Searching for a square

I had an idea the other day where I wanted a tatted square. I reviewed some of my pattern books, looked through patterns and projects on Craftree, and paged through pictures on Pinterest. I didn’t see any that was quite what I had in mind so I started doodling.

I do better designing with thread in my hands than I do with either pen and paper or computer screen. I can envision the end result better and I can change things up as I go to see what works and what doesn’t. My first try was in size 10 thread. You can see where I made a few changes as I went along. It ended up okay, but there were a few things I was disappointed with. 

I was a bit happier with my second try in size 20 thread, though it still wasn’t quite what I had envisioned. I made a couple of these squares, adjusting the stitch count slightly, which made it closer to my ideal, but still no.

I tried a third time, now in size 30. Making thrown rings off the center chains changed the look a lot, which changed up what I ended up doing on the outside round, too.  This square made me much happier, though the center ‘poofed’ up a bit. A slight stitch count change and blocking flatted it out a bit.

The change in thread size is quite obvious here.  Which one do you like the best?

Here are six of the small squares joined together. Even with all the thread ends still attached and not blocked I was pleased how it was working out.

I am satisfied with it now there are nine squares together. With the strings trimmed and having been blocked, the patterns created by the joined squares are visible. It looks better at a distance I think. (Not due to bad tatting but to see the patterns!) You can see how small it is in contrast to the regular-sized Clover shuttles.

The joined squares didn’t appear finished so I added an edging around it and blocked it again.  It looks completed now. I can see I wasn’t directly above when I took this picture, it doesn’t look as square and even as it actually is.

The finished doily is 5 1/2 inches across made in size 30 DCM ecru thread. Why in such small thread? Because I have several balls of it that I have thought I should use for something.  I suppose I could join a few more squares together – a lot more! – and make a tablecloth or something.

Maybe not. That would take me forever!

“A good goal is like a strenuous exercise – it makes you stretch.” Mary Kay Ash