TATtle TALES

Teri Dusenbury
806 Harrison Avenue
Port Orchard, WA 98366-4212
by appointment only

tatbit@aol.com

For Oliver
Special Thanks to Nancy Corns and Sue Hodge.
© 1990,1991, 1993, 2000, 2002 Teri Dusenbury
9.) Pull three picot beads into place on picot,
10.) Tat a double knot,
11.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
12.) Pull last picot bead into place on picot,
13.) Tat a double knot,
14.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place
next to last double knot tatted,
15.) Leave a space for picot loop,
16.) Tat 3 + (join to first picot tatted of butt ring) 5. Close ring.
17.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to the base of last ring. Tie a square knot on the wrong side of
the work.
18.) Rethread the ends back through all the center beads of the
motif. One thread goes through all beads clockwise while the
second thread goes through all beads counterclockwise. Pull
these threads taut pulling the center beads together in a tight
ring. Cut excess thread. TA DA! You did it!!

TATtle TALES
Teri Dusenbury
806 Harrison Avenue
Port Orchard, WA 98366-4212
by appointment only
tatbit@aol.com

COVER BUTTERFLIES: Tatted by Teri Dusenbury using Coats Dual Duty

Plus Art. 220 in color 347, Delicas DB-065 Lined Topaz AB, Rhyolite
(rainforest jasper) semi-precious 6mm heart bead.
23
18.) Leave a space for picot loop, Oh Happy Day! With the help of this instruction booklet you
19.) Tat a double knot, can now make your own beaded butterfly earrings. All you
20.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place need is: thread, beads, a needle threader, ear wires, scissors and a
next to last double knot tatted, wee bit of patience .
21.) Leave a space for a picot loop,
22.) Tat a double knot, It is a good idea to read all the directions prior to tatting these
23.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place earring designs. Please note that the pattern script is meant to
next to last double knot tatted, be used in conjunction with the schematics, rather than one or
24.) Leave a space for picot loop, the other. Good light, a quiet span of time and you have the
25.) Tat 5 – 3. Close ring. key ingredients needed to complete these projects.

F: Butterfly’s small right wing: These motifs were designed using modern tatting techniques.
With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of Modern tatting merely means there are precise manipulations
the beads next to the completed large right wing. Place the of the thread used throughout the pattern so that the bars of
other five into the ring. These five beads are now referred to as: all the knots appear on the front of the lace motifs. The joining
Picot Beads. of picots might be slightly different then what you might be
1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot tatted of large right familiar with doing.
wing) 5, Note: You will be pulling the ring thread down through the top
of the picot until a large enough loop is formed to permit the running If you were looking for a tatting project to tat while at the
thread to go through. Pull loop taut and then tat the second hitch of the doctor’s office, these are not the ones. If you got to make
double knot to complete the knot. This counts as the first knot of the next
sequence of knots.
dinner in ten minutes, or the baby is crying in the background,
2.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next or you think the world is crashing in on you (egad!) then just
to last double knot tatted, wait till you’re having a quieter moment and try tatting these
3.) Leave a space for picot loop, projects then. These earrings take patience and your undivided
4.) Tat a double knot, attention.
5.) Thread one bead onto running thread,
push into place next to last double knot Don’t expect your first earring to be perfect. Consider it to be
tatted, your first try. That way if the first try comes out less than what
6.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot, you expected you won’t be discourage. I had various drafts
7.) Tat a double knot, before coming up with these combinations of knots and beads
8.) Thread one bead onto running thread, and I’ve tatted this pattern many, many times. As much as I
push into place next to last double knot would like the myth to continue, I am pretty much just like
tatted, you. Rarely, do any of my designs fall from my hands perfectly
3 the first try.
