locked in play

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Continuing from my previous post where 2 methods of Interlocking split rings (chain maille style) were uploaded. Again, I follow Ninetta's post to share the 3rd method based on Kathy Niklewicz's method and then its further application in the tatted rope chain.

I first tried Kathy's single-shuttle IR method (along with other methods) in 2014 here. Ninetta took it a step further by using it to create a truly 3D effect. This variation is photographed stepwise below.

C. Interlocking Split Rings - Chain Maille

ref : Kathy Niklewicz's Interlocking Rings and Ninetta's Method 3 variation

Red is shuttle 1 with cream thread ; yellow is shuttle 2 with variegated thread.

All split rings are 8/8.

 

C-1 : Unlike the earlier methods (refer previous post), in this case we can safely close the split ring. 

C-2 : Through the closed ring, insert a hook from the back and hook it to shuttle1 thread.

 

C-3 : Pull a loop front to back through the ring, as seen.

C-4 : Pull out enough of the loop and note the position of each thread(s). 

 

C-5 : Wrap the loop around your hand just as in the earlier methods. The static end of loop is is to the left (where stitches will start) and the moving shuttle part goes around, emerging toward the right.

C-6 : Leave some bare thread (indicated by hook) and start tatting the stitches for 1st side of SR.

 

C-7 : Wrap loop around hand for 2nd side of SR; leave some bare thread (notice the yellow segment) and begin unflipped stitches. Note that the 2nd shuttle thread is within the loop.

C-8 : Stitches complete on both sides.

 

C-9 : Close split ring. 

C-10 : Repeat steps to make as many interlocked split rings as desired.

The advantage of this method is that one does not have to remember to insert the shuttle before closing ring. The disadvantage is that bare thread can be visible from some angles.

A very small variation of this method is used to create the rope chain.

Jane McLellan has used the same method to create a chain maille with a single shuttle and regular rings.

Ruth Perry probably pioneered the modern technique and has created beautiful effects using only chains or 4 shuttles where the bare thread can be eliminated. Teri Dusenbury has instructions for the same using 2 steps and finger tatting here.

This method of pulling a loop through a previous element to tat a ring has also been demonstrated by Patty Dowden to make wonderful rings on picots. 

And don't miss this recent video by Edda Guastella who creates a variation of the chain maille using single shuttle.

Unfortunately, this series will run into a 3rd post dealing with the rope chain, to avoid an avalanche of pics. Instead let me show you my very first chain maille trials.

Above are my Day 1 trials, in Anchor size 20 threads. On the left sampler are my trials of the 3 methods and variations. 

Can you spot the rings that do not look interlocked? Although I do not fully understand why that happened, I think the following TIP might help avoid such mistakes, because there is a tendency for the loop to get stuck at the base of the previous ring -

TIP : 1. After completing 1st side, tug at the core thread that is on the lower right (where you would start the 2nd side stitches). You will notice that the 1st side moves towards the right under the previous ring. 

2. In the 2nd image, the 1st stitch of 1st side, is visible on the right. So you are now sure that your ring is interlocked correctly, and can continue to tat the 2nd side.

3. Tat the 2nd side of split ring and continue with the chain maille method you are using.

Part 3 will be the final post for the present. Of course there will be more projects in the future when I try out the several methods and effects listed above.

locked in study

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A gentle generous tatter asked for help with Ninetta's lovely gold rope chain. Hmmm, time to study interlocking split rings - chain maille (or mail) style! This post was my starting point, but stumbled at the very first step. The video was confusing, despite my intuition that it is basically similar to the Interlaced Split Ring braids I did earlier. For my own future peace of mind and reference, I undertook a systematic study and am uploading my pictorials, although Ninetta's collages are fairly clear. This is Part 1 of 2.

Interlocked Split Rings - chain maille style creates interlinked split rings that are perpendicular to the previous. 

A. Interlocking Split Rings - Chain Maille 

ref: Karen Cabrera's Lesson 78 video and Ninetta's Method 1 instructions.

Red is Shuttle 1; yellow is Shuttle 2.  

I started with a simple split ring in 2 colours. Each split ring is 8/8.

 

A-1 : Tat split ring (SR) but do not close. Post (or pass) shuttle1 back to front through the open ring.

A-2 : The shuttle is now in front.

 

A-3 : The loop (indicated by hook) will start the next ring. To close the SR, tug on the left side thread of the hooked loop - it is the core thread.

A-4 : SR is closed and thread for next SR is locked in.

 

A-5 : Loop the earlier hooked part around your hand to start next SR. The 'joined' part is to the left, and the running part which goes through the previous ring, is on the right.

A-6 : Without leaving any space, tat 8ds for 1st side of SR.

 

A-7 : Before starting the 2nd side of SR, make sure shuttle2 thread is in the position shown (inside the loop). If it is not (as seen in A-5 & A-6), then first post shuttle2 front to back through open loop.

A-8 : Wrap loop around hand in split ring position and start the 2nd side without leaving any space.

 

A-9 : 2nd side also complete.

A-10 : Repeat the steps, starting with posting shuttle1 back to front through open SR.

 

A-11 : Time to start the next interlocked SR. Notice that shuttle2 thread is already within the open loop (as in A-7).

A-12 : 5 interlocked split rings completed and ready to start another.

B. Interlocking Split Rings - Chain Maille 

ref:  Ninetta's Method 1 variation.

This is basically the same as the previous method except for one difference - there is bare thread space left before starting the next SR. This bare thread allows for more play between rings. But sometimes a bit of bare thread is visible between rings.

 

B-1 : Follow all steps from A-1 to A-5. Leave shuttle1 bare thread between previous ring and first stitch, as indicated by hook. 1st side of SR is complete.

B-2 : Similarly, leave shuttle2 bare thread between previous SR and first stitch of 2nd side of SR as indicated by hook. Make 8 unflipped stitches.

 

B-3 : Before closing SR, pass shuttle 1 back to front and start next interlocked SR.

B-4 : 4 interlocked split rings completed using Ninetta's variation.

Above is a visual comparison of both methods. Please read Ninetta's post for front and back pics and more information. 

Method 2 in Ninetta's post is the same as above, except that the indicated loop in A-3 is wrapped around the hand and Then the previous ring is closed. It is a matter of what the tatter is comfortable with. 

Part 2 will show Method 3 from Ninetta's post and continue to make the rope chain including with beads.