Piney Woods Tatting

Patterns

January Pattern Series- Tatting and Cabochon Gemstones

These earrings were tatted with Valdani 35 wt. quilting cotton in the Violet Meadows variegated color.  You will need 2 10mm unakite cabochons and a few Delica seed beads.  I used a matte finished bead with this project. Also needed is jeweler's cement and flat disc post earring findings.

Tatting:

R3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-CL Tie and cut.

Running needle through any -, CH 5 + to picot, continue all around, then CH 7 + to picot, continue all around, then CH 9 all around joining in picots. CL Tie & cut.

You are now ready to adhere the cabochon to the tatting.  Please note that many cabochons will have an oil coating.  I use a very fine grit sandpaper to rough the back of the stone.  I then wipe the back of the stone with a lint free tack cloth.  At this point, you apply a thin coating of jeweler's cement around the bottom of the cabochon.  Carefully center the cabochon in the middle of the R.  You may want to use a toothpick to gently push the tatting into the cement.  Allow to dry then proceed with beading.

Beading:

Cut a length of thread and tie to any picot of the ring.  String 3 beads on the thread then thread needle up through next picot.  Continue all around.  When you come back around to the beginning of your work, run the needle through the first seed bead you put on.  Add 3 more beads and continue around joining the thread to the first bead at each juncture.  When you have completed going around for the second time, run the needle through to the back.  Tie & cut.  You are now ready to adhere the earring finding.  Smooth a light coating of jeweler's cement to the metal disc and carefully center the tatting.  Let dry with the cabochon facing down. 

Coming later in January: a brooch to match the earrings!

Heart of Compassion

I tatted this today in memory of those who perished in the tsunami and in compassionate support of those who survived.

I used three different colors on this design.  The red is DMC size 8 perle cotton, color #321, the two pinks are Valdani size 8 perle cotton solids.  I do not have the color numbers for them.  This pattern is written specifically for the needle and requires a general knowledge of Celtic tatting techniques.  Hopefully, I have described the steps well enough.  If not, please forgive my haste.  I have had many requests to hurry up & get it posted!

Begin by making center motif of 5 interlocking rings.  The counts for each ring are 15 small - 15 close.  Tie & cut. ( If you need further information about this method, I highly suggest visiting the MSN site NeedleTattingTwo.  I cannot remember if they refer to this method as interlocking ring or chain.  I call it ring as you are running the needle back through as in forming a ring.)

Working with the lightest pink, run needle through the top of the 4th ds close to the inner junction where any two rings cross, then CH 35 CL, + to - of next R, CH 17 CL, R5 - 5 CL, CH 17 CL, + to R across from previous +, CH 35 CL, then run needle through corresponding stitch on top R. Tie & cut.

Working with pink, run needle through top of ds immediately preceeding your first round.  CH 15 CL + to - of first R, pull both threads through to top of work, CH 30 CL + to next -, pull both threads through to top of work, CH 20 CL + to - of bottom R of red motif, pull both threads to top of work, CH 20 CL + to next -, pull both threads to top of work, CH 30 CL + to next -, CH 15 CL, run needle to corresponding position so as to mirror the side where you started this round.  Tie & cut.

Again, working with the pink, run needle through top of ds on other side of light pink.  CH 25 CL, + to - of first R, pull threads through to top of work, CH 15 CL, + to next -, CH 15 CL, + to next -, CH 15 CL, + to next -, pull threads to back of work, CH 25 CL, bring work up & over, then run needle through to corresponding position so as to mirror the start side.  Tie & cut.

Poinsettia/Star Flower Earrings

The above was tatted using Finca white perle cotton (available from http://www.SewThankful.com), lavender Delica seed beads are used as accents.  The earwires are sterling silver French hooks and can be purchased from Fire Mountain Gems.

Instructions:

Working off ball, thread needle.  String 24 seed beads.

R6 long- (slide 6 seed beads onto long -) 6 CL RW

CH6- (slide 3 seed beads onto -)6 CL RW

R6 slide 1 seed bead over then + to long - 6 CL RW

Repeat these steps until you have a medallion of 6 Rings & 6 Chains, tie & cut.

Thread needle.  Slide needle through any Ring & Chain junction from back to front.

CH8 CL + between 1st & 2nd seed bead.Ch 3 of 1st 1/2 ds, then 3 of 2nd 1/2, then 3 of 1st 1/2 CL + between 2nd & 3rd seed bead. CH8 CL + to next Ring & Chain junction.  Continue around motif.  Tie & cut.

Cut a length of thread and secure it to - thread of center of motif.  Run needle through adjacent seed dead.  Take 3 seed beads on needle and run through bead.  Continue around.  When complete, repeat the process using 5 seed beads.  Tie & cut.

Using round nose pliers, open loop of French hook and lay point of motif over.  Gently close the loop being careful to COMPLETELY close.  Your motif can slip off if the finding is not closed completely.  Sometimes I add a couple addintional seed beads: one in front of motif, one behind.

Angel Earrings

The above was tatted using King Tut thread in White Linen & Rubiyah.  Please see Tracy at SewThankful.com for the full selection of 50 King Tut colors.

Instructions:

Using KT White Linen, cut a long length of thread.  Picking up free end R9 -9 CL

R9 l-m-s- 11 CL

R31 CL

R11 s-m-l- 9 CL

Tie & cut.

Using KT Rubiyah, thread needle.  While working off spool, run needle through area between 1st wing R & body R.

Ch 5 1st 1/2 of ds, then 5 of 2nd 1/2 of ds.  Repeat this process 8 times & CL. + between body R & 2nd wing R. Tie & cut.  Add beads to - of head R and slide on kidney earwire.

Another variation of the Rubiyah accent is:

Ch 5 then make 31 equal -s 5 CL. + between body R & 2nd wing R. Tir & cut.

Beads may be added to -s, and additional skirt/body accents can be used to vary this pattern. 

I hope that you will enjoy these patterns.  Come back often to see the new additions to my online pattern collection. 

Coming Monday, January 22nd, 2007- a new look for Piney Woods Tatting! 

Happy Tatting & New Year!

Rachel