Tatted Mask

My tatted mask is made with cotton thread, swarovski crystals and a few small pieces of wire. You will need an intermediate to advanced knowledge of needle or shuttle tatting to complete this project including split rings, josephine knots and adding beads to tatting.

This project uses size 10 crochet cotton thread, size 5 tatting needle(or shuttle), 45 3mm/4mm swarovski crystals, 1 piece of wire at 6.5cm and 2 pieces at 17.5cm, jewelry pliers, scissors, steel crochet hook (optional for joins)

If you need help learning tatting check out Bella Online or join the tatting group Intatters.

This mask as well as many of my other tatted creations can be found in my Etsy store. If you have any questions or problem, please let me know. This is my very first instructable so I'm certain it's a bit of a rough draft.

Happy tatting!

Step 1: Wire Eyes

Using your own eyes as a guide form an almond shape with the 17.5mm wire. Fold over at the corner and use the pliers to tighten down. You may cut off excess wire if desired, but it's not necessary as the wire will be covered by thread in the last step.

Comments

[Kasper2719]

GORGEOUS!!! I've decided to make this, along with a few other pieces and create a costume.... Hope it comes out!! Thanks for your AMAZING mask!!

[Mandy357]

Made it all the way to the last step, but I'm having some trouble covering up the wires. Are you making the Josephine knots on the needle as usual and just attaching to the wire as you go along? Nothing I have tried comes out looking decent enough to display on my face... Thanks for the instructable, by the way! It is the reason my sister and I started learning tatting.

[TotusMel]

No, you're actually making the knots on the wire itself. You use the needle to loop the thread around the wire in the same manner as a josephine knot as in around the wire and through the thread loop before pulling tight. I hope that makes sense.

[Mandy357]

It took a little bit, but I think I figured it out. It at least looks like the Josephine knot! Thanks for your help!

[butterfly789]

Incredible idea, it is amazing how could you make something that original at home. Thank you for giving me idea for the next Halloween!
Georgia Vacation

[MajikTime]

I made the same mistake as everyone else even after reading the whole pattern before starting. Instead of trashing the whole project (put to much work in to do that) I substituted a ch 6 starting from where I mistakenly joined to the first round, and then continuing on with 5 clovers.

[misssweetie2u]

i love the mask. any specific kind of faux rhinestones?

[TotusMel]

I use swarovski, but any bead will do.

[paqrat]

The mask is beautiful and very cool. Hopefully this won't come across as creepy but its very sexy. I think, however, it would even be better without the swarovski crystals. To me they are gilding the lily. Great work.

[TotusMel]

Thanks...I actually make it both ways for my etsy shop with and without crystals. I personally like the unembellished lace better too.

[AnimeEyes19]

so pretty!! :)

[NaturalCrafter]

Though I may be a bit late replying to the post, I love this and always wanted to try tatting.

[claws.33]

very confusing because this mask is not the same as the one in step 4. there, the side medallion is already attached where it says to attach first here...

[TotusMel]

Step four is the center medallion, not a side one.

[jvaujin]

Step 4 is all medallions. Starts at center medallion and goes to side then says to mirror prior steps which would include connecting the side picot of side medallion.

"6ds 1p 3ds 1p 3ds join to side picot of side medallion 6ds cl rw" "Continue around mirroring the top edge"

[jvaujin]

As much as I love your mask, your instructions are hard to follow. You seem to leave out certain key points which I have only been able to discover after referring to the photos and tearing out a good portion of my work.

The center ring (last one written out) should be connected to the ring before it as well should it not?

And it would be helpful to say "ch6 cl rw, r 3ds+3ds connect to medallion picot 3ds 1p 3ds cl rw" so we have a perspective as to where we are suppose to be.

