Quesion/Answer

Recently I was asked the following about my hankies: " I have a question for you about them and maybe even your bonnet....Do you tat the edging and sew it on or do you tat it to the edges as you go? Or, do you do it both ways and if so, which do you like best?"

My preference is to buy the hankies fron handy hands that have the holes around the edges and attach the lace as I tat. This also works for linens that I hemstitch by hand. I like the feeling of being finished when the tatting's done, and I can adjust the length or pattern if it's not fitting right.

I do sometimes complete lace and sew it on. This is usually when I have store-bought hankies, pillow cases, table tunners, hand towels, etc. In the case of the bonnet, I had tatted the lace for a store-bought hanky; then it didn't fit, so I hemmed a piece of linen to the right size, sewed on the lace, and made up the bonnet.

All roads lead to Rome!

One-handed Project

Here's the scarf I just finished. I used the pocket knitter that I got for Christmas and then did a single-crochet edge to help it lie flat (turns out I can crochet left-handed: who knew?). It's made with lion brand chenille thick and quick yarn.

update

Hi Everyone. I'm on the mend. The ulnar nerve was crushed in scar tissue, so it needed to be moved again, and the sugeon shaved down the bone a bit while he was there. I had a little trouble in the blood pressure/blood oxygen level areas, so they couldnt give me pain meds when I woke up. It was a rough evening. Now we seem to have the pain under control and are waiting for the swelling and numbness to settle down. I got a little pocket knitting board for Christmas that i can manage with one hand. It and the nintendo ds are keeping me occupied.

Racing the Clock

I'm trying to get as much tatting (and decorating, and baking, and shopping) done as I can before my elbow surgery #2 on Thursday. I forgot to take pictures of the snowflakes and ornaments I made for cards before I sent them out, but I do have a picture of my latest hanky. This is for a coworker's daughter's wedding in the spring. I wanted to make sure it was done in plenty of time because I don't know how the elbow rehab will go.

Happy Anniversary!

My husband and I celebrated our 20 year anniversary this week. Today he brought home some flowers - still sweet after all these years!

One More Hanky

I did one more hanky for a coworker. This goes with the rose-colored one of the same pattern that I completed a while back. Now it's on to holiday projects.

Pictures

I think we have the computer up and running for the moment, so it's a good time to get caught up on the pictures. Here we have a trio of hankies that I completed for a co-worker, another ornament, and the hats that I mentioned in a post a few days ago.

Welcome, Visitors

For those of you who have not followed my blog from its beginnings, Welcome! Please navigate through the earliest posts (Feb. 2008) to learn about my tatting history and my first projects.

If you have comments, suggestions, or requests, please feel free to contact me at hobbit68@aol.com

Joy

Hats

I am working on hats for the Knitting for Noggins project at Arkansas Children's Hospital. So far I have 6 finished. When I get a picture, I'll post it. In the meantime, here's a link to the site. I think it's a great project. http://www.archildrens.org/volunteer/Knitting_for_Noggins.asp

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Checking In

Has it really been 5 months since I posted? I guess it's true that time goes more quickly as we get older. I've been tatting a little bit, still doctoring with the elbow, teaching, fighting with glitchy computers, etc. Elizabeth's wall hanging is in the hands of the seamstress now to be assembled, so I may have pictures sometime. Meanwhile, here's a peek at my current work: still hankies and snowflakes ("Beaded Snowflake" from House of Birches' Christmas Tatting and "Snowflake 2" from Barbara Foster's Festive Snowflakes & Ornaments).

I'm Here!

Hi Friends,

I'm back. It's been a long several months, but nothing monumental happened - just life. Recovery from my elbow surgery has been very slow, but ongoing. I've learned that nerves have a timetable of their own and do not take kindly to being rushed. Gradually, I have been able to tat more and more. As the very busy semester came to a close in the past couple weeks, I've started tatting again in earnest, finishing a couple hankies, tatting in public, giving away a couple small pieces, and planning a summer project (as usual, it's a secret because it's a gift for someone who may be reading this).

Happy Summer!

Tatting again!

I'm shuttle tatting again. I've completed enough hen & chicks edging for a side and 1/2 of a handkerchief, and I am as proud of it as anything I've tatted in a long time. The elbow is coming along. Physical therapy starts today to try to improve the strength and mobility.

Looking back over the blog, I realize that I've forgotten to post an important episode in my tatting. A few weeks ago I wrote a little poem to go with handkerchief donations/gifts. I've had good response to the poem and am considering pursuing a copyright. I am glad to share it with anyone who would like to use it for personal gift giving. Please just include my name as the author.


When life gets harder
Than it should
And troubles far
Outweigh the good,

Know that others
Ache with you.
They’ve also shed
A tear or two.

In days gone by,
Women strong
Were faced with trials
And journeys long.

They dried their tears
With a hanky sweet,
Then raised their heads
The road to meet.

Strong and brave,
Like them you’ll be
And find in time
Serenity.

Joy Walsh