7b) Split Rings in Two Colors: Part 2

Earlier this week, I found myself in a rare mood...wanting to write Inkscape posts. As I was digging through all the tutorials out there, I stumbled upon another way to draw split rings in two colors. This method is fairly easy to execute and to remember.

For this method, you will be working with two shapes. The first shape is your ring, and the second shape is something that you will be using to cut your ring apart (kind of like using a cookie cutter). I've been using rectangles as my second shape, because the straight lines are easy to work with.

First, you will need to draw a ring. I've copy/pasted this one from my Free Diagramming Template.

Next, draw a rectangle (or other shape of your choosing) to use as your cookie cutter (the tools for drawing shapes are on the left sidebar). I've set my rectangle with "X" for Fill and red for Stroke so it can be easily distinguished from my ring.

Place your rectangle over top of your ring. Make sure that the side of the rectangle intersects with the place where you'd like your ring to split.

In the image above, notice that the red line of the rectangle overlaps the black line of the ring. This is what you want (shapes that are doing the cutting need to be on top). If you find that your rectangle is NOT on top, select the rectangle and choose Object>Raise to Top (on the main Inkscape menu).

Before proceeding any further, we want to make sure that all of our objects have been converted into Paths. Select both shapes (you can drag a selection box over both OR click one shape, hold Shift on your keyboard and click on the second shape). Then go to the main menu and click Path>Object to Path.

Now it's time to cut the ring apart. Your shapes should still be selected from the previous step, so just go to Path>Cut Path, on the main menu:

Your rectangle will disappear, and your ring will be split into two pieces. (I've dragged the pieces apart for illustration purposes only)

Now that the ring has been split, we can select each side and edit it independently. I've changed the Stroke color of one side to Red and the other side to Blue.

After you have made your edits, don't forget to select both pieces and group them together (CTRL+G) so they can be moved as one.

I've illustrated this feature using the teardrop shaped ring, but you can use it on oval shaped rings as well:

Limitations

When working with the teardrop shaped ring, I noticed some limitations that occasionally cause pieces of the ring to disappear. These limitations seem to be specific to the teardrop shaped ring only, and do not occur when working with rings created with the circle tool.

The missing pieces happen when the ring is cut close to the bottom. I've created a sample image below.

Fortunately, most splits are not affected by this, and you should be able to create your split rings without a problem. If you do notice a missing piece, try undoing (CTRL+Z) and moving the rectangle up a little bit. In the worst case, use the circle tool to represent your ring instead of the teardrop shape.

A new snowflake (but please, no more snow!)

It seems I cannot stay away from tatting for very long! I know it's getting warmer, and I don't want to think about snow for awhile, but I designed another snowflake over the weekend.

You see, the nurse practitioner at the doctor's office saw me tatting a few years back, and I promised her a snowflake. Every time I go back, she's not there! (At my last visit, I ended up giving a snowflake ornament to the doctor instead.) Well, I want to be prepared with a new design for whenever I do get to see her, so that's how this snowflake came about :)

I designed a large snowflake so that it could be tatted in small thread. It came out a bit smaller than expected (3.5 inches from top to bottom in DMC size 80), but is still a pretty good size.

Below is the original concept, sketched in Kaleidoscope Drawing Pad. It contains a series of 12 rings in the center, which I found to be a little unstable.

I often alter designs as I go along, and this time was no different. Each time I change a design, I edit my drawing so that I can have a guide to compare my progress to. Here is the edited version:

And one last photo (fully dried after blocking with a damp paper towel):

Errata: Priscilla Square

Last night, Amanda (aka Mandatory) let me know of an error she had found in the Priscilla Square diagram. Two chains have a 6 where there should be an 8, and another two chains have an 8 where there should be a 6 (this occurs on the left side and upper left side of the diagram).

I have fixed the error and uploaded the revision to Google Drive. The nice thing about Google Drive is that I can upload revisions over top of the old file, and the original link will stay the same. So, if there are any more errors to be found, don't hesitate to let me know. After looking at the diagram for so long, sometimes it's hard for me to see an error that may be obvious to a fresh set of eyes!

The square diagram looks to be the only one affected, so if you have previously printed the file, you will only need to reprint Page 3.

Free Pattern: Priscilla Cross and Square

I got the chance to get the pattern for the Priscilla Cross and Square diagrammed over the weekend. You can access it through my Free Patterns page or go directly to it by Clicking Here.

Normally, I would test tat another version of the pattern after the diagram is completed, just to make sure everything is in its proper place. However, with this pattern taking so long to tat, I chose to proofread my diagrams instead of proofreading AND tatting. Let me know if you encounter any mistakes!

I also did not get the chance to put four squares together, though I'm fairly certain they can be used as a repeatable motif. I've made arrows on the diagram showing which picots to use to connect the squares together.

This pattern follows the same flow as the Priscilla Bookmark, which can also be found on my Free Patterns page. The only new stitch counts are in the central chains and floating rings.

An Update

I haven't been doing any tatting these past couple of weeks. Mom fell and broke her hip in three places, requiring surgery and a short stay at a rehab center. She's back home with dad now, who has been taking care of her, and seems to be feeling much better.

Before that happened, I did manage to tat a square based on the Priscilla Cross design from my previous post.

It's done in Lizbeth size 40 white and gold (colors chosen before that whole white and gold dress thing happened). It measures 3.75 inches across and 5 inches diagonally. Here it is alongside the cross. It's in the binder where I keep all of my designs and diagrams:

These two still need diagrams, which will be made as soon as I am able to concentrate on them.

In the meantime, I've been learning how to knit again. I find that knitting requires a lot less brainpower than tatting and can be done even when I'm half asleep. I've just been practicing my knits and purls with a simple knit 4 purl 4 scarf:

This little guy likes to join me on the couch, though I have to be careful...he likes to chew the paper wrapper as well as the yarn!

With the weather finally getting nicer, I decided to pick up a happier color of yarn at the store yesterday. I think my next project will be leg warmers with a simple cable design.

And, as soon as I am mentally rejuvenated, I will of course get back to tatting :)