Über beginner's question...

[Librarian]

* Posted by Randiriel Blairre on December 19, 2008

Okay, so I made a ring using one shuttle, and a really long tail, so I don't have to mess with flipping (which, thanks to macramé, I do know how to do). Chained a few stitches, then started on the next ring. Joined the second to the first just fine. But when I went to close up the ring, it curled the ring, but then stopped, leaving a long, ugly loop of thread. Did I accidentally flip one? Or is it perhaps that I am tying my knots too tightly? I -think- I made the second loop correctly... I took the tail-end, and wrapped it around my fingers, then tatted around both core threads. That's how it's done, right? To make a ring? If that's the case, I -think- it might have been that my knots were too tight... I'm used to tight knots for macramé, and of course, crochet has taught me nothing of loose stitching. I make my stitches too tight on that, too.

My, I'm long-winded...

EDIT- Added a picture. So sorry about the horrid quality, I used my phone camera as I'm not entirely sure where my 'real' camera's cord is. So I apologize that it's so hard to see, but that's what it looks like.
ANOTHER EDIT- The two strands on the left that are at the top are the loop. If that helps, any.
YET ANOTHER EDIT- Heh, Michael, my fiancé, found a cord to use for my camera. Much better picture, now. -nod- And yes, I use a Mac. I love it.

43354336

[Librarian]

Replies to This Discussion
Reply by PattyD on December 19, 2008 at 6:54am
My first approximation is that you are "somehow" managing to make some thing that looks like Tatting but is made in a different way.

There are several ways to Tat:
With a shuttle, flipping the double stitches (DS)
With a shuttle, without flipping the DS
With a needle, where DS are also not flipped, but the stitches are formed over the needle and then the core thread is is pulled through the completed DS (which form a little tunnel, so VERY tight stitches can prevent pulling the core thread through).
I must say the ring that looks like conjoined twins is a new one on me.

I also have made quite a bit of macrame and while a DS is double half hitch, the intention is somewhat different.

"I took the tail-end, and wrapped it around my fingers, then tatted around both core threads. That's how it's done, right? To make a ring?"

I am afraid not. There is only one core thread in a ring, not 2. Your method seems to have worked for the first ring, but by the time you get to the second ring, there doesn't seem to be a way of pulling out all the excess core thread, since it is wrapped around twice.

Flipping is exactly the same as making a reef knot (otherwise known as a square knot) and pulling both ends of the same side of the knot. When you pull one cord straight, the other half of the reef knot rearranges itself and looks exactly like the Tatting DS. They are very related.

I will try to make you some drawings to help you think about this.


Reply by Randiriel Blairre on December 19, 2008 at 8:23am
I didn't wrap it around twice for the first ring... so that's probably why it worked.


Reply by Michael on December 19, 2008 at 8:42am
I dp tatting like you do Randiriel, The trick to getting the second ring to lay flat and not have a second ammout of thread hanging is either to chain between the rings or hold the space of BOTH threads tight while you start the next ring. What happened to you was that you started the next ring on the double thread but when you pulled it you pulled the core thread tight against the first finished ring. leaving the loop at the base. I am making this comment as I have not seen the picture you posted. Am assuming as that is what I did when I first tried tatting.

Your best bet is to make at least 1 stitch between rings to keep that loop tight. I use 2 core threads with my rings as well. It works great and you get a nice tight ring that will not come out and won't slide open either. :D Have fun Tatting is SO addictive..


Reply by Randiriel Blairre on December 19, 2008 at 8:53am
-nod- I had actually made a chain, before hand... I will slowly come to understand... but it's good to see that even if my way isn't the technically correct way, I'm not alone!


Reply by Michael on December 19, 2008 at 8:58am
I did a video of the way I tatt. its on you tube. Do you use any messenger? yahoo or msn? you can contact me via yahoo at tatt2fiend at yahoo.com.
here is a link to the youtube videos.


Reply by Randiriel Blairre on December 19, 2008 at 9:09am
Added your Yahoo address. I use a Mac program called Adium, it has everything. Or, everything I use.