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Book Review

© Paulette Dal Porto

Tatting Patterns and Designs Gun Blomqvist and Elwy Persson

A wonderful 100 page book with over 85 tatting patterns. These include mats, bookmarks, edgings, collars, and much more. The book recommends that the patterns for testing and developing the skills of intermediate and advanced tatters, however I think there are few patterns in this book that the novice could handle also, such as the big and small crosses. There are lots of medallions in the book. As in most tatting books they show the medallions hanging on a string for a mobile type of effect. But I was thinking, it would neat to make a bunch of the mobiles and hang them in your window instead of sheers under your drapes.

This book was created and compiled by two well known crafts and needlework experts. It is an abridged version of the English edition published in 1974, which was originaly publishe3d in Swedish under the title "Frivoliterter.

Each project is clearly photographed, and gives detailed instructions which specify what thread and size is needed, and how many shuttles.

The doily called "Lucky Clover" is not only beautiful, but a unique technique of using clovers. And the doily called "Cascade" has an interesting way of joining rows which gives the effect of leaves. I am definitely going to be trying this pattern out. There is also a collar which is very pretty, which I am going to be making for a really pretty mauve sweater that I've been wanting make a collar for. I purchased some lovely DMC size 30 which is the exact shade of the sweater.

There are a couple of patterns in the book that are a little old fashioned. There is a pattern for candle frills. It's unfortunate that most people now don't use candles for the table, but they would be really pretty for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter, when my family sits down to a fancy dinner. There are also a couple of patterns for crowns. I am not sure what this would be used for, other than as a "knick-knack".

I really enjoy looking at this book, over and over and over again. I am anxious to start making some of the patterns in the book. By the way, I purchased this book through Buy.com and received it for practically free, as if it is the first time you buy from them you can receive a $10.00 gift certificate. Since I ordered two books, I ended up only paying $3.00 for shipping and handling.