I always start a project by tatting just a plain ring so that I can into the ring thread. These five beads are now referred to as:
get familiar with the thread and get my tension and gauge in Picot Beads.
check. Otherwise, the knots are inconsistent and are usually 1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot tatted of small left wing)
way too loose compared to the following rings. Try tatting a 8, Note: You will be pulling the ring thread down through the top of the
practice ring or two prior to starting these projects. picot until a large enough loop is formed to permit the running thread to
go through. Pull loop taut and then tat the second hitch of the double knot
to complete the knot. This counts as the first knot of the next sequence of
The hardest concept associated with these patterns is that they knots.
are tatted without the use of a shuttle. If you are not familiar 2.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
with finger tatting than I strongly urge you to practice first. to last double knot tatted,
Tatting Butterflies is an excellent primer for modern tatting 3.) Leave a space for picot loop,
techniques. Use the directions for the reverse Riego method of 4.) Tat a double knot,
shuttle manipulation to learn how to finger tat. Remember 5.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
that you can master the thread and that tatting without the use to last double knot tatted,
of an implement is very enlightening. The thread can go where 6.) Leave a space for picot loop,
most shuttles can’t, plus, you won’t be spending the majority 7.) Tat a double knot,
of your time chasing beads on the shuttle. 8.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
Here’s my standard line on shuttles. Tatting is not about the 9.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
shuttle; the shuttle is merely an implement used to wrap the 10.) Tat a double knot,
excess thread upon. 11.) Thread one bead onto running
thread, push into place next to last
Tatting is about the double knot and the various variations of double knot tatted,
that knot that make up a design. Tatting is clearly defined by 12.) Pull three picot beads into place
the transference of the hitches that comprise the main double on picot,
knot. If the hitches don’t transfer then it can’t be defined as 13.) Tat a double knot,
tatting. 14.) Thread one bead onto running
thread, push into place next to last
The best thread for these earrings is Coats & Clark’s Dual Duty
double knot tatted,
Plus (DDP) Buttons, Carpets & Crafts Thread ART 220.
15.) Pull last picot bead into place on
Anything else is not going to yield the same results. This “is”
picot,
the thread to use.
16.) Tat a double knot,
17.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
Sweaty hands are a problem! If you sweat on the thread then it
to last double knot tatted,
starts acting all weird and the rings won’t close. Try to keep 21
double knot tatted,
20.) Leave a space for picot loop,
21.) Tat a double knot,
22.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place
next to last double knot tatted,
23.) Leave a space for a picot loop,
24.) Tat 8 – 3. Close ring.
D: Butterfly’s head:
With needle threader thread three beads onto thread, add heart
bead, then one more bead. Rethread through heart bead and
next bead, add one more bead. Push one of the beads next to
the completed large left wing. Place all of the other beads into
the ring thread. These beads are now referred to as: Picot Beads.
NOTE: Grey beads are also picot beads.
1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot tatted
of large left wing) 1,
Note: You will be pulling the ring thread down
through the top of the picot until a large enough
loop is formed to permit the running thread to go
through. Pull loop taut and then tat the second
hitch of the double knot to complete the knot. This
counts as the first knot of the next sequence of
knots.
2.) Thread one bead into running thread,
push next to last double knot tatted,
3.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
heart bead combination, and last picot
bead,
4.) Tat 1 – 3. Close ring.
E: Butterfly’s large right wing:
With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of
the beads next to the completed head ring. Place the other five
5 There’s a new bead on the block called Magnifica by Mill Hill
your hands dry. No, not with powder, just a cloth that you can
wipe your hands on if your hands get sweaty. This thread
sometimes needs waxing towards the end. I use Thread Heaven
for this purpose but only after the thread loses its original
crispness and becomes very hairy or won’t glide through the
knots like it did when I started the project. This usually only
happens if you have sweaty hands. Also, I have found that a
hair dryer comes in handy when the ring absolutely won’t
close. Heating up the thread, for some reason, allows it to
move through the finished knots.
The other item that is of the utmost importance is the use of a
good needle threader. I love needle threaders and believe that a
good tatter would never leave home without one. They also
come in handy when joining picots. Link picots should be as
small as you can possibly make them. Sometimes, even the
smallest crochet hook won’t push through these tiny loops but
a needle threader has no problems. Try it!
Last but not least, BEADS!! I love machine cut beads. Toho
Antique 11/0 machine cut beads in metallic colors can’t be
beat for sparkle. They are sparklicious!! There are two drawbacks
to Toho Antiques: they aren’t perfectly cut, and they are
extremely fragile beads. There is nothing more frustrating then
breaking a bead when you are finishing the piece. Use these
beads with that thought in mind.
