Quickie Snowflake Earrings

These use the techniques of beads dangling on picots, climbing out of a ring with a mock picot formed with a lockstitch, and zigzag chain.

For pattern in pdf format click here.

Materials:

Size 80 tatting thread or glacé quilting thread

48 size 11 seed beads

1 tatting shuttle

2 earring findings

For each earring, string 24 sb onto the thread. Have 6 sb on the shuttle, 18 on the ball thread.

Center r 1--1-1--1-1--1-1--1-1--1-1--1, cl. Lockstitch to make the 6^th small p. *Ch (with a b in each p) 6-2-2-6. J to next small p on center R. Repeat from * for a total of 6 “branches”, and j at the beginning.

ZZ ch 4/4, 3 times. Slide 6 b up from the shuttle. R (with a b in each p) 2-2-2-2+ ( to earring finding) 2-2-2-2, cl.

Stiffen, if desired, with clear nail polish, extra-hold hairspray, or a commercial stiffening product. Or, try this tip from Ruth Perry:

"Try tatting them in Hand Quilting thread that has a glaze on the thread. Dip in hot water, and press between clean cloths. This will give them stiffness that will hold its shape and they will still be dainty."

Abbreviations:

b bead
Ch chain
ds double stitch
j join
+ join
p picot
- small picot
-- large picot
R ring
sb seed bead
/ separates stitches on each side of split ring, or sets of zigzag tatting ZZ zigzag, or rickrack tatting of set stitches (first half of ds repeated a number of times, followed by second half repeated a number of times, completing one set)

"Vision" tatted necklace

This necklace is made in two halves, which are joined together while working. The left hand side (as you are looking at the necklace facing you) is made first; it is the half shown in the diagram. Then the right hand side is made, joining while working to the central picots. The neck cord given in the pattern is just a zig-zag chain, but embellishments can be added!

For pattern as pdf click here.

Supplies:

• Size 10 6-cord mercerized crochet cotton.
• 24 seed beads size 8 (8/0). These are a little larger seed bead.
• 9 pearl beads size 4 mm (referred to in this pattern as medium bead)
• 1 pearl bead size 6 mm (referred to in this pattern as large bead)
• "Lobster claw" clasp finding
• 2 tatting shuttles
• Small steel crochet hook for tricky joins and for bead stringing

Shuttles are numbered 1 (normal shuttle position) and 2 (ball position). They switch positions as needed.

String 19 sb onto the thread. Wind shuttles with 18 sb on sh 1, 1 sb on sh 2.

Start at large R 2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2 (13 p) cl. Center R of 2+ (to first p of large R) 2--(3 cm when open, it will need to be able to hold 3 mb when closed with room to j) 2-3--(15mm when open, it will need to be able to hold 1 lg b when closed with room to join) 3, cl. Do not RW, SS.

Ch 5-4+(to 2nd p of large R) 3--(containing 17 sb, do not pull tight but allow sb to dangle with bare thread exposed on each end of p equal in size to about 1 sb) 12+ (to 7th p of large R).

Ch 7, RW. R 6+6 (to large p with 3 mb added before j).
SS. Ch 8, sh j to end of pr Ch. RW, SS.
Ch 11. Then sh j into the tiny space bet end of prev Ch and the R. ---

Now comes the row of SR "flowers". SR of 2p/3p, 1 ds bet. Note: the st on the back side of the SR are worked in reverse order with 2nd half, then 1st half so the st unbroken by the p are all on the same side. For this project I consider the "picots only" side up to be most effective in giving a flower-like appearance. Do a total of 4 of these SR. RW.

R 6+6 (to large p with 3 mb on it) cl, RW. Ch 11. RW. R4+4 (to small p on center R) cl, SS. Ch 1--(3 cm long when open) 12. Sh j to end of lower Ch. RW, SS. SR 6/5, SR 5/4, SR 4/4 SR 4/4, SR 4/3, continuing with ZZ Ch 4/4, p, 4/4. Sh j to end of 1st SR flower. RW. SS. ZZ Ch 4/4, sj to p of prev Ch. ZZ Ch 7 sets of 4/4. RW. R 5 + 6 (j bet 1st and 2nd SR). RW. SR 5/4. Slide up 1 sb from each sh. Secure with lock stitch.

Continue with ZZ Ch of sets of 4/4 for neck cord. After about 7 1/2 inches, end with R of 5+5 (j to clasp).

The other side of the necklace is worked in pretty much the same way, with some minor changes since it is mirror image to the first side.

Only 5 sb need to be strung, putting 4 on sh 1, 1 on sh 2. Start with the center R instead of the large R, joining with the lg b to the corresponding p of finished side.
You will need to RW instead of SS to do the Ch after the large R on this side. J to the corresponding p of finished side.
When j to the large beaded p, have 7 sb hang near the tatting, 10 sb away. RW and SS before the flowers on this side. The flowers are 3p/2p on this side. After flowers do not RW. Use sh closest to 6+6 R to make it.
After Ch 1+(with 3 mb to corresponding p of finished side)12, do not RW. SR row is 5/6, 4/5, 4/4, 4/4, 3/4. Tat the ZZ Ch neck cord for about 4 inches and then 8/8 split rings for about 3 inches or length desired. Finish with a normal 8-8 R, with the 3 remaining sb in the p.

