Tatted Seahorse #2 © By Susan Cuss
This variation creates a seahorse with a smaller head and without eyes. However, this pattern does have more joins, and ‘cut-and-ties’. [Editor's note: did I hear a "gasp" after that cut and tie direction? Although we try to avoid C&T as much as possible, here it is used to great effect as a design tool.] R = ring OR = onion ring C = chain d = first half of double stitch j or + = join mp = medium picot sp = small picot s = second half of double stitch
| 1. Head and Backbone R 1 = 5 - 5 CL R OR = 13 - 1 + 7 - 7 (j to picot of R1) CL R C = 2d - [(2d,2s)x 7-] x9 - (2d, 2s) x3 + (j to last picot of chain.) This curls the tail end slightly. Curl tail upwards, and j to next picot working up the backbone
2. Backbone Texture
C = 2d x 14 + (j to next picot up the backbone) Repeat 2 more times C = d (sp 2d) x14 + (j to next picot) Repeat 2 more times C = d (mp 2d) x14 + (j to next picot) Repeat once more C = d (sp 2d) x14 + (j to next picot) Repeat once more. Knot and trim to match picot length or hide ends as usual.
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Photo 1 backbone texture in progress
| 3. Jaw and Nostrils
Join at the picot on the OR at the base of the head. C = 18 + (j to the bare picot on the OR) C = 39d. Cut and tie with either ends left short, or hide ends as preferred.
| 4. The Stomach option 1 Make a join in the second picot down the backbone from where the head and neck join. C = (2d,2s) x30 + (j along the backbone 3 picots further) This creates an open stomach. Cut and tie. Hide ends.
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Photo 2 Jaw and nostrils complete
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Photo 3 stomach completed
| 5. The Stomach option 2
This option will create the ‘ribs.’ C = [5x(2d,2s) -] x5, (2d,2s) x5 + (j along the backbone 3 picots further)
Switching to a sewing needle, sew the thread ends up into the backbone, out at the level of each of the stomach picots, joining to each, and back into the backbone for all 5 picots. Cut, tie, hide ends. Shape the seahorse as desired.
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