itch scratched

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 From April 2019 to May 2026 - took all of seven years for me to put up the pictorial for curled ring connectors! I had a one-page graphic prepared in 2019 but kept putting it off. The 7-year itch proved advantageous because now I am sharing a comprehensive tatted ring connectors presentation which includes two main types of connectors as well as numerous applications and variations along with tips and options! You no longer need to rummage through your stash of motifs wondering what to do with them, or to worry about finding the right findings for your tatted jewellery! No preplanning, no joining picots needed!

Since this is an image-heavy post, I will try to keep the text to a minimum. You can read all details in the PDF and the links provided below.  

Tatted Ring Connectors

PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vHuQjgEgH2vWSUX8JO5svG737jMM4Q9n/view

Two main types are the Curled Ring Connector (CRC) and the Tatted Ring Connector (TRC) as seen above.

Curled Ring Connector

All you need is a single shuttle to tat picoted rings and a lock join to curl each either individually or simultaneously at the end. 

Curled Ring Connector in progress. These are single shuttle rings curled around desired motifs to connect them.

Collect all your motifs or lace and arrange as desired.

My CRC SOUP bracelet. Here, I have added beads in the center of the 3-way CRCs. 

The large ring at the bottom left will be curled and will act as a toggle for the bracelet.

Detail of the beaded CRC.

First sneak peek here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2019/04/pattys-square-pattern-and-peeks.html

This is my Italian Connection bookmark made by linking Patty Castagno's Square Motifs.

Notice the 3-way CRC decorating the tassel and its 'empty' counterpart at the other end.

First shared here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2019/04/my-italian-connection.html

Not merely tatted motifs, these connectors can be used to link sequins! There are even 4-way connectors here tatted with metallic thread.

First sneak peek here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2019/04/pattys-square-pattern-and-peeks.html

Ninetta Caruso's E37 Iris Pendant uses a triple onion ring to curl around the necklace. And on the other end she worked a curled ring to link to the tatted motif with a split ring between the CR and OR!

First shared here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/10/rabbits-multiply.html

Tatted Ring Connector

All you need is a single shuttle to tat picoted rings and a picot join between them, encapsulating  two motifs/pieces. 

Some of my E37 Eye Spy Hearts #2 motifs left over from my trials and prototypes are now linked with TRC or tatted ring connector. More hearts here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/09/timeline-and-play.html

Detail of a TRC in progress.

My E37 SOUPy Vine bookmark with E37 Eye Spy Hearts #1 has a variation of the tatted connectors where the two rings are not joined to each other but to the motifs! More details here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/07/soupy-vine.html

My E1 Happy Hands Linked Bookmark uses the main motif 'hands' to link the tail to the body! More here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/03/linked-hands-trial.html 

My E1 Happy Hands Linked Bracelet has two motifs and the linkage to the body is made with the crossed long beaded picots. https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/08/a-bonanza-of-happiness.html  

Detail of the crossover picots between the two motifs.

Ninetta Caruso's E1 Happy Hands Necklace uses 3 individually tatted interlocking rings to link the clasp to the lace! Lots more pics and details here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/10/not-just-edging.html

Ninetta uses a similar technique to attach the clasp to the lace in her E2 Fishbone Bracelet. Her pattern pdf also has a detailed pictorial of the process and she has shared two important tips for our presentation as well.

I hope you are sufficiently impressed by the variety and will want to assemble your practice and prototypes pieces to create useable articles and jewellery!

Many thanks to Ninetta for her feedback, input, tips, and proofing!

something new

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 For the last several weeks, starting around mid-December, I've been mainly focused on completing the Glossary for the book 'Six T's of Shuttle Tatting' by Net Best. Long back I had divided the glossary into separate letter files for ease of work and have gone through anywhere between 5 to 10 drafts of each over the years. Angela has been a patient and efficient support. This time it is 'final' ... my humble request to the tatting community is "Please stop bringing out new effects and techniques for this year so that I won't need to include it in the glossary ;-P Take a pause, my talented community!" 😁

So anyway, I've been tatting samplers for the glossary which were missing or for new entries. This, and the fact that I need a refresher on a few 'rarely' used techniques, I took up Natalie Rogers' Picot Bingo 2026 challenge again this year after skipping it last year. But instead of a completed project I might only make small samplers - to keep it short and quick. Some of these will actually dovetail with the glossary samplers, thus reducing any distraction or time constraint.

