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I have been a crafter of all sorts for many years, and really love working with Paper and Threads. I am loving the design work I am doing now. I really seem to be getting back into my "art", even if I am doing it by computer now, instead of actually getting dirty while drawing. ;-) I have been avid about Thread Arts since I was a kid, learning to Crochet at 7, then Knit, Embroider, Needle Lace and finally Needle Tat. I love to design as well and am looking forward to taking the Needle Tatting that further step as well.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Strivers (Stitch Place Holders)

Have you ever run into a pattern that calls for a Paperclip but when you get back around to the paperclip and join to the held stitch you find that your piece doesn't "look" quite right?  Paperclips are just TOO bulky!  One of the lady's over at InTatters showed us these Strivers and I just HAD to make my own!
All you need to make your very own Striver is an Earring Finding (I used a French Hook here, but other styles can be used too...I just added more "curl" to my hook), a small length of wire to hold a few beads on, some beads, a charm and a pair of Needle Nose or Jewelers Pliers.  How easy is that?  Much more elegant looking than a Paperclip as well!  I've used this Striver with thread all the way down to size 30 with great success and think it will even go down to smaller thread just fine.
Hope you all make some pretties for your tatting box now. ;-)
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11 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 21, 2010 at 8:32 AM

    Great idea.

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  2. Eliz Davis aka TatknotJuly 21, 2010 at 2:59 PM

    I love this idea! Thanks so much for sharing it. Your striver turned out very well - lovely.

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  3. TypstattingJuly 21, 2010 at 8:30 PM

    What a great idea and I just love how your striver worked out!!!!!

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  4. TotusMelJuly 28, 2010 at 12:51 PM

    Clever...I might need to whip up one of those too!

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  5. Art by JoyMacAugust 11, 2010 at 8:04 PM

    These are extremely useful.......we had a striver exchange on Here be Tatters some years ago and they were all gorgeous....I recommend them to anyone...if you look back on my blog you will see the ones that I recieved in that exchange
    Hugs
    Joy in OZ

    www.artbyjoymac.blogspot.com

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  6. Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ DianeAugust 11, 2010 at 10:01 PM

    I like this idea! My daughter has some beads and findings upstairs... maybe I'll go shopping!

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  7. LiyarraAugust 13, 2010 at 6:05 AM

    Hmm seen them before LOL. Yes they are a great little helper and very cute. So many possibilities.

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  8. GunhildSeptember 27, 2010 at 3:11 AM

    What a nice idea Carol, and lovely green design( I love green!) But isn't that too heavy instead of a paperclip? I personally use tiny little safety pins instead of paperclips.

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  9. CarolivySeptember 27, 2010 at 6:54 AM

    It is a bit heavy, but so far I have not had any trouble using it. I haven't been able to find any of the tiny, coil-less safety pins. I keep looking though. You could use fewer beads on your Striver for less weight.

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  10. GunhildSeptember 28, 2010 at 2:49 AM

    My safety pins have a coil, but makes no trubble , in any way with or without beads you pull the thread right strong, and what would go into the coil could also go out, but didn't happen till now. I bought them in very small size, just 2 cm long. But your "striver" is more beautiful. In Germany knitters have such closed, with beads, to mark their knitting points for adding or reducing points.
    I will give it a try and promote it on the next tatting show. Can you tell me who invented it for tatting?

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  11. TamaraARTApril 12, 2016 at 10:52 AM

    What a beautiful idea! I'm going to make one (or some!) too! :D

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