Copyright © Marilee Rockley 2006

Abbreviations:

b beads
bet between
Ch chain
cl close
cm centimeter
ds double stitch
j join
+ join
lg b large bead
mb medium bead
mm millimeter
p picot
- picot
-- large picot
pr previous
R ring
RW reverse work
sb seed bead
mb medium bead
mm millimeter
p picot
- picot
-- large picot
sep separated
sh shuttle
sh j shuttle join, or locking join
SR split ring
SS switch shuttles
st stitch
/ separates stitches on each side of split ring, or sets of ric-rac tatting
ZZ zig-zag, or ric-rac tatting of set stitches (first half of ds repeated a number of times, followed by second half repeated a number of times, completing one set)

O.T. - Photos from the Mitchell Park Conservatory

The show dome at the Mitchell Park Conservatory (Milwaukee Domes) in its holiday finery! Just thought you'd enjoy seeing these photos I took today.

A bell pattern for you

Here is a gift to all my blogging friends - a tatted bell pattern!
For pdf click here.

Supplies:

• 2 shuttles
• Thread of your choice (the finished bell measures about 1 and 1/4 inches (3.2cm) long in size 20 DMC Cordonnet Special)
• A small crochet hook is helpful for joining picots

Techniques used:

• Split rings
• Rings floating from chains
• Join on 2^nd half of split ring

Note: all joining picots are small. The decorative picots can be longer as desired.

R 8-6-8. Do not RW, SS. Ch 15.

RW. SR 3+3/4-4.

*Ch 4. Using Sh 2, R 3+5-3. Ch 4. Using Sh 2, R 3+3-3--3-3-3.

Repeat from * 2 more times.

Ch 4. Using Sh 2, R 3+5-3.

Ch 4. RW. SR 3+3/4+4. (Note: 2^nd j is on 2^nd half of SR, so be sure that the core thread still slides)

Ch 15. LJ to beginning. SR 8/8. Thread ends may be used for hanging as an ornament.

Burnin' the "Midnight Oil"

"Midnight Oil" is the darkest thread I have ever dyed! It is a dark red shading into black. Black is such a hard color to dye, but I think this turned out fairly well. I tatted a necklace experiment from it. Some good elements in the necklace, I think, but I want to change some parts of the design.

Old snowflakes and other fiber stuff

These tatted snowflakes with embroidered cloth centers are ones I made many years ago, I think over 20 years - back when I had the patience, LOL. They were starched with sugar starch, and are still white and stiff. No problems with bugs whatsoever, but then I live in a cold northern climate! I have since been experimenting with various stiffeners. There are a lot of ways to get things to be stiff - the extra-hold hairspray is next on my list to try.

Sometimes I do take a small break from tatting and dyeing! Here is a knit slipper top in progress:
The loom got warped again, this time with warm wools for a winter scarf. As usual, it's not really according to any plan...this scarf is the sampling! Its just for fun and warmth.

"Dream" necklace and earring set or pendant

For pdf of this pattern click here.

To see a video of this pattern in progress click here.

Supplies for necklace:

• 2 tatting shuttles
• Size 20 or 10 crochet thread
• 62 seed beads (Size 10/0 or 11/0 with size 20 thread. Or, use size 8/0 with size10 thread.)
• 3 leaf or drop beads
• 1 barrel or lobster claw clasp

The strung beads are all on shuttle 2.

Fill shuttle 1 first, and then measure off about 4 yards of thread and cut.

String 2 seed beads, 1 drop bead, 6 seed beads, 1 drop bead, 6 seed beads, 1 drop bead, 20 seed beads.

Wind shuttle 2 and you are ready to follow the diagram.

After the center ring is worked and closed, the chains and floating rings are added in the same round.

The split ring is worked last, leading into the neck cord.

Copyright © Marilee Rockley 2006

The larger pendant shown in the above photo is a variation on the basic pattern. It's begun the same as an earring, then an extra round is added, with chains of about 9 or 10 ds each. The small rings are 3-3. The dangling rings have a few extra ds than the ones on the earring - 10 on each side instead of 8, and an extra ds between beads on the center dangle.

I called it "Dream" because I think it somewhat resembles the hangings that are called dream catchers. Anyway, this set is worked in my own HDT, size 20.

Strung beads between split rings

The beads are strung onto the thread, and wound back a few turns on each shuttle before starting to tat. After making a split ring, slide up from each shuttle the number of beads desired.

These beads are then secured with a "lock stitch". There are a couple of different ways to do this - I've shown in the photos what I usually do. The first half of a double stitch unflipped...

...followed by the second half of a double stitch flipped, as usual.

Then the beads are locked in place, and the next split ring can be made. I like using this technique for tatted jewelry designs.

Artisans and Entrepreneurs Holiday Market at Discovery World 2008

Here's my booth, and me wearing my butterfly necklace - do I look like I'm having fun?

My tatted jewelry display - my work received many compliments, and several sales! Also seen here is my book, and the sign-up sheet for tatting classes - I did get two very eager people to sign up!

My HDT looked lovely in the bins, but, surprisingly, did not sell at this general market. So now I know, I don't have to take my whole store next time.

Some shoppers browsing the various displays. There was a wide variety of handcrafted items to choose from!

"Glowing Embers" heart necklace

Combination polymer clay and tatting - a free form style. I am very busy getting ready for the Artisans and Entrepreneurs Market happening this weekend, but I was happy to get this done in time to show it. Due to the art show preparations my etsy shop is temporarily closed (sorry for the inconvenience!) but will re-open on Monday, Dec. 8.