Bead in Split Ring With Needle

I received an e-mail from Wanda asking how to add a bead in between split rings.  I misread it and thought it was to place in the centre of a split ring, tatting with needle.   I searched for tatting videos to do this but I cannot find any, or I have not searched enough.  So, my mind started working and I came out with my version of it.

One again, I have to qualify that I am a shuttle-tatter but know a bit of needle-tatting to take up this challenge.  But first, I needed to learn how to make split rings with a needle, and this TotusMel video really helped.

Using that method as the basis, these are the steps that I used to add the bead in the centre of the split ring.

The first ring is a regular ring.  I made the second ring as a split ring following TotusMel's video.

Here, the bead will be added to the second split ring.  To add the bead, I pull the ball thread through a bead and hold it with a pin ( a paper clip will also do), then knot the thread (like what is usually done in needle-tatting after each element) 

Tat the double stitches as usual, enough to cover half of the bead when you close the ring.

Then, tat the other side of the split ring.

To close the ring, first pass the needle through the thread that comes out from the bead,  then the loop at the end and close it. 

A completely closed split ring with a bead in the centre.

Two split rings with beads in the centre

I have to qualify again that I am a shuttle-tatter and I am looking at this through the eyes of a shuttle-tatter but using the needle instead. There may  already be tutorials on this by other needle-tatters which may give better instructions. If other tatters find this useful, then I am happy enough.

Wrap stitch With Needle Pt 2

Finally managed to get some photos taken on the wrapping stitch with needle. Unfortunately, the picture is a bit fuzzy.

This is after Step 2 where the double stitch is loosely formed over the plastic ring.

After making a few more of the wrap stitch, make a knot with the ball and needle thread. Then take the needle and make a ring as normal. make sure that the first double stitch formed on the needle is tucked very close to the plastic ring. Close the ring as normal.

Here is a picture showing two tatted rings made on the outside of the plastic ring with a few more wrap stitch between the rings.

Sorry about the fuzziness of the pictures, but I think you can sort of figure it out.

Wrap-stitch Round a Plastic Ring With Needle

I wonder ... has anyone done it this way before? Or, have I stumbled across something new!

I received an e-mail from Alan asking if the patterns in my book, Tatting With Rings can be needle-tatted. Well, the patterns in my book were developed with shuttles. My only experience with needle tatting is limited to the basic rings and chains, but the thought of using a needle with the plastic rings gives an interesting challenge. I gave it some thought and started working on this idea that I have. I think I may have got it.

I am going to share the steps here. I would appreciate very much if they could be tested out by some of the needle-tatters among us to see if it can actually work.

Step 1 - making the first half of the double stitch
With the needle threaded, pull a loop of the needle thread up from under the ring and slide the needle through, pulling it all the way. You will get the thread looped round the ring as in the diagram above.

Step 2 - the second half of the double stitch
Bring a loop of the needle thread down under the plastic ring and slide the needle through, pulling it all the way.

You have made the first double stitch over the plastic ring.

It you continue making the double stitches this way, you'll find that the ball thread will be on one side of the double stitches and the needle thread on the other end. From the little that I know about needle tatting, both the ball thread and the needle thread must be at the same position to make the ring or chain. In this case then, the ball thread should move along with the double stitches.

Step 3 - moving the ball thread along
It is so simple! I can't think why it did not occur to me before. I think my brain cell has taken to running off, like Jane's, :)

To make the next double stitch, lay the ball thread along the outer edge of the plastic ring. Then, repeat Steps 1 and 2. This, in effect, means that you are making the double stitch over both the plastic ring and the ball thread. Make sure that the ball thread lies on the edge of the ring when you tighten the thread to neaten the double stitch.

The different colours used in the diagram are for illustration purposes only.

Now you have two double stitches over the ring looking like this.

To make the outward tatted ring, tie a knot with the ball and needle thread and make a ring as you would normally do with a needle, bringing the double stitch as close to the plastic ring as possible.

After making the outward ring, make a knot again to switch the position of the two threads. Repeat the steps for the next set of double stitches over the plastic ring.

I would love to hear what needle-tatters think of this.

A First Using Needle

I first learned tatting using shuttles and don't know any other way, until I found tatting on the internet. That was when I found out about tatting with needles ... I also found out about cro-tatting, but that is for another time.

I think I am getting along okay with using shuttles so I decided on the next thing that I should try, learn how to needle-tat. I couldn't find any needles in the local stores and had to order them online (from Georgia's store). It was not that difficult to learn the basics of making the ds, rings, chains and joins, i.e. after I got used to holding the needle and how to handle the thread. Well ... it is different from the way of using shuttle.

And ta... da.... my first completed work ... a simple rings-and-chains bookmark.

The pattern for this is from Dreams of Lace site. I used Manuela size 10 for this which fits the needle that I am most comfortable with right now. I dare not try the two finer ones .... scared that the needle might break, :D. I still need to get my tension right for needles, because I tend to close the ds tight when shuttle-tatting.

This is a start, woo.... wooo... can't wait to work on patterns with those beautiful Celtic designs. But that won't be so soon. Have lots more to learn about needle tatting. But one thing for sure, unpicking is very easy, he ...he ... he