Tatting --- the joy of old things

Tatting is something my mother Margaret learned (from a family friend called Mrs Stringer) while serving in the WRENS during the Second World War. I was over at her house the other day, having brought my crochet to do, but I forgot my hook so she had a rummage around for hooks and during the rummage found her long lost tatting. 

There is a beautiful piece of white lace, begun but never finished (makes me feel better about all the half finished projects I have!).

On the right is a cotton hankie that she had started to edge with tatting, but had rather quickly given up. Again I empathise with mum - so many things just started and never progressed. 

I love the beautiful tatting shuttle (is that the right word?). I own up to a love of craft equipment. I feel that often our hobbies and pastimes reflect our primitive hunter gatherer instincts - we hunt out and gather yarns and equipment instead of berries and insects. I particularly like old equipment and really think I should start hunting for that. This shuttle is very tactile, beautiful to look at and touch.  

Nancy keeps on fancy-ing

Nancy's Fancies are flourishing. We are doing another craft show (Nailsea Tithe Barn, 18th May) and here are some pics of her part of the display.

Here is Nancy's part of the show, owls hanging from the tree, frogs on lily pads,  aliens leading out of a box, mice sat on cheese - this woman comes up with some great ideas!





Here are the owls flying in the tree, plus a couple of lovebirds perched on a branch (ok, they are white so they are more like cockatiels than lovebirds - I am planning to introduce Nancy to some live lovebirds soon). The owls are lovely colours - my flash rather bled the colour out unfortunately.






More birds, this time wire and bead ones. Absolutely beautiful, Nancy has real talent.

Here are the so-o-o-o cute frogs, on their lily pads, wearing their crowns. The pink princess fell over in a decidedly ungainly way (see pic below), hopefully she will behave herself on Saturday. 











And here are the aliens!












And the mice.

And some crocheted brooches.











So you see what I mean - a very talented woman, our Nancy!

Into May ...

... one of my favourite months, and the blossom and flowers are beautiful at the moment. I want to show you a few of Nancy's Fancies, some gorgeous birds she makes from wire and beads. These are brooch or pendant size but she has made glorious larger ones too. 

Beautiful heirloom crochet

My friend Sue has lent me some beautiful family crochet pieces.

We photographed everything on a blue/green scarf that I think sets the pieces off nicely, but possibly also interferes with the details, so sorry about that.

Though all are lovely, this one is my favourite. It seems like a dozen heads of ripe corn, both in shape and colour, and I am looking for a similar pattern and planning to get some yellow cotton to have a try at this myself.













Here is another doilly shape, the work is so neat, and again it is a lovely pattern. I think unless you crochet you really do not appreciate the superb workmanship shown here.












Here is a table runner and you need to look at the following two close-up shots to really appreciate the work.

The shapes in the work are stunning, I can see leaves and butterflies, it is like looking at clouds and seeing all sorts of creatures in them.

And here is some beautiful (I am overusing that word, but if this isn't beautiful, what is?) pillowcase edging - I remember when I was a child and all our pillowcases were like this, having been done by my mother, grandmother and great grandmother.













Finally a simple edging - maybe more achievable?


















All wonderful things to have and to use, and giving us a link with those who made them. Thank you Sue.

A quick make for the home

I used some Hoooked Zpagetti to make a cover for a vase and then had a go at photographing it in an arty way! Really quick and easy to make.

Hoooked Zpagetti is now in stock

Hooked Zpagetti is now available on the website - have a look!

www.wildbirdcrochet.co.uk

Crochet outfits from long ago

My lovely mother-in-law Marion has given me a crochet booklet from the 60s or 70s (I can't see a date on it). It's by B.K.Wools Ltd of Heckmondwike in Yorkshire who also produced the recommended yarns - Courtaulds D.K., Crepe D.K. and Crepe 4-ply. Here are some pictures from the booklet.

This is the front cover - how elegant is this evening dress - and how thin would you have to be to wear it with confidence!

It took 28 balls of DK (it doesn't say the weight of the balls) for a 32 inch bust - maximum size is 36 inch. 












Here is the back cover, a sleeveless mini-dress, 32 - 26 inch bust, length 31 inches, taking 12 - 14 balls of double knitting.

And here is one of the inside pictures - a snazzy waistcoat, skirt, jumper and beret ensemble. Reminds me of Pan's People's outfits on Top of the Pops. 

You would need 35 balls for the whole lot, assuming you are size 32 inch - again it only goes up to size 36 inch so no use for those of us who are a little chunkier!