Free “Tree of Blessings” Tatting Pattern

The Tree of Blessings, designed by Lillian Tatlace, is a beautifully intricate free tatting pattern that captures the elegant, lacy quality tatting is so beloved for, while offering a wonderfully versatile finished design. Named for its connection to the Christmas season, this pattern was thoughtfully designed to double as a delicate ornament, but its true charm lies in its adaptability well beyond the holidays. As shown in the sample images, the same pattern worked in soft gray and pink threads creates an elegant, almost floral-inspired piece perfect as a bookmark or pendant, while the golden yellow version leans beautifully into a warm, tree-like silhouette fitting for festive holiday décor. This dual nature, equally at home as a Christmas ornament or a year-round decorative accessory, makes the Tree of Blessings a pattern worth adding to any tatter’s collection.

The design itself features a graceful, elongated silhouette built from a series of interconnected rings and chains that taper gently from a wider base to a delicate, pointed top, evoking the natural shape of a tree or an ornate teardrop pendant, depending on how you choose to interpret it. The open, lacy structure showcases beautiful negative space throughout the piece, allowing the intricate linking of rings to really shine, while small connecting elements between the larger motifs add extra texture and visual interest without overwhelming the overall design. Both color variations shown highlight just how dramatically the finished look can shift depending on your thread choice, proving that this single pattern can serve as either a festive holiday accent or an elegant, everyday accessory.

While this motif is not considered overly difficult, it does require some specific tatting techniques that go beyond the most basic stitches, making it a great project for tatters who have already built up a foundational skill set and are ready to expand their technique repertoire. Specifically, this pattern calls for the ability to work onion rings, a technique that creates the layered, dimensional ring effect visible throughout the design, as well as CWJ (Catherine wheel join), a specific joining method that helps create the smooth, continuous flow between elements in the piece. Additionally, tatters will need to be comfortable with SCMR (self-closing mock ring), a technique often used to create seamless transitions within a piece without the need for a separate shuttle or thread break. Together, these techniques combine to create the polished, professional look of the finished Tree of Blessings design.

Beyond its most obvious use as a Christmas tree ornament, this pattern truly shines in its versatility. As the designer herself notes, working this same motif in non-holiday colors instantly transforms it into a beautiful lacy pendant or a striking pair of earrings, perfect for those who love wearing handmade tatted jewelry year-round. It would also make a stunning bookmark, as demonstrated in the sample images, with the long, twisted cord extending from the top of the motif serving as a natural placeholder for keeping your spot in a favorite book. Beyond these ideas, this design could easily be incorporated into gift tags, ornament sets for a handmade holiday craft fair, delicate hair accessories, or even framed as a small piece of fiber art. The possibilities truly are as varied as the colors you choose to work it in.

We’re delighted to share this free pattern by designer Lillian Tatlace, and we hope it inspires you to create your own version, whether as a treasured Christmas ornament, an elegant piece of jewelry, or a practical and pretty bookmark for your favorite reads. With its lovely blend of technical skill-building and creative flexibility, the Tree of Blessings is a pattern that will likely find its way into multiple projects throughout the year, long after the holiday season has passed. Happy tatting!