Tatting Pattern : In Sync Heart

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The best laid plans !!!

Today’s post had been decided almost about 2 weeks back. It was going to be tatting piece (not a heart, lol) based on & inspired by a romantic classic, which I had started reading. I had hoped to finish reading & post both together, commemorating the sentiments of this day. Well, I still have about a 100 pages to go … so the post will have to wait for a few more days :-(

Instead, I finally tatted another heart last evening, this time from my original sketches which were drawn when Land of Laces announced the Heart Challenge here ! Even though it did not Strictly conform to the sketch, the main element viz. a braid of Interlocking Rings is there. The rest I tatted as I went, but with some meaning in each segment.

The name “In Sync” should be clue enough … how the 2 colours representing 2 individuals (or spirits/ideas) are in sync with each other in different ways, maintaining their individuality in their togetherness, sometimes merging, sometimes dancing, sometimes melting, all enwrapped in each other. You can form your own interpretations :-)

Sharing the free pattern … hope you like it.

The Interlocking Rings can be replaced with Split Rings, where the colours of each half alternate, creating a spiraling rope-like effect as in the tail of my Trailing Hearts Bookmark here .

In Sync Heart

A stylized freeform heart with symbolism 

4 shuttle, 2-colour pattern comprising of Interlocking Split Rings & Lock Chains

Threads : Anchor Mercer Cotton. Size 40

White

Lavender : 4054-098

Measurement : Works up to around 2 inches in size 40 thread.

Abbreviations (in order of appearance) :

CTM : continuous thread method

SR : Split Ring

IR : Interlocking Ring

vsp : very small picot

Cl : Close ring

LCh : Lock Chain

ds : double stitch.

Ch : chain

lp : long picot

sep : separated by

LJ : Lock Join

RW :  Reverse Work

Tutorials : Interlocking Split Rings 

Pattern 

I have written the pattern as per the segments for greater clarity, hopefully. Refer to image this with notations.

 Segment 1 – Interlocking Split Rings

Wind 2 pairs of shuttles, each pair with one colour, CTM.

With purple shuttles --  SR1 : 10 / vsp 10 . Cl.

With white shuttles --   SR2 : 10 / vsp 10 . Before closing, pass both purple shuttles UPWARDS through the white ring. Close ring.

Repeat these two SRs, alternating the colours, and WITHOUT the picot, such that a segment of 10 IRs is formed.

Segment 2 – Single Colour Lock Chains ‘Rope’

Continuing with the white shuttle pair, make a LCh 1½” long.

With purple shuttles, make another LCh 1½” long.

Twist the 2 together & to keep the twist in place lock/knot them with a ds. While twisting, keep the arc of the heart in mind – the twist should be just right.

Segment 3 – Chains with long picots

With white pair -- Ch : vsp, 2, 8 lp sep by 1 ds, 2, join to vsp. This gives a ring-like effect.

With purple pair –- Ch: vsp, 2, 6 lp sep by 2 ds, 2, LJ to 3^rd picot of white chain, RW, 25 ds.

With white pair – Ch : 25

Segment 4 – 2-Colour Lock Chains

For this segment, pair one white shuttle with purple each.

With one pair of shuttles make Inner Lock Chain measuring 1½”. LJ to vsp of 1^st white SR on the IR segment.

With the other pair of shuttles, make Outer Lock Chain measuring 2”. LJ to vsp of 1^st purple SR on the IR segment.

Segment 5 – Single colour Chains

Optional Segment.

With white pair of shuttles together : Ch : 3, 7 lp sep by 1 ds, 3, LJ to any ds of 1^st white SR in IR segment.

With purple pair of shuttles together : Ch : approx 30 ds. LJ to last picot of white chain.

Tie & cut all threads. Hide ends.

 Few Notes 

• 4 shuttles can be a bit tricky to work with while making the IRs, but they were a JOY to create the rest of the elements – one had so much Choice ! Just pick up any shuttle to work with. And I didn’t even do any encapsulation here, sticking to 2-shuttle tatting for the rest of the pattern !
• I chose a finer thread (size 40) to give it a more elegant, dainty look.
• If I make this again, I will try to have larger SRs in Segment 1. Maybe 15/15. This will give a more rounded look – closer to heart shapes.
• For a Great IR braid, check out Robin’s Priscilla bookmark tail here
• I have given the LCh lengths. But with different tensions, etc. this length may vary for individuals. Try to estimate the desired length by positioning the in-work chain Before joining .
• I think the Segment 4 LChs should be a tad longer. Seemed fine last night, but appear a bit short when scanning.
• The last Segment #5 is Optional because the heart shape has already been formed. I just wanted to show some symbolism here.
• A little blocking is required … I just spritz some water & ironed.
• I had quite a struggle with the starting of the IRs. But once the initial rings are made, it is easy going. If anybody wishes for a step-by-step pictorial on how to start Interlocking Rings, a là Interlaced Rings here, please leave a comment letting me know.

happy tatting 

 Motif # 12 / II for 25 Motif Challenge