Wednesday 9 December 2015

Twist in the Tail

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Any long picot can be twisted while one is joining a new element to it (as in Karen's Lesson #94). There are tutorials/videos showing how this can be done. It gives a flat but twisted picot & is used with beautiful effect in 2D tatting. 

But just as we have floating (thrown) rings & floating chains in tatting, we can have twisted picots that are free-standing or floating too ; unanchored at the tip. The twist itself keeps the picot taut & free-standing. 

Following is a series of pics showing how to achieve it, & a few possible variations are included at end.
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Twisted  Picot  (Floating)

1. Decide on the length of picot required. For purposes of this pictorial, I am making a 1cm long picot (when finished) & have put a mark at 2cms as an indicator.
 2. Pinch thread at the mark in order to start twisting. This is how the thread will look before any twisting.
 3. Twist along the 'grain' of the thread, otherwise the thread will unravel !
 4. Keep pinch firm while twisting. Notice how the twists on the thread have become denser & closer. Compare with pics 2&3
Please note (Feb 6) : Do Not lose your hold on the thread while twisting. If the pinch is slackened while twisting,  the picot will not get a firm and dense fold. Moreover,  the twisting will spread to the rest of the rest length.
 5. When sufficient tension is achieved, ‘fold’ back. Hook shows the midpoint at which we want the picot to fold back. One can use the hook to guide the fold, till one becomes proficient. Magically, the thread twists around itself ! And holds it’s shape !!
Please note ... If the thread has enough twists, it will WANT to fold back ! All one needs is a tiny guiding finger/thumb to nudge it to fold at the precise point.
 6. Now continue tatting. 1st half stitch being made. Notice the mark.
 7. 2nd half stitch made (1ds complete). 3 ds made after twisted picot. One can smoothen the picot (evenly spacing the twists) by gently caressing between fingers.
8. Showing floating twisted picots on a chain, in different sizes.
 9. Floating twisted picots can be made on rings as well.
Notice the difference in twists in the ring picots (white) above?

UPDATE: Beaded and Branched variations of these Twisted Picots - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2019/11/beads-on-roll-and-twist.html
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Variations/Applications
Rings & Chains 
Remember this snowflake I test-tatted for Robin ? It has floating twisted picots on both chains, as well as rings.
 

In Freeform &/or 3D 
Another freeform variation with extra long picots on a Josephine chain (part of my Tiny Heart Poppy foliage here) , and as veins on the midrib of my Rustic Leaf Pendant 

Additional Elements   
This is a new snowflake pattern I tried today, showcasing another variation. Patty Dowden, in a Round Robin here, first used Josephine ring at end of twisted picot ! Inspired by that, I also attempted a bead at the end. 
Bead : Place bead at distance required; twist & fold to make twisted picot with bead at tip.
Josephine Ring : Using SH2, tat a JR at distance required. Then twist to make the picot with JR at tip.

Irregular Placement of Elements
Add few more beads or other elements (with bare thread spaces between) & twist. These embellishments will appear to branch out ! 

Mary’s Experiments
Mary Maynard experiments shared here with twisting long picots. 
In 1st instance, she joins the twisted picot like a double picot a few ds away. 
In 2nd instance, she joins the long twisted picot back at same point before continuing with pattern, thus getting 4 threads in the twist !!!
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A Few Final Points  
  • One may need to suspend the shuttle after making twisted picots, to bring the thread back to normalcy.
  • Repeated twisting of same length of thread may cause it to become fragile & fray or break. Hence it is best to practice. 
  • 6 ply threads are perhaps better threads to use.
  • Do Not slacken your pinch at any time while twisting, Until it is ready to be folded. 
  • When adding elements like bead or JR at tip, make sure both lengths of picot thread are equal for precise positioning of the added element.
UPDATE : Karen Cabrera has uploaded a video (with my consent) of this freestanding twisted picot here
UPDATE : Usha Shah has uploaded 2 videos (at my request) - twisted picot (with & without bead) , and twisted picot with knotted bead.
UPDATE : Susan Fuller tells me (Feb, 2022) a 1959 U.S. edition book titled 'TATTING' by Elgiva Nicholls has similar long twisted picots used in a Frond design. She further mentions that this book is usually found only in library collections. 
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Related Posts Tiny Heart Poppy
I think my previous post did not reach some who follow by email. Here is the link to the Thorny Wreath pattern post


happy tatting :-)

25 comments:

  1. My previous attempts at twisted picots were not very successful. I'll have to give it another go.

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    1. I guess it always helps to revisit ? Wish you luck this time round, Jane :-)

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  2. Thanks for the tutorial! I'm sure it will come in handy for me. Your freeform twisted picots with beads and JRs are quite delightful. :-)

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    1. Thanks, Grace ... will be posting the pattern, once I re-tat the snowflake. But I'm wondering what to name it ;-P

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  3. I have used this (on your poppy) and liked it, and it is a great reminder too, will add extra pop to snowflakes of any kind I think! thanks for the post great fun!

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    1. I like the erect spines/spokes this creates in snowflakes, too, Carollyn :-) Should work on quite a few patterns.

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  4. Oh for pity's sake, that's how you do them? Thank goodness for you and your brilliant tutorial, I no longer fear the twisted picot! Thank you!

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    1. :-D Love your emotional response, Michelle :-) So glad this tut was helpful .

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  5. This is awesome! Thanks for sharing :). School is out for summer so hoping to have more time for tatting :).

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    1. It's been a long time since I saw any tatting on your blog, Jenn .... sure hope you get the time :-)

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  6. Once again, you have presented a very clear and detailed tutorial. Thank you!

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  7. Love your floating picots, what will you think of next. BTW, great pics .

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    1. :-D, Bernice I do have a few more ideas in the works & may share a sneak peek soon ... stay tuned :-)

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  8. A very detailed guide, thank you!

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  9. I admired the twisted picots effect on your snowflake. Thank you for sharing your experience and tips.

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    1. Thanks, Claire :-) Hope you use it sometime

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  10. I'm going crazy to figure out how you did the twist on the Rose to make the thorns. I do subscribe and get emails, how can I get your secret to make these twists on my Pearl Tatted Stem? I'll keep an eye out here and see if you reply. Thanks a MIL for any clues to this lovely addition to my 4 roses.

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    1. Do you mean the Rose bookmark adapted by Coretta?
      I used the same motions and technique that is illustrated here (and later in the videos by Karen & Usha). Choose the thread/shuttle that is forming the stitch on the side you want a thorn and twist it as above. Then continue with the stitches normally. I randomly spread out the thorns on either side of the pearl stem.
      Have you tried these twisted picots on a normal chain? It's basically the same.
      If you still have trouble, you can email me with specifics. mooskaanm at gmail dot com
      All the best :-)

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    2. I have just updated the post with links to the videos Usha made

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  11. So glad I found Sparrow Spite's Twisted Picots video. It is the perfect accompaniment to your tutorial. Thank you. I am off to practice.

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    1. Good to know, Elaine 💖 I must check out her video, too. Happy twisting 🤣

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  12. Your Tutorial Section is So,So helpful. Very many thanks for all your help. I love visiting this site, but it is a place where a mere Thank You is SO, SO inadequate.

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    1. Welcome to my blog, Liz, and thanks for your lovely comment 🤩

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