mini greenhouse with the E-factor

I love miniatures! In fact in dollrooms I found the perfect “second” hobby and the right set for displaying my tiny tatting! All the plants presented here have been tatted between the last couple of years and June of this year. I already shared some pics here in my blog and on Facebook, so maybe some of them would look familiar to you.
All tatting pieces were made with size 80 cotton thread.

Well, you would not believe that the difficult part was remembering the exact pattern used for tatting each piece, but I am absolutely sure they have the E-factor!

Most of them are slightly modified patterns from the E15 and E28 derivatives from Eleonore Endrucks’ original book, “Die Schiffchen-Spitzen”, included in the collection of the “Endrucks 1920 Project”. I had to consult my precious Partner in Crime, Muskaan, who saw sneak peeks of each part, to correct my list of patterns used in the little scenes. Apart from this little inconvenience, due to the fact that I can officially include myself among senior citizens, the result I think is just lovely!

I invite you to watch a short video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FHScN27KUUUC8CjxB5wuCfpJR_hsIMMl/view?usp=drive_link

With a few plants already tatted, in March I decided to buy a display case, but when it arrived I changed the position of the shelves. This pic shows it before the changes:

The case measures 30x19cm, depth 5cm.

Pots, tools, watering can, bucket, boots, bird house, they are all handmade by me with paper, glue and acrylic colours. Only the mini basket in the second scene was made by the master artisan Diana Poidimani, who's also well known for her original and creative macramè. For the case cover and interiors, I used the “Stamperia” paper block, double face “Spring Botanic”.

First scene -

The roses were tatted following a modified version of Jeanne Lugert's Rose pattern, actually the first 8 split rings of it. The leaves are clusters of rings, if I remember well they are all rings 6-6. If you were going to ask, this is a species without thorns!

All stems are wire (0.3mm), wrapped up with the end thread used for the leaves.

Second scene -

The Stringing plant was made with chains of tatted “nuts” of treble tatting stitches, alternating with segments of double stitches. For the “nuts”, you can read another post of mine, here: https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2020/06/we-call-them-nuts.html 

The Philodendron’s leaves are a modified version of the versatile E15 Leaf Doodle #1, designed by Muskaan. I started tatting from the tip of the pattern and added another ring 6+6 at the other side, so that the pointed side could be near the stem. 

I love her leaf doodles; there are 3 versions:
●    E15 Leaf Doodle #1 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NL5KHsLxOHkfILCTTKojfhHy6B9v9EG3/view 
●    E15 Leaf Doodle #2 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i8XWpjtcrvK8C_cfa8KyGvJiXNn_KPP7/view 
●    E15 Leaf Doodle #3 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m8chbwS1oD6Xjq4Uwm2R291zdAUL1VJ1/view 

Third scene -

For the leaves of the Mandevilla vine, I selected a motif from the E30 main pattern, and modified it to the shape I wanted. I've written the stitch count somewhere, and when I find it I'll update this post, with a proper pdf. The orange flowers are just 5 rings, I think they are 4-4-4-4, detached like a little daisy, then joined together and tightened in the middle at their very small picots, using a separate thread, so that it creates the effect of a calyx. Sorry that I didn't take pics and that would need a proper pdf too.
While I don't have the modified pattern, here is the pattern for the main E30 edging: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f7g8gIB7S3-ggRbdneLYmxfxPcDBoq7u/view 

In the little vases at the bottom of the scene, there are: on the left a geranium, and on the right a yellow flower. Well I cannot say what the botanical equivalent name could be for this last one, maybe we can call it the “Happyhands Officinalis”, lol!!! Petals are a modified version of the E1 Happy Hands (the main motif pattern without the two rings on the upper side), and leaves are a modified version of the E28 Heart, both patterns reworked/designed by Muskaan. 
Pattern E1 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IRlJ7bnx-c27PYtgXymx_ps-KL2pen_m/view 
E28 Heart - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-rWqmDAd51VwxOqtt9spD-FIX5zYDAUE/view

Fourth scene -

Geraniums’ leaves are the E28 Heart, designed by Muskaan, reducing the stitch count by half, that is for example the big rings are 6-3-3. I didn’t tat the tip with 3 dot picots, just because geranium has rounded leaves. Petals are 2 or 3 clusters of rings with 3 or 4 rings 8ds, arranged to look like the real geranium, that grows in fluffy clusters made of many tiny little flowers.

