Interesting Puzzle . . .

[aspiemama]

I have an interesting problem I would like suggestions on.  I have been working on a somewhat large piece and it so happened that the ball of thread that I have been winding shuttles off of is empty.  I just tied on new shuttle AND ball threads from a new ball  (both new and old balls were labeled size 20 and the diameter of the threads appears to

Comments

Interesting Puzzle

[tatdlace]

Are you sure that both threads are the same manufacturer and the same size? I have often had this problem when I grab a ball of white thread and when the size feels off, I've checked and discovered I've grabbed the wrong ball of thread. DMC Cebelia comes in sizes 10,20,30 and 40 so it's really easy when you have 2 open balls to mistake one for the other. I always pencil in the make and size of the thread on the inside core. If the core is plastic I write the info on tape and stick it on the inside of the core. It saves a lot of guessing later on.

If you are sure that the thread is the same make, as has already been mentioned, washing and blocking will often make up for any little variances. Thread sizes, especially from an established manufacturer like DMC should be very consistent. It is possible that the earlier section of work was done tighter and the next section done more relaxed. Tension doesn't seem to be as critical in tatting as it is in knitting or crochet, at least I haven't found it so, but there is some tensioning in what you do. A length of work done while you are in a hurry or under stress will be tighter than something worked when you are feeling mellow and laid back.