Onion rings in tatting basically are one ring tatted on the outside of another ring.
To make an onion ring, you can either use a true ring and then a second true ring that goes around the outside of the first ring, or you can use a chain to go around the first ring, which will give it the same appearance. In this video, we are showing you how to make an onion ring with a ring inside a true ring.
First Step
Make a small ring starting with 5 or 6 double stitches, or however many your pattern calls for if you are using a pattern. Then do a small picot for joining, and do another 5 or 6 stitches after the picot. Pull the ring closed when you have completed the correct number of stitches.
Note that the first (inside) ring will have less double stitches in it than the second (outside ring) will have. It is necessary for the second (outside) ring to have more double stitches so that it will fit nicely around the inner ring.
Step 2
Rotate your work a little bit so you can hold the first ring at its base, and then wrap your thread around your hand again, in preparation for making the second (outside) ring.. The reason you should hold the ring like this, at its base, is because the ring will tend to want to flip over, and you want to avoid having it flip over.
Step 3
Now you’re ready to make the second (outside) ring. This second (outside) ring should start in the same place that the base of your first (inside) ring is. Additionally, it is very important that your first half stitch of the second outside ring is very, very close to the base of your first inside ring.
Additionally, the number of double stitches you do for the outside ring will need to be increased from those of the first ring, to allow the outside ring to border the inside ring nice and tight. For example, if the inside ring had a total of 5 or 6 stitches for each half, you could consider doing 10 stitches for each half of the outside ring.
If you are using a pattern, the pattern will likely tell you the number of stitches you should use for each ring.
Step 4
Now you are ready to make the join to the picot that you made in the center of the first ring.
Make sure you “snug” your stitches to the second ring so that they fit nicely around the first ring, without any space between the two rings.
Important Note About The Join
It is very important to note that when looking at your tatting, you would think you would want to use the closest thread to you to make your join with the picot in the first ring. However, if you use the closest thread to you, it will cause you to create a lock join, which you need to avoid doing.
Having this join be a lock join will “lock” that join stitch into place, and will prevent you from being able to close the second ring.
Therefore, it is very important that you do this joint by placing your hook through the picot from the top side, and then placing the hook below that thread that is closest to you. While the hook is underneath the thread closest to you, draw up the thread that is around your left hand to make the join, and then pull that thread through the picot.
After you have created the join in the picot, you will need to “snug” the join, but make sure the join does not pop back through the picot.
Step 5
Next, make 10 stitches (or however many your pattern calls for with the second ring) on the other side of the join.
Close The Ring
Next, close the outer ring around the first ring so that it fits snugly against the inner ring.
That’s it! You’ve made an onion ring! With practice, it does get easier! Happy Tatting!