View Full Version : Jane in South Africa Bookmark
Nitrocat
05-08-2011, 02:18 PM
The only instruction that I've had in tatting is from Barbara Foster's Step by Step Needle Tatting, so please bear with me.
I would love to make Jane's bookmark (http://janeeborall.blogspot.com/2009/03/bookmarks-from-jane-in-south-africa.html), and I do know how to do a split ring with a needle. But I'm not sure how to then make the small rings on each side. I know it's got to be something simple (like maybe needing two needles?). What am I missing?
I saw in the albums that someone had needle tatted this bookmark, so I know it has to be possible.
carolivy
05-08-2011, 02:47 PM
If I were to needle tat this one, I would work with a longer thread and start in the middle of the thread. When you go to do the split ring, you can use one side of the thread for one half of the ring and the other thread for the other side of the split ring. Close your ring and then you have both threads up to do the small rings, using the Ring & Thread method (true rings), then repeat for the length of the pattern. (I just tried it and it will work this way...you can't use 2 needles though because of the split rings...means lots of rethreading your needles)
Nitrocat
05-08-2011, 04:38 PM
Okay, that worked. Sort of. It looks way too tight, and there is an oops where the split rings join the rings on either side. I'm not sure if this will make sense, but on the photos of the bookmark, the thread that connects the four rings makes a nice square, with an empty space in the center. On mine, the connecting threads make more of a zig-zag. I suspect that's why it's too tight also. In this drawing, the top picture is the way it should be, and the bottom is how mine looks:
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What am I doing wrong?
Also:
I'm assuming that the best place to add more thread would be at the end of a split ring? Tie it off and add the new length at the knot?
carolivy
05-08-2011, 05:18 PM
I have a great photo tutorial for adding new thread here: http://www.intatters.com/album.php?albumid=503
To get the square in between the 4 rings you need to start as close to the previous ring as possible. You need to use both threads for the split ring, then one thread each for the side rings, then use both threads again for the split ring. It is feasable to needle tat this in 2 colors, splitting the whole bookmark or rotating the colors like this one: http://www.intatters.com/album.php?albumid=521&attachmentid=8406 (even though I did this one with the shuttle) This is the one that I needle tatted: http://www.intatters.com/album.php?albumid=229&attachmentid=2549
Nitrocat
05-08-2011, 05:28 PM
Oh, fiddle. You said true rings, didn't you? That would be my problem. I had my thread cut from the ball, but was still stitching like I would ring and ball (aren't those SCMR, techinically?). It's been awhile since I've worked off the ball. Even then, I've only ever done one pattern.
carolivy
05-08-2011, 05:57 PM
Oh, fiddle. You said true rings, didn't you? That would be my problem. I had my thread cut from the ball, but was still stitching like I would ring and ball (aren't those SCMR, techinically?). It's been awhile since I've worked off the ball. Even then, I've only ever done one pattern.
Yeup. True rings are done with the same thread that is in the eye of the needle.
I'd agree with Carol's fix. Left side of split, right side of split, finish split. One thread on each side. Make the thread slightly longer on the side you'll be using for the core of the split ring. Won't take much.
Holly Ann
06-08-2011, 06:11 PM
This is a great example of why I love this site. Just looking here and there and I come on this thread. And I learn the difference between ball and rings and true rings. Who would have guessed it would make such a difference. I just love learning stuff!
LOL when I first did this one I only needle tatted and new nothing of how to do a split ring with a needle, So I just did a ring of 12 lol then I put a ring next to it, then shoe lace tie and another ring and kept going like that... mind you somehow it worked.... then I learned how to shuttle tat, and it was an easy bookmark to do ... then I decided to figure out how to needle tat a split ring, You would have to have extra thread at the needle end since you will be using that thread also to make the split rings. (to make it less messy and less likely to knot up on me I pull as much as I can over the needle lol) So it would go for the first ring 6 ds on one side of the needle, then take off the thread from the needle end (the eye of the needle) Use that thread to make 6 more Ds on the opp. side of the needle (but in reverse order, sec half of DS first then first half) then re-thread needle and close. Then the 4-2-2-4 with the ball thread RW (i think) and take off the needle thread 4-2-2-4 re-thread and close, then 6 ds on one side, take off the thread 6 ds on the other side of needle re-thread close. Then from the ball, 5 + the 3rd p-6-1-1-6-5 close, then take off the thread from the needle and do the same on the other side, Depending on how long you want your bookmark there will be alot of rethreading.
