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.

Step 2: Center Medallion

Center: 8 picots(p) separated(sep) by 2 double stitches(ds), tie, cut and hide ends.
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

Continue in this way around the center ring joining the top picots of the 2nd and 4th clovers to the eye wires. Join the 8th clover to the first by the side picots.

Refer the picture for joins.

Step 3: Side Medallions

Make 2

First load 6 beads onto the thread for each medallion using a beading needle. Make the medallion in the same manner as the center medallion except there are only 6 clovers around leaving 2 free picots on the center ring. Add beads to the top picot of each clover as you tat.

Set these aside and they will be joined during the next step.

Step 4: 1st Round

Starting at the top right of the center medallion:
r 3ds join to top picot of clover 3ds join to wire 3ds 1p 3ds cl rw, chain(ch) 6ds 1p 3ds 1p 3ds 1p 6ds cl rw, 3ds+3ds+3ds 1p 3ds cl rw, ch 6ds 1p 3ds 1p 3ds 1p 6ds cl rw, r 3ds+3ds+3ds 1p 3ds cl rw, ch6 cl rw, r 3ds+3ds+3ds 1p 3ds cl rw, 6ds 1p 3ds 1p 3ds join to side picot of side medallion 6ds cl rw, r 3ds 1p 3ds+3ds+3ds cl rw, ch6 cl dnr, r 4ds join to 1st free picot of the center ring of the side medallion 2ds join to next picot 4ds cl dnr, ch6

Continue around mirroring the top edge, after last ring: ch6 cl rw, r 3ds+3ds+3ds 1p 3ds cl rw, ch 5ds 1p 3ds 1p 3ds 1p 5ds, r 3ds 1p 3ds 1p 3ds 1p 3ds cl rw, ch 5ds 1p 3ds 1p 3ds 1p 5ds cl rw, r 3ds 1p 3ds+3ds 1p 3ds cl rw

Continue around the other eye in the same manner referring to the pictures for the joins.

Step 5: 2nd Round Top

First load 21 beads onto the thread, refer to photo for location to add them.

Begin at the left side of mask: 3ds 1p 3ds join to first empty chain(see photo) 3ds 1p 3ds cl rw, ch 5ds+3ds 1p 3ds+6ds cl rw, r 3ds+3ds 1p 3ds cl rw, ch 6ds1p 3ds 1p 3ds 1p 6ds cl rw, r 3ds+3ds+3ds 1p 3ds cl rw, ch 6ds cl rw, r 3ds 1p 3ds+3ds 1p 3ds cl rw, ch 6ds 1p 3ds 1p 3ds 1p 6ds cl rw, 3ds+3ds+3ds+3ds cl rw, ch 6ds cl rw, 3ds 1p 3ds join in between clovers 3ds 1p 3ds cl rw, ch 6ds 1p 3ds 1p 3ds 1p 6ds cl rw, r 3ds 1p 3ds join to top clover 3ds 1p 3ds cl rw, r 4ds 1p 4ds cl rw

Continue the second side as a mirror to the first.

Step 6: 2nd Row Bottom

First load 12 beads onto the thread for the bottom edge.

Make a chain of 6 clovers the same as the ones on the medallions across each side of the bottom attaching where shown in the photos and adding beads to the top picot.

Step 7: Floating Rings

You will need to make two rings to finish the nose portion. The rings are 4 picots sep by 3ds attach by side picots as shown.

Step 8: Nose Wire

Take the small piece of wire and weave into the back of the mask as shown. Fold over and attach to the eye wires. Make sure to stretch the lace a bit before attaching to give enough space to bend the wire over your nose.

Step 9: Finishing

This is perhaps the most time consuming step of the mask. Cut a long piece of thread and using the tatting needle, knot the thread over the wire repeatedly as a Josephine knot or first part of the double stitch. Use the needle to go through the edge of the rings where it looks appropriate.

You will need to go around both eyes as well as wrap the nose wire to hide as much of the metal as possible.

You will need to iron the mask with steam taking care to lay all the rings and chains down well. You may use a fabric stiffener to help the mask stand up. Use a long ribbon to thread through the side medallions to wear the mask. Your may want to try the ribbon in several places to find your perfect fit and press the wire to your face to shape it.

The laws of Copyright Protection permit this tutorial to be used for personal use only. Reselling for profit is prohibited.

Comments

[LFD2]

nice one

[TotusMel]

Honestly, I'm confused by your question. I don't know what you mean by 'change'. I assume you're asking about step 5. The first chain of that section is joined to both the chain from the first round and the clover as it the last chain of the round as shown in the photos. It is symetrical and that is why I simply said to mirror the instructions.

[TotusMel]

I have done basic tutorial videos, but I have no plans to do so for something this complex, sorry. Yes, mirroring is just doing the exact opposite of what you've just done, all the counts and joins are the same and the pictures should clear up any confusion.

[CarolO13]

On the first round, the 2nd ring comes out bigger than the first, but it looks the same size in the picture. Am I making an error?

[TotusMel]

Yes, the rings should be the same size in the first round. They are both 3-3-3-3, so it's likely that either you've miscounted or simply tatted one of them tighter than the other.

[CarolO13]

What type fabric stiffener do you suggest? So many choices.

[TotusMel]

I use Beacon Stiffen Stuff, but there are plenty of good brands. Just make sure whatever you pick doesn't discolor your thread.

[CarolO13]

What gage wire is used?

[TotusMel]

I used 20 craft wire, but the using that exact size isn't vital.

[jsadams03]

I love this pattern! I made mine a while back with red thread and pearls.

[da2]

I just gotta say, I didn't even know what tatting was until I stumbled upon this mask ( I'm a seasoned crocheter and was looking for lace mask ideas), and boy am I in love! Your work is amazing, and because of your excellent tutorials, I've ordered myself a set of needles and they can't come fast enough! Right now, I'm hobbling along, practicing with yarn needles, and I'm poking my finger every other stitch, but I love the look of tatting verse crocheted lace! Thank you for unknowingly bringing this beautiful skill into my life!

[lknettleton]

WOW! This is beautiful! I'm just learning how to tat and didn't think I would be interested in much more than snowflakes and the occasional piece of jewelery but this just changed my mind. Fantastic and thanks SO much for sharing!!

[sikopasha]

Simple beauty.... LOve it. many thanks for sharing.
I'm follwing from now and on :)

[clazman]

Beautiful, gorgeous, artistic, and you are gorgeous too!

My crude mind is thinking of other body cover-ups!

I gotta stop here!

[TotusMel]

You're very welcome and thanks for sticking with it to make the mask!

[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