Tatting with black is a fun challenge for me. I love the elegant look, especially when I use very few picots. Here is a necklace and earring set using black DMC Cebelia and seed beads. I hope you enjoy it!
The shoelace trick is a crucial part of this pattern. To do the shoelace trick, cross the shuttle and working thread to make a loop. Put the shuttle through the loop, then pull tight. This is the same thing that we do as a first step when we tie our shoes, and it’s one of my favorites tricks. Many 2-shuttle patterns can be changed to 1-shuttle patterns simply by doing the shoelace trick instead of switching shuttles.
This is an intermediate-level 1-shuttle pattern. It was tatted using DMC Cebelia size 30 black thread.
Printable pattern (167K. Opens a new window.)
Patterns are available for download as a PDF file and are readable by using Adobe Reader. Download Adobe Reader free.
Instructions:
| ds | double stitch | R | ring | Ch | chain |
| j | join | p | picot | bj | beaded join |
| lp | long picot | lj | lock join | sl | shoelace trick |
You will need:
DMC Cebelia black thread, size 30
Gold and red seed beads, size 11
1 tatting shuttle
1 10mm lobster clasp
2 6mm jump rings
2 earring findings
Needlenose pliers
Necklace (makes a 16″ necklace)
Small rosette
R: (2ds p) 5 times, 2ds, close, turn
Ch: 3ds lj to next p on R with gold bead (4ds p 4ds lj to next p on R with gold bead) 4 times, 3ds j to base of R
Ch: 10ds p 2ds, turn
Large rosette
R: 6ds p (3ds p) 4 times 6ds, close, sl
Ch: 8ds j to last p on small rosette 4ds, lj to next p on R using three beads, (4ds p 4ds, lj to next p on R using three beads) 4 times, 4ds p 8ds, j to base of R, sl
Ch: 2ds j to p on Ch between rosettes 10ds, turn
R: (2ds p) 5 times, 2ds, close, sl
Ch: 3ds lj to next p on R with gold bead (4ds p 4ds lj to next p on R with gold bead) 4 times, 3ds tie to base of R
Necklace “Chain”
*R: 12ds p 12ds, close, turn
Ch: 14ds lj with gold bead to p on R, turn*
Repeat between * for a total of 17 R
R: 12ds p 12ds, close, turn
Ch: 7ds j to first p of chain on small rosette 7ds lj with gold bead to p on R, turn
R: 12ds p 12ds, close, turn
Ch: 14ds lj with gold bead to p on R, turn
R: 12ds p 12ds, close, turn
Ch: 7ds j to first p of chain on the second small rosette 7ds lj with gold bead to p on R, turn
*R: 12ds p 12ds, close, turn
Ch: 14ds lj with gold bead to p on R, turn*
Repeat between * for a total of 17 R
Cut and tie
Normally, I don’t advocate using Fray Check on your tatting because it turns brown over time. However, on a piece like this that I don’t anticipate lasting forever, I’ll use it. Put Fray Check on the final ties and when dry clip close to the knot.
Using the needlenose pliers, add a jump ring to one end of the tatted chain. Use a jump ring to connect the lobster clip and the other end of the tatted chain.
Earrings
R: (2ds p) 5 times, 2ds, close, turn
Ch: 3ds lj to next p on R with gold bead (4ds p 4ds lj to next p on R with gold bead) 4 times, 3ds
Cut and tie to base of R
Finish by attaching to an earring finding using the needlenose pliers.
Copyright 2005 by Nancy Tracy, All Rights Reserved.