Learnt something 'new' - Stacked Dimpled Split Rings by Sandra Eichelberger (Crazy Mom Tats). It is a very clever application of techniques towards continuous tatting which she shared here - https://psychotatter.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-tat-stacked-dimpled-split-ring.html

NOTE: 'Stacked' is used for tatted elements that overlap and/or lay one above the other as a 3D formation. Hence in the present technique, 'stacked' is a bit of a misnomer and is probably used to indicate continuous tatting in a line or row of rings. (Thanks, Mary Arnold)

I used her stitch count. It is like working a split ring backwards where the 1st side is worked after working the 2nd side and the 1st side lies on the right instead of the left. Reminds me of Teri Dusenbury's SQDR (where she started with 1ds and then the entire ring was worked with reverse stitches) or a Reverse Ring, applied here to a dimpled yorkie split down the center.

It was a bit of a challenge to figure out the process but once I got it, it went smoothly. I think a pictorial or a video would help a great deal.

TIP: The main thing to keep in mind is to make the mock picot long enough. Notice how the dimple in the 2nd heart from top is less pronounced? The fault lies in a short mock or false picot.

Tied in a quick tassel made from the first scrap threads I could get my hands on. So one more tatted bookmark in my stash, though the body could've been longer.

The boxes crossed out in the Picot Bingo 2026 game (Level 2) -

• Dimpled Ring - I'm sure these count even if they are split.
• Tat a Rings Only Pattern - why do we limit ourselves to vintage rings only style patterns, LOL?
• Tat a Heart - five hearts here.
• Mock Picots - gravely important in this pattern/technique!

Two different levels of cards are shared by Natalie although I believe the above project falls in a bit of a higher category than even Level 2 (wink, wink). Check out the details and downloads here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/happy-new-year-147124370, 

UPDATE: (31 Jan 2026) Jane McLellan had worked on this technique to create a bookmark and a beaded bracelet here - https://janemactats.blogspot.com/search?q=stacked+dimple+rings

Many thanks to Sandra and Natalie !!! Keep it interesting and challenging! Great opportunities for new learning and consolidation of past learning.

EP medley 2

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 What was supposed to be one post now has to be done in two parts because blogger has a new rule - only 20 tags allowed. Earlier the limit was 200 letters. All I can ask is that you bear with me and return to see the beauties in the next post as well.

Back in April 2022, it was my intention to share a mix of Endrucksian models from our members, showcasing the different effects, applications, adaptations, etc. as inspiration. Along the way there was so much to share from our games, and the burst of pattern PDFs that this fell by the wayside. Now I am trying to revive it whenever possible .... 

E28 & E39 combo adaptation : 

This is the E28 Gift Box with E39 Rose by Daniela Galli (March2022)

Daniela said - 

I try number 28 but I pull, I tighten the bows (chains) too much and the result is a little hat... I decide not to throw it away, this is the result .. I made a mini box

Although I cannot be certain, I think instead of 8 repeats she made only 5 (or is it 6?) repeats around; which is why there was so much cupping, LOL.

She repeated the cupped doily for the base and lid getting a nice box.

The box showing a partially open lid.

  

And she went on to decorate the lid with an adaptation of the E39 motif into a 3D rose, adding layers to the rose, and then some random tatted foliage and flowers. She has already adapted other Endrucks' patterns for 2D and 3D roses! Like the rose below ...

E42 application : 

pattern E42 Roses by Daniela Galli: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HiDjl4A_CkRcRGqpjhEItWqgEI1bGMhE/view 

Roberta Porati (June2025) tatted up some of the E42 roses along with some foliage-type fillers to decorate a comb! One can see blocks, rings, chains, and even some Cluny tallies interspersed around the roses. Although at the time this is what she said - 

I'm undecided whether to stick it on the comb or on 1 headband,....

E5 adaptation :

Debbie L Fister (May2025) extracted a motif from the E5 edging and adapted it for bookmarks, adding long tails. This is what she said -

The first 2 tatted as written version 1. # 3 tatted beginning at top & made in 1 pass. I think version 2 would have been the better choice. I never got the hang of tatting an anticlockwise ring.

E12 application :

pattern E12 Bat by Krystyna Mura:  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E26K3FFgHygdkEKUvVHn-f0MFlENDsqA/view

Cynthia Dooley (Oct2025), a needle tatter, worked up this flock of bats to brighten up a T-shirt! And  she chirps -

Daddy bat, Mommy bat, Baby bat on flight for Halloween. Sewn on to T-shirt. ... What fun.

• These are but a teeny tiny sample of the works done by our members. To reiterate, all patterns are derived from Eleonore Endrucks' 1920 book, Die Schiffchen-Spitzen which contained only 44 patterns!
• To see the EP medleys so far - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/search/label/EP%20medley. (Technically my current post is titled #2, but several more were published under different names.)
• And remember to check out the 16 Directories for plenty more derivative patterns and models. Links listed in the EP Links doc here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1TZBg-HIzseGEUoJ-rko7tNbtSgZY5A18Oy2Y9Hh0Y/view
• Please use the tag #Endrucks1920Project when you post and state the name of the designer and the pattern clearly.

