Suzann Does It All

And so are the patterns.

This butterfly is a simple four ring pattern. The rings are not joined, and the ends are knotted together to provide the antenna

In this second pattern, I have put 1 chain stitch between each ring. The rings are joined.

In this third pattern, I have added picots between the rings, giving an interesting center to the butterfly. If you use a smaller size thread for the picots, you can pack more picots in, giving it a fuller look.

After the last ring is joined to the first ring, fold the rings out of the way and make another picot. Knot the same color threads together.

Tie them tightly to push the picots toward the front of the butterfly. Bring the picot colored thread through. This is the tail.Bring the ring thread through the picot joining the larger rings together. Make a loop and pass the thread ends through. Place a knot in each thread and trim the extra thread off. This is the antenna.

In place of picots, you can thread some small beads onto the chain thread. Place a bead between each ring.

I make dozens of these butterflies, and I give them away when I do tatting demonstrations. I put a dab of post-it glue on the back so people can stick them onto their clothes. It is fun to see people walking around with your butterflies on.

Have fun, and share a butterfly!

Butterfly Patterns

Instructions legend

• R = ring
• P = picot
• J = join
• numbers = the number of double stitches

Butterfly # 1

1. Ring 1 *12 p, 1 p, 1 p, 1p, 12 close ring, do not reverse
2. Ring 2 *12 p, 1 p, 1 p, 1p, 12 close ring, do not reverse
3. Ring 3 *7, large picot, 7 close ring do not reverse
4. Ring 4 *7, large picot, 7 close ring, tie ends
5. together tightly put a knot in each thread trim off extra thread

Butterfly # 2

1. Wind shuttle but do not cut thread from ball.
2. R 2 p, 10 p, 2 p, 2 p, 2p, 10 p, 2 close ring and reverse
3. Chain 1 (pull up all chain stitches tightly) reverse
4. R 2 j, 10 p, 2 p, 2 p, 2p, 10 p, 2 cl ring (join to the last picot of last ring) reverse
5. Chain 1 reverse
6. R 2 j, 5 long picot, 5 p, 2 close ring and reverse
7. Chain 1 reverse
8. R 2 j, 5 long picot, 5 j (to first picot of first ring) 2, close ring and rev
9. fold rings out of the way and make one more chaind stitch.
10. Cut threads leaving about 12 inches of thread. Tie the thread ends tightly. Bring the thread ends through the joining picot between the large rings. Put a knot in each thread and trim.

Butterfly # 3

1. Wind shuttle and cut from ball. Tie on another color thread leaving about 12 inches before the knot.
2. R 2 p, 10 p, 2 p, 2 p, 2p, 10 p, 2, close ring reverse
3. Chain 2 picots, pull up tightly rev
4. R 2 j, 10 p, 2 p, 2 p,2p, 10 p, 2, close ring and reverse
5. Chain 2 picots pull up tightly and rev
6. R 2 j, 5 long picot, 5 p, 2 close ring and reverse
7. Chain 2 picots pull up tightly
8. R 2 j, 5 long picot, 5 j, 2 close ring (join to last picot of last ring and then to first picot of first ring)
   rev
9. fold rings out of the way and make 2 more picots
10. Tie the chain threads together tightly to push the picots to the front and bring the threads through the join between the small rings for butterfly’s tail.
11. Tie the ring threads together tightly and bring the threads through the join between the large rings.
12. Put a knot in each thread then thim off excess thread