A self-closing mock ring (referred to as “SCMR” from here on out) is basically is a chain that you’re going to turn into a ring, using a shuttle. If you are a needle tatter, you do this every time you make a ring unless you’re doing a true ring.
So, with that said, the above video, as well as this article, will show shuttle tatters how to create a SCMR.
Please note that this information provides instructions for right-handed tatters. If you are left-handed, just reverse the instructions, and wrap the thread around your right pinky finger instead of your left. When the directions say to go “right to left” through a loop, you will need to reverse those and go “left to right” through the loop instead.
What Is A Self-Closing Mock Ring (SCMR) Used For?
With normal tatting you can create rings that are “side by side” and often joined with picots on the sides of the rings.
A self-closing mock ring, on the other hand, allows you to make a ring atop another ring. Learning how to do the self-closing mock ring will greatly open up possibilities for you, and allow you to have the knowledge to do a much greater number of tatting patterns.
How To Do A Self-Closing Mock Ring (SCMR) In Shuttle Tatting
Making a SCMR normally uses the continuous thread method, which means that you have continuous thread running from a shuttle to a ball or a second shuttle, rather than cutting the thread and tying a knot between the shuttle and second shuttle or ball of thread. So on that note, let’s get started!
Wind Thread Onto One or Two Shuttles, Continuous Thread Method
First, to do the continuous method, wind your shuttle with thread from a ball of thread. Then, without cutting the thread, either leave the thread on the ball and begin tatting. If you will be using a second shuttle, unwind a fair amount of thread off of the ball of thread, then cut the thread near the ball and wind the excess thread around a second shuttle, starting with the end of the thread that you have just cut.
Wind Both Threads Around Your Left Pinky Finger
First, loop your thread coming from shuttle #1 around your left hand pinky finger with your shuttle. This loop is an absolutely necessary step needed for when you go to close the completed SCMR. Without the loop from shuttle #1 around your pinky finger, you will not end up completing a SCMR.
Then, wind the thread from shuttle number 2 (or ball of thread) also around the pinky finger of your left hand.
Start Tatting As Normal, On Thread #2
Once you have both threads wrapped around your left pinky finger, begin tatting as normal, making the #2 thread your core thread onto which you should tat the double stitches and make the picot.
The SCMR you will be creating, just for this example, will be 6 double stitches, then a picot, then 6 more double stitches. If you are tatting an actual pattern, you should do however many double stitches and picots are called for in the pattern.
Unwind Thread #2 (Shuttle 2 or ball) From Your Pinky Finger
Once you have 6 double stitches, a picot, and 6 more double stitches, unwind off your pinky the thread for shuttle #2 or your ball of thread.
You will then have remaining the loop around your left pinky from shuttle #1. Bring your shuttle #1 through that loop remaining on your pinky finger, going from right to left.
Remove that loop off your pinky after you have passed the shuttle #1 through it. Then, start pulling the shuttle #1 thread slowly. This pulling motion will cause the loop from shuttle #1 that was on your pinky to become smaller. Continue pulling your SCMR closed until the loop, and the SCMR, is completely closed up.
That’s it! You have just created a SCMR!