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Free Tatting Instructions
(continued)
Rings and Picots
The dainty effect of tatting depends on the lacy loops called
picots (ps). A picot is the first half of a double, but instead of being drawn
close up against the preceding stitch (Fig. 6); it is held by the thumb on the
shuttle thread at a distance of about a quarter inch from the preceding stitch;
complete the double draw shuttle thread, this way the doubles will meet and a
picot loop is formed on the ring (Fig 7). The double made in forming the picot
is considered part of the next group of doubles.
Practice doubles and picots until you can make them readily.
Then make a ring. Remember to keep thread on the back of shuttle for ease in
working. Work 3 ds, p, 3 ds, p, 3 ds, p, 3 ds. Hold stitches firmly in the left
hand under thumb and forefinger, after last double is completed, draw the
shuttle thread gently until ring is completely closed and the last double made
touches the first double of ring (Fig. 8). For larger picots, leave a larger
space (sp) between doubles.
Joining Rings
* About 1/4 inch from ring just made, begin a new ring. Make 3
ds, then join this ring to the preceding ring. Hold work close to picot and with
the "pick" of shuttle (pin or crochet hook), draw ring thread up
through last picot of preceding ring (Fig. 9), making a loop large enough to
insert shuttle;
slip the shuttle through the loop and pull shuttle thread taut
to the right, draw ring back out of picot with fingers on left hand, make second
half of double. Be sure to hold shuttle thread taut or a square knot will
develop when second half is made and it will not slip. Now work 3 more ds, p, 3
ds, p, 3 ds and draw up to form a second ring. Continue from * for desired length.
To reverse work, turn your work so that the base of ring
just made is at the top and work next ring as usual.
To Join Threads—Always join new thread at the base of last
ring or chain by making a square knot and leaving the ends until work is
finished as the strain may loosen the knot. Cut ends later leaving them long
enough so that they will not pull loose. Never join a new thread in ring as
the knots will not pass through the
double stitch.
Chains: A shuttle and a ball thread are used to
make a chain (ch). It
is necessary to use both working threads (a shuttle thread
and a ball thread) when rs and chs appear in the same
design. To make a ch after
a r, reverse work (rw); to do this turn ring over so point
where the shuttle thread comes out of ring is at top between
thumb and forefinger. Tie end of ball thread in square knot
to shuttle thread very close to base of ring. Hold
the ball thread across back of fingers of left hand, wind it twice around little
finger to control tension (Fig 10), and hold free end of ball thread between
forefinger and thumb of left hand.
Make a series of ds with shuttle on ball thread. When ch is completed, draw
sts close together and drop ball thread. Rw and pick up shuttle thread to make
another r.
Tatting Abbreviations:
R = ring; st = stitch; ch = chain "a series of sts worked on
the ball thread and are not drawn into a ring"; ds = double stitch; p =
picot; cl r = close ring "draw shuttle thread until last stitch made
touches first stitch, forming a r; rw = reverse work "Turn work over so
that the lower edge of work lies at the top"; sp = space; sm p = small
picot; lg p = long picot; sm r = small ring; lg r = large ring; sep = separated
"the number of picots in a ring is sometimes given, together with the
number of double by which they are separated"; * = asterisk - repeat the
directions following the asterisk as many times as specified, in addition to the
original.
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