Ideas spark when tatters come together to inspire with their tatted realisations! Ninetta joins me in thanking all of you and look forward to many more ...

a no glass ceiling

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This is something I pulled out from my art archives, LOL. Made around the turn of the century and lying unused in a box in my now almost defunct yet stuffed art closet. 

I needed something for the Small Decorations game organised by splocik and for the last 11 months I've submitted various specimens of tatted lace. For this final month, too, I had a few small pieces and a to-tat list of a few more, which I was going to put together as tree decorations to hang as simple ornaments, to cover baubles, etc. However, this value addition didn't happen when I suddenly remembered I'd never blogged about this project. Had to look through several of my containers to finally locate them, but the search did throw up so many forgotten memories!

 

These are mostly leftover glass paints on transparency sheets cut into rectangles for bookmarks. All are freehand, free-style, painting outlines directly over the bookmark and then filling with colour.

 

The black outline is not fine and even in many of them because the nozzle wasn't cooperating ...perhaps because the squeeze bottle was running low on the colour. Yet I enjoyed giving myself a free hand, LOL.

 

These bookmarks remain unused because at times the paint tends to stick to the page especially in the hot summers we have here. Would a coat of varnish help? While I didn't try varnish, I did try to cover up the painted side with cling wrap. Nah, unless laminated, the wrap just spoils the look.

A failed idea and experiment.

The box contained another painting on an A4 transparency sheet - lot more detailed and fine, but the paint has peeled off in several places. Another one has remained fine, though. My largest glass painting (a Medusa), this one on glass was framed and adorned the study for several years. Now it is wrapped up and closeted.

Would the newer generations remember what a transparency sheet is? Are they still being used for presentations or put to some other use? 

I could've punched a hole at the top and tied a satin ribbon for a tail. But I was just plain lazy to collect the materials and put in those few extra minutes and effort. Part of the reason is that these are not going to be used as bookmarks and are too long to stand in for tree decorations. Hmmm, I could cut around the outline of a few of them, though! Now that's something for next year.

So these bookmarks are my submission for December. You can scroll through the beautiful range of  November submissions here - https://splocik2.blogspot.com/2024/12/male-dekoracje-2024-galeria-listopadowa.html

As requested by splocik, above is a collage of all my submissions for the entire year (there were two submissions in October).

I had tremendous fun thinking of what to present each month! And I didn't always have to make something special, though the game was instrumental in several. Glad I could complete the game!

UPDATE: December gallery - https://splocik2.blogspot.com/2024/12/male-dekoracje-2024-galeria-grudniowa.html ; collage of year-round projects by each participant - https://splocik2.blogspot.com/2025/01/male-dekoracje-2024-podsumowanie-i-3.html

Many many thanks, splocik, for organising such a fun event in a supportive and creative way. So much talent was on display through all the submissions!

Happy holidays to one and all!

E44 motif arrangements

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 Ninetta has been showcasing the E44 cover doilies (links at the end) from our tat-along in January last year and asked me to write something for her final post on the topic where she will share her pattern for continuous tatting. Had to refresh my memory and discovered I hadn't posted the motif arrangements mentioned in my post here -  https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-cover-covered.html So, like Ninetta said, better late than never. 

One of the advantages of working in pieces rather than in one pass is that one can play with arrangements and combinations! So without much ado, here are some quick pics I had taken back then. Perhaps it will inspire some one to tat one or more. 

Pattern : Motif G from E44 cover doily TAL Jan2023 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1km6Fy-tS-1o5LRW2TMI-KFb3KWlzRiCp/view

Four motifs in a closed circle

Two individual motifs that look like they are flying away! Angels? Birds?

A single motif fits nicely under Round 2 of the doily. 

Holding hands 

Same arrangement but with an overlap

Repeats of the above for a bracelet or belt

Straight border or bookmark?

A ladder or tower arrangement

Close-up of above. Good for a bookmark.

A different tree-like arrangement of four motifs.

A more symmetrical arrangement for a cross.

In my previous posts, too, some ideas from this doily have been shared. Links at the end. 

Hope you enjoyed these. In single colour, with beads, or in different colour combinations, and with a bit of tweaking/adaptation some of these could be brought to life.

So many possibilities but so little time.

Related Posts
https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2024/06/cover-doilies-roundup-1.html
https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2024/07/cover-doilies-roundup-2.html
https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2024/07/cover-doilies-roundup-3.html

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/01/tat-along-doily.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/01/double-juggle.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-cover-covered.html