Botched Patterns and Double Stitches

As promised I am going to explain double stitches today. But I'm also going to admit something... I still mess up. That's right, as long as I have been a crafter I've had to learn perfection is not probable. In the beginning if I made an error, I thought the project was ruined and cut it off and tossed it away. But its part of the process of learning. I've learned patience and toleranceby learning tatting. It truly is an art form that heals. 

But first, my most recent bothced project. 

I attempted a pattern I saw on YouTube once a while back. I think the lady's name is Gina Butler. I'm positive it's Gina...not so sure if Butler is correct. As you can see it is not perfect. And I'm okay with that. When I first started out though, this piece would have ended up in the garbage. That's where tolerance kicks in. The ability to accept the perfection of imperfection. This is a good example to show that I still have room to grow. As Axl Rose once sang, "All we need is a little patience."

Now, to the heart of things. What is a double stitch? I've heard it explained many ways but it helps if you have a knowledge of knots. My dad, a former naval navigations specialist, taught me a lot about knots as a young girl. He taught me square knits, sailing knots, slip knots, the hangman knots and the type knot that forms double stitches...a half hitch knot. That's it ladies and gentlemen, all a double stitch is is half hitch knots mixed with picots to make lace! Simple right? Hehe, not at first. Don't let me discourage you, but it's a fact. In my first year of tatting I learned by making, what seemed like, millions of mistakes. 

I've got a few sources that give excellent pictorial guides to how a double stitch should look. One, a book I've referenced before, is Mastering Tatting by Lindsay Rogers. Her photos are excellent. But another source is YouTube videos! Watch Georgia Seitz Beginners Tatting Video Series, or the Knit Picks videos. There are actually several good videos to learn from. I have been unsuccessful in getting a good picture of an in progress double stitch. I do have a zoomed in picture of a section of one of my bookmarks I can show. 

If we look close we can see what looks like a series of lines next to each other to form the ring. I always think they look a bit like mushrooms caps when zoomed in. Those lines, caps or whatever you wish to call them are how you know you've done the stitch right. If that line is not there your ring may not close and then you've really got an issue. 

However, my time is up for this post...I'm going to see what I can do about having better pictures for you guys next post. And, I'm going to see if I can give a better explanation of things for you. For now, good day. May your knots always be intentional, and may your threads never tangle!