Model tatted by Sonja from the Netherlands
Although the doily requires seven rows and row 3 needs 14 separate stars, the entire doily is worked with only one shuttle/needle. Although normal up/down joins are used, a close study of the seventh row leads me to suspect that it was done using a blunt needle as if it were a shuttle. The bare thread between the large outer rings seems to be posted "through" the picots of row 6 and not "joined." Either method will work. The pattern begins with a line of opposing rings with lopsided cloverleaf at the points.
Round two has very small rings joined to the center strip with opposing rings surrounded by a chain. In the original directions the inner ring does not join to the chain. And, strangely, the directions call for the chain to be tatted first. That seems too awkward to me. I suggest the small ring be tatted first followed by the chains which are joined at the sides.
The stars of row three begin with a round center ring made with one picot short so we can climb out with a mock picot into the line of rings which join to each picot of the center ring. It is possible to work the stars without cutting the thread if two shuttles are used and a split ring used to exit and enter each star. Stars also join to row two. Row four is tatted with simple opposing rings. Be sure the bare thread space is evenly measured. Row five is a line of mignonette rings which join to row four. The outer facing rings just flop about until you begin to tat row six. On row 6 I do believe the blunt needle used as a shuttle method was used and the thread simply posted through the row five rings. The same "joining" method is used in row seven. Since the doily is oval, those row seven rings are slightly larger at each "point" than the same rings on the sides. Stitch count is noted on the diagrams (created by Jane Eborall.) Enjoy.
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Bridge Set Heart On page 13 of her book, "Tatting", Norma Benporath offered a set of four designs. These were intended for bridge mats or tablecloths. The symbols are the heart, diamond, spade and club.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art182893.asp
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