Here is a pretty pattern for a flower which is ideal for learning split rings.

MATERIALS

• No. 40 crochet cotton
• 2 tatting shuttles
• Hook for joining

SIZE

• 4.5 cm across

1. Wind 2 tatting shuttles without cutting the thread between them. When you do the split ring to climb out, Shuttle 1 will do the flipped side of the split ring, Shuttle 2 will do the unflipped side. Note that all Picots should be as small as possible on the inner daisy, and also on the outer chains - they should hardly be visible when joined to.
2. SH1
   R 6 DS, P, 4 DS, P, 4 DS, P, 6 DS, cl. R, do not RW.
3. SH1
   As close as possible to the last R, R 6 DS, J to last P of previous R, 4 DS, P, 4 DS, P, 6 DS, cl. R, do not RW.
4. Repeat the last R until there are 7 Rs in total.
5. Split Ring
   As close as possible to previous R, SH1 6 DS, J to P of adjacent R, 4 DS/SH2 6 DS, J to P of adjacent R, 4 DS, draw up Split Ring. Do not RW. You will notice that when you draw up the Ring, there is a point at the end facing outwards where the two sides of the split ring meet. This is quite normal. The best thing to do is to be very careful when you draw up the split ring that it is exactly the same size as the other rings and that you round out the top so that the point is less noticeable. Here is how I do the final join from the unflipped side of the Split Ring:-
   1. Hold the core thread of the Split Ring taut just behind the picot to which you are joining. The Shuttle 2 thread (which you are joining from) will be on TOP of the work to the LEFT of this picot.
   2. Pull a loop through the picot from the core thread of the Split Ring. Don't twist it!
   3. Put your Shuttle 2 through the loop.
   4. Carefully draw the loop from the core thread of the split ring back through the picot, taking the thread from Shuttle 2 with it.
   5. Tighten carefully, then make the second half of the unflipped double stitch. You have made your first Core Thread Join!
6. SH2
   C 4 DS, tiny P, 6 DS, RW.
7. Split Ring
   SH1 8 DS/SH2 2 DS, 3 P sep by 2 DS, 2 DS, cl. SR, do not RW (picots are decorative here, they can be longer).
8. SH2
   C 6 DS, tiny P, 6 DS, Shuttle Thread Join (Downwards Join) to free P of next R on the inner row, 4 DS, J to adjacent P of previous C, 6 DS, do not RW.
9. Continue round the motif as set, finish by joining the last C to the P of the 1^st C and when this C is complete, J to the base of the 1^st C where it climbs out of the SR from the centre and finish ends.

I hope you enjoy this pattern and find lots of creative ways to use it.