Tuesday 10 September 2013

Something new?

In the post about videos, I had requests for one on the blipless join.  So I revisited Jane's page and practiced it again.

I have to say that I don't often feel the need for a blipless join; when working with two colours, it's easy to put the blip at the back.  And in some patterns it can even look pretty as a design element.  I can't say, therefore, that I have spent a lot of time avoiding the blip!

When working Jane's join though, it got me thinking and wondering whether it could be done differently.  Basically, what happens in the blipless join is that there is an extra thread at the back which covers the small bit of thread of a different colour.

I actually came up with two different ways of doing the join and made a video for the one I preferred.

The other caveat is that whether with Jane's method or with mine, there is a bit of a tiny bump going on due to the extra thread which you don't have with a regular join.  I don't see how this could be avoided completely - but I'm always prepared to be put right if someone knows another way!


Here are photos.

My way, blipless join from the front


My way, blipless join from the back



Jane's way, blipless from the front


Jane's way, blipless from the back


Examining carefully, there appears to be a bit of extra thickness from the thread showing on the inside curve of the ring when using Jane's method and also, the picot is twisting a little.  A little line showing horizontally on the front is visible using both methods.  I'm pulling hairs here but just trying to study the differences. 

I've just uploaded a video that shows how I do the blipless join my way.  And I will also make one that shows Jane's method.  Then you can choose which you prefer!

How about you, do you find you use (or would use) a blipless join often?  I also discovered a new join which I didn't know about:  the smooth join - do you know it?  And I played again with the Lark's Head join which is very nice indeed (though it does not avoid the colour blip) in that it looks like a double stitch so is practically invisible... apart from the fact that it adds a double stitch to your count and the whole of this stitch sits inside the picot join... but that's another story... for another day!

Best wishes,
Frivole

19 comments:

  1. This is wonderful! I have been interested in a blipless join for some time. I tried Jane E's method, but it didn't work well for me - somehow my rings ended up very lumpy and misshapen. I shall certainly try yours, and let you know how they look!

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  2. Thank you doing this! Usually I don't care too much about blipless but there are times (dk purple/white doily) that I would have liked it and for the life of me I couldn't get Jane's to work. So yay! And thank you

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  3. Very cool! I will try it out tonight. Looks like a winning stitch.
    Fox : )

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  4. I'll try it out but I wonder what it would look like with an ordinary chain? It's hard to see with a lock chain. Must be the aged eyes!!

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    1. Sorry you are finding the lock chain distracting Jane but it was just to change colour for each ring (without having to do a SLT) and the chain isn't involved in the blipless join at all.

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  5. I avoid the blip by simply tensioning the join very carefully so the picot color doesn't poke through. It's tricky at first, but with practice it becomes second nature. I couldn't ever get Jane's method to work for me.

    I've tried Lark's Head joins as well. It actually did turn out blipless for me, but I found it unsatisfactory, because, as you say, the whole DS ends up inside the picot. I found this threw off the balance of the ring.

    What's a smooth join?

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    1. That's interesting Miranda, I'll have to try what you say. A smooth join has the same effect as the Catherine Wheel join but done differently. Shall I make another video?

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    2. OK - it's on the list, I might do that one next.

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  6. That was fast ..I am practicing it but so far am still getting that bump that you talked about .Thanks again...

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    1. That's the thing Patti, I think the slight bump is unavoidable but it shouldn't be very noticeable either if the join is tightened well.

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  7. The blips don't bother me. In fact, I rather like them! However, I am always willing to watch your tatting videos. I learn so much from them!

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    1. Thanks Diane! I'm the same. It was for the sake of experimentation but so far in tatting, I'd not used the blipless join myself. Partly because I work a lot with one plain colour and partly because the blip doesn't bother me enough!
      It was fun exploring the possibilities though.

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  8. Ah, I'll have to try this, thanks. I've never worried much about blipless joins, but I'm sure there are times when it would be useful.

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  9. Oh no now I have something else to worry about!

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    1. Definitely wouldn't worry about it Madtatter! I'm not even convinced myself! It was just a bit of experimentation.

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  10. Thank you , Lace lovin librarian and Madtatter80!I always feel a little insecure when I read about all these novelties in tatting.In fact some authority should describe what a beginner tatter should know, what intermediate and advanced tatting is. They do this when you study a language, and I love the feeling that it gives me. Then , I know where I stand. In the meantime,of course, I continue to learn new tatting trics when I have time and to teach beginner's tatting when I have the opportunity.
    Frivole, your rings with the lock chains are very beautiful.Blip or no blip, it is a very good idea!

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  11. First time trying this and although I prefer it to the other option, as a front side tatter I find the lack of full waistband and the bump, even more obvious than the blip. I do as Miranda mentioned and I think Sue Hanson does it to-- when making the second half stitch ,hold back a piece of thread as you tighten it and then position it over the blip, pinch and finish tightening.

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  12. Hi Lillia, thank you for your comment, do you mean you make a regular stitch but place the thread whilst making the second half?

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