Operation Snowflake: January Snowflake Started

Operation Snowflake has commenced!  I've chosen a pattern called "Stellar".  I consider myself an Intermediate Tatter being past the basics of tatting and I think this pattern falls in that category.  It's a little weirdly written, a little confusing, so I'm glad it has a diagram to help you figure things out, I think a beginner who is learning intermediate things would be helped by clearer written instructions. 

I wasn't paying close attention when I began and ended up skipping a section and had to start over ruining my continuous thread, so I make a weavers knot, that I just learned recently on YouTube and tatted over the ends.  Then I wasn't paying close attention...again...and assumed the stitch count was the same and added an extra stitch and by the time I realized it, it was too late to go back...well it's not a big deal as long as I do the same thing consistently all the way around, the snowflake will turn out fine, just one part will be slightly bigger than the original design.  No one will ever know...it'll be our little secret! ;-) LOL  But the good news is it makes the stitch count easier to remember.  I like patterns that have easy to remember repeats of stitch counts, this one has a lot of variation, not a bad thing, just more to remember as I tat the repeat. 

Overall it's a pretty design and would be good for learning the Paperclip Method of a Mock Ring since this pattern uses it!  As you can see I didn't have any paperclips so I used a bent piece of floral wire...same difference! LOL  I love how easy it is to look up a technique online, sometimes I forget a detail so I just google search it and refresh my memory! 

It's a wonderful thing to have the internet and even in the few years since I've learned there is even more resources online as more and more tatters are willing to make tutorials etc. to help others!  I own books and I also enjoy finding it online fast and easy.  To me the stuff shared online is the same as a friend helping and teaching you, and that friend may live far away from you instead of next door, but the internet brings you together.  I'm all for "Freely you've received, freely give." generosity and goodwill towards others.  Makes you happy and makes others happy too.