Mock Split Ring

Have you ever noticed that there are a lot of different acronyms in tatting? Acronyms like SSSR, SR, SCMR, LJ, SC ...aaand the list goes on! With all of the different acronyms and bits of info spinning around soon a tatter may feel like their own head is spinning! Well, I'm here to add to the acronymial head-spinning fun! Yes, I'm using poetic license to create a word (acronymial).

The other day I was working on Martha Ess' Antique Rose Heart pattern from her book "Tat's Amore". Martha suggests using 1 color for this pattern due to the Split Ring and Split Chain utilized to climb out of the rounds. Tatters know that when working on patterns that require Split Chains and Split Rings for climbing out of rounds that you need to work with 1 color otherwise your work will look...well...honestly, kinda wonky with half a chain being one color and the other half is another color. What happens if you really WANT to use 2 different colors (one for rings and one for chains)? It just isn't going to work, is it?

Or is it?

One solution is to perform "Cut and Ties" (***gasp***) between each round. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that. Sometimes this seems like the only solution and if you don't mind hiding the ends this is a very legitimate and workable solution. For years I have done this and I haven't minded. I've utilized the Magic Thread technique to hide my ends and it's worked quite well for me.

Lately, since I've learned to do Split Chain stitches, I've found that I really do like having the option of climbing out of a round that has a chain to be climbed out of. I have finally succumbed to the seductive thought of having less thread ends to hide. "Come to meeeee" the thought says and willingly, almost hypnotically, I follow.

But how??? How??? How with 2 colors? I thought, I pondered, I prayed and I pondered some more and finally the following solution came to my mind!

"EUREKA!",

I cried aloud...

(okay not really)

...as I thought I had discovered a totally new technique! I'll call it the Mock Split Ring (cuz, it's like a split ring, but not really) or

...wait for it...

(after all, this is a NEW acronym)

MSR!

I called my friend Laura to share in the joy of this moment. She had never heard of it either she said. In her infinite wisdom she suggested I share it with Gina, Jane, and Martha in order to see if they had ever heard of this fabulous "new" technique ...and...of course...they had, LOL! Funny thing is, not only had Jane posted it on her blog, but ironically Laura and I had both COMMENTED on that very blog post, LOL! Jane even has this Snowflake Pattern using it.

Ah, well, such is the glory of life...illuminated for but a moment...only to be shadowed by the dark, grey, starkness we call reality! LOL! All these fabulous ladies did give me kind congratulations for taking the time to figure it out on my own, though. Martha even gave me kudos for finding a practical application of it on my own. Thank you, Ladies! You are all very kind!

~*~

Well, enough of all that.

I'd like to present to you my Moment of Discovery:

The Dora Young Split Ring

or

as I like to call it

The MSR (Mock Split Ring)

Tatting Skills needed:

SLT (Shoe Lace Trick)

SC (Split Chain)

LJ (Lock Join)

***

Here we are at a point of dilemma in tatting.

Here is the last chain of a round.

The mid-point of this chain needs to have the second

half finished by doing a split chain which normally

would result in the second half of the chain being PINK

when all the rest of the chains are green.

What is the solution to climb out of the round?

Should I:

a) go ahead and do it in pink and hope no one notices.

b) figure out a way to make it work so I can have a green SC.

I went with "B"! I did it by performing the

SLT or Shoelace Trick.

See!

Here's a close up:

Now the green is where it needs to be to perform
a Split Chain! Woo Hoo. Easy peasy! (the SLT is easy, that is)

Here is the Split Chain completed:
Now comes the second dilemma! How do I make
a Split Ring in order to climb into that next round?

(This is where the MSR comes in to play)

What would be the best solution?

Should I:
a) Do a regular Split Ring and hope no one notices that 1/2 is pink and 1/2 is green.
b) do a SSSR and hope that no one notices that the green thread is hanging at the bottom of the ring.
c) figure out how to get the green to the top of the Split Ring inside as the core thread.

I went with "C" by figuring out the MSR.

Here is how to start the MSR

Step 1) Tat a regular pink Chain perpendicular to the horizontal green chain using the green thread as the "core thread" or "shuttle thread".

Next dilemma...
...the pink thread is on the left.
I need it on the right.

Solution:
Step 2) SLT!

See?


Now, with the pink thread on the right it can be joined down

at the base of the ring with a LJ (Lock Join).

Step 3) Lock Join to base of ring leaving a small amount of thread between top of ring and base of ring.

Here's a close up of the Lock Join at the base of the ring. (Notice how the length is just what is needed for

the other half of the MSR.)

Now, I just do Split Chain stitches all the
way up the side from bottom to top.

See here:

Step 4)Use Split Chain stitches to climb back up to top of ring from bottom

Mock Split Ring complete!

Now, I can continue tatting as usual.

Please note, this was an example

of how to utilize a technique to climb out of

a round. I never said it was going to be pretty!

Just know, it wasn't about showing

off my "beautiful" (and yes, I'm being sarcastic) split chain

stitches, but just sharing an option on how to utilize

a technique in everyday tatting.

~*~

I hope you've enjoyed this demonstration of a practical application of the MSR or Dora Whats-her-face technique.

I mean, Dora Young Split Ring

I'm sharing it because if you are one of those who find hiding ends unpleasant, but find that climbing out of rings and chains can limit your color choices, then, perhaps, this will help you put an end to that. I also liked the thought of possibly making a personal contribution to the ever growing list of Tatting Acronyms with the MSR. Hee hee.

Stay tuned for next time when I will present "A Tale Of Two Split Rings"...a study of another way to climb out with a SSSR using 2 shuttles...What???? A Single Shuttle Split Ring with TWO SHUTTLES??? What am I thinking? Why? What? How? All that and more will be answered in the next episode...

BTW, I'm am using Yarnplayer's HDT of "Peace" and "Leafy" size 20 to complete this tatted heart.

Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to hear from you!
If you tat, then Happy Tatting! If you don't tat, then Happy Whatever-it-is-that-you-like-to-do!

~TattingChic
xoxo

Thank you, Martha, for graciously allowing
me to use your pattern to demonstrate
this technique.