More instructions to come. Right now this is a brief account of how to start a simple pattern. A beginning tatter asked what she should do next after making the first ring, so that's where the instruction starts. The pattern that I'm using is called little fishies.
After you've finished the big ring,
rotate it slightly and begin the second ring right next to the first one.
The video shows the first half of the double stitch being snugged as
close as possible to the big ring. Then I make the second half of the
double stitch.
In between the first video and the second video, I complete the second fish ring and close. The second video starts after I have closed the second ring and am about to begin the third and last ring.
I turn the project a little more so
that I can begin the third ring. I make sure that I snug the first half of
the double stitch close to the last ring, and do the second half of the
double stitch.
After the video, I finish the third ring and close it. Keep in mind that snugging the stiches close to the previous rings applies to this pattern in particular--it is not a general rule. For example, the basic 5-5-5-5 ring edging requires that you leave a space between each ring.
In this picture, the fish is completed, but I
have not yet tied the two ends together to complete the pattern. As if
you were tying your shoelaces, cross and pull snug and then cross and
pull snug a second time to make a knot. I personally like to dab a
drop of superglue on the knot, wait a few seconds for it to dry, and
then snip the ends close. Other tatters may prefer more elegant (but
complicated for the beginner) ways of getting rid of the ends (by
hiding them).
Now the fish is tied and the ends have been
cut. The pattern has been completed.