Anna Valeire's third book shows it was printed during a period of transition from the old-fashioned and wordy tatting directions to the more modern use of abbreviations with the double stitch count placed close to an actual photo of the lace. This method is still in use today and is much preferred by this tatter to the vintage written directions.
Anna's pattern appears on page 8 and is #55. It consists of three rows of tatting; one row of opposing rings separated by bare thread space, one row of opposing rings with long picots alternating with chains, and one row of traditional alternating rings and chains. In an exception to the norm, the tatting begins with the row in the center of the three types, i.e. the row of opposing rings with long picots alternating with chains.
These long picots are tricky. The directions do not mention it but if you study the photo carefully where the upper and lower rows join to the center row, you will note that the long picots are joined by first pulling one picot through another. The last picot of one ring is pulled through the first picot on the next ring in the row and then joined. This twist is the reason why the center portion is tatted first.
Diagram by Jane Eborall
Abbreviations:
R = ring
LR = large ring
CH = chain
BTS = bare thread space
+ = join
lp = long picot
rw = reverse work
dnrw= do not reverse work
clr = close ring
2 shuttles
Center row
R 3 - (lp) 2 - (lp) 3 clr rw
CH 4 - 4 dnrw
R 3 - (lp) 2 - (lp) 3 clr dnrw
CH 4 - 4 rw
*R 3 - (lp) 2 - (lp) 3 clr rw
CH 4 + (join to previous chain) 4 dnrw
R 3 - (lp) 2 - (lp) 3 clr dnrw
CH 4 - 4 rw
* Repeat from * for length desired.
1 shuttle
Upper row
R 7 + (join to the combined long picots of center row) 7 clr rw
BTS (suggested 3/8" - ½", adjust for your tension and size of thread)
LR 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 clr rw, BTS
R 7 + (join to the next set of combine long picots) 7 clr rw, BTS
LR 4 + (join to last picot of previous LR) 4 - 4 - 4 clr rw, BTS
Repeat across.
1 shuttle/needle and ball or 2 shuttles
Lower row
At the start of this row, the first ring joins to only 1 long picot, following rings,
R 2 - 2 - 2 + (join to the combined long picots of ring from center row) 2 - 2 - 2 clr rw
Note: Don't forget the last picot of one ring of center row is pulled through the first picot on the next ring in that row and then joined.
CH 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 rw and repeat across.
Enjoy!
Here's the latest article from the Tatting site at BellaOnline.com.
Holiday Tree Card Dorcas Newkirk found this card at a craft sale and sent it to Mary Jane Brittingham. The original designer is unknown. Christmas tree in one shuttle work tatted rings only.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art303640.asp
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