Climbing Out of The Ring

From: Suzann
Date: Tue, 28 May 1996 22:30:37 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Climbing Out of The Ring (Tat)

Please do not duplicate without permission from SWELKER@delphi.com

I am taking a well deserved break from my Rose ground. (so far all thorns) Several people have asked be how to do this. I thought that others on the list might like to try this method too. Beginner tatters can do this as it doesn't require split rings. For pictures of this check Rebecca Jones Complete Book Of Tatting.

This is useful with any design that starts out with a central ring and the next round starts with a chain. You are usually instructed to make the center ring and cut and tie.

Center ring 2 - 2 - 2 - 2- 2- 2 - 2. cl ring cut and tie ( 6 picots)
You make this instead
Center ring 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 cl ring. ( 5 picots) rev
Mock Picot:
Place the ball thread around your hand to make the chain. As you form the first ds leave a space that is equal to other picots on the central ring.
DO NOT transfer the first half to the first ds. Transfer the second half. By not transfering the first half of the ds you cause the stitch to be locked in place, forming the 6th picot on you central ring. This is called a mock picot. You are now in position to make the chain.
Count this as the first ds of your chain.
No ends to work in. Thank you heavenly tatting angels.

Ok, you say the round after the center ring starts with a ring not a chain. Well the easiest thing is to do just as about, make the mock picot. Then make a split ring. But some people hate split rings with a passion. So for you split ring haters there is this method.

Follow the above directions through the mock picot. Leave a length of thread about equal to the ring you are going to make. Make the ring up until the join to the center ring. Now bring the center ring into position and join to the mock picot. You will have a short length of thread behind the ring you are working but it really won't show.

This method can be used when doing single shuttle patterns. These can be a real bear to hide ends in. Before starting you central ring leave a length of thread long enough to wrap around your hand chain fashion. Make the central ring. Make the mock picot using the length of thread you left before starting the ring. The directions usually have you leave a space between rings. You are going to have a double thread left between the center ring and your first ring of round two. Now either wrap both the shuttle thread and the length of thread around your hand and tat over both or weave the extra length of thread into to ring as you work it. Snip off the end after you have finished this ring. You will have that double thread between the center ring and the first ring of round two, but I think it is a lot less noticeable then trying to sew down the end. Especially if you are doing a single shuttle pattern in very fine thread.

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