Split Ring Vintage Pattern
An early example of the split ring was used in the J.P. Coats Co. Booklet #14. Although not designated a split ring as we call it today, the directions called for two shuttles. There are no chains in the pattern. So a closer look at the directions found the term "R st" used in just the place where today we place the "/" mark to indicate changing shuttles and wrapping instead of tatting that section of the ring. |  |
You can compare this modern tatting notation to the original. r = ring - or p = picot SH1 or SH2 = shuttle one or shuttle two ds = double stitch R st = a wrapped not tatted double stitch which begins with the second half stitch made first. |  |  |
Begin with the large ring.
Split R SH1 9 / SH2 9 - 2 - 2 - 9 - 9 clr This ring leads to the first of the small rings in the group of five rings.
1. Small (split ring)R SH1 9 - 3 / SH2 9 - 3 clr. Lock stitch both threads together. Leave 1/8" bare thread space.
2. Small R SH1 3 + (join to picot adjacent) 9 - 9 - 3 clr. Shuttle lock join to the bare thread.
3. Small R SH1 3 + (join to picot adjacent) 9 - 9 - 3 clr. Shuttle lock join to the bare thread.
4. Small R SH1 3 + (join to picot adjacent) 9 - 9 - 3 clr. Shuttle lock join to the bare thread.
5. Small R SH1 3 + (join to picot adjacent) 9 / SH2 9 + (join to picot of ring 1) 3 clr. Shuttle lock join to the bare thread. This ring leads back to the row of large rings.
Split R SH2 9 - 2 - 2 - 9 - 9 / SH1 9 clr This ring leads to the first of the small rings in the group of five rings.
Add split ring as separators as desired
Split R SH1 9 - 2 - 2 - 9 / SH2 9 - 9 clr.
The directions I have given are slightly different than the original. I have presented the order of working from the left to the right, then down to the 5 ring element and back up to the line of split rings.
This is perhaps a very simple edging but consider the fact that the 5 ring flower could be a 6 ring snowflake and the rings done with red, green, silver or gold beads to create your own tatted garland.
The entire 6 pages of tatting may be downloaded for free here at BellaOnline.com:
http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/3137.asp #14
