Mind the Gap

[Kersti]

In a pattern that calls for a gap to be left between two threads, how do you do that with the needle?

This is the kind of pattern I'm talking about -

http://www.intatters.com/knots/wp-content/uploads/0147.png

[shannon_in_love]

you tat one side using the thread cut from the ball and then go back again with a long thread cut from the ball...i think. makes since.

[xstchntat]

Cut the thread from the ball and make true rings leaving a space before the next ring. Just make sure you are doing true rings and then it is just like shuttle tatting. Just like here:
http://www.hhtatting.com/learn.html

[ldr103]

Make a ring, then when you start the next one, instead of snugging it right up against the first one, leave some space on the foundation thread. I've accidentally made gaps in this manner, so I know it works.

[AnneB]

Do you have the pattern or only the photo? I have a feeling it might be done in two rows using lock joins to join two rings at the base as there seems to be something "extra" there at the photo.

[Kersti]

It's not actually that pattern - that's just an example to illustrate it, but the following pattern also illustrates the problem -

R 5-5-5-5
* Leave gap of 1 inch
R 5+5-5-5
Repeat from *

I couldn't really tell from the HH instructions what the difference there is in order to make "true" rings via the needle, nor what the implications of that would be for chains etc. I've tried many things but can't seem to get it to work at all!

[StephanieGrace]

A true ring is made when the thread is cut from the ball. The book I have calls it "rings and strand" method. When you close the ring, it will form naturally (no need to bring the need up through the loop). Using that method, you'd just leave a space between rings and, Viola! you've got the gap (strand). To include chains with this method, you'd just need to grab the ball of thread and tat from that thread for chains and from the cut piece for rings and strands. (Thank you, xstitchntat for showing me how to work that way! It's been a heavensent and has saved me much frustration!) :-)

I hope that all made sense, LOL. If you look in Member Patterns and find the flower bookmark designed by xstitchntat, I believe the conversation is there about how to use this method --including pictures. The hardest part is knowing how much thread to cut from the ball. ;-) Oh! Wait... I should mention all of this too, LOL: When doing it this way, you hold the end of the thread against the needle when you start, instead of leaving any thread, you only need to hold, say, two inches for tying purposes at the end. Basically, you work backwards, I guess --working from the end of the thread toward the end threaded through the needle.

:heart:,
Stephanie Grace

[StephanieGrace]

Just had a thought: Think of the gap like a picot between rings: It's just that; string left un-tatted. ;-)

[StephanieGrace]

Found a link to explain that method, LOL. (I guess it's a good thing that my two books are both Annie's Attic, LOL... Easy to know where to look for something from one of them! LOL).

http://www.anniesattic.com/crochet/content.html?content_id=119

:heart:,
Stephanie Grace

[shannon_in_love]

if you need a video showing i can do that.

[Kersti]

Yer, I think I need a video - the pictures that I'm seeing just don't do it for me at all! Also, how does one then move into the chain, is that formed differently as well with this method?

[shannon_in_love]

i imagine if you needed a chain somewhere in there then the best thing would be to finish off with the single thread, re-tread the needle and keep it connected, do what you need, then if going back to single strand is required then finish off and start as before. (cutting a long thread from the ball)

i will get to a video this afternoon.:)) I love making videos

[shannon_in_love]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_zxhaEJD_I does this help any?

[dbrn]

Kersti-

Generally, rings-only patterns are worked with the thread off the ball. I don't know if this will be an adequate description or not, but I'll try . Thread the needle, then measure off some thread (for practice I'd use an arms length) and cut it from the ball. You'll start stitching from the tail end of the thread, so hold the needle in your right (or left, whichever you use) hand, bring the tail end up behind the needle and pinch it in your grasp on the needle (I don't really know how to say that). If you're holding the thread correctly, you'll see that the thread basically is in the shape of a large loop. The tail will be pointing toward your right hand instead of away from it (I know, clear as mud). Stitch the ring, then pull the thread through. With this method, a true ring will be formed and there will be no need to tie. Leave a space, then tat the next ring. It's not possible to tat a chain in this manner. If you do an online search for "Tammy Rodgers needle tatting", she has a tutorial with pictures that should lend some clarity to what I mean as far as how to hold the thread to start and how it looks if you're holding the thread correctly.

I believe I've seen tutorials for needle-tatting true rings with the thread still attached to the ball, but I don't have a clue how to do it - sorry.

I hope this makes sense and doesn't just confuse you more!

Deb

[shannon_in_love]

to use the ball and still make true rings is easy. all you do is use the needle thread side to make the ring instead of the ball side

[carolivy]

Be-Stitched has a very lovely Christmas Tree that is a Great example of the True Rings tatting, with Chains added. To make this tree, I do as Deb said and start with a very long piece (about 6 yards long) of thread. So that I have a thread to work with for Chains, I start my first Ring about 1 yard into the thread instead of on the end. Make the ring as she stated, then following the pattern, I come back around to the starting point again, where I need a chain, so I switch out the thread and make the shorter thread as my core thread so I can make the chain. The same thread is my Knot Thread throughout the piece. This way the only time I have to add thread is when I run low of my Knot Thread....I usually have to do this 2 times as I have found this pattern takes about 15 yards of size 10 thread. I have lots of them done and posted in my album if you want to see them.