pieKnits

Loving the tatting. I have a pretty new set of earrings!

I probably should have elaborated more in my previous post on the tatting technique. Tatting is a form of lacemaking originating in the early 19th century that uses a series of knots and loops. The traditional method is done with shuttles holding the threads. Another technique is to use a tatting needle. The needles in tatting are several inches long with an eye that’s the same thickness as the needle and a blunt end. Via Wikipedia:

The lace is formed by a pattern of rings and chains formed from a series of cow hitch, or half-hitch knots, called double stitches (ds), over a core thread. Gaps can be left between the stitches to form picots, which are used for practical construction as well as decorative effect.

You can purchase a set of 4 needles online or locally for about $12 (or less with weekly coupon) at Hobby Lobby if you’re looking to pick up some.

This pair was tatted with Size 10 crochet cotton on a size #5 needle. The free pattern is from free-tatting.com.
More detailed info about the pattern in the extended entry for those interested in trying it out.

Since I simply dived in to tatting, the first one of these earrings I made turned more into “practice”. After that first dry run I did some more reading and figured out a few things.

First issue- knowing when to “reverse work” and when not to. I’ve found not all patterns specify this, including this one. Basically you’ll want to reverse when switching directions (most ring to chain transitions). For this, rings 1-3 form a “clover” and you do not reverse until done with ring 3. You’ll also not reverse between the chains.

Oh and run your tail thread through ring 1 before starting ring 4. That’s what the two little lines in the diagram are, that way it hangs balanced.

As for adding the beads, at fist I just strung them all on my ball thread. You’ll actually need 31 beads strung on the ball thread (although extra don’t hurt). Then, don’t add the beads on split ring 4. You’ll add these with a crochet hook while joining the chains. Also, since ring 5 is a split ring, you’ll need one bead threaded onto your tail end for that half of the ring.

If you really want to get fancy and if I did these again, I’d use a “lock join” between the chains. (Join with the needle thread, there should only be the joining loop on the needle, now slide that loop off the needle all the way down as a chain, do not tie a knot before or after the Lj.)

This really is a pretty simple pattern, but like most free ones it assumes a certain amount of previous knowledge. Hope this helps out any other newbies like me!