Sunday, March 25, 2012

The SCMR: A Chain With Attitude!

I had a couple of questions sent to me about the SCMR bracelet I mentioned in my previous post, so I'd like to talk about that for a few minutes. 

I like SCMRs - they bring a lot to the tatting table.  You can throw rings off them, which you can't do with a traditional ring, and you can close them in different ways according to what you're tatting and the look you want to achieve.


The thing that may be hardest for me is avoiding the dreaded gaposis.  Here it is, fouling up my SCMR - but it can also foul up traditional rings, chains, loop-tatted rings - it's aggravating!  Yes, I fixed it - as it was just three double stitches, I frogged them and (carefully) re-tatted.


In answer to the tatters who said they'd like to watch me tat this SCMR with the bead at the close, here it is - step-by-step.  First, pick up the bead with your crochet hook (this one is a size 13, and the beads are size 8).


The second picture shows the bead transferred to the loop of core thread.  Note that the core thread has been pulled to make the loop smaller; I'm going to show you the close I use most, which is a flat close, because it locks the SCMR so it can't accidentally open.


Here at left, I've used the point on the shuttle to pull up a loop of shuttle thread through the loop at the beginning of the SCMR.  This loop of shuttle thread can be used as a "handle" to pull the SCMR closed.



Here is the SCMR completely closed, and ready for the shuttle to be put through the loop of shuttle thread to close and lock it.  What's happening in this method of closure is that you're making a shuttle (lock) join into the SCMR loop.

After the shuttle thread is pulled tight to completely close the loop, the SCMR is locked closed.  I have been teaching this method for over five years now, and most tatters who try it tell me they like it better than the usual method of closure, which is putting the shuttle through the SCMR loop.  There is certainly nothing wrong with the usual method - to each his own, after all - but sometimes my SCMRs will re-open when I start tatting the next element of the piece, when I've closed with just the shuttle through the SCMR core thread loop. 

I like toggle clasps, especially if they're interesting ones - this one is a gecko!  This is a fun pattern - not necessarily a quick pattern, as it takes a little longer to tat an SCMR than a traditional ring, but it is a lot of fun.  With this pattern, you can choose your beads as you tat and not have to pre-string.

12 comments:

  1. Your directions are wonderful, Sharren! I think I'll have to give this a try... once I'm off my Stumpy kick! ; )

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    1. They're fun to do! Please let me know if you find any direction that needs clarification!

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  2. Wonderful explanation. Thanks SO much. I must try this. Just to add a bit (without interfering, I hope) but I do one more move with closing the SCMR - I put the shuttle through that loop once more like this http://www.e.n.e.btinternet.co.uk/SCMRClosing.pdf
    I DO hope we get to meet again at Palmetto - can't wait to see if I get to teach there. I'm waiting in suspenders!!!!

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    1. Wow, you REALLY lock it down! I'll have to try your method on the next SCMR! I don't think you can have too much input on technique - it's great to be able to try things in a different way, hopefully an easier way, and share the results. I've got my fingers crossed as well about Palmetto Tat Days - hope we both get selected!

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  3. thats a wonderful way to close them, i kinda wondered if there was a way to stop them from re-opening.

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  4. Brilliant! I have been doing a lock join AFTER the pull-close of the ring... Hit and miss for tightness. This is a great idea. Thanks!
    Fox : ))

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  5. oh wow, you make it look so easy. thx for the step-by-step

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  6. I gotta try this close next time. In fact, after seeing your post yesterday, you inspired me to tat today while watching the NCAA. I do have a question though.....how do you put the jump ring/metal finding in the first ring so that it is totally inside the ring and can move around? I have been putting it in the picot and I am always afraid that it will break off.

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    1. The metal split ring is put on the thread before the shuttle is wound. It goes on the ring thread around your hand, and you make a loop-tatted ring. That lets the metal split ring move freely!

      Alternately, you can use a tool to open the metal split ring just enough to work the tatted ring onto it; I don't like to do it this way, though, because it can make marks on your tatting.

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  7. Thanks so much for the tutorial on this bracelet. It's much easier than stringing beads and fussing to get the ring to close. I rather like SCMR! I made a really, really long bracelet had a nice lanyard to wear for Shuttlebirds and it's all due to this particular post! Thanks, again!

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    1. Marty, I'm so glad you found it helpful. Thanks for the feedback!

      I'd love to see your finished lanyard. What color(s) did you use?

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