Cracking “Picotgate”

(all links at the end of this post)

Yes, “Picotgate” is what they’re calling the Ikuta Picots (Method 3) in class now, LOL!

Why? Probably because some tatters are still struggling to crack the effect – those picots seem to be in quite a conspiratorial underhanded deal against us :-)

So, here’s another post on the same topic. I don’t know the specific difficulties faced by tatters, but Deep Throat has learned a bit more since the first information was provided in the pictorial & the post, and is revealing it in a slightly different style – a tat-along exercise for the Woodwards & Bernsteins :-). Hopefully, some associations & connections might emerge from this little exercise in “doing is learning” .

We shall approach the picot effects through the chain route, going from simple to complex, so that beginners may take a shot at it too. I have taken all new photographs for a new perspective. 

IKUTA’S PICOT EFFECTS ON CHAINS
A tat-along exercise

For this tat-along exercise, we need only 1 shuttle, and 2 scrap threads, preferably in different colours. 

In my samples, red is the core/shuttle thread & blue & yellow are the ‘chain’ or scrap threads.

To start each part, I tied the 3 threads together & tatted a 3DS blue chain.

I. Layered Picots-1

Knot the 3 threads together & make 3 DS with blue thread.

After the chain segment is tatted, simply leave/drop the thread to the left.

3DS with yellow thread, leaving picot space at beginning.

I have only just noticed that 1 half stitch of yellow segment is missing – an inadvertent mistake; please ignore. 

Continue these segments. Notice how the yellow thread remains behind ....

... and the blue thread remains in front.

Notice the placement/layering of picots : each picot is separate, but one colour lies in front & the other behind throughout the chain. Also notice that the core thread remains the same throughout.

We can switch the colours if so desired (Part II of the exercise is optional) ...

II. Layered Picots-2 

Follow the same procedure as in I. But this time, keep the blue thread behind, to the left, after completing 3DS.

Compare with pics 7 & 8 with 4 & 5 above.

The final result is same as above, except that now the yellow picots lie in front & blue behind.

Pic 10 shows both the above effects together for easy comparison.

This style of layered picots was incidental ; not part of Ikuta’s Picots. But it helped me figure out how to overlap the picots to recreate Method 3. 

The 2 ways of overlapping are as follows - over-under overlap & under-over overlap , giving a sense of intertwined picots.

III. Over-Under Picots (Method 3)

In this overlap, the picot lies Over the arch of previous picot, but Under the arch of next picot. See inset in pic 15

Tie the 3 threads together & tat 3DS with blue , picot, 3DS yellow. 

Bring blue Behind yellow , leave picot space ...

& tat 3DS .

Repeat the same with yellow : bring yellow from Behind blue, leave picot space, & tat 3DS.

Continue in similar fashion for required length. (pic 15) 

Examine how the picots lie in relation to each other. They have an over-under overlap as explained earlier.

Now let's do the other overlap ...

IV. Under-Over Picots (Method 3)

As the name suggests, the left side of picot lies Under the previous picot & right end lies Over/above the next picot.

Make 3DS with blue ;

Bring yellow in front of the blue thread, leave picot space & tat 3DS. 

Bring blue in front of yellow, leave picot space & tat 3DS 

Repeat to required length. 

Examine how the picots lie in relation to each other. The woven appearance has an under-over overlap. 

The two overlaps shown together for easy comparison.

To refresh our memory & compare , all 4 chains are photographed together. 

Have you completed this exercise successfully ? Do the happy dance :-D

Do you feel confident of making the picots on a ring ? If yes, then we will continue our exercise on rings in the next post, along with a bit of conceptual input.

Before I sign out, here's something to ponder over :

IS THIS PEARL TATTING ? 

Can you give reason(s) for your answer ?

In case of Any difficulty or doubt please feel free to leave a comment or email me. Your input & feedback is also very valuable. I hope to get some answers to this question before I post the next part :-)

happy tatting :-)

(to be continued)

Related Links & Resources 

class material & logs for May 9, & May 16, 2016 (many thanks to Georgia Seitz)

pictorial pdf for Method 3

Outline of the pictorial & other notes