scrappy doily and scmr

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For the last few days I hadn’t picked up a shuttle. Housework was partly to blame, leaving me too tired to continue with my Blossoms motifs (I was on a whirlwind spree and the count is now up to 20 - halfway mark reached!!!). So, I took up sewing the edging on the saree – somebody (meaning me) has to do it!

Last evening, I didn’t even have the concentration to sew. But Madhur Dadlani's Unending Doily had been at the back of my mind as a wonderful way to empty shuttles and use up all the scraps! Picked up a shuttle and started.

My rings are ( 4-3-3-4 ). I started with 3 normal rings (white), then switched to SCMR.

Why? With scmr, I can use up almost every last bit of scrap thread, since they will only form the stitches. Can you see where I have a part purple part blue ring? Easily possible with scmr.

And I can have a continuous core thread throughout, not having to refill the shuttle every time.

To secure the scmr, I made an unflipped half stitch at the base.

I had first thought of making it rectangular, but I think with random colours, it is best to go circular. Although, here I am aiming for an oval and will decide on how to fill the center later. Hope the shape will hold.

It’s still scappy, fresh off my shuttle, with no blocking.

So far these are Anchor size 20 scraps, and the 2 rounds measure 2”x1½”.

Do you see this turning into an Ice Drop?! A future project :-D

SCMR - self closing mock ring -

And on the topic of SCMRs, a Japanese tatter (kukka tatting) has been applying the scmr to small medallions and so far she has reached a count of 91 lovely medallions/motifs using scmr!!! I've been following her journey from the start, but it's a pity that I can't leave any comment on her blog. Do check it out. 91 scmr motifs !

Split SCMR
And Tim Kaylor has worked out a way to split the scmr in regular tatting (ie. when working with only 2 threads!). Randy Houtz’ split/scmr uses 3 threads. Tim has put up a video too. Now to try it out…

(added later in the day...) 

After some thought, this is the realisation I’ve come to –

Tim pulls open the scmr, exposing the core thread, then uses a split chain to cover and bridge the core thread.

Which is similar to what Dora Young did in her KM Ring (Knotless Method Ring). And Rachael Mohler did a slight modification by not closing the ring completely, then covering the open core thread with the knotless method (i.e., a split chain in modern terms).  

So it is basically the modified Dora Young’s Knotless Method Ring (a mock ring worked in 2 parts by anchoring with a lock join & doable with a single shuttle) on a SCMR! 

Clever, nevertheless, and opens up vast possibilities.

the correct guess

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A couple of emailers & Ninetta came close, but Stephanie nailed it! In fact more than nailed it, giving 2 more ways to tat the braid/bracelet. Read her comment in this post. Thank you for playing along, tatters.

The July 19th Bellaonline newsletter carried an article on some of the laces featured in the latest IOLI publication. Skimming through, one word caught my attention – ‘split/self-closing mock ring (S/scmr)’. First time I’d heard this term and was especially keen to understand because of my ongoing Mock Ring series. Randy Houtz’s tatting picture frame image was too small to realise what was going on. 
I asked Georgia immediately and she introduced me to Randy Houtz! What a stroke of luck ‘coz the internet-recluse was online! And this is what he graciously shared …

For making a split/SCMR –

after desired chain tatted past thread loop of SCMR, place thread loop on little finger, add third thread and tat un-flipped stitches (ufs) as would regular split ring over both thread of the thread loop. when desired stitches obtained, pass core thread through thread loop and close mock ring. Since you've added the third thread, it can be used for rings on the inside of the split ring. Hope this is clear enough to get you started?

This is my very first attempt following the above instructions, 

till I ran out of the scrap threads but not ideas.

This is my next trial from which resulted the first braid. 

I’m calling it Buttercup Trellis. Like the combo of split ring and scmr, this name is a combo of suggestions from God's Kid (Sue) and Anita Barry!

I continued on with more effects for the next two braids. Still working on them. 

UPDATE (Aug 2018) : A slight variation/adaptation of the s/scmr technique in the 2nd braid is shared with Sunrise Sunset bracelet pattern here.


Here’s the first pattern if you wish to give it a go, using the split/self-closing mock ring (s/scmr) technique … Let me know if you want in-process pics of the technique or the bracelet.

Buttercup Trellis

braid/bracelet pattern

Wind 3 shuttles with 3 different colours.

Sh1 – beige. This is the main shuttle throughout. 

Sh2 – purple

Sh3 – green
Note: If one does not want to switch colours in the trellis, then use ball instead of Sh3.

In Anchor size 20, 4 repeats of the motif measure 5cms in length, and ½cm wide. The tatted model (merely a sampler) with 8 repeats and end rings is about 11cms in length..

Abbreviations :

Sh – shuttle ; R – ring ; S/SCMR – split/self-closing mock ring ; SLT – shoe lace trick

How to start: Following is the way I started it, but you can choose to start in your favourite way.

Make a starting ring (R1: 12) with only Sh1, tatting over tail. Then make a loop for scmr and fold Sh2 thread over it. Start the chain, tatting over Sh2 tail.

For 2^nd side of the s/scmr, fold Sh3 thread over loop. Work unflipped stitches, hiding this tail in the first few stitches.
Both halves have Sh1 as the core thread, but the top half has single core, while the bottom half has a double core since the unflipped stitches are worked over the loop.

In case of bracelet, attach findings to the 2 end rings.

The pattern is worked all from the front, from left to right.

With Sh1
R1 : 12.
**S/SCMR : 10 / 10. close.
R2 : 1-1-1-1-1-1.  rotate
R3 : 1-1-1-1-1-1. 

(make a 3^rd ring for the center)
SLT with Sh2 & Sh3 from behind the flowers**
Repeat from ** to ** to desired length.

S/SCMR : 10 / 10. close.
last R (Sh1) :12.

To finish :

Make picot rings at end of each tail, at varying distances. Make 2 overhand knots at base of each ring to secure. Tie & Cut. No tails to hide!

For variation :

Try using a thinner thread for Sh1.

Add beads.

Finish off with tassels dangling on the tail(s).

The scmr has already had such an impact on modern tatting. I hope you create many more designs using this split/scmr variation with due credit to the Houtz brothers.

Gary & Randy Houtz’s latest book, Tatting GR-8 Triangles has several different tatting techniques, such as the split/scmr and a variety of two-shuttle rings i.e. alternate thread rings, un-flipped stitch rings, wrapped rings, and others. click here for more info on their books & resources.

In Randy’s own words …

Good luck with the Split/SCMR. It has tremendous potential since it gives opportunity to place rings on both sides of a split ring…. It is a technique that enhances the art of tatting and folks should know about it.

So, let’s rally round to thank him!

Loads of thanks to Randy

for promptly and selflessly sharing the technique

with the tatting community

Many thanks to all my tatting playmates, & a great big hug to Georgia.