Next we have Delicas, they are also available in 11/0 machine
cut. These are about as perfect a bead as you can get. I love
these beads and they are sturdy little tubes of glass that will
withstand quite a bit of wear and tear prior to breaking. Try
these beads first.
and they’re touted as “the” perfect bead and the price reflects Note: You will be pulling the ring thread down through the top of the picot
that. You could use these beads too! until a large enough loop is formed to permit the running thread to go
through. Pull loop taut and then tat the second hitch of the double knot to
complete the knot. This counts as the first knot of the next sequence of
You should not go any larger than 11/0 for the main bead. You knots.
can go as small as 14/0; however, you might have to be more 2.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
selective with the beads because the thread must be able to go to last double knot tatted,
through the beads at least twice and in some instances as much 3.) Leave a space for picot loop,
as three times. Start with 11/0 until you are familiar with the 4.) Tat a double knot,
pattern and have successfully tatted two or more pairs of 5.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
earrings. to last double knot tatted,
6.) Leave a space for picot loop,
Once again it is a good idea to read all the directions prior to 7.) Tat a double knot,
tatting these earring designs. If you are not familiar with finger 8.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
tatting try tatting a motif without beads to acquaint yourself to last double knot tatted,
with the hand maneuvers. Please note that the pattern script is 9.) Leave a space for picot loop,
meant to be used in conjunction with the schematics, rather 10.) Tat a double knot,
than one or the other. Good light, a quiet span of time and 11.) Thread one bead onto string, push into place next to last
you have the key ingredients needed to complete these double knot tatted,
projects. 12.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
13.) Tat a double knot,
If you have any questions or need some part of the directions 14.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place
clarified don’t hesitate to email me at tatbit@aol.com next to last double knot tatted,
15.) Pull three picot beads into place
Teri Dusenbury on picot,
16.) Tat a double knot,
17.) Thread one bead onto running
thread, push into place next to last
double knot tatted,
18.) Pull last picot bead into place on
picot,
19.) Tat a double knot,
19.) Thread one bead onto running
thread, push into place next to last
19
knots. Lesson One
2.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next Key
to last double knot tatted, Black bead = picot bead
3.) Leave a space for picot loop, Clear bead = add on beads (ring beads)
4.) Tat a double knot, - (dash) = link picot
5.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next + (plus) = join picot
to last double knot tatted, . (period) = close ring
6.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
7.) Tat a double knot, Materials: 69 Delica beads 11/0, Dual Duty Plus, ear wires,
8.) Thread one bead onto running needle threader, scissors, 2 - 6 mm semi-precious heart beads.
thread, push into place next to last
double knot tatted, 1.) Pull approximately one arms length of thread off of spool
9.) Pull three picot beads into place (60”) cut. Visually mark thread ends as 1 and 2.
on picot,
10.) Tat a double knot, 2.) With needle threader thread five beads onto ring thread
11.) Thread one bead onto running prior to tatting first knot. These beads are now referred to as:
thread, push into place next to last Picot Beads (black beads in diagram).
