Having A Time ! Please Help...

[vwmusk]

Am new to tatting...so far am liking it...I have not tried the shuttle yet just the needle.Have tried and tried to make a doily with a thread space to start a ring but every time I do the space disappears and goes into ring.its suppose to be 1/4 in.space Can someone tell me what I am doing wrong??
Also have come across crochet thread in Michaels it has #3 on it...can someone tell me what that means???

[BlueDode]

vwmusk:

Thread size: notice at Michaels that the size 3 thread is thicker than the size 10 thread. The meaning: 3 threads of the one kind fit into the standard sized hole; 10 threads of size 10 will fit in the same hole; you might find some size 80, a much finer thread: 80 of these threads fit into the same hole. For reasons I can't recall, thread called Perle Cotton has sizes that aren't the same as these: they might use a different size reference hole.

I'm trying to imagine your problem with the disappearing thread spaces in the pattern but am not sure I understand what you mean: I've more often heard complaints about thread spaces that happen but are not on the pattern. What pattern are you using? Also, what needle tatting method? I'm aware of To De Haan Van Beek's method; also Barbara Foster's two methods: 1) Ring and Thread, and 2) Ring and Chain -- there may be others.

Keep at it: you may figure it out on your own -- good luck!

[Lynn]

I am a shuttle tatter, so hope this transcends the tatting divide. When you begin your ring after leaving a 1/4 inch thread, you have to hold the thread so that the first ds of the new ring stops right at the 1/4 inch space. In other words, hold the thread at the 1/4 inch mark and make the first ds right there. After that first ds is made, the thread should not get smaller or longer. I hope this is clear. Work with it and see how it goes.

[Kersti]

Which pattern are you using? Perhaps there's something in it that we could see and let you know about

[vwmusk]

Thanks for the size of thread info...the pattern I have been working on is the dusty rose doily on the bestitched web site...When I finally get it will probably slap myself...and I'm to stubborn to give up

[BlueDode]

vwmusk:

I just looked at the "pink doily" -- momspinkdoily.jpg -- closely.

Searching for the word "space" I find thread spaces being left in the pattern in the third round. This is the track I'm on for my answer: if I'm offbase, let me know.

The first two rounds are written using the "ring and chain" method; this one is written for the "ring and thread (space)" method of needle tatting, as defined in Barbara Foster's books; in shuttle tatting terms (FYI to shuttle tatters) this means that the first two rounds are written for "ball and shuttle" method, and the third "problem" round is written for one shuttle only (no ball thread).

Question, vwmusk: are you getting an extra picot, but no thread space? I think you may be trying to tat this third round using the "ring and chain" method. The pattern doesn't state that you need to use the "ring and thread" method for this round, but that is how it is written.

Basic instruction for doing "ring and thread" method: thread the tatting needle and cut off the longest length you can manage (likely you will need to cut more than one length of thread for this row). Start tatting from the tail of the thread (leave about a 4 inch tail), and the thread working towards the needle; tat until the ring of thread gets too small to work with. Then, cut the thread and tie on another length as often as you need to finish this row.

Does this make any sense or not? If not, ask again, OK?

Good luck!

[dilaw]

Thread size: notice at Michaels that the size 3 thread is thicker than the size 10 thread. The meaning: 3 threads of the one kind fit into the standard sized hole; 10 threads of size 10 will fit in the same hole; you might find some size 80, a much finer thread: 80 of these threads fit into the same hole. For reasons I can't recall, thread called Perle Cotton has sizes that aren't the same as these: they might use a different size reference hole.

Thanks BlueDode for this info. I knew a smaller number meant bigger thread and vice-versa, but I never understood why. That is quite interesting! :flowers:

[vwmusk]

Thank you so much BlueDode it works...You were right..

[BlueDode]

vwmusk:
Now, it's onward and upward with your tatting! Have fun!