Simple inspiration for a new tangle
About a month or so ago in a wonderfully quiet and productive mood, I started playing with an ornamental feature frequently seen in illuminated manuscripts. I often show this little leaf doodle in some of my Celtic and Illuminated Lettering classes and one day I tried a few extra strokes here and there, with thicker vines, and voila! A new tangle was born.
It reminded me of a cotton boll, and somehow French was in my mind that day, so the name ‘Coton’ stuck.
I’ve already posted a quick video of me creating a monotangle using Coton on the TangleVermont Facebook page HERE (be sure to like and follow us there for more of these to come!).
But I’m already over a week late in posting the tangle step-outs I’d promised – so here are the instructions below. There are MANY more ways one could play with and interpret this tangle, so I’d LOVE to see what you come up with!
Post your links in the comments, or TAG me on Instagram using the hashtags #tanglevermont or #cotontangle !
Coton, the Step Out:
- Coton starts with an S curve on the left, and a reverse S curve on the right.
- To that I add a stroke curving back and down towards the middle, yet keeping an open space at the middle.
- Then I add a C curve and reverse C curve shape in the center to form the third leaf in this Trefoil shape.
- Then you create auras between the leaves, with the top open, a kind of a “V” shape. Finally I close off the top with a series of linked downward facing arcs.
This tangle can be done attached to a vine, or not. Sometimes I like to just create the boll-like bits and have them falling off into space, with a trail of dots. I’ve got a few more examples below the stepouts!
Post your links in the comments, or TAG me on Instagram using the hashtags #tanglevermont or #cotontangle ! 
A bit of Coton dropping from a knotwork tree
finished Monotangle from the TangleVermont Facebook Video
Let’s Connect! I’d LOVE to see your work!
Simply post your links in the comments, or TAG and follow me on Instagram using the hashtags #tanglevermont or #cotontangle !
And for future monotangle videos Follow and Like the TangleVermont Facebook page HERE!
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