(it would have been nice to have the "+" explained earlier as well seeing how many people had issues with that step)

[chaitanyak]

wow! and i thought your sandals instructable was sexy!... this is brilliant!
have followed here and on twitter

[Tanya Snively]

A intricate and lovely piece. Thank you for posting!
~Tanya

[WhyHello]

wish i could fav this =( already working on leads of instructables

[ThamarBerber]

One more question: Are the mask and necklace one piece?
Because I also would like to make the necklace as well.
The mask & necklace are so pretty together!
So if it's apart from the mask; please, make an Instructable for the necklace as well!

[desmondtheredx]

OMG you are so sexy bet u would look even more pretty without the mask, I would have flirted with you if I knew you

[cyberdork]

Inconceivably gorgeous and sexy. It would make my brain melt If I ever saw a woman wearing that somewhere around me.

[lunius]

And she doesn't look half bad in it either, I have to say.

Love the mask idea, and I'm definitely learning to tat now. I already make some papier mache venetian style masks, and those make good money, but now I will start making these and just adding more flair to my selection!

[ThamarBerber]

I saw your picture with the mask, and I think it's awesome!
Tomorrow I will buy the necessities, to try and make something for myself first.
I might have found a new hobby.

[marylee512]

On etsy there is a woman with areally cool arm tattoo. What does it say, and is there a pic of the whole thing?

[Keira_Yagami]

Thanks for the Instructable! I saw your Etsy store a few weeks back while looking for Masks for our Masquerade Prom coming up in a few months. I really loved the mask, but a little expensive for my tastes, looks like Ill be making my own now, Thanks!

[LizzieR716]

i am very very lost... im not new to tatting and i know how to make split rings but i just cant figure out how the three rings work onto the top of the clover.

Outside: ring(r) 8ds join to center picot(+) 8ds close(cl) reverse work(rw), r 4ds 1p 3ds 1p 1ds cl do not reverse(dnr), r 1ds+3ds 1p 3ds 1p 1ds, Split ring(sr) 1ds+3ds/4ds cl rw

i get to here and then get stuck: r 1ds+3ds 1p 3ds 1p 1ds, Split ring(sr) 1ds+3ds/4ds cl rw

am i supposed to close the ring before starting the split ring?

[Philomela Sidhe]

I did the same mistake... In the first picture for step 5 it looks like the side medallion is connected, and the description sounds like that. only by a second veeeery close look (of course after i did the mistake *sigh*) i saw that it isn't ...
but it works with the mistake too ...

[aly572ymail.com]

Hey Michele;
Thank You so much .
I'll keep it in mind.
As always; great idea.
Love Always Alejita.

[DrCoolSanta]

I don't have to say that the mask looks pretty hot... And the first pic, totally sexy :D

[WingDings]

Agreed! :)

[nebulous1]

Just wanted to let you know that I think you're madly talented!!! Your designs lead one to believe that you are certainly a romantic, and perhaps even tragic soul. Roses that don't die and spidery black wrought iron designs in funeral lace. This purple prose is not nearly as rich as the art which inspired it, but the most suitable compliment I could think of in response to the beauty I've beheld in your creations. Your designs are truly...immortally beautiful.

[383417477]

wow~so beutiful~i like it~@,~

[chiapetrescue]

This is awesome. I tat, and I'm always looking for new ideas. I never thought of making a mask! Great work, you have inspired me to get more creative with my tatting projects.

[Tarantulady]

This is just awesome and a real creative twist on an age-old method. A really elegant look, too. And you wear it so nicely! Great job. Nice dye job on the hair too.

[1aminstructable]

I am impressed. My grandmother used to tat doilies and hand towels and the things expected (then) to be added to your home. Every now and again I buy a shuttle and an instruction book, but I never get started. Incorporating the crystal and wire may get me going as I am into jewelry making. Kudos to you for being part of keeping a very cool skill alive.

[ShadowJesus]

amazing:]

[RavenShadow519]

This is absolutely beautiful, it sparked emotion in me! well done!

[tonyaomps]

Very awesome! I think this mask is amazing!

[glassy_lassy]

This is the stuff of fantasy!  You are incredibly talented, thank you for sharing this!