So you think you have a handle on rings and chains, do you? Yeah, so did I. That is until last weekend when Gary Houtz stood all my preconceptions on their ear with an introduction to Alternate Thread techniques, as outlined in the Shuttle Brothers new book: Tatting GR-8 Alternate Threads. Now, we get to tat rings and chains at the same time, in multiple colors! Below, are the doodles I made in class:
If the motif on the lower right appears to be made up of what you think of as a ‘daisy picot’, you are right. The Shuttle Brothers call this technique: dsop, or double stitches on picots. As you know, the petals of a daisy picot/dsop are usually made of direct tatted stitches (unflipped) However, I bet you didn’t know that you can also flip the stitches of a daisy picot, thus switching colors and producing a two-color petal. (Yes, you read that correctly: flipped and unflipped stitches are formed on or by the ring thread and the ring will still close correctly. I’ll admit that this is a bit of a mind bender at first.)
The doodle on the left has an inner ring of petals that would stand up if it were not being squashed in the scanner. Done in yellow or orange, with more petals, it would make an outstanding sunflower.
The thing that I find most appealing about alternate thread work is that it is very colorful and adds a bit of density and interest to a basic tatted motif (much as block tatting can really punch up a simple design of rings and chains). The book contains many examples of AT applications that are sure to jump start your creativity, and it is a worthwhile addition to one’s tatting library. Follow the link above to order the book directly from Gary or Randy.
17 comments
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June 30, 2009 at 11:06 am
stephtats
That book is definitely next on my ‘to-buy’ list. I love learning different techniques. Do you have Riet’s Daisy Picot Pattern Book? She has a few patterns demonstrating the two color petal, also.
June 30, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Suzanne
Hi Stephanie!
No, I don’t have Riet’s book. My limited previous experimentation with the technique was based on the tutorial on Jon’s site.
June 30, 2009 at 11:20 am
tattingchic
Very cool!
June 30, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Suzanne
Thanks for the visit, TattingChic.
June 30, 2009 at 11:48 am
ladyshuttlemaker
Fantastic job Suzanne!
Well….it looks like you will do just fine when you get to the Master T.A.T. (o:
I’ve been playing around with these techniques too….that is how I’ve been doing my double and triple layer of beaded rings….
June 30, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Suzanne
So glad you took a break from flooring and painting to stop by. Thanks for the comment.
June 30, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Jane
You lucky, lucky, lucky person getting to go to a Gary class. I’ve got the book and it’s FABULOUS. I’ve been doodling with their ideas and they are really pretty.
July 2, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Patti
You were certainly more adventurous with your dsop than I was. I don’t recall Gary showing us how to switch colors in mid-picot. Must have been on the wrong side of the room. I played with it a little after getting home, trying to use a picot gauge. So far I’ve only made a mess. However, the gals that were here for TAT Tuesday were impressed with my class samples.
July 3, 2009 at 6:44 am
Suzanne
That is the bit where unflipped and flipped stitches come into play: half the stitches of the petal are flipped, the other half not. Picot gauges do seem to get in the way with this technique – I have reverted to eyeballing it; with the added texture and color, small differences in picot length tend to disappear.
July 2, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Carla
What a wonderful work.
Lovely flowers.
I never did this beautiful tatting, I can try but ……. I don’t Know ….
July 3, 2009 at 6:48 am
Suzanne
Hi Carla! Thanks for the comment. This ‘new’ development in tatting is not difficult. Once you get past the awkwardness of having two working threads on the left hand, it is very easy. The Shuttlebrothers’ book is very clear, with good diagrams. Many different possibilities for alternate thread technique are presented in detail. It is worth every penny of its $15 price tag.
July 3, 2009 at 4:04 am
Bonnie
Great work. Probably beyond my limitations but I’ve still got to get this book.
July 3, 2009 at 6:50 am
Suzanne
Bonnie: it is not difficult and the visual impact of two color rings is great. I think you’ll have fun with it.
July 12, 2009 at 9:09 am
tattingchic
Ha ha! I purchased this book just because of this blog post! 😉
July 12, 2009 at 9:34 am
Fox
Hi Suzanne, I have been playing around with the Shuttle Brothers’ books for a while – when I get the time…. They have a very interesting presentation. I, too, would recommend their books…
Your examples of their technique is lovely!
: ) Fox
July 17, 2009 at 9:27 am
tattingchic
I wanted to let you know that I’m having a giveaway! Be sure to come on over and join in!
February 17, 2015 at 7:36 pm
Gale
I developed the technique and taught it at the 2006 ioli. Someone showed them my book and they took advantage of my hubby’s death and grief to take credit