My granddaughter, age 7, is an aspiring tatter; she loves handling the shuttles, comparing the sizes, unwinding the thread on them, and seeing all the pretty colors. This said, she’s not actually making knots, unless you count this =============>
Somewhere in that tangle are 10 shuttles, one chatelaine with two crochet hooks and several other tools on it, a piece of black felt with two sewing needles in it, and a pair of scissors. You have 10 seconds – GO!
Did you find them all? No problem if you didn’t – I did. I got them all untangled after we got home last night, and even had time to empty the thread off two of the shuttles by tatting this little cross! They’ll be giveaways for the South Carolina State Fair, which we’ll visit in October with the Palmetto Tatters Guild. We’ll be demonstrating tatting as well as teaching, so if you’re in the Columbia area on Saturday, October 13, please do stop by and visit with us!
The cross is easy-peasy; as I mentioned above, I’m making them to use up the last of the thread that’s on the shuttles.
Tiny Cross
©2012 Sharren Sarver Morgan3 rings and 2 split rings
Pull off about 12” – 14” for finger tatting the split rings and one ring. Pull off additional thread for R1.
R1: 1^10^1.
SR2: 1+4^1 | 1+4^1.
R3: (use Shuttle) 1+10^1. RW
R4: (finger tat) 1+10^1. RW
SR5: 1+5 | 1+5.
Tie ends together to form hanging loop, and cut from shuttle.
You can also make the world’s tiniest bookmark by pulling off more than a foot of thread to start; plan for at least 1½ feet. You can tie this thread to another shuttle and avoid finger tatting, if you like. When the cross is complete, make a length of lock stitch cord (whatever length you prefer); then, tie the ends in an overhand knot and clip the threads for a tiny tassel.
I used size 20 thread but wouldn’t size 80 be amazing for this pattern! I’ll get right to work on that as soon as I get a bigger magnifying glass!
How cute! I sometimes make unintentional knots, but I'm not sure I've ever achieved your granddaughter's level of knotting. ;-)
ReplyDeleteActually it doesn't take a 7 yr old to make that sort of tangle, I can manage it myself by putting one thing on top of each other and then moving them around! I spend hours sorting this sort of mess out and vow to become a tidier person. I have an excellent use for your little crosses, will show you one day., thanks for the pattern
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a teaching demonstration! I hope to get into teaching soon. It's wonderful to share the art. I invite you to see my tatting at www.straightlacedtatting.blogspot.com
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