This lovely pattern inspired by Mae Taylor's version and is presented to the Online Tatting Class to demonstrate the use of two different types of threads and sizes, directional tatting, and shoelace trick.

This example is worked in a combination of threads. The flowers using an Altin Basik size 50, the leaves and stems in DMC 20.

Two Shuttles R = Ring Ch = Chain - = picot . = close ring + = join to ( ) "=" = will be next picot to be joined SLT = shoelace trick RW = Reverse work S2 = Shuttle 2 rods = reverse order double stitch First Flower Petals rods on all rings of flower R: 5 - 5 - 5 = 5. R: 5 + 5 - 5 = 5. 3 times R: 5 + 5 - 5 = 5. RW Stem and leaves CH: 4 + 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 S2 R: 6 - 6. SLT RW rods S2 R: 6 + (to 2nd p of 4th flower petal) 6. SLT RW CH: 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 = 4 SLT R: 5 + 5 - 5 = 5. R: 5 + 5 - 5 = 5. 3 times R: 5 + 5 - 5 - 5. RW rods CH: 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 + (to 3rd flower petal of last flower) 4 rods S2 R: 6 + (to 2nd p of 2nd flower petal flower before last) 6. SLT RW S2 R: 6 + (to 2nd p of 4th flower petal prev flower) 6. SLT RW rods CH: 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 SLT Repeat from First Flower Petals for length of bookmark or edging. To end patten attach last stem segment to 3rd flower petal and add tassle for bookmark if desired.

Mae Taylor's version allows the leaves to remain free, to add stability to the pattern this version has the leaves attached to the flowers. Although the threads are comparable in size, it should be noted and advisable to create a stitch gauge from the threads you are attempting to combine in your work. In this way can you compensate in the pattern for the variance in gauge size. In this case a variation of one double stitch per picot is advised in using the same size thread for both shuttles. ie. Changing your stitch count on the stem segments from 4 to 5 or adding a additional chain of 4 and an additional picot for the stem segments.

To ensure that your working shuttle thread is in the correct position the shoelace trick is used to wrap the core thread with the second shuttle thread. This is done three times in this pattern, twice when making the leaves and once when starting a new flower.

In addition the notation is written to hightlight the areas where directional tatting would affect the finished work to create a right and wrong side. Note reverse stitch double order is used in making the first flower. Stem section and then the successive flower are then worked the same direction alternately in sets there after.

Lastly, very special thanks to Rosemary Wright, who's whoops email on the ETatters list, lead me to Mae Taylor's bookmark and inspired me to reproduce this pattern for her and to share with all of you. Thanks for sharing the link Rosemary!!! Gotta love those whoopses:)