Jug, trowel and vases are painted paper, made by me.

Fifth scene -

I already described the Anthurium, here - https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2025/09/botanical-trend.html 
Thanks to Muskaan, the pattern PDF is underway.

Sixth scene -

 

The Marble Pothos’ leaves are a (oh well) faithful version of the E28 Heart pattern by Muskaan, just the stitch count is reduced by half. The hanging net was handmade by me too.

For the Caladium's leaves, I modified the E15 Leaf Doodle #2, making it a little wider and adding a trefoil for a dense centre. Initially I thought to set it with all the leaves standing up, but then I changed my mind, and that created the space in the scene for inserting the hanging plant.

Seventh scene -

 

Succulent plants: that is the best way to use leftovers! I had already used the E28 Heart to mimic a sempervivum plant, so tried with other little leaves that were left from the many prototypes tatted for the other scenes. On the right, I tried to resemble a cactus with a rose, using the Stacked development with Roda Auld's method, that I described here - https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-contemporary-rope-by-rhoda.html 

(I'm particularly proud of the watering can, it's just paper, glue, and paint!)

Eighth scene -

In the last scene I put the violet, tatted in November 2024, already blogged here (again, it's the E28 Heart pattern) - https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2025/09/botanical-trend.html 
And on the left, again the E15 Leaf Doodle #2 (or, was it #1?) slightly modified, for a kind of imaginary foxglove plant, with its tall flower.

That's all, but only for now! I love the #Endrucks1920Project and it is still an ongoing Project, with an ever growing international community!

Note: If you like exploring the vast range of patterns, ideas, models, information related to the Project, and tutorials too (from the perspective of Endrucks' original patterns and derivatives), all the important links are in one document called EPLinks - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1TZBg-HIzseGEUoJ-rko7tNbtSgZY5A18Oy2Y9Hh0Y/view 

Many thanks to my dear Partner in Crime, Muskaan, for the patience and generosity in starting the Project, and especially in leading it mainly alone during the last year, because of changes in my life.

Ciao, 

Ninetta

Botanical trend

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Italiano: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qa1X1KqDRsvnCfMAUVCSMzGur49ST1c-/view

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Before continuing the recap of my summer, I have to go back a bit, to last spring and more precisely to last May.

I usually keep shuttles with work attached in various purses, and without fail I forget their contents. I found one of these purses in May, with a good number of tatted leaves inside, made throughout several months. In fact, after the mini croton tatted during the game #LeafMeEndrucks (September 2024, included in the laceshop dollroom - https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-lace-shop-of-my-dreams.html ), I continued the production of the cute little leaves with Muskaan's "E15 Leaf Doodle #1" pattern:
E15 Leaf Doodle #1 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NL5KHsLxOHkfILCTTKojfhHy6B9v9EG3/view 

So, fresh from tatting the Iris for Orvieto, and still captured by this "botanical" trend, I took a bunch of those leaves and put them into a cheap bead cap for jewellery, to obtain the effect of a mini houseplant. The relaxing spot I built around it was a consequence: in fact the houseplant was so nice that I couldn't help but add all the rest of the furniture!

armchair, coffee table, shelf, vase and pot are all made by me

I invite you to watch a short video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16oaVsYrJgEFKRx2vqs0abikE5E8sHEJp/view

To tell the truth, I confess that I no longer remember if the leaves were all the same pattern, while I remember well that last year Muskaan shared 3 different versions and I tried them all. These are the other 2 versions:
E15 Leaf Doodle #2 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i8XWpjtcrvK8C_cfa8KyGvJiXNn_KPP7/view 
E15 Leaf Doodle #3 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m8chbwS1oD6Xjq4Uwm2R291zdAUL1VJ1/view

These are the three versions, worked with Lizbeth size 80, col.136.

