2010 Bell

Last year I made a 3D bell bell that I gave away around Christmas. I liked making it so much that I made a second one later in the year. This year as the holidays approached, I realized it would be nice to have a few (or one...) bells made so I could give them as little gifts. In order to differentiate them from last year's edition, I added different beads. They look very similar in the photo, but they are definitely not as yellow-gold as the ones I used last year.

The biggest issue I had with both bells that I made last year was that the picots seemed way too big for the pattern. The big picots resulted in a very floppy bell that also kind of had an odd shape. This year I tried making very tiny picots. It was hard! I am so used to making big picots that I had to remind myself to make a small one with each and every picot. I think it looks a bit better. I'm still not 100% happy with the shape though. I'm not sure I'm up to tweaking the design though - I'm happy enough with this one! (Even though a big part of me still thinks it looks more like a hat than a bell...)

I actually ended up making two bells this year. Unfortunately I gave the first one away before I could get a picture. It was remarkably similar to this one:)

Made with DMC special dentelles 80 in white.

Random beads found at Michael's.

Pattern from Rebecca Jones' book The Complete Book of Tatting.