double knot tatted,
12.) Pull last picot bead into place on A: Butterfly’s Butt:
picot, 3.) Tat a ring of 5 – 5,
13.) Tat a double knot, 4.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
14.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place to last double knot tatted,
next to last double knot tatted, 5.) Leave a space for small picot
15.) Leave a space for picot loop, loop,
16.) Tat 5 – 3. Close ring. 6.) Tat a double knot,
7.) Thread one bead onto running
C: Butterfly’s large left wing: thread, push into place next to last
With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of double knot tatted,
the beads next to the completed small left wing. Place the other 8.) Leave a space for small picot
five into the ring thread. These five beads are now referred to loop,
as: Picot Beads. 9.) Tat a double knot,
10.) Thread one bead onto running
1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot tatted of small left wing) thread, push into place next to last
5, 7 double knot tatted,
11.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot, to last double knot tatted,
12.) Tat a double knot, 14.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
13.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next 15.) Thread one bead onto folded ring thread (picot loop),
to last double knot tatted, 16.) Add earring wire to loop, pull tight,
14.) Pull three picot beads into place on picot, 17.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
15.) Tat a double knot, 18.) Tat a double knot,
16.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next 19.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted, to last double knot tatted,
17.) Pull last picot bead into place on picot, 20.) Pull last picot bead into place
18.) Tat a double knot, on picot
19.) Thread one bead onto 21.) Tat a double knot,
running thread, push into place 22.) Thread one bead onto running
next to last double knot tatted, thread, push into place next to last
20.) Leave a space for small picot double knot tatted,
loop, 23.) Leave a space for small picot
21.) Tat a double knot, loop,
22.) Thread one bead onto 24.) Tat a double knot,
running thread, push into place 25.) Thread one bead unto running
next to last double knot tatted, thread, push into place next to last
23.) Leave a space for small picot double knot tatted,
loop, 26.) Leave a space for small picot
24.) Tat 5 – 5. Close ring loop,
27.) Tat 5 – 5. Close ring
B: Butterfly’s small left wing:
With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of B: Butterfly’s small left wing:
the beads next to the completed butt ring. Place the other five With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of
into the ring. These five beads are now referred to as: Picot the beads next to the completed butt ring. Place the other five
Beads. into the ring. These five beads are now referred to as: Picot
Beads.
1.) Tat a ring of 5 + (join to last picot tatted of butt ring) 3, 1.) Tat a ring of 5 + (join to last picot tatted of butt ring) 3,
Note: You will be pulling the ring thread down through the top of the picot Note: You will be pulling the ring thread down through the top of the picot
until a large enough loop is formed to permit the running thread to go until a large enough loop is formed to permit the running thread to go
through. Pull loop taut and then tat the second hitch of the double knot to through. Pull loop taut and then tat the second hitch of the double knot to
complete the knot. This counts as the first knot of the next sequence of complete the knot. This counts as the first knot of the next sequence of
17
 knots.
Lesson Two
2.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
Key
to last double knot tatted,
Black bead = picot bead
3.) Leave a space for picot loop,
Clear bead = add on beads (ring beads)
4.) Tat a double knot,
- (dash) = link picot
5.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
+ (plus) = join picot
to last double knot tatted,
. (period) = close ring
6.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
7.) Tat a double knot,
Materials: 69 Delica beads 11/0, Dual Duty Plus, ear wires,
8.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
needle threader, scissors, 2 - 6 mm semi-precious heart beads.
to last double knot tatted,
9.) Pull three picot beads into place
1.) Pull approximately one arms length of thread off of spool
on picot,
(60”) cut. Visually mark thread ends as 1 and 2.
10.) Tat a double knot,
11.) Thread one bead onto running
2.) With needle threader thread four beads onto ring thread
thread, push into place next to last
prior to tatting first knot. These beads are now referred to as:
double knot tatted,
Picot Beads (black beads in diagram).
12.) Pull last picot bead into place on
picot,
A: Butterfly’s Butt:
13.) Tat a double knot,
3.) Tat a ring of 5 – 5,
14.) Thread one bead onto running
4.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
thread, push into place next to last
to last double knot tatted,
double knot tatted,
5.) Leave a space for small picot loop,
15.) Leave a space for picot loop,
6.) Tat a double knot,
16.) Tat 5 – 3. Close ring.
7.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
C: Butterfly’s large left wing:
8.) Leave a space for small picot loop,
With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of
9.) Tat a double knot,
the beads next to the completed small left wing. Place the other
10.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place
five into the ring thread. These five beads are now referred to
next to last double knot tatted,
as: Picot Beads.
11.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
12.) Tat a double knot,
1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot tatted of small left wing)
13.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
9 5,
Note: You will be pulling the ring thread down through the top of the picot
until a large enough loop is formed to permit the running thread to go
through. Pull loop taut and then tat the second hitch of the double knot to
complete the knot. This counts as the first knot of the next sequence of
knots.
