Edging in Double Fan or Sheaf Design from Tatting and Netting and a Different Beginning for a Duffle-type Shoulder Bag

I have long enjoyed looking at the Double Fan or Sheaf Design, but could not find an explanation for how to make it until I found the Edging in Double Fan or Sheaf Design found on page 112 of Tatting and Netting, by Butterick Publishing Company.  This is the first of two ways explained in this book to create this Sheaf pattern.  I had hoped that it was strictly a net design; however, I discovered that it needed a hand-tied knot, made after the netting was finished, to form the Sheaf.

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I received an e-mail from Anthony Emery describing the technique he had used to start a duffle-type shoulder bag.

He said:  "After posting a photo of this bag at a forum I received requests for a tutorial. I adapted it from the book "Net Making" by Charles Holdgate. The tutorial only shows how to change from the flat netting that is made on the first row of netting to circular/tubular netting. I left the number of meshes and size of the gauge up to whoever tries the technique. . . . Here is a link to the tutorial http://pineapple.myfunforum.org/sutra3431.php#3431 and here is the bag."

Charles Holdgate used a 1", 1.5", and a 2" mesh stick.  The beginning row was made using the 1.5" mesh and the final round with doubled thread used the 2" mesh.  The rest of the bag was made using a 1" mesh.  Of course any size mesh could be used, depending on how you plan to use the bag.

When I asked Tony about the drawstring, he replied: "To make the drawstring I used the method shown here http://pineapple.myfunforum.org/about1654.html.  I used the same cord I used for making the bag. I tied a loop of twine between the fixed point and the drill (I did not triple the single cord as shown in the tutorial) and proceeded as shown.

It is MUCH easier and quicker to use this method. http://pineapple.myfunforum.org/about1668.html"

Now I just need to find a hand drill.  

Netted Border, With Fringe from Tatting and Netting -- continued

I decided to re-do the Netted Border, with Fringe that I showed last week.  This week I made one change to the way the instructions were written. On the row after the puff stitch was made, the instructions state: "Next row, -- Plain, with the quarter-inch mesh." I changed it to: Next row -- *Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net 10 loops together (that's the nine loops of the puff stitch and one loop after the puff stitch)*, repeat from the * to *, ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

I like this version better.  It has a knot at the top and bottom of the puff stitch .

My version of the instructions:

Fill two netting needles with thread - one of them with a single strand of thread, and the other with 3 strands of thread.

Row 1: Using a 1/4" mesh stick and the netting needle filled with the single strand of thread, net  a multiple of 3 loops + 2 loops (8, 11, 14, 17 for example) in the foundation loop. (The sample above uses 14.)

Rows 2-6: Using the 1/4" mesh stick and the same netting needle, net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 7: Using a #6 (4 mm) knitting needle and the netting needle filled with 3 strands of thread, net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 8: Using a 1/4" mesh stick and the netting needle filled with the single strand of thread, net 1 knot in each three-strand loop, but twist the loop once before netting into it.

Row 9: Using a 3/8" mesh stick and the same netting needle as for row 8, *net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, pass the thread over the mesh and up through the last loop just worked in, and continue this 9 times; then tie the netting knot in the regular way, except you do not put the thread over the mesh and into the next loop; instead, put the netting needle behind the 9 loops and out between the cluster and the last single loop made.*  Repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

Row 10: using the 1/4" mesh stick and the netting needle filled with the single strand of thread, *net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net 10 loops together (that's the nine loops of the puff stitch and one loop after the puff stitch)*; repeat from the * to *, ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

Row 11: repeat row 7.

Row 12: repeat row 8.

Cut strands of fringe as long as desired (the sample strands were about 5 inches long), and knot or tie 5 in each loop created in row 12.

Netted Border, With Fringe from Tatting and Netting

While I tried to follow the directions for Netted Border, With Fringe found on page 112 of Tatting and Netting, by Butterick Publishing Company, I'm still not sure exactly what I was supposed to do to make the Puff . 

The instructions said "then tie in the regular way, except that you do not put the thread over the mesh and into the next loop, but around the 9 loops, or between the cluster and the last single loop."  This sounds like the knot would be on the top of the cluster.  There is a knot at the top and the bottom of the clusters; however, there is no instruction as to how to fasten the bottom of the cluster in the next row.  That just states, "Plain, with the quarter-inch mesh" and then continues on to the following row. There is no mention as to what to do with the bottoms of the 9 loops. 

This time I tied the knot through the 9 loops by moving the netting needle through the loops while they were still on the mesh stick and tying the knot at the bottom.

 

  

It looks close to the photo in the book, but not quite right where the puffs are. If I were to do it again (and I probably will), I think I will tie the knot around the top of the cluster and then on the next row I will net all the cluster together in one knot.

Netted Lace from Tatting and Netting; Netting at the Big E

A picture makes it so much easier to understand the printed directions. Today I made a sample of Netted Lace from instructions found on page 111 of Tatting and Netting, by Butterick Publishing Company.  Either they forgot to mention a repeat of a three-row pattern, or they thought anyone could see in the photograph that it was repeated and so did not mention it.  They also did not mention the size of the three netting needles used.  I measured the photo and decided to try a 1/8", 1/4", and 3/8" mesh sticks.

The instructions called for a netting needle filled with single thread and one filled with double thread. I did it the way they suggested. The double thread is quite noticeable on the edging.

Then I wondered what it would look like if the pattern was done just using a single thread. So I made it that way. It looks a little different, but I like it.  Which one I use will depend on where I'm using it.

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The Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) ended last Sunday. Last year the only netting were the three pieces I submitted.  This year there were six.  I submitted three: a doily (first place and a sponsor award),  an ornament (first place), and a shawl (first place and a sponsor award for best technical proficiency).

Two of my granddaughters submitted the rest. The twelve-year-old submitted a net bag and received a first-place ribbon and best in the youth division.

The ten-year-old submitted a long-handle net bag which received a third-place ribbon and a net headband which received a second-place ribbon.  She designed the headband and the flower on it.

I appreciate that the items submitted to the Big E are not in competition with others.  Each item is judged on its own merits.  Does it meet the standards for first, second, or third place?  If yes, then it receives that award. I also like the fact that the youth have their own division.  The beginners also have their own division.  Maybe next year I can get my daughter to enter something she has net.