This column offers a collection of patterns, charts, and instructions that have been gleaned from vintage magazines and books that are no longer generally available. The patterns and instructions for these small needlework articles are worded exactly as they appeared in the original publication. Use them as they are or adapt them to other techniques—but do have fun with them!
Use any number of crochet-cotton, from 50 to 70. For upper petals, white, make an elongated ring of (5 double knots, 1 picot) 9 times, 5 double knots, close. Leave about one eighth inch of thread and make another elongated ring of 5 double knots, fasten in last picot of 1st ring, (5 double knots, 1 picot) 5 times, 5 double knots, close. Leave one eighth inch of thread and make an elongated ring of 5 double knots, fasten in last picot of ring just made, 5 double knots, fasten in next to last picot, (5 double knots, 1 picot) 4 times, 5 double knots, close. Leave one eighth inch of thread and make another large ring, elongated, of 5 double knots, fasten in last picot of ring just made, (5 double knots, 1 picot) 8 times, 5 double knots, close. Leave about 2 inches of thread and cut.
For lower petals: Wind bobbin with pink and fasten to loose thread of first white petal made, tie securely and cut ends. Make an elongated ring of (5 double knots, 1 picot) 7 times, 5 double knots, close. Fasten thread through between two center white rings under one eighth inch of thread between rings as you would through a picot. Then make another elongated ring of 5 double knots, fasten in last picot of ring just made, 5 double knots, fasten in next to last picot, (5 double knots, 1 picot) 5 times, 5 double knots, close.
Tie pink ball-thread securely to loose thread of white ring last made and cut ends. Make a chain of 5 double knots, fasten in 1st picot of large white ring, 5 double knots, fasten in second picot, (5 double knots, 1 picot) 3 times, 5 double knots, fasten through middle picot of pink ring, 4 double knots, 1 long picot, (1 double knot, 1 long picot) twice, 4 double knots, fasten through center picot of other pink ring, (5 double knots, 1 picot) 3 times, 5 double knots, fasten in next to last picot of large white ring, 5 double knots, fasten in last picot of ring, 5 double knots. Tie threads securely between 2 white rings and cut.
The engraving for the tatted Edging from the November 1925 issue of Needlecraft Magazine.
For the upper part of calyx: Fasten double thread, white, to first loose picot in center of one of inside white rings, and make a chain of (5 double knots, 1 picot) twice, 5 double knots. Then a small ring of (5 double knots, 1 picot) 3 times, 5 double knots, close. A chain of (5 double knots, 1 picot) twice, 5 double knots. Fasten threads through 1st loose picot toward center of other small elongated white ring and cut threads.
For the stems and leaves to center flower: Fasten double thread, white, through middle picot of ring in calyx of flower and make a chain of 10 double knots, 1 picot, 10 double knots. An elongated ring of (5 double knots, 1 picot) 5 times, 5 double knots, fasten to 7th picot of large petal of flower, (5 double knots, 1 picot) 5 times, 5 double knots, close. Repeat for other side.
For stems and leaves to lower flower: Fasten double thread, white, through center picot of ring in calyx of flower and make a chain of 10 double knots, 1 picot, 10 double knots. An elongated ring of (5 double knots, 1 picot) 11 times, 5 double knots, close. A chain of 10 double knots, fasten in center picot of pink petal of center flower, 10 double knots. Another leaf. A third chain fastening to center picot of large white petal for center flower. A third leaf. Tie and cut threads. When upper row is made, fasten long pink picot at bottom of flower to 3d from last picot of last leaf, with needle and thread or while making.
For the top row: Fasten double thread, white, through picot in ring at top of flower. Make a chain of 8 double knots, 1 picot, (2 double knots, 1 picot) twice, 8 double knots. *A leaf (elongated ring) of (5 double knots, 1 picot) 11 times, 5 double knots, close. A chain of 8 double knots, 1 picot (2 double knots, 1 picot) twice, 8 double knots. Another leaf, fastening center picot to chain of 2d row. Another chain. Another ring, fastening center picot to picot of other chain. Another chain. Another ring. Another chain, fasten to another flower. Another chain. Repeat from *.
—From the November 1925 issue of Needlecraft Magazine
This project was published in the May/June 2013 issue of PieceWork.