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Instructions for Split Rings

A split ring allows the tatter to move from one ring to another without the need of a chain and makes it possible to produce a ring in two colours.  A ring can also be put on the second side of the split ring too.  See this page.

MATERIALS REQUIRED - 2 shuttles, thread.

Wind both shuttles with different coloured thread and tie ends together.  If the pattern requires one colour then the thread can be wound continuously onto both shuttles.

WORK THE FIRST HALF OF THE RING using shuttle A make 4 doubles in the usual way, but DO NOT CLOSE the ring (see fig. 1).

WORK THE SECOND HALF OF THE RING by using the second shuttle B and with shuttle A now “redundant” make the second half of the ring on the lower part of the thread round the hand.  The ring is held open with the smallest finger of the left hand.  (See the dead spider method below).  Start with the second half of the double, then the first half to complete a “reversed” double. DO NOT LET THE KNOTS ON THIS HALF OF THE SPLIT RING JUMP.  This is easy as long as the thread round the fingers is kept taut. Picots need careful thought too.  Take care to make the first double on the second  half close to the 1st double of the first half of the ring and continue until 4 doubles have been completed.   See fig. 2.

Now go back to shuttle A and close the ring in the usual way.  See fig. 3.

Figure 4 shows the completed ring with the shuttles in the starting position for another ring or chain.

There are two ways of working the second half of the split ring.  The first (and most time consuming!) is to take the ring off the hand and make the second half as usual - not forgetting NOT to flip the stitch!

The second way is to tip the hand upwards and away from yourself and then work on the second half in situ.  This has started to be referred to as the 'dead spider' method.  Below are two pictures which hopefully show you how this is done!!!