shagun tatting

Pin It now!

 'Shagun' is a Hindi word derived from Sanskrit which denotes good omen, auspiciousness, a token, .... Though it it is associated more with Hindu rituals, we also use it in daily life to commemorate an event, an occasion, or any good news with the elders blessing the young with a symbolic token. Or if we cannot perform an entire task, some small part of the ritual/task is started on an auspicious day.  

This is what I try to do every International Tatting Day! This day is also very special for personal reasons and I tend to be busy elsewhere. Yet I make it a point to pick up my shuttle and thread and tat at least a ring or two and not let the day 'pass by' ;-D Despite a very busy first half, I managed to find time from evening onwards and actually completed not one but two motifs! One had only 2 rings and a chain left to tat (I'll share this tomorrow) while the heart motif I started from scratch and completed! 

doesn't it look like a possible angel?!

My new version using graduated and 'erect' vapour stitch which is more like a picot here. I was inspired by a recently shared Turkish Tatting video by Eftelyanin Mekikleri where there are many more than 3 wraps and the bare thread is not pulled down so that the stitch/picot stands erect. Also, the wraps are followed by a complete stitch rather than the 2nd half-stitch. 

I did it all in tatting. But it was not easy and many of my stitches are not as neat as they should/could be. I had started one in perle cotton but the thread unraveled so much that I snipped it off and started afresh with this Anchor size 20 thread. 

TIP: I suggest using 2 shuttles so that the thread can be balanced again by suspending the shuttle frequently. And use tightly twisted thread, polyester, silk, ....

I winged it and don't really have an exact count for the decorated chain. I started and ended with vapour stitch (3 wraps) but graduated up to 7 wraps.

The motif is 4cms wide and 3cms high.

For more Vapour Stitch info and links - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/variably-padded-lines.html and a few effects - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-years-flow.html

My previous E28 hearts & pattern from prototype to tweaked versions and a beaded jewel version - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/06/yet-another-heart.html   and  https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/04/happy-tatting-day.html    Pattern PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-rWqmDAd51VwxOqtt9spD-FIX5zYDAUE/view

I had more shagun tatting to share - something tiny and fun, but will continue in a couple of days. Time to juggle ;-D Meanwhile I also have much more to share on the vapour stitch as well when I can take some pics .... 

I hope you did much more than shagun tatting, like I ended up doing ;-D

happy tatting day

Pin It now! The happy day of tatting, tatted lace, and tatters is here again! Hope you are well-stocked with threads, shuttles/needles, patterns, and ideas to feed your creativity, and of course tea and chocolates to feed your tummies! I hope to get tatting later today. 

In our Endrucks 1920 Project Facebook group, Ninetta has initiated a small event with a small motif pattern. The E28 Heart which I had derived from Eleonore Endrucks' pattern #28. 

When she shared the idea with me, I realised that my presentation from 2023 had been a quick one. So I took some time to update the PDF as well as tat another heart to refresh my memory, this time in two colours. 

You don't need to be a member of our FB group to join in! Here's the pattern link and if you send me or Ninetta a pic of your finished heart, we would be so happy to include it. (see top right section of my blog for relevant links under 'Follow Me'). And if it is your first Endrucks' pattern, you will be the recipient of a token gift.

E28 Heart by Muskaan - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-rWqmDAd51VwxOqtt9spD-FIX5zYDAUE/view

Ninetta tatted a pair of beautiful earrings. What will you do with the motifs you tat? I have a few ideas but it all depend on how much time I can devote.

So, happy tatting and happy ITD to all my readers and followers! Spread the cheer! 

And a huge thanks to Ninetta!

lets go clubbing

Pin It now!

 aha, don't get the wrong idea! The reference is to clubbing of laces to create a new version! And being Holi, it's an excuse to play and party with friends today.

So, Bandini approached me with her pattern to do the presentation and also share with the community through my blog and I couldn't say no. She very cleverly joined two edgings on either side of a central braid giving rise to a broad tatted lace that looks quite different from its individual constituents. 

Lace Club Border by Bandini Maisheri (2025) -https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aVWxNtGBoRlK9Hmx3UScuKHMvillA-4o/view

This is my small WIP sampler in size 40 showing the central SR braid and one edging joined to it. 

The same edging is also joined on the other side of the braid in the border.

Except for the SR braid which requires two shuttles, the edgings can be worked with a shuttle and ball.

And here the 3rd edging is attached to the 2nd one for a medium-sized border.

Again this is done on the other side as well.

But you get the idea! You can pick and choose as many or as few edgings for the desired width.

Play with tatting in more colours and beads and this widens the canvas even further! More in tune with colourful Holi ;-D

You can even change the sequence of working each row to suit your preference. I chose a sequence which was simplest to present as a diagram and text.

 

She tells me that her mother has already tatted 9 meters of this border, no doubt for a saree!

And I like the term she used - 'clubbing'!

Another fun aspect is that each can be a standalone edging, too! So we get a LOT more in this pattern than a single broad border!

All details are in the PDF (click to download) - Lace Club Border by Bandini Maisheri (2025) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aVWxNtGBoRlK9Hmx3UScuKHMvillA-4o/view

Hope you enjoy playing with it!

Many many thanks to Bandini for graciously sharing her cleverly clubbed pattern !