In the next photos you see details taken from other pics, because in the mini boxroom everything is now glued and I cannot show you the various parts separately:

In the “vase” on the coffee table beside the houseplant, you can notice a rose made with the "Smiling Flowers" pattern that I shared here: https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2024/07/smiling-flowers.html 

Also, at the top left on the shelf you can see another pot, where I tried to get the effect of a succulent plant, made with a single leaf worked according to Muskaan’s E28 HEART pattern (except for the string of "dot picot"): 
E28 HEART pattern - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-rWqmDAd51VwxOqtt9spD-FIX5zYDAUE/view 

I want to use Muskaan's words, to describe what I consider a brilliant pattern: "This is a cute little motif to use for learning and applying techniques and effects (this one has CWJs and dot picot string); to embellish with beads or decorative picots; to use as a charm; to use as jewellery; ....” (https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/06/yet-another-heart.html )

You should try it now, whatever thread is already loaded in your shuttles!

The E28 heart-leaf was "a leftover" from the pot of African Violets made in November 2024, worked with DMC Special Dentelles size 80 thread, color 469:

The flowers are made of 5 rings without picots. I cannot remember the exact stitch count, perhaps rings are made of 16ds.

Muskaan’s leaves kept me company throughout this summer.
In fact I continued to tat them, sometimes just to empty the shuttles, but some other times with a rather ambitious idea in mind, of making a mini greenhouse of tatted plants... So far I only have two plants (the violet and the anthurium), I will definitely make more. I just have to stop using them for other mini rooms!! 

And now I’d tell you about the anthurium! So here it is... In November I made the red leaves with the precise plan of making an anthurium, and it took me several attempts to get the right shape. The starting pattern is again Muskaan's "E15 Leaf Doodle #1", but with two rings less (if you follow Muskaan's pattern, the ring J became 2-2, and I worked from ring C to chain Q, joining the last picot of P to the first picot of C). I don't remember the color of the thread I used, in any case it is the DMC Special Dentelles size 80. Let’s go fast forward to May, when I found all the leaves and began to assemble the plant:

I wound the leaf’s ending tails around the wire (0.3mm). I started attaching the wire to the picot of the upper central ring of the leaf (ring I in the pattern), then passed it in the picots below, then down to the base of the leaf, and lastly I started to wind the thread, absolutely with no glue on the leaf, only one drop at the very end of the stem.

For the pistils, I simply wrapped the thread around the wire (0.3mm)

The result is very naturalistic:

Thanks to Muskaan's creativity, the pattern E15 of the #Endrucks1920Project is in the subset of main patterns which have a large number of derivative patterns. I suggest you to read (or read again) her post where she shows the creative potential offered by the E15 design: https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-power-of-15.html 

Thread Lizbeth size 80, col. 134

In this blog, instead, you will soon find something more about my summer: events and short trips. Surely, in the recap of my summer I must include the International Lace Day on June 22nd, but I will tell you about that in the next post. Again, you’ll find a lot about the “Endrucks 1920 Project”. Muskaan and I are working with enthusiasm and dedication on all the PDFs, trying to improve the instructions, double-check everything and even sometimes tatting again the models... and luckily I always learn something new, that's what fascinates me in this Project!

Note: If you like exploring the vast range of derivative patterns, ideas, models, information related to the Project, start from the document called EPLinks - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1TZBg-HIzseGEUoJ-rko7tNbtSgZY5A18Oy2Y9Hh0Y/view, choose one pattern from the vast collection and share it with us, you can reach us in Facebook (we have a dedicated group!) or leave a comment under our blogposts, Muskaan and I will be happy to see your tatting and we will send you a gift too (that is another pattern). Due to the current updating of many of the PDFs, if you have saved a link to one or more documents in the past, just click on them again to refresh or check with your printed copies. When you post remember to write the name of the designer and pattern number (E1, E2, E3, etc.) or name in case of derivatives, and also always use the hashtag #Endrucks1920Project . Thank you.

Ciao, Ninetta

where did I take the shuttles?

