Double Needles?

[MercyL]

I am new to needle tatting and do not understand some of the instructions seen in patterns.

I bought a tatting book and noticed that many of the patterns require 2 shuttles. I assume this also means I need two tatting needles.

I have looked over the patterns and pictures several times but cannot see why I'd need two shuttles, or needles. None of the patterns use more than one color thread.

Why would a monochromatic tatting pattern require two shuttles or needles?

Is there a way to create these patterns using a single tatting needle?

[Judy]

You need to look at and notice a very subtle but distinct design difference between (for example) floating a ring on a chain, and interrupting a chain so that you can do a ring, and then resume the chain. If you do not care to make that distinction, you can needle tat the floating ring just as you would any other ring. Its most apparent where there is a color change. The floating ring will be the color of the ball side thread. If you choose to make it the color of the needle thread, you cannot "float" it since you will be interrupting the chain core thread. It's effect is to make the chains into nice smooth arcs... no bumps, twists or anything else interrupting the smooth look of the chain.
Here are some photos to illustrate:

In the first attachment, Carolivy floated all those rings on the side of her bookmark. Look closely, you'll see two threads, and a "space" between the chains and the rings. To get that floating LOOK you need to tat the entire ring, outside and core, with the same ball thread, so you'll have to cut the thread on the ball side and thread it on a needle -- your first one, or a second one if you have it. That means its what shuttle tatters call a "true" ring, made with a single shuttle, or needle tatters refer to as ..?? well a true ring, or a needle thread ring, or a bare thread ring. I practiced by making an all white version of a cross using rings only, no chains. I floated rings on rings on rings, and used three needles.
http://www.intatters.com/album.php?albumid=370&attachmentid=9409

In the second photo you'll see at the very tip top that there's two rings stacked one on top of the other. The lower one is an interruption of a chain -- it looks like it has a slight point -- the lower ring sits very close to the chain, it doesn't float above it -- the upper one is floating I believe. The top of the lower ring looks continuous -- smooth.
http://www.intatters.com/album.php?albumid=966&attachmentid=14660

[Judy]

Patterns which call for two shuttles may or may not need two needles. You need to examine the pattern to see if a ball is sufficient. If you have a particular pattern you're wondering about, just post an inquiry here at In Tatters, telling what pattern it is. Someone will have it and be able to help you decide.

[louine]

I have found that with the instructions from the needle tatting proboard that I haven't found a pattern that I could not convert to the needle....and most 2 shuttle patterns are easy to convert....however, if the pattern calls for self closing mock rings with thrown rings then you need two needles or to unthread and thread to move the needle.

Check out these instructions....
http://needletatting.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=howtomakeadoublepicot
http://needletatting.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=splitrings
and the one with instructions to convert is here... http://needletatting.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=shuttletoneedle

for an excellent tutorial on using both true rings and mock rings in the same pattern check out CarolIvy's tutorial on the christmas tree from Be-stitched....Okay, I can't find it right now but I will look for it and try to post it here.

[carolivy]

Hmmm...I can't seem to find it either....soooo.....(maybe I only posted them on the Needle Tatting site)


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http://www.intatters.com/images/misc/pencil.png

[carolivy]

next part
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[carolivy]

final bit

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I'll put these in my How I do it album....if you go there, just pay attention to the order of the file names so you go from 1-13.

http://www.intatters.com/images/misc/pencil.png

[MercyL]

I wanted to thank all of you so much! I haven't had time to sit down and pick through all of the information here, but I can do so tomorrow night.
Again, thank you so much!