Would you like to play along ?Over the last couple of ye

Would you like to play along ?

Over the last couple of years I have learned many tatting techniques. Often what I thought was a new technique turned out to be something I knew but named differently, or there was something fundamentally similar to another.
Based on my understanding at this point in time, I invite you to play a little game with me.
I will share links to tutorials for a set of techniques that have something in common. You have to identify what is the Common Thread running through that set.
We can all learn together and get a better understanding perhaps.

So here’s SET 1 ( click on each for instructions)

1. Shoelace Trick or SLT

2. Celtic Knotted Picot or CKP

3. Puncetto Knot

4. Pointed Chain

Thanks and hope you join in :-)
Feel free to ask, comment, suggest, correct, ....

I think I know, but I want others to have a go first...

I've only heard of 2 of these and have only used one of them. But looking at them all I have a guess and some new things to try.

After a cursory look, it seems that what they all have in common is manipulating the shuttle thread to achieve different effects. In a nutshell. Am I close?

That's a bit of a generalization, but it does have to do with the construction ;-) So you may be on to something Lynn - go with the SLT ....
Will wait for your reply, @GraceT & @Coretta :-)

Well, @muskaan, my guess is - they all involve "tying a shoelace".

For the SLT, the shoelace is made of two different threads. For the other three, the tying happens in the same thread, so that you get a thumb knot. In all three cases, it is the encapsulating thread that has the thumb knot.

The "pointed chain" and the puncetto knot are really exactly the same - the knot is made around the core thread and it gives extra bulk to the cap of the chain. (I've tried the pointed chain - rather awkward when you're trying to tie a knot with the ball thread...)

For the Celtic picot, the knot happens entirely in the picot. You have a big loose thumb knot, then you join into it from two other points to make a three-point picot. I've actually tried making Celtic picots - they're befuddling but quite fun! Jennifer Williams has a couple of patterns: http://www.craftree.com/patterns/3712 , http://www.craftree.com/patterns/3714

I like Grace's explanation. Not only do I see the knots as she does, but she has unraveled the knotty problem of how to explain what she sees. Hmmm. Well done, GraceT! But, @muskaan, is it right?

Knowing the earlier term for the SLT (=overhand tie), I'm guessing that is the 'common thread' (good play on words ).

They all use a knot tied with the top thread.

Ah, @Coretta, you picked up on one more common element! Yes, the "top thread" is involved in all of them.

@JudithConnors, I'd like to know more about the terminology of these knots. So, shoelace trick = overhand tie. Is it still an overhand tie when the thread is looped on itself - what I called a thumb knot?

Thank you so much for playing along and you are all right !!!
Grace, you have explained it all so nicely, so clearly, and perfect observation, Coretta

Here is my post (scroll down) - Set 1 of Common Threads : Overhand Tie

I learned another new term - thumb knot. I saw the thumb knot as basically an overhand tie because one has to use 2 ends of the thread to construct the tie and the fold or the process is essentially the same. But let's wait for Judith's expert advice.

I will share another Set in a few days and hope you all join me again :-)

Thanks, @muskaan!

The SLT threw me a bit because it used both threads. Your blog post further introduced me to new techniques. How fun and helpful. @muskaan

@GraceT, the 'overhand tie' has probably been around almost as long as tatting itself. It depended on what tatters needed to achieve by using it. In patterns it has been called 'cross threads', 'transposing threads', switching threads over', and of course, 'the shoelace trick'. Of these five terms, only one does NOT describe what tatters are actually doing or achieving. I'll let you guess which one that is.

in reply to Coretta's post:

The SLT was almost a last-minute entrant , Coretta ! This is why I enjoy dissecting, digging in deeper, and writing on the blog - it makes concepts more clear. And once I realised that SLT uses the same basic movements, it was a tiny step to name the Set "Overhand Tie' - serendipity :-)
Glad you enjoyed the post & the game ... my objective to make things simpler has hopefully been achieved :-)
Hugs to all

Fun !.. even for some of us "just watching."

With judicious input from Judith (is anyone surprised ?! ) I am updating Set 1 to Overhand Tie ... I don't intend to be over-knotty ;-P
Will be making the edits here & on my blog .

@GraceT, nice reasoning. Any term should convey to tatters, especially new ones universally, what is actually happening or should take place. After all, it may last for 100 years!

In cultures where sports/gym shoes are not 'de rigeur' daily, a trick with a shoelace means nothing. 'Shoelace trick' is a local, colloquial phrase, probably made in a tutorial. It sounded catchy at the time, and so it persisted along with the footwear. It conveys nothing to people who regularly wear sandals or jandals/thongs.

in reply to JudithConnors's post:

And then there's the thousand different ways to tie your shoelaces...

@muskaan I think you misplaced that set title.. The references were to overHAND tie, not over HEAD.

Thanks for the shout out ... it sneaked in over my head - such an underhand way to sneak in !