When a new tatter asked me to explain how a center ring is different from a normal tatted ring, I was surprised. When he further questioned why a josephine ring was not called a ring at all but a knot, I knew it was time to make a list of all the different types of rings that we create in tatting. This is my list so far. Please help me add to it. I am missing a photo or illustration for the square ring. If you have one please send it in.

A = the traditional ovoid tatted ring

B = a round center ring with hidden cut tails

C = a modern tatted ring using a mock picot to climb out





A modern tatted ring using a mock picot to climb out followed by a split ring (needle tatted





A modern tatted ring using a mock picot to climb out followed by a beaded split ring (shuttle tatted)





The 18 ring motif which features outward facing rings with a split ring to climb out followed by chains with floating rings (made with shuttle 2 or a second needle usually)





The pattern for the previous motif. The 5 inner rings are 6 - 2 - 2 - 6 but the last split ring is 6 - 2 / 2 - 6






The basic onion ring, i.e., ring surrounded by ring





The basic onion ring of 2 layers followed by a chain with floating rings





The basic onion ring of 2 layers followed by a chain with floating rings using 3 shuttles/colors







The half-closed ring, a traditional oft used design element





A starter picot; also used to begin a self-closing mock ring





A long decorative tatted chain folded back and joined to itself to make a self-closing mock ring





A "captured ring" aka as the alligator join




A ring with a floating ring thrown off by using the loop tail as a shuttle method





A series of single shuttle split rings





A split ring closed by bringing the loop tail up and over the ring and tightened





Split rings with regular ring




A finger tatted flower with tiny josephine rings




A ring made with the roll stitch






A ring inside a ring using two shuttles, aka, the maltese ring.