2.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
3.) Leave a space for picot loop,
4.) Tat a double knot,
5.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
6.) Leave a space for picot loop,
7.) Tat a double knot,
8.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
9.) Leave a space for picot loop,
10.) Tat a double knot,
11.) Thread one bead onto string, push into place next to last
double knot tatted,
12.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
13.) Tat a double knot,
14.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place
next to last double knot tatted,
15.) Pull three picot beads into place
on picot,
16.) Tat a double knot,
17.) Thread one bead onto running
thread, push into place next to last
double knot tatted,
18.) Pull last picot bead into place on
picot,
19.) Tat a double knot,
19.) Thread one bead onto running
thread, push into place next to last
15
thread, push into place next to last double knot tatted,
6.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
7.) Tat a double knot,
8.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
9.) Pull three picot beads into place on picot,
10.) Tat a double knot,
11.) Thread one bead onto running
thread, push into place next to last
double knot tatted,
12.) Pull last picot bead into place on
picot,
13.) Tat a double knot,
14.) Thread one bead onto running
thread, push into place next to last
double knot tatted,
15.) Leave a space for picot loop,
16.) Tat 3 + (join to first picot tatted of
butt ring) 5. Close ring.
17.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to the base of last ring. Tie a square knot on the wrong side of
the work.
18.) Rethread the ends back through all the center beads of the
motif. One thread goes through all beads clockwise while the
second thread goes through all beads counterclockwise. Pull
these threads taut pulling the center beads together in a tight
ring. Cut excess thread. TA DA! You did it!!
Notes:
11
double knot tatted,
20.) Leave a space for picot loop,
21.) Tat a double knot,
22.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place
next to last double knot tatted,
23.) Leave a space for a picot loop,
24.) Tat 8 – 3. Close ring.
D: Butterfly’s head:
With needle threader thread three beads
onto thread. Push one of the beads next to
the completed large left wing. Place the other
two into the ring thread. These two beads are
now referred to as: Picot Beads.
1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot tatted
of large left wing) 1,
Note: You will be pulling the ring thread down
through the top of the picot until a large enough loop
is formed to permit the running thread to go through.
Pull loop taut and then tat the second hitch of the double knot to complete
the knot. This counts as the first knot of the next sequence of knots.
2.) Thread one bead into running thread, push next to last
double knot tatted,
3.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
4.) Thread one bead, one heart bead, one bead onto folded
ring thread (picot loop),
5.) Add earring wire to loop, pull tight,
6.) Pull last picot bead into place on picot,
7.) Tat 1 – 3. Close ring.
Notes:
E: Butterfly’s large right wing: 16.) Tat a double knot,
With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of 17.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
the beads next to the completed head ring. Place the other five to last double knot tatted,
into the ring thread. These five beads are now referred to as: 18.) Leave a space for picot loop,
Picot Beads. 19.) Tat a double knot,
20.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place
1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot next to last double knot tatted,
tatted of small left wing) 8, 21.) Leave a space for a picot loop,
Note: You will be pulling the ring thread 22.) Tat a double knot,
down through the top of the picot until a 23.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place
large enough loop is formed to permit the
running thread to go through. Pull loop taut
next to last double knot tatted,
and then tat the second hitch of the double 24.) Leave a space for picot loop,
knot to complete the knot. This counts as the 25.) Tat 5 – 3. Close ring.
first knot of the next sequence of knots.
2.) Thread one bead onto running F: Butterfly’s small right wing:
thread, push into place next to last With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of
double knot tatted, the beads next to the completed large right wing. Place the
3.) Leave a space for picot loop, other five into the ring. These five beads are now referred to as:
4.) Tat a double knot, Picot Beads.
5.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted, 1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot tatted of large right
6.) Leave a space for picot loop, wing) 5,
7.) Tat a double knot, Note: You will be pulling the ring thread
8.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next down through the top of the picot until a
to last double knot tatted, large enough loop is formed to permit the
running thread to go through. Pull loop taut
9.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
and then tat the second hitch of the double
10.) Tat a double knot, knot to complete the knot. This counts as the
11.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next first knot of the next sequence of knots.
to last double knot tatted, 2.) Thread one bead onto running
12.) Pull three picot beads into place on picot, thread, push into place next to last
13.) Tat a double knot, double knot tatted,
14.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place 3.) Leave a space for picot loop,
next to last double knot tatted, 4.) Tat a double knot,
15.) Pull last picot bead into place on picot,
13 5.) Thread one bead onto running