Ray Of Hope

This is the third in a series of doilies that I am designing with the hope of publishing someday. This doily measures 13 inches across and is made from Altin Basak size 50 colour 356 and it took most of a 20 gram ball. This doily almost never happened as when I finished the center motif which I thought looked like a sun I did not like it as it was to wobbly and unmanageable but I decided to give it a chance and add one more row and see if it changed my mind. I am happy I did as I am pleased with the finished product and I think it makes a nice addition to my designer series. One thing with designing you just never know what you are going to end up with, at least that is the way I design.

Pay It Forward
I found this on Laura's blog, and I think it's a wonderful idea!
As a condition for participation, I need to post this pledge:
My Pay it Forward Pledge
“I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.”
Don't be shy folk's this should be a lot of fun.

Come on Spring

My partner grew these daffodils and they are really pretty. They are miniatures that stand about five inches tall and make me wish it was spring. I have seen my first robin which is usually a sign that Spring is just around the corner, but the weatherman says we are in for six more weeks of winter. I sure hope he is wrong. I have not been getting a lot of tatting done do to a large amount of horrible migraines but I am working on doily number three. I am really happy with the way it is coming together and hope to have it finished and a picture posted within a week. Happy Easter Everyone.

How to Unwind a Skein of Hand Dyed Thread

I have noticed in the emails a few people who have expressed concerns about how to handle a skein of thread without it ending in a pile of knots so I thought I would share what works for me everytime and I think it is pretty easy and well worth the effort. This method was developed to be done by one person as I always find when it is time to start a skein no one is around to help.
1. Remove lable from skein and keep in safe place for future reference.
2. Untwist skein untill you are left with a circle of threads that are tied together in a couple of spots.
3. I usually tat with my feet up on a foot stool so I place the circle of threads around my 2 feet about one third of the way down my foot then slightly tilt my feet toes out to tighten the thread. Place the knot that joins the start and end of the thread towards you.
4. Remove the loops of thread that are tied to hold all the threads together.
5. Cut out knot that holds the beginning and end of thread together and let them go.
6. Grasp one of the thread ends and pull it around your feet and after a couple of times it starts to come off easy to wind on a shuttle, bobbin or a piece of cardboard. Remember to keep slight tension with your feet. If you are winding onto a piece of cardboard make a slit in each end of the cardboard, place start of thread in one slit and end of thread in slit at other end.
7. Plan ahead and plan on winding the whole skein of thread in one sitting and what ever you do donot answer the phone or door or the nasty knot fairy's will visit.
I hope this will help those who are afraid to try Hand Dyed Thread because it comes in skeins. Any questions contact me at cepage1ca at yahoo.ca Hope this helps.

I had some of the Tourmaline thread from Marilee (Yarnplayer) left on my shuttle so I decided to make a treat for myself. Pictured here is a bookmark and coaster that I made from an adapted pattern from Tatting Patterns and Designs by Gun Blomqvist and Elwy Persson. I have really enjoyed tatting with this thread and I think it is one hand dyed thread that would look great with any project. I recommend that you keep an eye on Yarnplayers blog to find out when she does another batch of this thread I can guarantee it will go fast.

SUNLIGHT

This Doily is made from a pattern from The Tatter's Treasure Chest By Mary Carolyn Waldrep. It is made from Hand Dyed Thread from Marilee (Yarnplayer) called Tourmaline in size 50. This colour blend is my favorite HDT so far. If you decide to make this doily take note that there is a huge amount of picots to do and the last row requires a lot of blocking.