 3 leaves proposed for the game, it is E15 Leaf Doodle #1. Thread is Lizbeth size 80, colour 136. It is 6cm high, from the "floor" to the highest tip."

Ninetta continued to tat these leaves through the summer of 2025 and this time she gathered them into an E15 3D Anthurium. https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2025/09/botanical-trend.html

We will be sharing the pattern and assemblage soon.

25. Norah O'Riordan

"These are doodles 1 & 2 from #15. I’ve done needle tatting for a few years but have just graduated to shuttles. These small motifs are great practice pieces. Thanks for making the pattern available."

It is so gratifying to not simply tat a motif but to also use it for learning and practice.

26. Paola Arnezf

"The flower (eastern ray) is made from the beautiful leaf. Made 2 sets of 6 petal One set with 6 rings on each side of the petal and the other set with 5 rings on each side. Then I assembled the flower by placing the smaller set inside and with a thread forming the flower. Pistols are rings of different colors. Greetings from Bolivia."

Not only is the flower superb, the entire display is fabulous!

So we now have 3 poinsettia versions from the same E15 leaf doodle pattern - Katie's in the previous post, Paola's above, and my prototype here https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-power-of-15.html

So aren't you amazed by the creative energy radiating through all these models made by enthusiastic hands?! Only 6 names in this list but can you even begin to count the number of leaves displayed?

And we are not done yet!!! Several more to show ....

Many many thanks to all our participants for their spectacular versions & creations !

... to be continued (part 4)

leaf me roundup 2

2025-10-18T22:33:00.003+05:30

Continuing from the previous part 1 roundup of Leaf Me Endrucks Sep2024 here -https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/10/leaf-me-roundup-1.html , we have some more spectacular presentations! While I have included direct quotes from our members, I deliberately edited out their enthusiastic praise, etc., otherwise Ninetta and I would turn beet red, LOL

13. Katie Verna

"Mine are patterns Number 2 and 3. Many thanks to you pattern developers! Well, I thought those leaves might even become petals of a flower. Here's my version. All the tatty best, everyone! Such a fun game."

14. Krystyna Mura

"Pattern: E15 Leaf Doodle #2 by Muskaan M (with some tiny tweaks )
Aren't they sweet little Christmas tree trimmings?"

"Once again I used the awesome pattern E15 Leaf Doodle #2. After some tiny modifications I've got a pair of heart-shaped, asymmetrical earrings."

"Another picture of my little Christmas ornaments, this time amid spruce viridity
Pattern: E15 Leaf Doodle #2 (with some tiny tweaks)."

15. Lea Ann Binder

"My first try at the leaf doodle. Still trying to figure out the twisted picots."

And look at the cute thank you note she made using her twisted picot trials!!!

"This is what I am making with my first leaf doodle. I am thinking of putting a pin back on it so I can pin it on the necklace or wear it as a pin on a jacket or vest."

16. Lella Loops

"I'm late... my autumn mood is on now
My entry from pattern E15 - Leaf Doodle #1 needle tatted."

17. Manju Talekar

This was her first leaf where she promised to add more as you can see scrolling down!

"My submission a greeting card for Diwali, leafy doodle#1 adapted for Lord Ganesh."

The pattern was shared here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/08/festival-tatting.html

".... doodle #2, adapted to make a star fish inspired from Crinoids, can be made more feathery by tweaking a little more."

"...as in doodle #2, tweaked to make it into a star by connecting the leaves with a small center motif. Thread is Lizbeth metallic size 20 color 311."

The pattern PDF for this E15 Leafy Star has also been shared but more about that in another post.

"Reversal of Muskaan’s leaf doodle #2, and additional outer chain with Josephine rings."

This pattern is underway ...

18. Margaret Davies

"My first leaf, pink you ask, I have something in mind if it works, ..."

"I expect you all remember my pink leaf (leaf doodle #2). Well I added more leaves and joined them making a flower,.... This was taken while I was away and the light was different. Which is making the thread look different but I can reassure you it’s the same thread"

"...Then I added a middle from the Endrucks pattern E24 we worked on before, that made a flower. I wish I had done this is red then it would have been a poinsettia. Poinsettias have brackets which is really leaves that look like flowers."

19. Maria Burgo

"Finally done. The leaves are too beautiful. (Nov2024)"

20. Mariangela Di Benedetto

"Do you like them? My leaves"

I'm sure the answer is a resounding yes!

And this is true of all the models we've seen so far, right?! Such beautiful creations, tweaked to perfection, and generating more ideas, applications, and patterns!

Many thanks to all our participants for sending in such enthusiastically prepared models!

.... to be continued (part 3)

leaf me roundup 1

2025-10-16T23:11:00.005+05:30

This roundup should've been posted a year back! In the Endrucks FB group, our game of the month for September 2024 was Leaf Me Endrucks (#leafmeendrucks) which I posted in my blog as well - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/leafy-game.html where we had 3 E15 Leaf Doodle patterns to choose from.

Better late than never and you are in for quite a scroll since this is merely part 1. Ninetta and I were extremely satisfied with the enthusiastic participation and almost every member tatted more than one leaf, several with tweaks to suit their imagination! And the way the motifs were applied is also inspiring! Many shared their experience and some details, some of which are included here. Nearly all of the participants were very happy with the pattern(s) and the game. All the pics are listed in alphabetical order of participant's name here and not chronologically merely because the former makes it easier to organise them in our folders ;-P

Leaf Me Endrucks Sep2024 (#LeafMeEndrucks)

in Endrucks 1920 Project FB group

Details of the game - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/leafy-game.html

NOTE: If you wish to play along, please use the #leafmeendrucks hashtag when you post along with the hashtag #Endrucks1920Project and tag Ninetta or me or send us a pic.

