Frivolity at the shuttle

1/ Loading a shuttle with removable spool

Loading is very simple and fast with this type of shuttle: just remove the spool from the shuttle, place it at the end of the shuttle, opposite the side with the hook. Make a surgeon's knot by passing the end of the thread twice through the loop. This will prevent the thread from slipping out at once, and the shuttle from falling off. Reposition the bobbin in the shuttle and cut the excess thread if it is in the way, then cut the thread attached to the ball.

2/ Loading a classic shuttle

Unlike the previous shuttle, you will have to load the thread directly on the shuttle: pass the thread through the hole in the center of the shuttle, and pass the thread between the blades of the shuttle. Form a surgeon's knot, as before, then wrap the thread. Trim the excess, then cut the wire connected to the ball.

3/ Arch

Take the two free wires that protrude from each shuttle and tie them together. Pinch the knot formed between your thumb and forefinger. Wrap the thread of one of the shuttles on the little finger, making 2 to 3 turns, to lock the thread. This shuttle carries the thread that will "work" and wrap around the weft thread.

Take the second shuttle in your opposite hand: this shuttle carries the thread that will be the weft thread.

Take the weft thread shuttle, and pass it under the wound thread on your opposite hand, then pass it back over, in the loop formed by the weft thread. Relax the thread wrapped on your finger, then tighten the weft thread: this is the transfer gesture of the knot. Once the transfer is done, tighten the thread on your finger, and put your half knot on the weft thread.

Now, make the second part of the knot: pass the weft thread over the wrapped thread, then pass it back underneath, in the loop. Loosen the wrapped yarn, pull the weft yarn taut, and lay the second half knot next to the previous one. You've made your first double knot!

Continue to make double knots until you master the transfer of the knot correctly.

4/ Ring

The technique is the same as for a hoop, except that you will no longer have 2 wires linked together by a knot, but only one, which will be both weft and working wire. To do this, you will wrap the thread around your hand, keeping your fingers apart, to give you room to pass the shuttle. The opposite hand holds the shuttle. As with the hoop, you will pass under the thread stretched by your hand, then pass over it again, passing through the loop of the weft thread. Loosen the working yarn, pull the weft yarn taut, transfer the half knot, and lay it over the weft yarn. Make the second part of the double knot: go over the taut yarn, then under it, go through the loop, slacken the working yarn, tighten the weft yarn, lay the half knot next to the previous one. If your transfer is done correctly, you can pull on the weft thread and check that it can move freely. If it is blocked, the transfer has not been completed. Check regularly to see if the weft thread is moving.

Once you have finished making your ring, pull on the weft thread to close the ring.

5/ Ring + hoop

Now that you know how to make a hoop and a ring, let's see how to connect two rings together with a picot. For this, you have the choice between working with a shuttle linked to a ball, or working with 2 shuttles linked together by a continuous thread (as on the video).

We will start by making a ring with 5 double knots (dn), a small connecting picot, 5 dn, 1 long decorative picot, 5 dn, a small connecting picot, and finish with 5 dn. To tie a picot, simply tie your first knot as normal, but leave more or less wire free depending on the size of the picot, before tying the second knot. When you pull this second knot together, a picot will form between the first and second knots. Close the ring.

Then turn your ring upside down (so the long picot is at the bottom of your ring, instead of the top). Begin making your hoop by wrapping the left-hand thread around your finger, and the right-hand thread as the weft thread. Make 10 dn by squeezing the dn together.

Turn your work over again: your hoop is at the bottom, forming a U shape. Start a new ring by tying the first knot as close to the hoop as possible. As for the first ring, make 5 dn, then connect your new ring to the previous one: to do so, pass a fine hook through the connecting pin of the previous ring, and catch the thread wrapped on your left hand (the working thread, and especially not the weft thread). Bring your new ring as close as possible to the previous ring, then continue your pattern: 5 dn, decorative picot, 5 dn, connecting picot, 5 dn.