Learn how to make a Crotat (Crochet Tatting) string.

Making Crotat Strings

I have no idea what the "proper" name for this is.

My idea of a "String" is where you complete the 1^st side of more than one ring, close the 1^st ring then complete the 2^nd side and close the rest of the rings in sequence.

It is a little fiddly but not difficult to do.

This bow is made using this technique.

We are going to make something a little simpler.

Snowflake

Rings 1-2: 3 ds, p, 3 ds, place marker, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, draw thread through to marker leaving both loops on hook, 3 ds, p, 3 ds, close ring.

Rings 3-10: 3 ds, jp, 3 ds, place marker, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, draw thread through to marker leaving both loops on hook, 3 ds, p, 3 ds, close ring.

Rings 11-12: 3 ds, jp, 3 ds, place marker, 4 ds, p, 4 ds,draw thread through to marker leaving both loops on hook, 3 ds, jpto ring 2, 3 ds, close ring.

Fasten off, tie ends together and sew them in.

Crotat strings step 1
1. Work 3 ds, p, 3 ds. Place a piece of contrasting yarn over the yarn you are working with, sliding it up close to the last ds.

This is the 1^st side of ring 2.

Crotat strings step 2
2. Work 4 ds, p, 4 ds. This is ring 1.Now comes the fiddly part.

Crotat strings step 3
3. You need to draw the yarn through the stitches up to the marker as if you are closing the ring, leaving the rest of the stitches on the hook.

Crotat strings step 4
4. Tighten the loops on the hook as normal, taking care not to pull them too tightly as they are going to be the equivalent of another ds. Leave both loops on the hook. Remove marker.

Crotat strings step 5
5. Work the next 3 ds, p, 3 ds.

Crotat strings step 6
6. Close the ring as you would normally.

Crotat strings step 7
7. The next 4 points - rings 3 to 10 - are worked in much the same way. The only difference is that the very first picot is a joining picot.

Crotat strings step 8
8. The 6th point is again similar with the 1^stand last picots being joining picots. Work them as you did for the flower.

Crotat strings step 9
If you want to be really brave, try making a string of three rings in one go.

Rings 1-3: 3 ds, p, 3 ds, place marker, 3 ds, p, 3 ds, place marker, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, draw thread through to marker leaving both loops on hook, 3 ds, p, 3 ds, draw thread through to marker leaving both loops on hook, 3 ds, p, 3 ds, close ring.

You should know enough now to be able to make this into another snowflake if you would like to.