This purse is worked in tatting with grey silk and beads. The beads are threaded on a piece of silk, with which you work over another piece of the same fabric. Clearly this is a vintage design, so it is suitable for those who love old world charm and elegance.

Steps

  1. Begin each of the second halves of the purse with the circle in the centre. This consists of 1 purled stitch, 1 purl, (all the purl of this circle are three-tenths of an inch long. They are covered with six beads, which must be drawn up close together before working the purl), 12 double divided by 1 purl.
  2. Join the stitches into a circle. Do this by knotting together the two ends of the silk.
  3. Commence the second round. Begin again and work one of the small circles - 2 double, draw up one bead after each, 1 double, 1 short purl without beads, 2 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double.
  4. Fasten the silk on the purl of the middle circle. Do this so that it comes between the third and fourth bead of the 6 beads on that purl; 2 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double, 1 short purl, 2 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double.
  5. Join the stitches into a circle. Draw up 2 beads and work a larger circle without fastening the silk belonging to the smaller one. Tat 3 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double, 1 purl with 4 beads, 3 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double; 1 short purl, 3 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double, 1 purl with 4 beads, 3 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double.
  6. Draw up 2 beads close to this large circle and repeat. Each following small circle must be fastened on the next purl of the circle which forms the centre; they are also fastened on to each other, instead of working the first purl, by fastening the piece of silk over which you work on the preceding small circle. In the larger circles, instead of working the first purl with 4 beads, the piece of silk must be fastened on the last purl of the preceding circle, so that it comes between the second and third beads.
  7. Knot together. At the end of the round, the ends of the silk are knotted together and fastened off.
  8. Commence the third round. 3 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double, 1 short purl, 3 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double fastened on the middle purl of the 1st circle of the preceding round, 3 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double, 1 purl with 2 beads, 3 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double.
  9. Join the stitches into a circle. Work at a short distance a second circle; 3 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double, fastened on the last purl of the just-finished circle of this round, 3 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double fastened on the purl of the preceding round which is between 2 circles. The loop must come between the 2 beads. Continue with 3 double, 1 bead after each; 1 double, 1 purl with 2 beads; 3 double, with 1 bead after each; 1 double.
  10. Leave a small interval. Repeat 11 times more and then fasten the ends.
  11. Line the bag. When two similar parts have been worked, line them with scarlet glacé silk. Fasten them together round the outside, and sew on the clasp.
  12. Place a round of large circle around the edges the purse on the outside. The first of these circles consists of 12 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double, 1 purl with 2 beads, 4 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double.
  13. Work a second circle at a short distance from the 1st. 4 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double fastened on the purl of the 1st circle of this round; 7 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double, 1 purl with 2 beads, 4 double, 1 bead after each, 1 double.
  14. Leave a short interval. Repeat until a sufficient number of circles have been made. The last purl is not worked in the last circle.

Tips

  • This is a nineteenth century pattern. While many tatting enthusiasts love to recreate the past, do not feel hemmed in by the suggested materials; feel free to update to more modern versions guided by your own skills and experience.

Warnings

  • This is for advance tatting and beading expertise only. Do not attempt this unless you are advanced and experienced or you will experience considerable frustration.

Things You'll Need

  • Silk fabric cut into a round shape for the bag; original source of article suggests "grey purse-silk"; check with your local fabric supplier
  • Tatting thread
  • Steel beads
  • Scarlet glacé silk
  • Steel clasp with chain (or alternative handle of choice)