That pesky final ring!

I have been practising, all of two days in fact, to understand the movements of the interlocking rings. My main issue was to get the rings to overlap in the same directions throughout, but all I was getting was this kind of imperfections.
I know there is a way to get it, but it just did not come to me.  After many tries, I had no problem following the video for the other rings, but that last ring is not getting it. 

Finally, I have it and the picture here proves it,
Notice how the rings are all overlapping in the same directions through out.

After much trial and mistakes and re-opening of rings, I realised that it is how the thread is wrapped round the fingers for the last ring that determines the final ring's overlap position.  I could not get that part clearly from the video.  

Here, I am sharing a picture of how I looped the thread round the fingers to make the final ring.
In this picture, the bottom-most ring is the first ring tatted and the right-most is the last ring before the final ring.

After you have cut the thread enough for the last ring, arrange the earlier rings so that they are overlapping correctly.  Pinch the rings with the thumb and first finger so that they don't move.  Take the thread for the final ring and bring around the fingers. Pass the end through the first ring from below upwards, down under the last ring made and up over it. Make the final ring and close as usual.  Straighten the rings out as required.

Added later:  Just to confuse you further,
If you go to the video, just before closing each ring, the shuttle is passed through the finger loop.  I realised that the direction that the shuttle is passed through, upwards or downwards, will determine the direction of the overlap in the rings.  The direction of my overlaps is achieved by passing the shuttle upwards.

Comments

  1. I'm so pleased to see this Jon! I've not scratched my head so much with any tatting techniques as with this one! Makes me feel better that you did not find it easy either. Every time I thought I had that last ring figured out, it still escaped me!

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    1. Whatever it is still, you need to pay attention to the thread position for the final ring. It may look awkward at first but ever since I figured it out, it has turned out right for me each time.

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  2. Whew! Now that you've worked it all out, maybe I'll give it a try! ; )

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  3. As a person who loves math and patterns and geometric symmetry, I definitely appreciate this post.....if you notice on line many of the pictures that are posted do NOT have rings to overlap in the same direction.....but for me, the last rings that do not overlap in the same direction jump out at me and drive me nuts....thanks for your persistence is figuring this out.

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    1. It appears that tatting is not the only thing we have in common. I to am fascinated by geometric patterns, symmetry and unison of forms. In any case, I studied Math in college and university so that must have counted to something.

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  4. 10 out of 10 for getting it right! The whole technique seems daunting, but effective. It is on my 'to do' list, but that list is rather long at the moment. I shall definitely come back to your diagram, thanks.

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  5. It sure looks like you're conquering this!
    Thanks for giving us your insights! Your drawings are impressive!

    I have been struggling with several things in making these rings. Am I correct that the extra 'loop' formed before the ring is closed is really just the first half of the double stitch? Then that 'ds' kind of 'disappears' and becomes the loop for the next ring? It's funny that I can't 'grasp' how this is happening, but it seems to be the case!

    I still haven't got to the 'last' ring, and I'm intimidated by finger tatting. I'm thinking I could rewind the shuttle?

    This is all reminding me of how difficult it was for me to learn how to tat 23 years ago!

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    1. From what I can tell, Karen is making the second half of the double stitch before closing the ring.

      I'm trying this technique too, and I'm also struggling with the last ring. Hopefully the photo Jon has posted (Thanks!) will help.

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    2. Now I am thinking if your chainmaille can be replicated using tatting techniques. I don't know much about chainmaille techniques but at first look I see lots of hiding ends.

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    3. Kathy, don't feel intimidated by finger tatting. Here is a video explaining how to finger tat, How to Finger Tat
      There is not much finger movement at the beginning of the video but just listen to the voice-over for some useful information.

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  6. Congratulations on your accomplishment. However, I have a question. Did you have to do anything to get all the interlocking ring in one direction? I see that I have one ring in the middle that is not right (at least according to me). I kept re-watching Karen's video and her ring is also like that - one in the middle. So, what did you do different to get them in line? I realized after couple of tries that when you start making the ring, the fixed part of the thread should be on the top. So, I got that right.

    Any advise????

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    1. Wonderful. I am sorry I didn't get round to replying to your earlier comment, but I am glad that you finally got it.

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  8. Congratulations on some excellent sleuthing as to the 'why' of the thread positioning in the execution of these rings. Knowing the wherefores makes it a lot easier to achieve a consistent result. Well done! both on the figuring and the explaining.

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  9. Thank you for sharing this, I tried with the last ring and it did nit work right but looking at your picture I can see what I should have done, I put my first try on my blog with a link to your blog, but the last ring did not work. I have had a couple of ideas but as yet nit had time to practice them
    Thanks for your help with the last ring
    Margaret

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  10. Thanks to your diagram and insightful comments, I was able to make a perfect set of interlocking rings (all overlapping same direction - and no trouble with the final ring) on my second try. I don't anticipate having a 'relapse' into confusion because I now understand the mechanics of the process. You saved me a whole lot of frustration. Thank you!

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    1. You are welcome, Suzanne. Always happy to share.

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  11. Jon, This is brilliant! Thank you. Of course, when I try it once again we shall see if the fingers go where the brain knows that they should... arghhhhh.
    Fox : ))

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  12. Thanks for all of the details and advice on how to use this technique. I'd like to try it. I recently started blogging about tatting-- check out my work at www.straightlacedtatting.blogspot.com

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  13. Love the pattern of the interlocking rings. I don't tat so I'm going to try it in crochet!

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  14. Thank you sooooo much for the diagram. I am able to close the ring!!!

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