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Italiano: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-59o3zbzk0jU1facPB5NtSHmHceLRUF2/view

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I know, I don't update my blog much, and yet there would be a lot to say. This summer Muskaan and I spent a lot of our time reviewing all documents in the “Endrucks 1920 Project” (#Endrucks1920Project), a titanic work and still ongoing. I feel as I worked a lot (on computer) but achieved nothing (with shuttles). To reassure myself, I need to take stock of my summer.

The title here is not for the fact that I cannot locate my shuttles ;-P on the contrary I even bought three amazing wooden shuttles (rosewood, birch root and mahogany), made by Laszlo Horvath aka Banyek, from Budapest (Purchased via his Ebay shop “smalcointattingshuttles”).

Rather, the title is a good pretext to tell you that on 7th June I took my shuttles to Orvieto, a city in Central Italy, a small city with ancient history, a monumental Cathedral and local delicacies, not far from Bolsena Lake. 

That day I went to the exhibition “An Iris for Orvieto”, that was initially held from 5th to 8th June 2025 and then extended to 14th and 15th June.

This is an annual event, among the organizers there is Mrs. Loretta Lovisa, Master of her lace “Merletto di Orvieto”, a tradition started at the end of the 19th century when the Irish lace was introduced in Italy in that area, and it soon became a distinct lace technique following the reproduction of the figures featured in the 14th century bas-reliefs of the Cathedral. Here is a very informative page prepared by Loretta: https://www.merlettodiorvieto.it/en/history-of-orvieto-lace/

Loretta is an enthusiastic promoter, and organizes and attends exhibitions, events and collaborations. Among these there is one recent collaboration with the brand Fendi for which she designed and realized one of their “Hand in Hand” Baguettes. The event “An Iris for Orvieto” was part of the annual “Orvieto in Fiore” (Orvieto in bloom) event which takes place on Pentecost (a religious festivity). This year Loretta chose the iris, since this flower is also a symbol of hope, in line with the theme chosen for Jubilee 2025: “The Thread of Hope.” 

There were really beautiful works of art, masterpieces of embroidery and lace, made with various techniques, sent from different parts of Italy. I took some photos, but here is a reel shared by Loretta in Facebook with all the flowers: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AYafu68Ri/ 

In spring she invited Luigia Tosin and me, both belonging to the Association "Ago, Filo e Fuselli", to send our flowers on behalf of the association, respectively in bobbin lace and tatting. 

Here is the flower designed and executed by Luigia, who is a Master in bobbin lace:

I received a wonderful welcome, I felt like I was visiting old friends, united by the same passion for lace. Our sincere thanks, from me on behalf of all in our association, goes to the organizers of the "An Iris for Orvieto" event, especially to Loretta and our hosts Maria Antonietta and Marco, who welcomed us so warmly. The exhibition was set up in a noble palace, “Palazzo Bisenzi”, one of Orvieto's historic residences. A curiosity: the palace is also famous for having hosted Sigmund Freud, who stayed in Orvieto several times, starting in 1897. 

During the exhibition, Loretta let me have a table for promoting our association, and I took the opportunity to display the models from the "Endrucks 1920 Project", and to briefly explain it to dozens of visitors, including foreign tourists, who came to admire the lace irises.

I designed my iris starting from pattern E11 (the 11th pattern) from the German book ‘Die Schiffchen-Spitzen’, 1920, by Frau Eleonore Endrucks-Leichtenstern. Thread is my favourite DMC Special Dentelles, size 80. I promise to share the pattern, sooner or later, but with the current schedule ongoing in the Endrucks 1920 Project, I could take long to transform my notes and scribbles into a shareable pattern!
The idea started because the shape of part of the edging E11 looks like a petal. I consulted a certain Smiling Lady you know, for one of her precious tips, and she approved the choice. As usual, several tests followed, but given the limited time available, I followed the advice of my aunt, an occasional painter, to use all the prototypes: she convinced me that the flower would look more natural if the petals weren't all perfectly identical!

 

For the leaves, I needed a compact, elongated structure, so I tried block tatting shaped into a long, narrow strip. Again, I made several prototypes before getting the right shape.

