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I named this star the Cello Tatted Star because each arm looks like a little cello, or a little fat lady. Being a rather rotund lady myself, I decided I liked Cello Tatted Star better than Fat Lady Star. :-)
I was introduced to half-closed rings when I recently acquired a copy of Mark Myers' new book, "Tatting Patterns for One Shuttle". So, I thought I'd try a pattern with them and see how it went together. It was easy, and a lot of fun! This little star is the result.
I first designed this pattern without the beads, but as I was stitching, I wondered how to dress it up a little. So I figured out how to put beads on the single thread of the half-closed ring and tried that. I love how it worked up!
The biggest challenge was having so many beads on my shuttle thread. After a few frustrating minutes working around the beads, I just unwound my shuttle a ways, pulled the beads down to the shuttle, then wound them on the shuttle. Worked like a charm!
Be sure to follow the instructions below on how to avoid a twisted picot on the very last join in this pattern.
How to make a half-closed ring (HCR)
How to add beads to a half-closed ring
How to avoid a twisted picot
This pattern was tatted with size 20 Flora thread. It is beginning to intermediate level and uses one shuttle.
Printable pattern (186K. 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 | HCR | half-closed ring |
| p | picot | j | join | bj | bead join |
You will need:
Tatting thread in your choice of colors, size 20
1 tatting shuttle
20 bugle beads
70 #10 seed beads
Be sure you have a full shuttle. Thread the beads on the shuttle thread in the following order (b=bugle bead, s=seed bead):
ssssss bsbbsb ssssss
Repeat until you have 5 sets on your thread. Once you're done, you will have no bugle beads left, and 10 seed beads left. These seed beads are for the bead joins. Double-check that you have this right! If it's wrong, and you've begun tatting, you will have to cut your thread in order to correct it.
If you wish to make this without the beads, follow the same directions, just leave the beads off. You will have to be more careful about getting the unclosed part of the HCRs even. That's easiest to do by just laying the HCR you're closing on top of (or next to) one that's already done and comparing them.
Leave about 6" of thread hanging when you make the first ring, and don't hide it. You will need it later when you cut and tie.
R: 2ds p 5ds p (3ds p) twice, 5ds p 2ds, close.
HCR: Use 6 seed beads. 2ds j to last p of previous R, (3ds p) 4 times, 2ds, close.
HCR: Use 2 bugle beads and 1 seed bead. 2ds j to last p of previous HCR, 5ds p (3ds p) twice, 7ds, close, turn.
Ch: (5ds p) twice, 5ds, turn
*HCR: Use 2 bugle beads and 1 seed bead. 7ds bj to last p of previous HCR, (3ds p) twice, 5ds p 2ds, close.
HCR: Use 6 seed beads. 2ds j to last p of previous HCR, (3ds p) 4 times, 2ds, close.
R: 2ds j to last p of previous HCR, 5ds p (3ds p) twice, 5ds p 2ds, close.
HCR: Use 6 seed beads. 2ds j to last p of previous R, (3ds p) 4 times, 2ds, close.
HCR: Use 2 bugle beads and 1 seed bead. 2ds j to last p of previous HCR, 5ds p (3ds p) twice, 7ds, close, turn.
Ch: 5ds bj to last p of previous Ch, 5ds p 5ds, turn*
Repeat between * until you have completed 4-1/2 legs of the star, but do not tat the last chain of the last set.
Ch: 5ds bj to last p of previous Ch, 5ds bj to first p of first Ch 5ds, turn
HCR: Use 2 bugle beads and 1 seed bead. 7ds bj to last p of previous HCR, (3ds p) twice, 5ds p 2ds, close.
HCR: Use 6 seed beads. 2ds j to last p of previous HCR, (3ds p) 3 times, 3ds j to first p of first R, 2ds, close.
Cut and tie. Stiffen using your favorite method.
Copyright 2006 by Nancy Tracy, All Rights Reserved.