For other games we've played, checkout the EP EVENTS doc - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZiNdE53cvqj2cLlxVP-wlga8aocPtzs5/view

1. Adriana Tomanin

For the choker and earring parure she used the #1 leaf pattern.

And she added pearls for this pair of green earrings which used the #2 pattern!

2. Anna Bonelli

What a wonderful autumn collage! And the inscription reads (Google translate)-

AS IN AUTUMN THE LEAVES RISE ONE AFTER ANOTHER,

UNTIL THE BRANCH SEE ALL ITS SPOILS ON THE EARTH...

3. Annamaria O'Brien

This lovely overlapping application on napkin rings in fall colours was meant for a wedding a few weeks back. She calls it the Autumn Leaf Swirl and used Lizbeth 20, 40, & 80 and her own bead mix Frosted Autumn. These are the #2 leaves again.

4. Brookie Heightsmen

This time Brookie made a little gnome with two leaves tatted together and a few embellishments!!!

5. Cindy Dunham

"My sunflower is complete."

6. Cynthia Mullinax

Isn't this tiny! Cynthia said this was the first though pics of any that followed were not shared.

7. Debbie Arnold

"Progression of leaf design, loosely based on E25."

Her pics clearly show how the design process/development!

8. Debra Fitchen Cox

"I decided to use the leaves for my journal cover."

"Having a play with embossing powder and my "creative" tatting elements."

These are glued to the cover of her journal! Such pride of place.

9. Frauke Klumpp

Frauke absolutely enjoyed tatting and playing with the leaves! She thought the first one resembled a pear or gourd!

"The other one I want to make earrings, it’s one part of the leave pattern but made mistakes so started new."

I think it could well be a pea pod, right?

In this red version, she can imagine some grapes there!

She wanted to make a mask for her costume joining two #1 leaves, but it was small. So she tried a larger version below ...

"Had so much fun with these that I had to try again this time with liz metallic thread size 20, col 322."

10. Jane McLellan

Jane shared the details here - https://janemactats.blogspot.com/2024/10/daisy-doodle-and-more.html

These were sewed on to a food cover which can be seen here - https://janemactats.blogspot.com/2024/10/daisy-daisy.html.

11. Jessica Hansen

Nice colour combination!

12. Jiamrat Supapol

All three versions individually.

And joined together in a common stem with a flower in the center! As usual, Jiamrat's models are always pleasant and she has quick fingers!

We hope you enjoyed Part 1 and look forward to the next part? We are only counting the number of participants, not the number of leaves they tatted since it became really difficult to keep count as you will soon see.

Thanks to all our participants - some are new while most are repeat offenders, LOL

to be continued (part 2)...

Starter Picot pictorials

2025-10-14T09:17:00.003+05:30

Ninetta and I have been working on a resource page dedicated to the Endrucks 1920 Project. Over the years many tips and pictorials have been shared but they were scattered. In our attempt to finally gather and organise them, we discovered certain lacunae and decided to create pictorials and/or videos to address the issue.

One such is the Starter Picot or Starting with a Chain. Elgiva Nicholls calls it the Link Loop or link loop picot. Several of Eleonore Endrucks' patterns in her 1920 book 'Die Schiffchen-Spitzen', start with a chain. She ties two threads together, and starts with a chain of 1ds, picot, and the rest of the chain. Of course most tatters now start directly with a picot and with continuous thread (CTM). Yet there are different approaches. Following are glimpses into the options detailed in the PDF which I won't repeat here....

Please note that this is a compilation sourced from various sites/blogs, some of which are no longer accessible. It is the reason Ninetta and I wanted a resource that did not have to rely on outside links, as far as feasible. The only outside link we included is for The Online Tatting Class, besides our own blogs. As it is my Tatting Resources page (tab above) lists tons of outside resources with credit.

Starter Picot Options with Pictorials by Muskaan Oct2025 (starting with a chain) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vzSHMxas51Yn5iujdmror1obx27AuIhw/view

1. Starter Picot with paper clip, marker, or coilless pin.

Between the choice of spacers, I prefer the thread marker (or luggage tag loop) as you might remember from my past posts. I find it less interfering, and more importantly we can measure the picot to the exact size required - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/01/measured-picot-on-core-thread.html

2. Starter Picot with 1st half-stitch

or 2nd half-stitch

I left out this 2nd hs collage from the PDF since it is basically the same as the 1st hs pictorial.

3. Starter Picot with lock stitch

What happens when we want to work with two colours or we have leftover threads on our shuttles and wish to use them? Obviously CTM is not an option, but we do have False CTM.

4. Starter Picot with false ctm in two-colour tatting

5. Starter Picot with false ctm in two-colour block tatting

The above collage was shared by Ninetta showing a two-coloured block in progress. And she starts the 1st chain with 1ds, picot like Endrucks. However, instead of tying the threads together, she uses the false CTM method.

For many more situations in which a False CTM comes in handy, click on the tag at the end of the post. I have two dedicated posts along with some specific projects where I used it. https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/search?q=false+CTM

Hope this is helpful in your future projects.

muskaan's T*I*P*S