Tatted Square Border Bracelet

I have been thinking of messing around with split rings and this is what came of it. I also have been looking at different pieces of jewelry and seeing if I could recreate it with tatting. I think it may not be the same, but it spurred an interesting recreation.

I have plans for a necklace version and earrings to match, because, really, you want a whole set, don't you?

Supplies

Tatting thread size 10
Tatting Needle size 5
Other needle or pointy object to help with connecting picots (I use a cross stitch needle)
Clasp of choice
Jump Rings (optional, depending on clasp and how you attach it)
Scissors

Starting Your Chain

Here is where you start and where you need to know how to do a split ring. I actually did a semi-split ring for three reasons.
1. I just wanted to try it out.
2. I wanted the pattern to be repetitive.
3. Semi-Split rings use less of the tail meaning you don't have to start with as long of a tail in the beginning, which gets tangled easily.

Split Ring: (If you don't know how to do a split ring, it is basically, unthreading your needle and using your tail to do double stitches on the other side of your tatting like in picture 5. It helps you start a ring in one place, but end up in another.)

Besides using a different clasp, I also attached the clasp to the piece differently.

I didn't want to have to connect the clasp to the piece with jump rings so I threaded the clasp on the thread before I started. Because of this, I could treat the loops on the clasp like beads on a picot. I just went up through each hole on each clasp (they each had 3). I will explain how to work with them when you get to that part. You will need to slide this down to the ball and will have to keep moving it as you go. I found out this makes the thread like to twist, it was annoying but possible to deal with.

I started with a tail of 43 inches and it was too short and a pain for me to restart the way I wanted to. Then I added 70 inches and that was too long. I think if you start with around 70 inches give or take, depending on the length, you will be set. It is better to have a bit extra than to be just short.

Start with a ring. 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 cl. k.

Next ring will be 4 connect to picot 4 - 4/4 cl. k.

So you will do 4 - 4 - 4 on one side and just 4 on the other.

Continue to the length you desire. I would suggest measuring it to your wrist as you go and you can have at least 1 inch space between the ends because you will still have the tatted ends and clasps that will add length.

Tatting the Border

To tat the border just go from wherever you leave off, and tat 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 and then connect to the next juncture between two of the rings. Then continue doing this all the way around the string of rings you created.

For the ends you can do this or you can do 3 - 2 - 2 - 3.

Optional: With Strung on Clasp.

To attach the clasp when it is already strung on, do the following.

You will be at the end of the bracelet and tat 3 (I tried 2 and 4 here and they were too small and too long respectively, so 3 should be just right)
Pull the string from between the first and second loops.
Tat 2 using the thread you pulled out so that the first loop is attached like a picot.
Continue for each loop on the claps with 2 double stitches between each and 3 on the ends.

Now, continue on with the border.

Finish It

If you have the clasp attached, just continue on and close when you reach where you started, and you are done.

If you didn't, just finish with the border all the way around, close, knot, hide ends, trim, then attach clasp with a jump ring to one end. You can put a jump ring on the other end for something to connect to or connect your clasp to the other end.

Mine ended up with 17 squares, but because of the clasp it was a little too loose. Also, take into consideration that the tatting will have a bit of stretch to it.

Done. Hope you enjoyed!