Where to add new thread for this edging?

I'm tatting a simple rings only edging, and am wondering where the best place was to add new thread when I inevitably run out. The rings are separated by 1/4" of thread, so I'm not sure at what point I would make a join.

I have a photo of the edging in my albums, but I can't figure out how to include it here...

Ah, I figured out the photo thing, I think. Here goes:

I could be wrong here but the way I would is by cutting off leaving enough thread to hide the ends into the new ring still leaving enough to look like the thread part. Then start a new ring and join to last ring and hide the end into the new ring. Or tat over the end while doing the new ring still leaving space to look like the rest of it.

in reply to rain's post:

So I would use the old thread for the 1/4" link and then hide it into a ring made with the new thread?

That's what I would do. But maybe someone has a better idea?

Check out some posts I made to my blog (I also made them on InTatters, but don't know how to find them here)
http://proudneedletatter.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-way-of-adding-new-thread-in-needle.html
and
http://proudneedletatter.blogspot.com/2010/08/hope-this-helps-clarify-any-problems.html
Hope this helps all.

in reply to carolivy's post:

Thank you for the links, your blog is lovely! I'm using a shuttle, and while I've done joins before I've never had to do them on a pattern like this one, with rings separated by lengths of thread.

Ahhh, sorry. I thought you were a needle tatter. When I have to add thread when I'm shuttle tatting, I add it where I am working a ring, so that the new end gets tatted into the ring, and the old end gets tatted into the next chain. I just tat over the ends, and I leave them for at least another element or two before snugging and cutting flush with the element.

I think I wouldn't feel secure just hiding the end of the old thread in the new ring. I'm doing a ring-only mignonette bag. Since the bare threads are very short, I don't mind having two bare threads between rings when adding thread. But I suppose you would want to avoid that for this edging. In this case, maybe I would tie the new thread on with a weaver's knot, then hide both old and new ends in the ring tatted with the new thread.

I'm a shuttle tatter and I've found this is my favourite method for only rings patterns: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/classes/takedaends.jpg

I found this tutorial I made of a way I add the threads to bare thread, ring only patterns.

That looks like a good method, Carolivy. Much less likely to pull out than tatting over tails!

That's spectacular! I like that "luggage tag" ds. I still haven't tried the Magic Thread, but I suppose the old end can also be hidden by sewing it in.

Yes Grace, I agree. But I also hide ends while tatting, inside ds, it's faster.

Whichever method you try, be sure to secure the old thread with a 'doubled half-stitch' so that it does not slide out of the new ring. Otherwise, all your effort will be in vain.

Judith, what's a "doubled half-stitch"? Is it the same thing as the "luggage tag" double stitch in Takeda's diagram? I'm thinking that I'll use that in future, instead of my clunky weaver's knot...

Thank you for all the suggestions and links, and sorry I've been slow to respond. I like the luggage tag method, and will give it a try.

Grace, this half-stitch is made by overlapping the old and the new threads as you tat the first half-stitch of the new ring. This produces a half-stitch with doubled thread and anchors the old end. Then you can encapsulate this end as you tat the rest of the new ring without fear of its sliding out. There is no need to tie a knot.

What to do with the other end? Fold it behind the first double stitch of the ring and weave/encapsulate the two ends together. Make the first double stitches somewhat firmly so that they reduce the bulk. Stagger the removal of these ends, otherwise you will end up with a sudden bump in the ring.

Thanks, Judith. I once tried this with a whole ring, and that ring looked so different to me! But I suppose it's not too noticeable if it's only one ds.

Grace, it's actually only one firm, anchoring half-stitch. The two ends are encapsulated after that. If you think the ring looks big, reduce the ring count at a convenient place and/or make your tension firmer for that ring. With practice, you'll hardly notice it.

Remember this technique is just for single shuttle tatting where it is difficult to hide the ends. There are many other methods to dispose of ends when you are working with two threads.

Thanks, Judith!

I just stumbled across this tutorial by Edda Guastalla showing yet another way to add thread to a ring-only pattern: http://digilander.libero.it/chiacchierino/tecnica%20del%20chiacchierino/giunta.html

The text is all in Italian, but the pictures are quite clear.

Quite ingenious - both the old and new threads are hidden inside one ring, and both of them make stitches so they won't pull out. I can't see any downsides to this method...

I like it, Grace. It reminds me of the split ring technique, where an insertion is added using the second thread.

Wonderful link Grace. The difference is that in Takeda's method, the thread around the hand for the "last" ring, it is the old one (white in the picture), while in Edda's method it is the new one (red in her pictures). I like both, it depends on how much thread is left on the shuttle.

I hadn't realised how similar Edda's method is to Takeda's method. Yes - a few more "luggage tag" stitches, and it's as you say, Ninetta.

Judith's comment on the split ring made me realise that I've actually tried this! Not as a way to hide ends or add thread, but to get a ring that is half in Colour 1 and half in Colour 2. Hmm, can't remember how I hid my ends in that case. Probably did some quite unnecessary sewing in...