Monday, November 7, 2016

Starting a Round

This morning I am starting a new round on a doily in one of the Korean books I have. I love the patterns in those books. And the books themselves are so nicely done. The book I am taking this from is Lovely Tatting Lace, Vol.2. You can get it from Lacis.
What I wanted to mention was how I am starting the round. I wonder if anyone else does this. I have not seen it, but surely I am not alone. I even asked Jane Eborall one day because I thought it was her method, but she said it wasn't.
What I do is make the first ring, tatting over tails. I leave a small loop at the beginning, like I would do if I were starting a chain. Once I close the ring, it is time to add the "ball" thread on. I slip that up through the loop, then pull the loop closed with the tail I tatted over. Now I have the "ball" thread attached and as I start making my chain, I just tat over those tails also. There is no knot at all. Does anyone else do it this way? I think it makes a very neat, clean join. Now if I can just find a way to do a final join in a round that is as neat and clean!

Oh, by the way, I am working this in Sulky 712. It is about a size 60 thread.
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11 comments:

  1. muskaanNovember 7, 2016 at 6:31 AM

    Happy colours !!

    1. The method you describe has been uploaded by Karen (lesson 163 I think) this month.

    2. It is basically the same as Jane Eborall's method in her T&T pages. I have also, always started without knots (came up with it all by myself decades before I found the online tatters).
    The method is basically the same - one can either leave a tiny loop through which the chain thread is inserted later ; or one can 'twist/fold' both threads over each other and hide shuttle tail within ring & chain tail within chain, making sure that the first stitch is snugged tightly. It's only a matter of dexterity or habit. In fact, one can start SCMR, or any such element, too, in similar fashion.

    The way you do it (& in Karen's video), it is much easier for beginners.

    As for ending without knots - I do that already, for most pieces - After completion, sew in the threads in opposite direction/elements After crossing them over each other. Then pull both threads tight (I like the whip stitch). No Knots !!! Try it & let us know :-)

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    1. Tim KaylorNovember 7, 2016 at 6:43 AM

      Muskaan, do you have a tutorial for the ending method? I would like to see how it is done. I am more a visual learner. Crossing - like SLT?

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    2. muskaanNovember 7, 2016 at 9:22 AM

      Tim , I will try to make a sketch for you for now. If you think it helps, and I should make a pictorial, let me know.
      I have a list of methods (links) to share. Will share on Craftree, along with sketch, coz this comment box will not hold all ;-)
      The method Maureen describes below is beautifully photographed by Miranda .. will share details ....

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  2. MichelleNovember 7, 2016 at 6:32 AM

    That's exactly how I've been doing it for years especially when I want two different colors but it works when there's enough left on a bobbin to start something new too. I always wondered if anyone does it because it's so simple and efficient! Great description-I understood it completely.

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    1. Tim KaylorNovember 7, 2016 at 6:42 AM

      Michelle, I do this for one or two colors. It is just too easy. Colors don't matter.

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  3. MaureenNovember 7, 2016 at 7:57 AM

    I have seen a way to end the work, as demonstrated by one of our tatting group; it involves unwinding the shuttle for the last few stitches, and tatting with the thread doubled over as in a SSSR. Then somehow - and I cannot manage it successfully - you pull on one end of the looped thread and magically it disappears into your work. No knots, No ends.But I do think it takes practice and a knack, because I seem to just break the thread when I try.

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    1. Tim KaylorNovember 7, 2016 at 8:08 AM

      I would like to see a sketch of that! When I get home from work, I may give it a go and see what happens.

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  4. Madtatter80November 7, 2016 at 4:36 PM

    I used to end may tatting by tatting the last 4 or 5 stitches very loose and then leave long tails and a small embroidery needle and send it through the loose last knots I made I like that way and seemed less trouble than any other thread getting in the way. Now I really love whip stitching my stitches down I made a video where I do this with size 80 thread I feel no one can see it and I am not doing a running stitch like others call the whip stitch. I have a you tube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q-JloBBdIM call Whip stitching ends I am the madtatter80 hopefully if you hilight above it will work :) Love your tatting and the book want to get that one next :)

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  5. BerniceNovember 7, 2016 at 6:39 PM

    I like to add the ball thread that way too. I prefer magic thread (pre planning required) to hide ends but I sew ends in too when I need to. I

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  6. picotsnkeysNovember 8, 2016 at 8:46 AM

    Your explanation is very clear. Yes, I try not to start with knots. However, if it's something that will be handled alot, like a bookmark, I get nervous and do a weaver's knot. That usually is about the same size as a DS, so it goes unnoticed!

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  7. Margarets designer cardsNovember 8, 2016 at 1:24 PM

    A very interesting post, I have not seen this method of starting tatting, I do also tat over my ends at the beginning, where I have ends.
    I do start with a flat knot, over time things change I have been tatting over forty years so a lot of things have changed over all those years.

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