Tatted Friendship Bracelets

This is for Sarah and everyone else that wrote asking about making tatted friendship bracelets. I believe that Sarah is going to be using size 20 thread. So I would guess that 2 or 3 mm beads or pearls would look nice. You will also need a small button for the clasp.

This method of tatting is called Pearl Tatting, Sarah. It is easy but looks pretty and different. It is made all in chains, so beads are easy to add.
Thread about 20 beads onto the ball thread. Measure out about two yards of thread. Cut from the ball, make a big knot at each end so the beads can't fall off. Wind about a yard of thead onto your shuttle. The shuttle thread doesn't show. Divide the thread with the beads in half and side half the beads onto each side. Knot the shuttle thread in the center of the bead thread.

Ring: 10 ds, close ring and rev work.

Chain: 2 ds, drop this chain thread and reverse the work.
Pickup other chain thread 2ds.
* Drop this chain thread and reverse work.
Pickup other chain thread, push a bead up against the last ds you made with this chain thread, 2ds.
Rev Drop this chain thread and reverse work.
Pickup other chain thread, push a bead up against the last ds you made with this chain thread, 2 ds.
Rev work Repeat from * to ** until bracelet is long enough.
Don't add beads for the last two loops.
Tie off work and cut threads.
Sew on button and you are done. You can leave the ends as a tassel or glue down the ends or sew them into the last chains. I recently saw alphabet beads in the craft. I bet it would be fun to spell out your name. You could have your first name on one side and you last name on the other.