I decided to make some frilly aprons for my granddaughters recently. The first one is for my 2-year-old granddaughter, and is the one pictured here. I absolutely loved it when I was done, but I decided it needed something special. So I tatted this butterfly within a heart with a heart bead dangling from it. I’m really happy with how it turned out, and now I feel like the apron really is done. I hope she likes it!
This is a beginner pattern and requires one shuttle. I used Lizbeth size 20 thread.
Printable pattern (129K. 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
| ds | double stitch |
| p | picot |
| j | join |
| lj | lock join |
Instructions:
The first ring should be done about 2 yards (2 meters) away from the end of the thread. You’ll use this length of thread for the heart portion of the pattern and to add the bead. I didn’t leave it attached to the ball or wind it onto another shuttle because of the way I attached the bead.
Butterfly
R: 18ds p 7ds p 5ds close, do not turn
R: 5ds j to last p of previous R, (5ds p) 2 times, 5ds, close, do not turn
R: 5ds j to last p of previous R, (5ds p) 2 times, 5ds, close, do not turn
R: 5ds j to last p of previous R, 7ds p 18ds, close, turn
Heart
Ch: 6ds p (2ds p) 7 times, 1ds lj to first p on first R of butterfly, 1ds p (2ds p) 4 times, 1ds lj to next open p on butterfly, 1ds p 2ds p 2ds
Thread the loose thread end through a heart-shaped bead from the top to the bottom. Add a small round bead to the thread, then run the thread through the heart-shaped bead from bottom to top. Pull up close to tatting.
Ch: (2ds p) 2 times, 1ds lj to next open p on butterfly, 1ds p (2ds p) 4 times, 1ds lj to next open p on butterfly, 1ds p (2ds p) 7 times, 6ds.
Tie where the heart began. You can leave both threads long and tie them a few inches away for an ornament, or cut them closer and hide the ends.
Copyright 2012 by Nancy Tracy, All Rights Reserved.
