Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Earring using Balanced Double Stitch and long woven picots
Copyright 2008 Ruth Perry

This could be tatted with any size large bead in the center, just adjust the number of stitches and picots to fit around the ring. This ring has 39 BDS and makes a nice circle. Notice how well it holds the shape without bunching, ruffeling, or twisting! Also notice how I have woven the long picots over and under each other. I used the little case that floss threaders come in as a picot gauge, and Altin Basak thread in peachy pink. The teal blue seed beads and purple E beads contrast nicely with the thread.

Ring (3BDS VLP 3BDS VLP 3BDS VLP 3BDS + 3BDS + 3BDS + 3BDS VLP 3BDS VLP 3BDS VLP 3BDS + 3BDS + 3BDS + 3BDS)

Beads:
Tie a square knot in the two thread ends and put them both through a size E bead, then both of through a seed bead, one from each side, then string 12 seed beads on one thread, and pull the other thread through them from the opposite side, then both threads back down through the E bead. Pull both threads snug so the beads form a circle, and tie them in a square knot.

One thread will go over one side of the ring and the other thread under the ring. Next, string enough beads to go through the middle of the ring on both threads. Next take one thread over and the other thread under the ring again on the opposite side from before, then both through another E bead. And then, one thread through 3 seed beads from one side and the other thread through from the other side, then both back through the E bead, and back through the beads in the center of the ring.

Tie a square knot in both threads at the beginning of the ring, and hide them in the tatting, then cut the thread ends off close to the ring. Put this on an earring finding, or on a chain for a pendant.

Oh, what to do with left over thread? This "Southern Belle" starts with the ring in the center of the skirt. Now, how did I do the rest of this piece? Later. I need to leave to go teach my tatting class now.

The Belle of the ball! Copyright 2008 Ruth Perry