You’ve master the basics of needle tatting. How to make rings and chains. But, now you want to try another needle tatting technique. So, here you go a tutorial on making a split ring. In this post I’ll show you how to do a split ring in needle tatting. You can also make them in shuttle tatting.
Split rings are used to move to the next round of your tatting. Instead of having to cut and tie off your thread. Then having to pull the thread through somewhere on the tatting and starting the next round.
Tatting is a form of lace making by hand. It’s easier than making bobbin lace. Bobbin lace is where you have thread wound on bobbins made of wood. To make the lace you twist and braid the threads around pins to create the lace pattern.
Not that I’ve tried every form of hand lace making there is. But, I think that needle tatting is probably the easiest form of lace making there is.
You can also crochet or knit lace. Lace making by hand in general is not as popular as it was years ago. But, sometimes adding a little piece of tatted lace gives your project a uniqueness that no other projects has. In fact right now I’m working on stitching up another American doll outfit and I’m tatting a little lace shawl to go with the historical outfit.
Tatting Tutorials
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Needle Tatting Questions
What stitch is used in tatting? The stitch that is the most common and used in tatting is called the double stitch. The double stitch is one stitch with two parts. I’m pretty sure that this stitch maybe the only stitch generally used in tatting.
Why do you tie a knot in needle tatting? The reason you tie a knot at the end of the chain or after you’ve closed a ring it to secure it. It also keeps the ring closed and stitches from moving.
How do you read a tatting diagram or pattern? Reading a tatting diagram is very easy. On the diagram the circles or ovals are the rings. The arches are the chains. The little dashes or lines on the circles or arches are the picots. And the numbers in between the dashes on the circles and arches are the number of double stitches you make.
Is needle tatting easier than shuttle tatting? Yes, needle tatting is the easier of the two. Needle tatting is easier for beginner tatters. You don’t have to know as many techniques to needle tat as you do to shuttle tat.
What do you need for needle tatting? All you need a tatting needle and a ball of crochet thread. And to finish your needle tatting project you need a pair of scissors and needle with a large enough eye for the crochet thread to fit through.
Will I get faster at needle tatting? Yes, the more you do it the faster you’ll get. When I first started needle tatting I was pretty slow at it. But, as I practiced it more I got where I could needle tat faster.
Split Ring
First make a normal ring. Then start tatting the next ring like you do a regular ring. Just do the first half of the ring. I’m going to do six double stitches. After you’ve made the first half of the ring turn the needle around.
For the second half of the ring take the thread end from the needle’s eye. And on the end of the needle with the eye start making the rest of the double stitches. You will just make the stitches as you normally do. You’ll just use the eye of the needle like you would the point. And the first ring you made should be in the middle of the double stitches.
Finish the second half of the ring. Since I did six double stitches for the first half I will do the same amount of stitches for the second half.
After you have finished the second half of the ring turn the needle back around and re-thread the needle with the thread end.
Now slide the ring stitches toward the eye of the needle and off the needle pulling the thread through the stitches. Pull the thread almost all the way through the ring stitches. Take the needle and go through the little loop of thread to form the ring and tighten. Now tie a knot to secure the ring.
There you have it a finished split ring in needle tatting. I also like to do the split ring in two colors.
Two-colored Split Ring
To make a split ring in two color you need to pick out the two colors you want. Tie the two ends together in a square knot.
Now you will cut only one of the threads from the ball. You should cut it where there is a good length from the knot to the cut thread. You’ll leave the other color of thread still attached to the ball. And thread the needle with the cut end.
When you go to make your first ring hold the knot up against the needle and start make the first half of the ring.
After you have the first half of the ring in one color, now you will turn the needle and using the thread tail of the other color make the other half of the ring. So, you will be making the double stitches toward the eye of the needle.
When you have finished the ring turn the needle back around and re-thread the needle with the thread end. And slide the stitches off the needle and onto the thread. Pull the thread through the stitches almost all the way through. Take the needle and go through the little loop and close the ring completely. Like any other ring or chain in needle tatting tie a knot to secure the ring.
So, now you know how to make a split ring in one color or in two different colors. I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and that you found it helpful. Be sure to check back on my blog for other tutorials.
