Edgings in Cluny Tatting Patterns

The Edgings in Cluny Tatting patterns were originally published in March 1934 in Needlecraft The Home Arts Magazine.

Cluny tatting is so named because it features the woven petals characteristic of the real Cluny lace. These are not difficult to make, although a little practice is needed in order to attain perfect results. At the beginning, for practice, make a tiny ring or knot between shuttle- and ball-thread, and holding this firmly between thumb and first finger of left hand, ball-thread outward, pass the latter around second and third fingers, or between thumb and first finger, then back to third - not passing over the second finger this time - winding it several times around third finger to hold it tightly, also around the fourth finger if necessary to make it tight enough, letting the ball hang. The first passing of the ball-thread around second and third fingers and back to the thumb and first finger gives two of the three foundation-threads of the petal - the 1st and 3d - the 2d or middle thread being given by passing to the third finger, as directed. Meanwhile the shuttle-thread is tightly held between the thumb and finger. Now with the shuttle make a single knot - half the double knot - on the outer thread, pass the shuttle-thread under the ball-thread near the knot and across the two inner threads, and you are ready to begin weaving. Pass the shuttle outward under one thread, over next, under next, then back over the same thread, under the next and over next; these two movements, forward and back or outward and inward, as you prefer, constitute what is called one "stitch" of the weaving, and twelve of these stitches are generally made for a petal, which is shaped by widening at beginning and narrowing or decreasing the last two or three stitches gradually to form the tip. This is done by pulling the weaving threads gently and so bring the foundation-threads nearer together. Unwind the ball-thread from third finger and gently draw it up to close petal. If the half double-knot made at beginning has been kept loose enough to slide on the ball-thread through the weaving, the closing of the petal will be smooth and easily accomplished. It is better to use a rather coarse, hard-twisted thread when learning; but having acquired the art of making the petals, adjusting the foundation-threads and keeping the weaving-stitches smooth, even and of right tension, no trouble will be experienced. And nothing is surer than that once you are able to give your ordinary tatting this distinctive touch, you will be surprised as well as delighted by the practically limitless number of combinations or arrangements possible, and which will readily occur to any interested "tatter." The designs illustrated offer some very charming examples of what may be done.

NO. 1. - Make 2 petals (of 14 stitches each); chain of 4 double knots, picot, 4 double knots, join to end of 1st petal; 3 double knots, picot, 3 double knots, join to picot of chain, 5 double knots, picot, 3 double knots, picot, 4 double knots, join to end of petal, (2 double knots, picot) 3 times, 2 double knots; 1 petal, join between 1st 2 petals; 1 petal; chain of 4 double knots, picot, 4 double knots, join to end of 3d petal, turn; chain of 5 double knots, picot, 5 double knots, join to picot of last chain made, (2 double knots, picot) 3 times, 2 double knots, join at end of chain or tip of 4th petal, 4 double knots, picot, 4 double knots, turn; 1 petal, join to center of daisy, making a group of 5 petals; chain of 5 double knots, picot, 5 double knots; a ring of 5 double knots, join to end of 5th petal, 3 double knots, picot, 3 double knots, close; chain of 5 double knots, picot, 5 double knots.

This completes one scallop, save for the heading, in crochet, which is added later. Repeat from beginning, making the 1st 2 petals with the chain between, then the chain of 3 double knots, join to picot of ring in preceding scallop, 3 double knots, join to picot of chain last made, 5 double knots, join to picot of chain in preceding scallop, and continue. Having made the desired length add the heading, as follows: Fasten in ring, ch 5, tr in picot of chain, ch 2, tr in picot of next chain, ch 5, d c in ring; repeat.

NO. 2.- Weave 2 petals (of 12 stitches); heading of twisted threads and double knots; 1 petal, join between 1st 2 petals; 1 petal, turn; chain of (4 double knots, picot) 3 times, 4 double knots, join to tip of 3d petal; heading; chain of 4 double knots, picot, 4 double knots, join to middle picot of opposite chain, 4 double knots, picot, 4 double knots, turn; 4 double knots, picot, 4 double knots, join to last picot of long chain, 4 double knots, picot, 4 double knots, join to picot opposite (1st picot of 1st long chain), 4 double knots, picot, 4 double knots, join to tip of 4th petal, turn; chain of 5 double knots, join to last picot made; 5 double knots, picot, 3 double knots, join to next picot (at center of scallop); 3 double knots, join to picot last made, 3 double knots, (picot, 2 double knots) twice, (picot, 3 double knots) twice, join to same picot (at center of scallop), thus forming a ring; chain of 3 double knots, join to last picot made (on ring), 5 double knots, join to next picot, 5 double knots, join at the turn following 2d long chain, and repeat, joining the 2d of the 1st 2 petals at beginning of 2d long chain, after the 2d space for heading.

Doubtless the method of making these headings of twisted threads, rarely used for anything else, is well known; they are of any length required - in this instance about one-half inch. Simply make a double knot at beginning and end and twist by passing the shuttle two, three or more times, according to length required, around 1st thread.

NO. 3. - Weave 1 petal (of 12 stitches); a ring of 5 double knots, picot, 5 double knots, close - all rings are made in the same way; * 1 petal; chain of 4 double knots, picot, 4 double knots, join to end of preceding petal, turn; chain of 5 double knots, join to picot last made, 5 double knots, join to end of petal; * chain of 4 double knots, picot, 4 double knots; 1 petal; a ring, joined to picot of 1st ring; repeat from 1st *, then from 1 st to 2d *. Then repeat from beginning to length desired.

Heading: A ring of 5 double knots, join to end of 1st petal, twisted threads with double knots, as described, about three-eighths inch in length, a ring between petal and 1st ring, space of twisted threads, a ring, joined to picot of ring, and continue, joining the rings, with heading space between, at regular intervals.

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