Tatted Hanky!

Here it is, the first completed tatting since my surgery in December. I can't tell you how pleased it makes me! Thanks to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, support, and patience with my whining. The feeling and strength are not completely back to normal yet, but if I can tat, I'm happy.

Hi!

I finally finished the scarf that wouldn't end! It was for my husband's birthday, and he likes scarves long so he can wrap them around his neck and face. Now I'm back to tatting a little bit. I'm making slow progress on a pink hanky with variegated edging and am considering teaching a class in the fall.

Surgery Update

I have now progressed from the knitting looms to regular needles. Whoo hoo! Tatting is still a challenge, but I can manage small amounts. Who needs occupational therapy? :)

Another Finish

I started a scarf but realized that I didn't have enough yarn, so I unraveled it and made a toddler's hat for the collection going to Arkansas Children's Hospital instead. Knitting looms are the best for compromised hands!

Scarf #2 and Surgery Update

It's been a very good day. Doctor's appointment went better than I could have hoped - dressing, stitches, and sling completely removed, prescription for physical therapy, and a very good prognosis. The painful/sensitive area below my elbow where the nerve was trapped seems much, much better, and everyone seems to feel that my hand numbness will resolve itself. I have movement (weak and painful, but that's ok).

I finished scarf #2 and was able to TAT a 4-4-4-4 ring. Welcome back to my hand, shuttle! I've missed you!


Thanks to everyone for the support, thoughts, and prayers, and keep them coming.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, my friends.

I'm looking forward to recovering from this surgery and getting back to tatting. I finally splurged and ordered a specialty shuttle as a treat for my husband and daughter to wrap for me for Christmas. Can't wait to try it out!

The other tatting plans for the year are more hankies, maybe a large piece like a doily or a set of fancy pillow cases, and perhaps teaching a class in the fall.

Let's have a great 2011!

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!