bjulia_lacer

Picots and spirals are not natural partners, but it can be done. When I make spiral tatting, I do a set number of second halves and then drop the shuttle over the working thread in the direction that the work wants to got, to let the spiral do what it wants to do. This creates an equilibrium point and if you leave a space for the picot and make another set of second halves and drop the shuttle over the working working thread, the tension created by the spiral will be released and the picot will stay where you put it. (Don't have the book, but I love spirals!). On a spiral chain, I usually direct tat the half DSs and still drop the shuttle over the core thread. Either way, the trick is to let the spiral come to rest.

Thanks PattyD....that is what I was doing in the end and then I did see some of the twisting in the second half. I think the next time I do it, which will be soon, I will use a solid thread. I'm not saying I won't do it with a variegated thread again, but I would like to see more of the twisting without the different colors. I do have my spiral with a picot in an Easter Egg posted in my album with the same title. Just in case you would like to have a look at it. I do like putting the picot in it also. Thanks for explaining it so clearly. I haven't seen you around to much lately.....but, we have connected before! Happy Easter!