Tatted Ghost

Last weekend my husband and I drove across Wyoming on our way to visit our daughter and her new husband. On the way there, I tatted up this little ghost. That was a challenge! It seemed every time I picked up my shuttle, we hit a section of road that had sunk in places. It was like tatting on a roller coaster!

So in spite of poking myself with the shuttle umpteen times and a little frustration, I did manage to get this done. It would be quick and easy when sitting on a stationary surface. 🙂

This pattern is beginner to intermediate level (only because of the beads) and uses one shuttle. I used size 30 DMC Cebelia thread in white.

Printable pattern (187K. Opens a new window.)

Patterns are available for download as a PDF file and are readable by using Adobe Reader. Download Adobe Reader free.

You will need:

Thread in your choice of color and size.
1 tatting shuttle
2 4mm black beads

How to add a bead at a join

Instructions:

Head

R: 3ds p 3ds long p (3ds p) 3 times, 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 6ds p 6ds, turn
R: 3ds p 3ds j to 4th p of previous ring, (3ds p) 3 times, 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 6ds p 6ds, turn
R: 3ds p 3ds j to 4th p of previous ring, 3ds p 3ds long p 3ds p 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 12ds turn
R: 3ds p 3ds bj to long p of previous ring, (3ds p) 3 times, 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 12ds turn
R: 3ds p 3ds j to 4th p of previous ring, (3ds p) 3 times, 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 12ds turn
R: 3ds p 3ds j to 4th p of previous ring, 3ds p 3ds bj to lp of first ring, 3ds p 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 12ds, lj to base of first ring, 8ds lj to p on first chain, 4ds, turn

Body (first half)

R: (3ds p) 3 times, 3ds, close, turn
*Ch: 8ds turn
R: 3ds j to last p of previous ring, (3ds p) 2 times, 3ds, close, turn*
Repeat between four more times for a total of five rings on the body
Ch: 20ds, turn
R: 3ds p 3ds j to center p of previous ring, 3ds p 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 4ds p 4ds, turn
R: 3ds j to last p of previous R, 3ds j to center p of next ring along body, 3ds p 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 4ds p 4ds, turn
R: 3ds j to last p of previous R, 3ds j to center p of next ring along body, 3ds p 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 3ds p 3ds, turn
R: 2ds j to last p of previous ring, 2ds j to center p of next ring along body, 4ds, close, turn
Ch: 3ds p 3ds, turn
R: 3ds j to center p of next ring along body, 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 4ds lj to base of next ring on head, 4ds, turn

Body (second half)

R: 3ds p 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 3ds j to center p of adjacent chain, 3ds, turn
R: 4ds p 2ds p 2ds, close, turn
Ch: 3ds j to center p of next chain, 3ds, turn
*R: 3ds j to last p of previous ring, (3ds p) 2 times, 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 4ds j to center p of next chain, 4ds, turn*
Repeat between * once more
R: 3ds j to last p of previous ring, (3ds p) 2 times, 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 20ds, turn
R: 3ds p 3ds j to center p of previous ring, 3ds p 3ds, close, turn
**Ch: 8ds turn
R: 3ds j to last p of previous ring, 3ds j to center p of next adjacent ring, 3ds p 3ds, close, turn**
Repeat between ** down the rest of the body

Finish the head

Ch: 4ds, lj to center p of next chain on head, 8ds lj to base of next ring on head
***Ch: 15ds lj to base of next ring on head***
Repeat between *** around. Cut and tie.

This final chain is not necessary, but I think it finishes the design better. You can leave it off if you’d like.

Unwind about 24 inches (60 cm) of thread from the shuttle. Thread through the first ring on the body after the 20ds chain. Use this tail of thread as the ball thread. 15ds, making sure the first ds is snug against the base of the ring. Cut and tie to corresponding ring on the other side of the body.

Copyright 2008 by Nancy Tracy, All Rights Reserved.