Thursday, July 22, 2010

Love This Book, Love This Pattern

As a little girl, sitting on her grandfather's knee and listening to his stories of faraway places, Miss Alice Rumphius vows to travel the world and return home to live by the sea.  Her grandfather urges her to make one last promise, and that is to "make the world more beautiful."

As a grown lady, Miss Rumphius does indeed travel and after hurting her back riding a camel decides it is time to make her home by the sea.  But finding a way to "make the world more beautiful" proves to be the hardest promise to keep.  However, the Lupine Lady, as Miss Rumphius comes to be called, will do just that...

MISS RUMPHIUS, by Barbara Cooney, is one of my FAVORITE children's books.  It's a sweet, simple story and is BEAUTIFULLY illustrated.

To make this edging called Lupins from Mary Konior's book, Tatting With Visual Patterns, I needed to learn roll tatting.  There are some simplified instructions on roll tatting on the same page as the Lupins pattern, as well as tutorials on the web.  After the fact, I also found roll tatting addressed in The Complete Book of Tatting by Rebecca Jones.

For me, roll tatting was a little tedious in the beginning and I wasn't at all impressed with my first efforts.  It's "rolling" right along now, so I decided to put together a "how to" of my own so I will be able to remember what worked for me as it isn't an element I typically see being used in tatting patterns and it may be a while before I try it again.

This is how I roll...







9 comments:

Eliz Davis aka Tatknot said...

You did a beautiful job with Lupins. I have placed a link to your blog in the techniques section of my own blog. I find your tutorials very helpful and appreciate the list you maintain of other tutorials as well. Thanks for sharing from your own experiences.

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

Miss Rumphius is one of my favorite books! I try to work it into my lesson plans every year. I have long admired Mary Konior's pattern, but I haven't tried it yet... thanks for the inspiration!

Martha said...

Of course I do! I love that book, and it was one of our favorites when El and Em were little. I can't tell you how many bedtimes we read "Miss Rumphius" and "Ox-Cart Man" (also a Cooney illustrated book).

I think this is may be my favorite trim so far -- the pattern is so pretty and the color is amazing. Good job, Ann!

Also check out "A Three Hat Day" and "Bea and Mr. Jones" -- two other favorites of ours I think you would like. Oh...also "Weird Parents" and "The Tub People."

Fox said...

Never heard of her.

But, I LOVE that pattern. I actually enjoy doing roll tatting, but have only ever done one or two little pieces. Thanks for posting this one. It is on THE LIST.

Culturally-Deprived Fox : )

Vanessa said...

Anne, your roll tatting is beautiful.

I hope to purchase Mary's book soon - it seems to be the fountain of all knowledge :)

However, Miss Rumphius remains a mystery to me........ Perhaps she didn't make it to all parts of the world in her travels......

Shirl said...

Your rolled tatting is beautiful. What kind of thread did you use? I love that color.

Umintsuru said...

Now I know the lupine lady and Mary Konior's Lupins. Your tatting is just lovely. I was so ecited to see your post. I have tried roll tatting but it ended up in a mess. With your tutorial, I tried it again and viola, it worked beautifully. I did not have a needle puller but it was fine. Thanks so much for the tutorial.

tatterjil said...

Oh, I love Miss Rumphius! The color you picked for your edging goes wonderfully with the book. I've thought about doing this edging myself but am too chicken to try so far.

Jenny of Elefantz said...

So beautiful!! My husband's grandmother was blind and tatted constantly...I have a doily she made me as a rare heirloom. It's such a pretty craft! :-)