TATtle TALES

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

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!!

For Oliver

Special Thanks to Nancy Corns and Sue Hodge.

1990,1991, 1993, 2000, 2002 Teri Dusenbury

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,

19.) Tat a double knot,
20.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place
next to last double knot tatted,
21.) Leave a space for a picot loop,
22.) Tat a double knot,
23.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place
next to last double knot tatted,
24.) Leave a space for picot loop,
25.) Tat 5 3. Close ring.

Oh Happy Day! With the help of this instruction booklet you

can now make your own beaded butterfly earrings. All you
need is: thread, beads, a needle threader, ear wires, scissors and a
wee bit of patience .

F: Butterflys small right wing:

With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of
the beads next to the completed large right wing. Place the
other five into the ring. These five beads are now referred to as:
Picot Beads.
1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot tatted of large right
wing) 5, Note: You will be pulling the ring thread down through the top

These motifs were designed using modern tatting techniques.

Modern tatting merely means there are precise manipulations
of the thread used throughout the pattern so that the bars of
all the knots appear on the front of the lace motifs. The joining
of picots might be slightly different then what you might be
familiar with doing.

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.

If you were looking for a tatting project to tat while at the

doctors office, these are not the ones. If you got to make
dinner in ten minutes, or the baby is crying in the background,
or you think the world is crashing in on you (egad!) then just
wait till youre having a quieter moment and try tatting these
projects then. These earrings take patience and your undivided
attention.

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.) 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,

It is a good idea to read all the directions prior to tatting these

earring designs. Please note that the pattern script is meant to
be used in conjunction with the schematics, rather than one or
the other. Good light, a quiet span of time and you have the
key ingredients needed to complete these projects.

Dont expect your first earring to be perfect. Consider it to be

your first try. That way if the first try comes out less than what
you expected you wont be discourage. I had various drafts
before coming up with these combinations of knots and beads
and Ive tatted this pattern many, many times. As much as I
would like the myth to continue, I am pretty much just like
you. Rarely, do any of my designs fall from my hands perfectly
the first try.

I always start a project by tatting just a plain ring so that I can

get familiar with the thread and get my tension and gauge in
check. Otherwise, the knots are inconsistent and are usually
way too loose compared to the following rings. Try tatting a
practice ring or two prior to starting these projects.

into the ring thread. These five beads are now referred to as:
Picot Beads.
1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot tatted of small left wing)
8, 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.

The hardest concept associated with these patterns is that they

are tatted without the use of a shuttle. If you are not familiar
with finger tatting than I strongly urge you to practice first.
Tatting Butterflies is an excellent primer for modern tatting
techniques. Use the directions for the reverse Riego method of
shuttle manipulation to learn how to finger tat. Remember
that you can master the thread and that tatting without the use
of an implement is very enlightening. The thread can go where
most shuttles cant, plus, you wont be spending the majority
of your time chasing beads on the shuttle.
Heres my standard line on shuttles. Tatting is not about the
shuttle; the shuttle is merely an implement used to wrap the
excess thread upon.
Tatting is about the double knot and the various variations of
that knot that make up a design. Tatting is clearly defined by
the transference of the hitches that comprise the main double
knot. If the hitches dont transfer then it cant be defined as
tatting.
The best thread for these earrings is Coats & Clarks Dual Duty
Plus (DDP) Buttons, Carpets & Crafts Thread ART 220.
Anything else is not going to yield the same results. This is
the thread to use.
Sweaty hands are a problem! If you sweat on the thread then it
starts acting all weird and the rings wont close. Try to keep

21

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.) Pull one picot bead 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 three picot beads 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 last picot bead 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,

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.

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 wont 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 wont
close. Heating up the thread, for some reason, allows it to
move through the finished knots.

D: Butterflys 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.

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 wont push through these tiny loops but
a needle threader has no problems. Try it!

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.

Last but not least, BEADS!! I love machine cut beads. Toho
Antique 11/0 machine cut beads in metallic colors cant be

beat for sparkle. They are sparklicious!! There are two drawbacks
to Toho Antiques: they arent 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.

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: Butterflys 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

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.

Theres a new bead on the block called Magnifica by Mill Hill

and theyre touted as the perfect bead and the price reflects
that. You could use these beads too!

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.

You should not go any larger than 11/0 for the main bead. You
can go as small as 14/0; however, you might have to be more
selective with the beads because the thread must be able to go
through the beads at least twice and in some instances as much
as three times. Start with 11/0 until you are familiar with the
pattern and have successfully tatted two or more pairs of
earrings.
Once again it is a good idea to read all the directions prior to
tatting these earring designs. If you are not familiar with finger
tatting try tatting a motif without beads to acquaint yourself
with the hand maneuvers. Please note that the pattern script is
meant to be used in conjunction with the schematics, rather
than one or the other. Good light, a quiet span of time and
you have the key ingredients needed to complete these
projects.
If you have any questions or need some part of the directions
clarified dont hesitate to email me at tatbit@aol.com
Teri Dusenbury

19

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

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.) 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 5 3. Close ring.

