The handy reverse join

Every tatter learns to use the lock/shuttle join when linking to lace which is below the point of working. This join is part of a tatter's 'bread and butter'.

The handy reverse join is an application of the lock join whereby an auxiliary thread is encapsulated before the join is closed. Elaine P. Gan applied this encapsulation to situations where chains change direction after a lock join.

In effect, the shuttle and ball threads change places on the other side of the join, that is, their positions are 'reversed'. Note how the green ball thread has changed position in this illustration.

To make the reverse join:
* Lift the loop of the shuttle thread through the picot.
* Pass the shuttle behind the ball thread (on your hand) to encapsulate this thread.
* Pass the shuttle through its own loop to tighten.
* Adjust both threads to lie flat.

With the reverse join there is no need to transfer threads (SLT) after a lock join.

The braid in my photograph is a variation of Elaine P. Gan's 'Rings and Curves' where rings and chains alternate and change direction as the braid is tatted.

That is a lovely braid in the example. I need to go play with that.

I am going to LOVE Craftree. Your contribution here is exactly the kind of help new tatters need . Thank you.

@Elfiona,
Here's my variation of the braid to help you.

Motif 1:

1. R: 5, vsp, 5, -, 3, -, 3, -, 4. RW.

2. Chain: 22, vsp, 6.

3. Reverse join to ring at vsp.

Motif 2:

1. R: 5, vsp, 5, -, 3, -, 3, -, 4. RW.

2. Chain: 22, vsp, 6.

3. Reverse join to ring at vsp.

Motif 3, which now REPEATS.

1. R: 5, vsp, 5, -, 3, -, 3, -, 4. TURN (like the page of a book, keeping the ring in the same position).

2. Chain: 6, join to vsp of chain in motif 1, 5, -, (2, -)x3, 5, vsp, 6.

3. Reverse join to R of this motif.

4. Repeat and alternate side to side to form braid.

in reply to JudithConnors's post:

Now I'm going to play with that! Thanks

Post removed by norachild for the following reason: accidently posted twice. sorry.

Ever since you shared the reverse join on my Wiosna doily, I have Loved it & used it! As you explain, it eliminates the visual dip caused by a lock join, and another dip when using SLT (I am definitely not a fan of SLTs). Due to the encapsulated thread, no dip is produced.

for explaining it so well, and also for sharing your variation of the braid. Must load my shuttles to give it a try .

in reply to JudithConnors's post:

Oohhh!!! Thank you!!!

Tried your pattern variation, Judith above. 2 rings have a couple of fewer stitches, but I continued nevertheless.
My observations based on this, and from previous RJ applications :

1. There will remain a colour blip which can be incorporated as a design element , like you have done.

2. RJ is much easier to undo than a traditional LJ, because of the encapsulated thread.

3. In above, I deliberately used a down loop throughout to make the RJ. And since I was tatting fs/bs, some of these turned up as up loops. It doesn't change the spot of colour, but it Does change how the colour bar appears !

While working the above pattern, it was interesting to note that RODS was not for single alternate element as is usually the case ; here, a chain & ring were together tatted RODS ! One keeps learning :-)
Thanks for sharing the pattern.

in reply to muskaan's post:

The sample braid at #1 was just that - a sample. No effort was made to create a designated front side, nor to hide any colour blips. I leave that to any pedantic tatters using colours.

in reply to norachild's post:

How are you going with your trial braid using reverse joins?

in reply to JudithConnors's post:

I'm not there, yet. I'm still struggling to complete the Minor Dragon pattern I was doing when I read your post. Looking forward to trying the reverse join, though because I just finished a small project I think it would have been great to use instead of the many lock joins followed by SLTs.

in reply to norachild's post:

That sounds the ideal place to try reverse joins.

in reply to JudithConnors's post:

I've begun your trial braid pattern using the Handy Reverse Join. Messed up the first motif right off - but since this is a practice piece I just forged ahead. I'm fairly sure I'm doing the reverse join correctly. Your instructions are very clear and easy to follow. I'll keep you posted.

in reply to norachild's post:

As you tat your sample, you'll probably realise that there are other patterns where chains change direction after a lock/shuttle join into a picot. You can apply the reverse join there too.

The second attempt at the practice braid you provided is going well. It really is quite a beautiful pattern - not so easy as to become boring but doable. Thanks again.

You're welcome. This braid can be tatted in one plain colour, variegated thread or two contrasting colours. It is very versatile, thanks to the reverse join.

Hi Judith
I extended your pattern into a bookmark. What name do you propose for the pattern variation ?

Just that: 'Rings & Curves variation'. The original braid is Elaine's.

The bookmark has been posted here : http://www.tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.in/2016/04/locked-in-place.html

I had a terrific time - practicing, learning & tatting - and got a new bookmark to use. Thanks Judith

You're welcome, @muskaan. I like the 'S-chain' effect too.

Is this 'S-chain' the same as the name given by some to a Josephine chain or spiral tatting?

Sorry, just read your question Judith.
No, this is not a spiral tatting or Josephine chain - they are made with repeats of the same half stitch. eg. [fhs,ushs] times
This S-Chain is like a lock chain but instead of alternate flipped & unflipped half stitches, it is made with alternating ds & rs (complete stitches). eg. [1ds,1rs]times . Concept is same , merely an extension.
And if you extend it further, we get the Z-chain - eg. [4ds,4rs]times or [3ds,3rs]times.

With picots, the S-chain resembles a Pearl tatting chain. But one crucial difference dawned on me - in the former the chain gets locked after each segment/stitch; in PT the core thread(s) will remain free always.
I am compiling another post labelled "Common Threads" that discusses such underlying similarities even though the nomenclature may differ. Already have 3 sets of common threads techniques.

in reply to muskaan's post:

Thanks, muskaan for your explanation. I was just clarifying the 'S' in reference to a chain, as your chain appears quite different from the others.

I wonder what a vsp is..... and a ROD.