Saturday, April 02, 2011

Mary Konior's Rockingham Cross

Sometime late last year I made this series of crosses. The pattern is "Rockingham" in Mary Konior's Tatting in Lace. First I made the solid version above. The pattern is written in 2 parts, but I figured out how to make it all in one pass, using a split chain and a split ring to move into the last section on the bottom. So far, so good.

Next I worked it in this variegated thread I got from the Thread Exchange. This is a size 10 rayon thread. I ran out of thread on both shuttles too soon, so I ended up making it in 2 parts anyway. Even though rayon thread is usually slippery, it was oddly hard to close rings completely. The ring where I worked in the ends stretched out of shape. I've got a little of that thread left. I keep meaning to rework that bottom part, but you know how that goes. After doing a solid and a variegate version, my next project was to make the pattern with both types of thread. Still stinging from running out of thread the previous time, I wound plenty onto both shuttles. About halfway through, it occurred to me that I couldn't work it in one pass anyway, because the split chain would show the wrong color. Or could I? I remembered Jane had shown a new technique for a Single Shuttle Split Chain. It was something I had looked at and decided I would probably never use since I was satisfied with my split chain ability with the traditional method. However, it was just what I needed to preserve the color scheme here. Did it work? Yes. Was is more time consuming than just working the cut & tie & hiding ends? Well, maybe. Still, it's one more technique in my "tatting toolbox." (Note I also used the color-hiding single shuttle split ring trick that Tatting Chic and I worked out.)

I've been neglecting my 25 Motif Challenge. My goal this time was to count only motifs from books. I think this is only motif #3. I really am behind....

7 comments:

  1. ooh these are pretty! I love the center of the cross especially.

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  2. All three crosses are beautiful, Martha! I'm particularly drawn to the blue one, of course! I've looked at that pattern many times. Maybe someday I'll get brave enough to tat it!

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  3. Beautiful cross pattern, and such lovely colors! Isn't it fun to find ways to avoid knots.

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  4. Your crosses are fabulous! I love all the colors! :)

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  5. Anonymous11:01 PM

    Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [04 Apr 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria

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  6. I made this cross for one of my grown daughters.

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  7. I made this cross for my 2nd oldest daughter

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