pleasure and pondering

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 Something old something new with loads of fun and possibilities. I found it listed in Karen Cabrera's Lesson #151 - Double Chain. At the end of the video is a model which was clearly a Jane Eborall pattern. However when I went to Jane's Techniques page, there is no listing for it. Finally I traced down the pattern where she used it - Butterfly with Fancy Edging (2001 rewritten 2011).

And I went a couple steps further, playing with some effects. This is merely a small window into possibilities which can be explored in future. In the above pic you see the three samplers and details follow ...

Abbreviations used: SH = shuttle ; SS = switch shuttles ; DS = double stitch ; RORS = reverse order reverse stitch (as in RODS) ; DC = double chain

Original Double Chain using 3 threads. All double stitches, but you switch shuttles and core threads. 

Step1: SH1 is the active shuttle (lavender) and SH2 thread forms stitches (green). Make 1DS and SS.

Step2: SH2 is the active shuttle (green) and SH3 thread forms stitches (brown). Make 1DS and SS.

Repeat steps 1 & 2 to desired length.

If using 3 colours, the first one remains hidden.

What if we added another thread? 'Double Chain' or should we say 'Triple Chain' using 4 threads. At least 3 shuttles are required while the 4th one can be a ball.

The process is exactly the same, except for the additional thread requiring an extra step.

Despite how they've been photographed, these are not straight chains. When I tried to straighten the DC variation, the SH1 core thread (green in this case) became visible between the stitches. Does make for a nice effect, though. The more threads you add, the wider this colour blip.

TIP: Yes, they can become straight if we use a thicker thread in SH1. 

NOTE The SH1 core thread remains free throughout but the other core threads become 'locked in'. Hence care should be taken to snug each stitch properly.

Since multiple shuttles are used, we can throw off rings and make chains! Imagine the free-styling one can do! And of course we can add beads in so many wonderful arrangements and colours!

In the above sample, I allowed the chain to curve.

TIP: This double chain can be used to make mock rings.

When I showed Ninetta a sneak peek, she sent me a link to Edda Guastalla's site where she has used and diagrammed the double chain technique.

https://digilander.libero.it/chiacchierino/tecnica/bordooro.html . Not sure about the year yet.

Its not just fun and games. There are several lessons and some startling observations that emerged from this project! Let me share these with you and would love to read your insights and feedback.

Comparing Double Chain with other Techniques

1. Is it Pearl Tatting? 

To the extent that there are extra/auxiliary/additional threads, it can be considered pearl tatting. However there are differences - 

    the chain is not straight ;

    stitches face the same way, not opposite ; and

    the stitches are in two separate tiers, not on a common core thread.

2. Is it a Cord or cord tatting?

No, because the chains have a tendency to curve just like regular chains. The reason is obvious because the broader stitch caps are all lined up on one side. See TIP above.

3. Is it similar to Daisy picot?

Yes, it can be considered a chain version of the daisy picot technique. This is something I tried on the last few stitches and it worked.

    the stitches are two-tiered ;

    the double chain can be worked with only one shuttle (SH2 in the tatted sample) and 2 balls, making DS with one thread and RORS with the other thread. The reverse order reverse stitch (RORS) has to be coaxed gently to face outward (like the DS) and then repeat. 

    

4. Is it Helix Tatting?

Now here's the clincher! It is actually a precursor to helix tatting! It is the 2D version with exactly the same technique/process.

If we add more threads and join it back to the first thread, voila, we have a hollow tube as in helix tatting! 

5. Is it ATT?

Alternate Thread Tatting is a term coined by Shuttle Brothers where two threads (and often two shuttles) are used to make rings and chains incorporating an array of effects involving picots, thrown rings, colour switches, etc. 

    stitches all face outwards and they use the daisy picot a lot ;

    but the ATT chain is made with only two threads, not three (or more) ; 

    While rings (ATR) are made with two threads, the double chain (with 3 threads) can only be joined back as a mock ring. 

I think we can clearly rule out ATT.    

6. Is it TATHing?
Tatting with Alternate Thread is a term coined by Judith Connors where two shuttles are used alternately on the core thread as in pearl tatting, Maltese rings, daisy picot. 

    In this double chain, the stitches or picots (if any) face the same way, but it can be tatted using the daisy picot method. 

    However, the chain does need three threads to be made.

So where do we stand on this point? I'm not sure. Does TATHing include effects where the stitches face the same way? 

This is it for now. Hope to hear your thoughts and input.

