Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Sweet Christmas Edging Copyright 2007 Ruth Perry



Two shuttles wound with green thread CTM

Red thread on a floss holder or shuttle
White thread on a floss holder or shuttle

Tie the ends of the red and white threads together leaving about 8" tails.
Beginning clover:
Begin with one of the green shuttles S1
Ring (2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 2)
Ring ( 2 + 8 - 2)
Ring (2 + 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 2) RW
Chain (2 ds with both threads of the red then remove the tail and tat 5 more ds)

S2
Chain (2 ds with both threads of the white then remove the tail and tat 5 more ds)

These chains will curve outward when the tatting is tight enough. Place one chain on top of the other and then wrap it back under so that it looks like piece of a candy cane as shown in the diagram below. Do not twist the tatting, let it lay flat as in the photograph.

S1 shown in black, S2 shown in grey

After wraping the chains, tat with S2
Ring (2 + 3 - 1 - 1 - 3 - 2) RW
Chain ( 9)

S1
Ring (2 + 3 - 1 - 1 - 3 - 2) RW
Chain ( 9)

S2
After wraping the chains, tat with S2
Ring (2 + 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 2) RW
Chain ( 9)

S1
Chain ( 9)
Ring (2 + 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 2) RW
Chain ( 9)

The pattern repeats to desired length. The chains are all 9ds, and the rings alternate between the larger and smaller size ring. Adjust the length of the picots so that the tatting lies straight and flat. This will depend upon the size thread used.

Sample bracelet is craft thread, but this can be tatted in any size and color thread.

Measure your wrist and subtract the length of a jewlery clasp to use this pattern for a bracelet. Add beads, bells, or charms for variety. Tat a row of green or gold chain around the outside for a "holly" looking edging or bracelet. Tat the clover again at the end, attach jewlery clasp to the middle rings of the clovers.

For a Holiday napkin ring, tat this edging 2" longer than needed to wrap around your napkin rolled up. Sew on 1" hook & loop squares so that it holds when one end overlaps the other. Make a short piece of this edging with small thread with beads added for Holiday earrings. Enjoy!

Hugs all,
Ruth
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