Interesting Puzzle . . .

[aspiemama.livejournal.com]

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 be identical) and have done a bit of work with the new threads but am finding that the rings and chains from this new supply of thread are turning out larger than the rest of the piece, I just can't seem to get the stitches as tight as I usually do.  I am only about half done and am not sure if this difference will even matter or whether or not I can even do anything about it but I thought I would run it past the people here.  What do you think?  Is there a possibility that there is something wrong with this thread or is a difference like this not unusual?  (If it matters, the brand of thread is DMC Cebelia)

I don't know what to do.  I really don't want to have to start over or anything as I have already devoted tons of time to this project.  Any ideas????

Comments

[kelvandor.livejournal.com]

I know to look for the same lot numbers when getting more than one ball of thread for one project so that the color doesn't drift. I've never thought about thread thickness drift. Would matching the lot numbers prevent this as well?

[stripey-cat.livejournal.com]

Is there any chance you're using one ball from the other end? That can really mess up knitting and crochet (as well as sewing with thread), although my tatting experience isn't enough to have had a problem with it yet.

[aspiemama.livejournal.com]

Well, what I had been using was definitely from the end of the first ball and this new supply is from the beginning of the second ball. It is the first time I have had to start a new ball so I didn't knowthere could be a difference. If that is the issue, then I will just deal with it. The current round is nearly finished, there is only a couple of inches left to go, and then the next round will be exclusively the new thread so it might blend in eventually. I certainly cannot change the fact that the thread is not tightening as I would like. It is annoying, though.

[wosny.livejournal.com]

It may be less obvious once you have washed the project and pulled it straight. If it's large and white it will very likely need some washing ( :) ) and that seems to sort quite a few problems in my experience.
Good luck, and do show us how it turns out.

Interesting Puzzle

[tatdlace.livejournal.com]

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.