Perfect tatting – Part 11, or how not to twist chains.
Hello everyone! This is the eleventh lesson in the series “Perfect Tatting”. You can read the previous part here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/perfect-tatting-part-10/
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I often hear from beginner tutters: My chains are twisted! What am I doing wrong? Because, most often, this problem arises from the incorrect position of the shuttle and ball threads (for needle tatting, this is the needle and ball thread).
First, let’s remember the terminology! So, I’m turning to the ABC Tatting website again: https://abctattingpatterns.com/terms/ These are the names accepted in English:
Ball Thread (BT): Thread originating from the ball of thread.
Core Thread: a.k.a. foundation thread, shuttle thread, needle thread or running thread. Traditionally, the shuttle or needle thread is used as the core thread. It used like a clothesline upon which the double stitch hangs.
Although, in other languages, these may be other names. For example, a shuttle thread or a needle thread is called a leading thread. Because it kind of leads the double stitches. And a ball thread is called a working thread. Because it “works” by tying knots. What are these threads called in your language? Please write in the comments. It’s very interesting!
Shuttle tatting
So, first, let’s look at shuttle tatting.
Note that the main (shuttle) thread is always in the right hand. If you are right-handed! And we are not looking at pearl weaving, split ring, etc. techniques.
For left-handers, it’s the other way around.
Thus, the Core thread is always BELOW the Ball thread. By the way, you remember Ball thread can also be wound on the second shuttle?! But the name of the thread is still retained for convenience.
It is interesting that when performing the Ring, the same thread is the Core and the Ball threads. The role of the Ball thread is played by the thread that forms a loop on the hand.
If you are going to make a Chain after turning the work, you just need to move the Ball of Thread upwards (if it was not located there initially). This way, the threads will be in their places again after turning. Namely: the main thread in the right hand, and the Ball of Thread above it. By the way, pay attention! The threads do not cross!
If the pattern does not call for you to turn before the Chain, you need to swap the threads. It’s very simple! Make one simple knot, as if you were tying shoelaces. Similarly, change the threads after the chain, when moving to the Ring without turning the work.
NEEDLE TATTING
There is a small nuance for needle tatting. Firstly, most often we work with only one thread from the ball. How interesting, but the same thread “bifurcates” and becomes the Needle thread ( or Core thread ) and the Ball thread. Do you know what separates them and thus “gives individuality by giving names”? ( LOL ) Of course, it’s a joke! But we can smile while doing tatting. And even while reading such a serious lesson Perfect tatting – Part 11. Because a good mood is always appropriate!This is the very first stitch that you make on the needle.
Thus, the thread from the eye of the needle to the stitch will be the Core Thread. And the thread from the stitch to the ball will be the Ball Thread. It’s simple.
I’m sure you can guess which photo illustrates the work for right-handed people and which one for left-handed people!
When turning the work, we also make one simple knot to swap the threads.
If there is no work rotation, then we will need to make two knots. This way we fix the element and do not swap the threads.
Thus, remembering the correct position of the threads, we will always get perfect, untwisted Chains!
Oh, my long article Perfect tatting – Part 11 is over! I hope you have enough strength to follow the link and watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sZ3HmRs4cY&list=PLmUVrN61lH3yT7k0vrL0PosljWkYTjM3a&index=11
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