At the tip I attached the wire (0.3mm), sewed it along the leaf and then wrapped it to form the stems. In a similar way, I added wire to shape the petals (only along the middle of petal). The flower is 14cm high, from the bottom of the stem to the highest tip.

Here is a very short video of the tatted Iris, taken before sending it to the exhibition: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vy4Af5rN34Eh6BFRnx37ReVl8IwY9r3O/view 

Here is the link to the reworked pattern E11 from the German book ‘Die Schiffchen-Spitzen’: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qwj9o6vfjMUckkYB1t0z_HRBgOR9zJ15/view 

Note: If you like exploring the vast range of derivative patterns, ideas, models, information related to the Project, start your exploration from the document called EPLinks - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1TZBg-HIzseGEUoJ-rko7tNbtSgZY5A18Oy2Y9Hh0Y/view

Muskaan and I will be happy to see your tatting. When you post remember to write the name of the designer and pattern number and also use the hashtag #Endrucks1920Project . Thank you.

Ciao,
Ninetta

P.S. Summer recap has just started!

pattern for the rose stud earrings

Unnatural Rose, I would say! This flower grows from the petals towards the center!

The pic below (posted in Fb few days ago) was the first prototype. Then I found a way to make it as if it was a bezel embellishment. This means the pattern can be adapted for brooches or tatted ice drops, any size, just increasing the number of petals and the number of rings tatted for the cabochon (yet to be tried).

I designed two patterns, one for the cabochon size 8mm, the other for the cabochon size 6mm, shown in next pic:

“Unnatural Rose”  - Link to pdf (two patterns) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cwBe5_pU8tglX0E4kOxisH-k_zwAhgmw/view

I tatted the “Unnatural Rose” with 2 shuttles loaded CTM. The patterns have two parts: the Petals, then the Centre. In both patterns I started from the petals. The Petals are thrown/floating rings around a mock ring. Do not cut the thread after the Petals, leave a mock picot and start the Centre, which is the bezel motif that goes around the cabochon.

- 6mm Swarovski 5817 Pearl Cabochon Crystal Light Grey, which I used with metallic Sanbest thread, blue and light blue 3 strands, white and silver 4 strands.

- 8mm Swarovski 5817 Pearl Cabochon Crystal White, which I used with the gold metallic Sanbest thread, 4 strands.

When all the tatting is done, pass a loop of thread through picots in the rings of the Center. Pass the shuttle inside that loop but do not pull yet.

Then you can pick your pin cabochon and do the final step (see pictures 4 and 8). Put the pin through the mock ring of the Petals and position the side with the cabochon under the Centre.

Pull the thread to close the loop and trap the cabochon. Make 2 or 3 knots with the tails and cut them. There’s no need to sew the tails. 

Ciao, Ninetta

smiling flowers

I’ve a fascination with 3D flowers tatted with thin thread. A pattern I love is Jeanne Lugert’s rose (I tatted a miniaturized version too - https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2018/01/anonymous.html ).
Lately, while exploring possible designs where I can use treble tatting stitches, I found in my notebook a round motif from 3 years ago, for which I haven’t shared the pattern yet, you can see it here: https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2021/06/special-note-for-my-dear-email.html. Looking at it with new eyes, I thought the rings with treble tatting stitches would be good for making petals… Well, tiny petals with my size 80 thread! 

It’s not a brand-new idea and a very simple pattern too! But I like it and it’s going to be my new favourite pattern for emptying shuttles! I’ve already tatted a dozen of them, and I’m happy to share the pattern with you. I hope you like it, and that soon you’ll have your bouquet!

I already have a name for them! Thanks to the Endrucks 1920 Project, The Smiling Lady and I are in constant email contact, and I know for sure that she loves flowers (especially roses). Have you already seen her “E43 3D Generic Flower”? (https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/07/so-many.html )
So, I chuckled and for once found the perfect name for the pattern! "Smiling Flowers" - in Muskaan’s honour!

ds = double stitch
tds = treble tatting stitch
fhs = first half stitch
shs = second half stitch
- = picot
vsp = very small picot

Smiling Flowers have two parts: the flower (centre with a bead, and two layers of petals), then the “green” part, which is calyx, stem, and leaves.

