Monday 14 March 2016

Lining up the Chains

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Bored with the same old chains ?
Looking for some new chain effects ?
Stumped or can't remember which chain is which?
Fall in line but don't yank my chain !

I fell. I fell hook, line & sinker.  
Elgiva threw me the hook, Sharon followed a persuasive line, & Susan got the concept to sink in !
Looking back I have already used many chain effects in my various patterns (some without knowing the names), yet I keep getting confused when a term crops up & I have to hunt down the tutorial. Hence a sampler reference , along with stitch notations of how it is worked seemed like a good starting point.

I share it here, as a pdf for anyone who is interested. In case of any omissions of errors, please let me know so that it can be rectified post haste.
Design Element : Line
Tatting Element : Chain
Chains in Shuttle Tatting (click to download pdf)

All tatting is done using Anchor Mercer Crochet Cotton in size 20. Thread size, brand, & tatter’s own tension can bring in individual differences. Hence the sampler is indicative only.

Bullion Knot
There has been some confusion regarding the working of a Bullion knot. For starters, please refer to any Roll Tatting tutorial.
A bullion knot is a small roll-tatted ring, without any stitches, and a limited number of wraps/rolls.
It is started like a ring, with thread around the hand; but instead of making DS, one simply starts to wrap the shuttle thread around the thread on hand, & transferring these to the core/shuttle thread. 
I do this simultaneously : wrap by taking shuttle through loop front to back & in same fluid motion tensioning the thread around left hand so that the wrap gets transferred to core thread. I don’t wait to wrap a few times then transfer or snug. But this is an individual choice (I don’t even add DS in my roll-tatted rings & chains).
After about 10 wraps maximum (depending on requirements & thread size), close the ring carefully. Depending on the extent of closure, the bullion knot can look like #15 or #16 above.
I used #15 style in my Hibiscus Doodad here. 
This knot takes some practice; if pulled too tight, it will distort or create bare thread spaces; if wrapped too tight, the ring won't close easily.

Karen Cabrera sent me these 2 links for Bullion knots earlier this week :
MaryM's Original Daisy Bullion Edging. This is how a bullion knot looks. It is a cro-tatted edging & she has crocheted the bullion segment.  
Ruth Perry’s Bullion Stitch Cross. This is an excellent effect with many possibilities. However, it is not a ‘true’ bullion knot (going by even embroidery & crochet terminology). Along the length of the taut thread(s), a half stitch is being wrapped in the manner of an encapsulated Josephine chain (refer to #24 but instead of complete stitches, only unflipped half stitch is wrapped). It is a form of Dora Young’s knotless bridging/split chain.

Omissions/Errors in document (page 2 above)
i)  #29 & 30 - Include the term ‘Floating Chains’ for Curlicues – please add it if you download/print.
ii) Sampler #24 has been glued incorrectly, The caps of stitches in the encapsulated chain should be facing downward.
iii) #27 & 28. Please note that the core threads are different.

There are limitations to this sampler – coils & rosettes are not included ; braids with complete rings are not included ; no decorative picots or elements are added ; mainly straight-line chains have been lined up.

Chains in Shuttle Tatting : This pdf contains 4 pages - p1 & p2 with 30 samplers & stitch-count; p3 with glossary, notes & resource links; p4 with images of chains applied to tatting - both in 2D & 3D patterns.

The list is a compilation but by no means exhaustive. It is a point in time & the line will continue to evolve.
Each chain has it’s unique characteristics & applicability. It is a journey of discovery. It is also a good exercise down the line from beginners to designers.


Happy tatting & discovering :-)

Related Posts : Bullion Knot in 3D pattern



14 comments:

  1. I love the way you research and try things out. I learn so much from your comparisons and explorations. I've downloaded this document for further study tomorrow. It's past my bedtime and I can't begin to give it the proper attention tonight. Thank you!

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    1. Eliz, your own documentation is so impressive & helpful ! I know where to look now :-) I have added the links to my Resources Page & will be sending links as promised - just haven't had much time lately.

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  2. Thank you very much, a great list! I downloaded the file, too, for quick reference. (I loved learning a new idiom, too! ...of fishing origin? Lol!)

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    1. That was a misappropriated idiom, Ninetta, but if you fish some more, you will find many more idioms strewn about ... I couldn't resist - there are so many idioms with 'line'! ;-)

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  3. This is awesome and very comprehensive! Thanks muskaan for sharing with us.

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    1. Jenn, this list is a reminder to me, too. I kept forgetting what S & Z chains are, etc.... Now the notations will be a good memory-jogger :-)

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  4. Thank you for sharing list.

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    1. You are most welcome, Marja. My pleasure :-)

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  5. Very interesting post I have download your list for future reference, it's great compendium of chains
    Margaret

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    1. And yet, this is just the tip of the iceberg, Margaret ! Haven't included lines made with rings, etc.
      Now to work on lists with other elements ;-)

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  6. I feel like such an outsider, like I'm trying to read a different language. One day I hope to look back on this post and understand it totally.

    Suzanne ( the non-tatter ) xx

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    1. We'll make a tatter of you yet, Suzanne :-) And you will far outshine me !

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  7. I've downloaded this great summary sheet you put together. This is a great help to a newbie like me. I don't know what one thing is that you put in by some of the chains. it is (#,#) What is that telling me to do or telling me what I should know about that chain. Thank you for your help and all your great tutorials.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Nanogram. I replied to your request and emailed a message soon thereafter; hopefully you received it.
      The # refers simply to the numbering of the chains (starting from 1 to 30) - the very first column in pages 1 to 2.
      Thus #15 means the chain against 15, viz., Bullion Knot Braid.

      Please note that some links to the Online Tatting Class may not be working temporarily since they are transitioning the files, data, etc. We'll just have to be patient till everything is transferred.
      🌺🌺🌺🌺

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