Lesson One

Key
Black bead = picot bead
Clear bead = add on beads (ring beads)
- (dash) = link picot
+ (plus) = join picot
. (period) = close ring

Materials: 69 Delica beads 11/0, Dual Duty Plus, ear wires,

needle threader, scissors, 2 - 6 mm semi-precious heart beads.
1.) Pull approximately one arms length of thread off of spool
(60) cut. Visually mark thread ends as 1 and 2.
2.) With needle threader thread five beads onto ring thread
prior to tatting first knot. These beads are now referred to as:
Picot Beads (black beads in diagram).

C: Butterflys large left wing:

With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of
the beads next to the completed small left wing. Place the other
five into the ring thread. These five beads are now referred to
as: Picot Beads.
1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot tatted of small left wing)
5,

A: Butterflys Butt:
3.) Tat a ring of 5 5,
4.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
5.) Leave a space for small picot
loop,
6.) Tat a double knot,
7.) Thread one bead onto running
thread, push into place next to last
double knot tatted,
8.) Leave a space for small picot
loop,
9.) Tat a double knot,
10.) Thread one bead onto running
thread, push into place next to last
double knot tatted,

11.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,

12.) Tat a double knot,
13.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
14.) Pull three picot beads into place on picot,
15.) Tat a double knot,
16.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
17.) Pull last picot bead into place on picot,
18.) Tat a double knot,
19.) Thread one bead onto
running thread, push into place
next to last double knot tatted,
20.) Leave a space for small 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 small picot
loop,
24.) Tat 5 5. Close ring

to last double knot tatted,

14.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
15.) Thread one bead onto folded ring thread (picot loop),
16.) Add earring wire to loop, pull tight,
17.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
18.) Tat a double knot,
19.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
20.) Pull last picot bead into place
on picot
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 small picot
loop,
24.) Tat a double knot,
25.) Thread one bead unto running
thread, push into place next to last
double knot tatted,
26.) Leave a space for small picot
loop,
27.) Tat 5 5. Close ring

B: Butterflys small left wing:

With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of
the beads next to the completed butt ring. Place the other five
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,

B: Butterflys small left wing:

With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of
the beads next to the completed butt ring. Place the other five
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,

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

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

17

knots.

Lesson Two

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.) 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 5 3. Close ring.

Key
Black bead = picot bead
Clear bead = add on beads (ring beads)
- (dash) = link picot
+ (plus) = join picot
. (period) = close ring

Materials: 69 Delica beads 11/0, Dual Duty Plus, ear wires,

needle threader, scissors, 2 - 6 mm semi-precious heart beads.
1.) Pull approximately one arms length of thread off of spool
(60) cut. Visually mark thread ends as 1 and 2.
2.) With needle threader thread four beads onto ring thread
prior to tatting first knot. These beads are now referred to as:
Picot Beads (black beads in diagram).
A: Butterflys Butt:
3.) Tat a ring of 5 5,
4.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
5.) Leave a space for small picot loop,
6.) Tat a double knot,
7.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
8.) Leave a space for small picot loop,
9.) Tat a double knot,
10.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place
next to last double knot tatted,
11.) Pull one picot bead into place on picot,
12.) Tat a double knot,
13.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next

C: Butterflys large left wing:

With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of
the beads next to the completed small left wing. Place the other
five into the ring thread. These five beads are now referred to
as: Picot Beads.

1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot tatted of small left 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 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:

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: Butterflys 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:

11

E: Butterflys 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
into the ring thread. These five beads are now referred to as:
Picot Beads.

16.) Tat a double knot,

17.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place next
to last double knot tatted,
18.) Leave a space for picot loop,
19.) Tat a double knot,
20.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place
next to last double knot tatted,
21.) Leave a space for a picot loop,
22.) Tat a double knot,
23.) Thread one bead onto running thread, push into place
next to last double knot tatted,
24.) Leave a space for picot loop,
25.) Tat 5 3. Close ring.

1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot

tatted of small left wing) 8,
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.) Pull one picot bead 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 three picot beads 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 last picot bead into place on picot,

F: Butterflys small right wing:

With needle threader thread six beads onto thread. Push one of
the beads next to the completed large right wing. Place the
other five into the ring. These five beads are now referred to as:
Picot Beads.
1.) Tat a ring of 3 + (join to last picot tatted of large right
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 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.

13

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