Floating Ring when using Ball Thread and Needle

[sunela]

Can someone give me an explanation on how to do Floating Ring with Needle Tatting when you use Ball thread? I am a little confused.

Thanks - Sunela

[crazytatter]

yes definitely, it is confusing me too.

[sunela]

Do you do needle tatting also? I just learnt it last week. I am beginning to like it.

[waterdew]

I would be very interested in the answer to this too!

[Judy]

Floating (thrown) Ring:
First, the underlying idea. In normal tatting, the needle holds the core thread, the ball holds the working thread. When you do a sequence that goes chain, ring, chain, the core thread does not flow continuously from chain to chain, but it is interrupted with a close, tie, then the ring, another close, tie and then you finally get to the second chain. You cannot get the two chains to sit next to each other without a break -- an uninterrupted chain -- unless you do a "floating" ring. This floating ring must be made entirely from the working thread... both its core and double stitches.

The easiest way to do this is with two needles. (ooh wow). They need to be the same size. If you don't have two needles the same size, when you get to :emoji-E531:skip down to Method 2

Method 1. You must cut the ball thread. Before you cut it, estimate how many stitches you need from the ball to finish the round. My tatting requires 6" of thread to tat 10 stitches of #10 thread on a #5 needle. If there are picots, you need to add more of course, and you need another foot of thread to manipulate freely. Don't forget the floating ring is made from this, too. If the core thread and working thread are the same color tie a piece of thread around one of them so you can tell one from the other. Start the chain with needle 1 core, and working thread. Tat as you usually do until you reach the spot where the floating ring appears. Stop. :emoji-E531:Put down needle 1. Pick up needle 2 with the working thread through the eye. Put the needle as close as you can to the last double stitch on needle 1; the needles will make a sort of X. Now pick up the working thread and put the floating ring stitches on needle 2, which will be pointing up-left. With the ring stitches on needle 2 only, close the ring. It will make a ring without putting the needle through the loop. Unthread needle 2 and put it aside; pick up needle 1 with its set of chain stitches. Resume putting stitches on needle 1 with the working thread for the next segment of chain. Close the chain. You will see that cute floating ring hanging right out there just off the chain.

Method 2. For those with only 1 needle.
You should be at the point where the floating ring appears, and have chain stitches on your needle. Carefully slide them off the needle. If there's a previous ring, or element, you should snug them up to it. DO not tie ... DO NOT tie.... DO NOT TIE!
Unthread the needle. Thread the needle with the working thread. Put the needle as closely as you can to the last double stitch you just took off the needle, but do not over pull. Put the floating ring stitches on the needle using the same working thread. When you have them done, taken them off the needle and close the ring. Now, unthread the working thread from the needle, and rethread the original core thread. Working close to the previous chain stitches, resume putting chain stitches on the needle. Close, TIE. (Finally)

[waterdew]

Thank you for sharing this! I have wondered how you did this with needle after having seen it for shuttle. Something else to put on my 'to do' list. :)

[sunela]

Judy,

Thank you for the detailed instructions. So, whether I use Method 1 or Method 2, I have to CUT the ball thread. Am I correct in that? Since I had only one needle and the ball was my working thread, I could not figure out how I will thread the working thread to the needle to do Floating Rings since it is not cut.

Sunela

[carolivy]

Yes, if you want to make floating rings, you have to have both ends of your thread available to be worked, so it has to be cut from the ball.

[sunela]

Thank you......Thank you...... Thank you!!!

[rain]

oh so many things to learn.... I think I have done this with my shuttles in the SCMR but I have yet to try it with a needle... geez this tatting hobby has so much for me to learn!!!!!!! I love expanding my knowledge!

[skfuller]

One of the topics for the online class today is studying the Floating Rings.
Below is what Georgia (AKTATTER@aol.com) sent:
Regular Online Tatting class 3PM and 8:30PM ET - Floating rings:

If you're not a member of the online classes just email Georgia for the information to get into the classes.

Beginners/Needle tatting 2:30PM and 8PM ET (New York time) An easy
project for all beginners - http://www.georgiaseitz.com/mum/ring.html

needle - http://www.georgiaseitz.com/classes2/float/throw2.html
shuttle - http://www.georgiaseitz.com/classes2/thrownring.html

review - http://www.e.n.e.btinternet.co.uk/RingOnSR.pdf
review - http://www.e.n.e.btinternet.co.uk/FloatingRings.pdf
review - hiding ends or starting split rings without knots

http://www.e.n.e.btinternet.co.uk/StartSCMRNoKnot.pdf

review - http://www.georgiaseitz.com/classes/ends.html

A pattern to practice this method of starting the split ring with
knots. Although the first ring is noted a regular ring for the purpose
of the exercise, begin with a split ring please -
http://www.georgiaseitz.com/classes2/libinear.html

[Judy]

Judy,

Thank you for the detailed instructions. So, whether I use Method 1 or Method 2, I have to CUT the ball thread. Am I correct in that?
Sunela

Thanks Carolivy for picking up on the answer "yes". I've been out of town for several days.

[Sunny_0ne]

Thank you for that explanation! I haven't encountered a floating ring in my beginner patterns yet, but now I won't be terrified when I do! :)

[sarunia]

Witam
Przeczytałam wszystkie wyjaśnienia. Nareszcie trochę zrozumiałam.
Dziękuję!!!

[Judy]

Witam
Przeczytałam wszystkie wyjaśnienia. Nareszcie trochę zrozumiałam.
Dziękuję!!!

Zapraszamy do zadawania pytań. That was fun! Thanks to Google translator. Hope it did as well on mine as on yours.