Adding Bead in the Centre of a SSSR

Here is the tutorial for adding beads in the centre of a single-shuttle split ring.  But, before that some explanation ...  As I wrote in my first post regarding this, I was wondering if anyone has come up with a method of adding beads to a SSSR.  I have received some feedback to that question.

First, Nancy sent me a link to Nina Libin's site that contains an explanation of how to add beads in the middle of a series of rings.  If you click on "Symbols used in Patterns" you will get to download a document that contains the description of the method used by Ms Libin.  My understanding of it is that the beads have to be loaded on the shuttle thread before you start making the rings.  This is different from my method because I add the beads as I make the split rings.

At Gina's (the Tattinggoddess) suggestion, I wrote to Georgia Seitz to see if she has come across anything like what I had done.  Georgia sent me a link form the Online Tatting Class where the focus was adding beads to tatting.  Looking at the various methods shown there, I am convinced that none described the way that I do mine.

"Enough already .... just get on with it"  I can imagine someone screaming ...... LOL.
Here goes ....

Shuttle with thread, bead, hook and coil-less pin

Beside the usual tatting tools, you need to have a paper-clip or a coil-less pin.  The method of SSSR used here is the loop method (the link will bring up a video of how to make a SSSR in this method).  I have made the first SSSR without any bead, as shown in the picture.

Begin the second SSSR as normal, completing all the double stitches as required.  Do not close the ring.

Pull the lower part of the hand thread through the bead with your hook.  Hold this loop with a paper-clip or coil-less pin as I have used here.  At this point you can post the shuttle through the hand loop to get it out of the way.

Place the paper-clip/coil-less pin under the double-stitches on the same side as the shuttle thread.  Pull the lower side of the hand thread while at the same time sliding the bead so that it lie close to the last double-stitch made.  Hold the bead in position and close the ring.  I find that it is easier, when closing the ring, to pull only one side of the loop.  Don't forget to bring this loop under the first SSSR to anchor it when you close the second ring.  You may have to adjust the hand thread a few times if you find that the bead is sliding away from that last double stitch.

This is how it looks like on the reverse side of the ring after it is closed.

Remove the paper-clip/coil-less pin from the thread holding the bead and make a lock join to it to lock the bead in place.

There you have it, a bead in the middle of a single-shuttle split ring.