miniature conifer

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A tatted tree

Grace did such an admirable job of creating a pair of Christmas tree earrings in 3D, using the simplest of techniques and dressed up with beads! How could one resist – 3D combined with freeform was calling out to me. It seems like ages since I made something in 3D freeform – I’ve been domesticated ;-P

3D Christmas Tree

Earrings by Grace O B Tan 

free pattern here

A 2-shuttle pattern with rings thrown off a spiral (Josephine) chain. 

In size 20 thread it is 2 inches high (including the trunk)

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Au Naturel ! 

My first test tat was without beads. I deliberately went for a natural look, the intention being to wrap a string of beads later, like fairy lights. This has taken a backseat coz the tiny tree became fiddly to work with and gold thread was tangling up – need More Hands !!! But last night I had an idea to anchor the tree while I wrap it. Hope it works.

TIP : Tying/inserting a marker at end or start of each layer helps to keep track as the foliage becomes denser. See the 2 threads knotted on the in-progress foliage?

So much fun ! A simple string of mostly decreasing rings, tightly packed down on a spiral chain –that’s it! Brilliant.

TIP : Ensure the spiral chain stitches do not ‘unflip’ at any time, before working on a new ring, and after closing it too. The core thread of chain should continue to slide.

This may not be a problem for tight tatters, but for me the half stitches did tend to unflip at times.

Couldn’t find a bead that would work as a trunk (didn’t like the round wooden beads I had). Left paper clips in place of the trunk bead, to allow core thread to slide.

This called for a trunk call to tatting! The tatted 3D trunk was sewn on later (pattern at end).

DH can’t get over how Real this miniature looks - both the foliage alone, as well as complete tree and I am very happy with it, though there are a few slips (a definite advantage in freeform tatting!). It looks so cute, and tiny – merely 2” high !

I used Red Heart green (229) and brown (341) in size 20

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It is very quick to tat up sans beads & much more fun. But beads add sparkle, character, and cheerfulness !

Au Noel !

Got out my shuttles and beads and stuff; sat in the sunlit balcony, and strung beads. It went surprisingly smoothly - there’s nothing like natural light !!!

I did have to load my shuttle thrice (Pony shuttles are small), but fortunately I had strung around 200 beads on the ball thread, and took only about one-third for each bobbin load cutting the thread and leaving the rest of the beads on the ball thread.

TIP  : The lower half contains large rings. To keep track of the stitches, I listed the picot count for ring in that layer. Eg. Layer 1 rings have 10 picots; layer 2 rings have 13 picots, and so on. Helped me immensely.

I used Anchor green (0245) in size 20 for foliage here. Except for the gold beads, all are transparent seed beads; a star sequin graces the tip. Since the  beads are plastic, they do not add weight to the tree. However, if using as earrings, a light starching might help to keep the foliage in desired shape. I didn't make earrings; can be used as tree ornaments or how about tassels for a Christmasy gift!

IDEAS  : This pattern can be adapted to .....
... make 3D flowers in a jiffy ! Adjust ring count & size, and choose flowery colours, OR
make a twig with fir needles – long picots (snipped) on a spiral chain – how cool is that for a wreath ?!

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Meanwhile for those interested, here’s the pattern for the tatted trunk …..

I’ve been holding out on this pattern (a prototype peek here), wanting to add beads & colours to highlight the spiraling effect. May be soon, now.

Tatted 3D Tree Trunk 
pattern

2 shuttles CTM. Size 20 thread.

Ø       Each ring, layered/stacked above the previous ring, creating a 3D hollow cylinder.

Ø       First & last rings are normal rings ; all in-between rings are split rings.

Ø       Keep the picots normal to slightly long, depending on how much distance you want between the stacked rings.

Ø       Mock picot (MP) is used to climb out of each ring.

Ø       Switch shuttle (SS) after each ring.

Ø       A total of 6 to 7 rings is sufficient for the tree pattern above.

Ø       See pictorials on layered rings here  , and here .

R1 : 4 – 4 – 4 – 4 . MP

** SR2 : 2 – 2 + 2 – 2 + 2 – 2 + 2 / 2 . MP. SS **

Repeat  from ** to ** for desired length (or height) 

Last Ring : 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 . 

Use the tail ends to sew to the foliage. 
Tie ends and insert the tails through the hollow tube and snip. 

Many many thanks to Grace for sharing her delightful  pattern with us !

happy tatting always 
and happy holidays :-) 

Related Posts :

Layered or stacked Rings how-to method 1 ; method 2