Zigzag split chain

Not that anybody would ever want to do this, but...

...I think I have solved the mystery of how to produce Victorian Sets (also known as rickrack or zigzag tatting) in a shuttle tatted split chain.

It is recommended that you master the normal split chain technique before trying this variation. Beginners to tatting take note - this is just my fanatical messing around and not normal tatting, LOL.

Ok, here we go:

Anchor the shuttle thread just like a normal split chain. Since I like to work a split chain from left to right, I then turn the work like turning the page of a book.

Make the first half of a double stitch, using the usual split chain technique.


Ok, here's the trick! Roll the chain over, away from you (clockwise).

Repeat as desired. The chain will get extra twist put in from all those rotations in the same direction, but when doing the second half that extra twist will come out because the rotations will be the opposite way.
To get the thread in position for repeating the second half, roll the chain in the opposite direction from what you did to repeat the first halves. So now you'll be rolling the chain toward yourself (counterclockwise) to get the thread into the necessary position.