Nitrocat
09-08-2011, 05:59 PM
Depending on how long you want your bookmark there will be alot of rethreading.
Oh, yes. I'm about halfway done with the bookmark and there has been more monkeying with thread than actual tatting. And since the eye of the needle I'm using is ever so slightly too small for the thread, I'm having to cut off the frayed bits every other switch. But I will persevere.
On the other hand, I was able to shuttle tat a simple medallion yesterday. "Coordinated" is not a word I would use to describe the effort. But I imagine that will come. And today, I figured out single shuttle split rings. Normal split rings still escape me, however.
I also figured out needle tatted thrown rings, so progress is being made on all fronts. Except housework.
wtg! keep at it and it will all make sense ... sooner or later lol, took me about 6 months to do the darn flip.... so yea this tatting thing is a work in progress!
Nitrocat
13-08-2011, 11:57 PM
Another question....If I were to do this with a shuttle instead of needle, I would only need one shuttle, correct? It would not need to be attached to the ball thread, would it? And the split rings are single shuttle split rings-SSSR? (ok, that's 3 questions really).
carolivy
14-08-2011, 12:17 AM
No, you would need 2 shuttles and the split rings are regular split rings made with 2 shuttles. For a demo on how to make them, check out THIS (http://www.e.n.e.btinternet.co.uk/SplitRings.pdf). There are better instructions out there (IMO), but I can't find them right now.
soyloquesoy
14-08-2011, 12:31 AM
Another question....If I were to do this with a shuttle instead of needle, I would only need one shuttle, correct? It would not need to be attached to the ball thread, would it? And the split rings are single shuttle split rings-SSSR? (ok, that's 3 questions really).
I have done that one with only one shuttle, not attached to the ball thread (ie., tatting over the tail at the start of the first ring), using SSSRs. I am not sure about where I reversed the work, as it was long ago and I didn't keep notes, but I am sure I did it that way. (it is one of the first pics in my "Beginnings and small pieces" album)
I have also done it in the way Carol explains :D
Nitrocat
14-08-2011, 03:17 AM
Thanks! After I posted, I tried it and quickly figured out that the single shuttle wasn't going to work (for me, anyway). It's going okay now.
carolivy
14-08-2011, 10:08 PM
I found it! HERE (http://www.tat-man.net/tatterville/howtotat/SR.html) is the demo I was looking for yesterday.
Nitrocat
16-08-2011, 12:02 AM
Here is the finished product. I was tatting in the car and didn't have the pattern with me, so my repeats ended up a little different. And I missed the next to last split ring (which I might have to do on purpose on another piece sometime, 'cuz I sort of like the look). And I completely forgot about hiding my ends. Soooo....I think I'm going to put a ribbon on both ends and keep this one for myself.
The thread is DMC variations #4065--Morning Meadow. I'm not sure I like using the Perle cotton for tatting. It might just be my learning curve, but it looks a little overworked and fuzzy to me. Maybe that will improve as I do?
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For the second half of the split rings, I ended up turning the ring backwards on my hand and wrapping the stitches on without flipping them. I was still working on the thread between my thumb and index finger. I tried the whole "dead spider" thing, but my hand was cramping too much. This way, I'm still working in the same position as normal. I hope that makes sense.
Nope, not at all. Needle tatters don't deal with dead spiders, so it doesn't matter. Cute pattern... It may be for Jane in South Africa, but it looks like a fantastic caterpillar!
carolivy
16-08-2011, 11:01 AM
Great looking bookmark Nitrocat!
tinaistatting
16-08-2011, 11:24 AM
I made this one this past weekend.. With a shuttle.. Love it. As for the housework, yikes, that can be enough to make me want to run and hide.. Takes away from my tatting time. hehee
i love how it came out! I made a bunch of these for a friend as a favor and after awhile you would think I could do it right... but no... lol I forgot a few times where I was at and ended up with different elements lol but they still looked ok and I sent them along lol But I love the colors of yours never worked with that thread before. so I dont know if it gets better or not....