Catholic Family Vignettes

Today I was given the singular privilege of teaching a young woman a new skill...needle tatting. As a relatively new "tatter", it was quite an honor to pass this skill on to my dear friend, Krislynne. As a dear friend had taught me, so now I must teach.

"Each one teach one..."

It is imperative that the "gentle arts" be passed on, from woman to woman, generation to generation. A few years ago, tatting, lacework, knitting, etc. were slipping into obscurity. Thanks to the enthusiasm of the very young, not to mention an incredible array of resources, the image of "granny" in her rocker with her knitting/sewing basket has been dispelled forever.

The needle arts are hip...whether you are male or female, old or young. The desire to create and the meditative aspect of the gentle arts appeals to this fast paced society of ours. You can't multi-task and tat, thank heavens!

Make a list of things you want to learn and set out to learn them! Find a teacher, read a book, study online tutorials.

Then pass it on. The delight in the eyes of your students will be all the reward you'll ever need...
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I've always been fascinated by the "needle arts."

I have tried my hand in many areas since a young child: crewel work/embroidery, needlepoint, cross-stitch, hand sewing, machine sewing, quilting, crochet and knitting to name a few. My skill level varies among the many forms and one form in particular has eluded me.

Tatting.

My interest was stirred nearly twenty years ago, when my mother-in-law referred to it as a "dying" art form. I wanted to learn, but knew no one who tatted. The intricacy of the patterns, the delicacy of the thread, the complicated shuttle were very intimidating. Images of priestly surplices and altar cloths with beautifully tatted motifs danced in my head...but never made it to my fingers.

Last year, my dear friend Sandra gave me a lovely vintage replica of a tatting shuttle. I purchased an instruction manual, bought a very fine spool of cotton thread, viewed several online tutorials...and accomplished nothing! I just couldn't seem to coordinate the shuttle and thread into anything that resembled the graceful movements necessary to create lace.

So, I gave up. I have my knitting, after all!

Friday. My same dear friend, my Sandra, came with her four dear children to spend the afternoon. Her face was aglow.

"Hurry and finish your lunch. I have your Christmas present--you have to open it now!"

A cream parchment envelope. A lovely card. And this:


A needle-tatted heart. A lovely gift crafted in her "spare-time"--this is a young mother with four children under the age of seven--one of whom is a nursing two month old infant. Spare time, indeed!

But that's not all.

My dear friend learned the skill so she could pass it on to me. She did this for me. I'm in awe. She is such a generous soul and I love her dearly.

I opened the second envelope which contained tatting needles. She handed me a large spool of cotton thread and the lesson began.

What an excellent teacher! Here is my very first attempt at needle-tatting. I'm delighted. It is uneven, twisted and slightly skewed. I'm excited!



On an even more interesting note: my dear cyber-friend Esther, submitted my name to another blogger several days ago who chooses a patron saint for 2008. Last night I discovered that the saint chosen for me (or better yet the saint who chose me!) is none other than St. Sebastian!

The patron saint of lace makers. How cool is that?



St. Sebastian, pray for us!
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I love cold weather. Seriously. Snowy, drizzly, frosty and frigid. I tend to be "craftier" during the cold weather months. Knitting especially suits me at this time...cuddly balls of yarn, fluffy garments cascading from working needles and endless inspiration!

Knitting for others is such a pleasure...thoughts and prayers are worked into each item, no matter how small. Each item is as unique as its soon-to-be owner. I tend to "knit on the fly," altering the pattern to suit my knitting style or the recipient's taste.

What's in the workbasket, now?

Working on a pair of fingerless gloves in alpaca.



The boys attended an alpaca fiber show with our dear friend, Mr. Tom Ryan. They were quite taken by the sweet creatures and brought home the delicious, heathery gray yarn that is on the needles.

Two lovely capelets for my sweet granddaughters. My two youngest daughters received these same capelets for Easter and wear them constantly...real princess capes, they call them!


Crowns! I love this pattern. I made eight of these last year. Super quick to knit and definitely a one-of-a-kind stocking stuffer. I stitch on rhinestone buttons and pearls, and knit flat rather than in the round. Much easier to adjust the size, should it stretch.


My favorite hat "recipe." I've knit at least six of these. Very flattering and a quick knit.


Mittens. Mittens, mittens, mittens. My "little kittens" are always losing their mittens...

These weekend the girls and I will finish our St. Lucy Crowns and dolls (patterned after these).
The boys will be searching the woods for greenery for the Advent wreath and to deck the mantle. What fun!

Are you crafting yet? What's in your basket? I'd love to know! Read more!