UPDATE (10th Sep 2024): In Priscilla Tatting Book No.3, a 'double chain' is illustrated (Diag. 7) for the Tatted Centerpiece made with Needle and Shuttle pattern. Here some stems are worked as normal chains with a shuttle and then a second tier of stitches are inserted between the stitches below using a needle. Thank you, Mary A!

Many thanks to all mentioned. Its always a productive day when we learn something!

lock join plus

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Many months back, in response to some curiosity and confusion among several tatters, I decided to illustrate the simple progression and functional similarity between a few techniques. Here the underlying common factor is the ubiquitous Lock Join. Add one extra step to the LJ, and it opens up the canvas to change colours, shuttles, and even direction of chains.

I took stepwise pics for each of the combinations back then, but preparing a proper stream-lined article has taken way more time than intended. I am immensely grateful to Anita Barry, Master Tatter, for her proofing and editing.

In order to make the document manageable, it is uploaded as a series of 5 pdfs, each a stand-alone (click on each title to download) –

PLEASE NOTE - Most of these are also Reposition Methods which can be used even without a lock join to change direction, create points or curves, etc.

1. Lock Join Plus – Executive Summary and practice Patterns for further exploration. (3 pages)

 

How one extra movement after a lock join can open up the canvas to change colours, shuttles, and even direction of chains. 

For starters, a simple 2-colour motif is used where all chains face the same direction. But for further exploration, more patterns are listed. 

2. LJ Plus - Lock Join (LJ) pictorial (1 page)

 

How to make the lock join using both up and down loops. 

Notice how the colour blips in the 2 right joins are larger than the remaining 3. If the down loop LJ is followed by a 2nd half-stitch, the blip is almost hidden completely.
Links to undo a LJ and variations that include making a LJ with 2^nd shuttle.
See also Lock Join in Mock Rings - 

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2018/06/mock-rings-2-lj-mock-onion-rings.html

3. LJ Plus – Reposition pictorial (1 page)

 

A laissez-faire crossing of threads. Simple, quick, vintage. Compare how chain segments change colour and the slight overlap at the start of each chain.

4. LJ Plus - Shoe Lace Trick (SLT) pictorial (1 page)

 

Tying a half knot outside the LJ – overhand tie or SLT. Again chain colours get switched. SLT also allows us to switch the core thread in instances when the shuttle is running low on thread.

5. LJ Plus – Reverse Join (RJ) pictorial (2 pages)

 

Encapsulating or entrapping the other thread within the LJ. Created by Elaine P Gan (tattingbox). 

Pics showing an up loop and a down loop. The latter 
minimises the colour blip in a RJ as well.

Functionally the same as crossing and SLT after LJ, but more elegant and efficient – a smooth transition.

After each or either of these, if we turn work, reverse work, switch shuttle, and/or direct tat (unflipped stitches) the next chain, we add another dimension – changing the direction of the chain! Along with colour. Our choices multiply! And we might even be able to work throughout with just one shuttle and ball. To explore these choices, some practice patterns are listed in the main pdf. Besides block tatting, think also of filet tatting, especially in 2 colours, where these can be used effectively. I forgot to mention the role of lock join plus in mock rings and mock onion rings, but you get the idea, right? Wherever you have 1 or more chains joined below, play with LJ Plus!

I used all the above 4 in this vintage edging from Priscilla Tatting Book3 Fig 29 where the chains move to and fro. We can turn work after each chain or we can work every alternate chain directly (reverse stitch - unflipped). I started with LJ, then tried reposition, SLT, and RJ after every 3^rd chain. Shuttle in hand changes depending on our choices.

So I'm sure there is no need to spell out why I presented this article/pdfs in the way I did? There is lot of scope to play and design because each method has it's own pluses and minuses!

Do you see a butterfly in the above arrangement? Time to pick up my shuttles again and work out a pattern ;-D
Before that you might get fed one more lesson, so stay locked in ;-P

UPDATE 1: (2021) When working with only one shuttle and ball, changing the direction of chain using direct tatting - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2021/06/2nd-shuttle-or-ball.html 

UPDATE 2: (2021) Carrying on with functional movements, see pictorial Twist Work (TwW) -

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1To6YwZSkh2ffQH3XBcKZ-Ed3l4myW34c/view 

UPDATE 3: (2026) The Catherine Wheel Join pictorial accompanied by diagrams by Ninetta Caruso- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UmmjBqNwwQYIb9Ms9_-T5K6dPnZENCwl/view  

UPDATE 4: (2026) Beaded Lock Join (based on Vicki Clarke's suggestion) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rL7ZLsSUwKqmkZy210yqP03RgVAsUOxN/view