Tatted Flying Ladybug

First off, please ignore the picots on the left side of the ladybug’s body. I lost my head for a minute and put them in. Force of habit, really…every chain has to have picots! They aren’t supposed to be there, and I just am not skilled enough with PhotoShop to take them out without making a big mess.

This little ladybug tats up really fast, and it’s fun to put together. Wouldn’t he be fun as a pin or a refrigerator magnet?

The challenge for this pattern is adding the beads. If putting a bead on a picot is new to you, I’ve written a short articleabout it that may help you.

This pattern is beginner level and uses one shuttle.

Printable pattern (125K. 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:

Black and red tatting threads, size 20.
1 tatting shuttle
Size 15 or size 16 crochet hook for attaching beads
4mm black beads

Instructions:

Body

Use black thread

R: (3ds p) 3 times, 3ds, close, turn
*Ch: 10ds, turn
R: 3ds j to last p of prev R, (3ds p) 2 times, 3ds, close, turn*
Repeat between * until a total of 5 R are complete
Ch: 10ds, turn
R: 3ds j to last p of prev R, 3ds p 3ds j to first p of first R, 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 10ds, lj to base of first R
Ch: 12ds, lj to base of next R, sl
Ch: 16ds
Cut and tie to base of first R. The last two chains form the ladybug’s head.

Wing 1

Use red thread

R: (3ds p) 2 times, 3ds long p 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 8ds, turn
R: 3ds add bead to last p of prev R and lj, (4ds long p) 2 times, 3ds, close, turn
Ch: 10ds, add bead to last p of prev R and lj
Ch: 8ds, add bead to center p of same R and lj
Ch: 10ds
Cut, leaving enough thread to easily tie a knot.

Wing 2

Use red thread

R: 3ds j to first p of first R in Wing 1, 3ds p 3ds long p 3ds, close, turn
Continue the remainder of the wing in the same manner as Wing 1
Cut, leaving enough thread to easily tie a knot.

Attach wings to body

Thread the shuttle thread of each wing through the center p of the wing’s first R. Tie to body at the base of the rings on either side of his head (see red dots on the visual pattern).

Copyright 2008 by Nancy Tracy, All Rights Reserved.