CENTRE (pink thread in pics)
I used Drop Miyuki 3,4mm beads. Load the bead in the loop around the hand.
Hide the starting tail under the first stitches.
Ring (6 picots): 2ds, -, 2ds, -, 2ds, -, 1ds, 1 bead under the leg of 1fhs, 1shs, (-, 2ds)x3. Close and do not cut thread.

Here is how I placed the bead:

 

Then, there are two layers of 6 petals each, around the central ring:
 
PETAL
Ring: 1ds,5tds,vsp,1ds. Close.
After each petal, always lock join to the next picot in centre ring. (see Fig.1)

After the first layer of 6 petals (see Fig.2), I repeat another layer of petals on the back of the first layer, and always lock join to underlying picots in the central ring (see Fig.3).

I tatted two layers of petals, so there are 12 petals. Then leave a tail of about 15cm and cut the thread. To finish, from the backside, pass the tail through the bead to move the tail under the centre of the flower (see Fig.4).

CALYX (green thread in pics)
With one shuttle loaded with green thread - unwind from the shuttle a tail of about 15cm.
Ring: 1ds,5tds,vsp,1ds. Repeat 3 times. Do not cut the thread. (see Fig.5)

Make a knot (between starting tail and shuttle thread) and pass the flower tail in the centre of the green rings, as shown in Fig.6.

STEM under the calyx
After the calyx, I encapsulate the two tails (green and pink) in the stem.
Tat a Josephine (or Spiral) chain of 20 fhs.

LEAVES
Ring: 10ds,3fhs,p,3shs,10ds. Close.
In the stem: Encapsulate the two tails with one fhs (see Fig.7 and 8)
Repeat 3 times.

Leaves are 3 rings, note that I tatted one fhs in the stem after each ring

STEM after the leaves
Tat a Josephine (or Spiral) chain of 20 fhs.

FINISH
Form a loop with the two tails and tat 10 unflipped half stitches over all the 4 threads of the folded tails (see Fig.9)

Then, open the loop as it was a ring, and tat 16 unflipped stitches, as in the second side of a split ring (see Fig.10).

Pull the two tails and close the loop like a mock ring. Secure the shuttle thread at the base of the mock ring and cut all tails (see Fig.11 and 12).

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Ideas for using the Smiling Flowers:

- Make wreaths or bunch of flowers for gifts
- They can be earrings, too! Just hang the mock ring to a fishhook and wear them.
- Glue two or three together for brooches or on hair clips for girls.
- Link flowers to chains or lobster clasps, for bracelets, decorations, or trinkets.
- Lanyards. Don’t cut the thread after the flower, tat the stem and the leaves and continue with another flower!
- Edgings. Tat flowers in assorted colours (without the green part) and then tat an edging in green, joining flowers at intervals.

wreath - flowers sewed with invisible sewing thread on the green ribbon wrapped around a cabone ring.

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If you google tiny tatted flowers, there are wondrous pics by Japanese tatters, for example I found flowers tatted by megumi_tatting (https://www.instagram.com/megumi_tatting/  ) and "Atelier Sakamichi" (she writes a tatting blog: http://atsaka.exblog.jp/ ).

I’ve just bought (in Amazon) the Kindle edition of “Tatting Lace Flower Accessories” by Emiko Kitao (2016). If you love tiny flowers, that is a beautiful book for you too! Also, there are patterns for tatted letters, framed in flowering hearts. There are creative ideas and clever use of picots. You can read Leigh’s review here: http://www.somethingunderthebed.com/CURTAIN/REVIEWStat/REVIEWS_ItoL/JPN/Kitao/KITAO5.html  
It’s in Japanese but with clear diagrams and pictures! Ahah! Don’t laugh! When I opened it for the first time I was confused!… My fault! I should have opened it from the last page. In fact, Japanese books read from right to left, the reverse of what I usually do.

(Fingers crossed, I hope I made you smile for the flowers and not because of my English!)

Ciao, Ninetta