Did you ever notice or wonder why a central ring is round while a normal tatted ring is tear drop shaped despite having the same overall stitch count?!
I've been ruminating over this for a few days and have only one theory. However, I would like you to share your thoughts before I update this blog with my own answer. Both rings above have 20 stitches each. I haven't done anything special except for picots in the central ring version. In fact these are straight off the shuttle, no blocking, etc.
Another pic showing one more ring (5-5-5-5).
This is what I've been enjoying about working on the Glossary. I had added an entry called Shape of Ring which got me delving deeper into this topic. As always happens with me, one thing leads to another and suddenly there are quite a few examples, factors, etc. I don't want to reveal too much though Net Best had given me blanket permission to share anything from her book .... I had refused her then and even now it just doesn't feel right. I tread carefully trying to share only a few of my own inputs here.
But I can share Elena Kozinenko's tip about how a ring is pre-shaped before closing can determine the final shape. It really works and I have tried to incorporate it into my tatting repertoire since. In fact since then I noticed how so many excellent tatters do it similarly. Hadn't ever realised the significance. Never too late to learn and improve ;-D You can find her blog post here along with a link to her video here -https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/perfect-tatting-part-7/
So, waiting to hear your thoughts ....
I’ll have to pay more attention!
ReplyDeleteYou are good at figuring out things, Jane, so I hope you give it a go sometime 💗
DeleteI think we must just subconsciously adjust the closing method when we need a round centre?
DeleteHello there,
ReplyDeletePosting shuttles is always an option to make your rings rounder. Just a thought :)
All the best
Annamaria
Thanks Annamaria, but this is not what I asked. 🌹
DeleteMy thoughts on this question go back to a session of the OnLine Tatting Class with Georgia Seitz many, many years ago. This question came up and Georgia answered in her detailed way. By the way, this question dips a toe into the physics we use tatting along with thread production and other less artistic facets.
ReplyDeleteGeorgia explained that the shape of the ring can be influenced by how you hold the shuttle or needle as you close the ring. I would defer to Jane for how the thread is spun on this point also. (I do not spin, but can see that it makes a difference in how many ply the thread is.) Here's a short list of the steps Georgia recommended:
1) After completing the DS needed, gently hold the stitches in your pinch in the shape of the ring or chain.
2) Pull the core thread using your shuttle (or needle) to close your ring being careful of the direction you pull the thread.
IF YOU PULL THE THREAD AWAY FROM YOUR BODY, THE RING WILL BE TEARDROP SHAPE.
IF YOU PULL THE THREAD TOWARDS YOUR BODY, THE RING WILL BE ROUNDER.
3) examine your ring and adjust if needed.
4) Smile! You've created lace!!
Notice that this answer does not deal with artistic taste, not with preferences for tool or shape of ring. Just the facts, Ma'am. My bottom line, create the lace you wish however you wish.
Apologies for such a long answer, but I clearly remember that day years ago with smiles.
Good memories and learning for sure, Mel! Thanks for this shortlist and I have no problem with detailed comments 💕However, in the above models I was not deliberately trying to get a certain shape. They were made exactly the same way but one turned into a teardrop while the other into a circle. Why?
DeleteI would look into the twist of the thread. Do we have a spinner to consult?
DeleteThat was me commenting on my phone. Sorry it says Anonymous.
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ReplyDeleteIn my experience, pulling the core thread different directions yields different shapes. But in your experience, pulling the core thread the same way and yielding, different shapes, I’m wondering if the looseness of the pico thread allows a looser round shape to occur.
I definitely think it is the picots that play a major role, Anita ... I will try to flesh out the theory in my next post. Thanks for you input and for all the trials you have done! 💕
DeleteThanks for the lesson!! :)
ReplyDeleteI have taken time before to shape all my rings to round, but it takes more time and I was just lazy and figured most people don't notice too much the shape of the rings. ;)
I like the teardrop shape, Anonymous 😁💕 You are right that the shape of rings is not a major point in regular tatted lace. Yet as I always maintain, it is good to have options!
DeleteI was wondering if you were going to put this on your blog, you had so many answers on facebook, as you know my answer was that the picots make the ring more round, but reading the comments theres more to this than we ever thought,
ReplyDeleteSuch an overwhelming response for sure, Margaret! And so I decided to write a separate post collating all the info instead of simply updating this one. However, life is interfering with my speed and focus, hence the delay. Thanks for you input 💕
DeleteJust to add a little more to the quandary, if both the rings were central mock rings they would both be circular.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anonymous, but SCMRs require two threads. 💕 Like I said, there are numerous factors that can affect the shape many of which will be shared in my next post 🌹
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