Tatting is an old craft used to make a type of lace. Tatting has experienced numerous periods of popularity, including during Victorian times and the 1950s and 60s. The English name of tatting is said to be derived from "tatters" and to denote the frail disconnected character of the fabric. In recent years, it has been revived again with great enthusiasm. Tatting can be a very fulfilling hobby - it is easy to learn (contrary to how you might feel when viewing the incredible complexity of designs that result from tatting projects) and there is a vast array of projects available to the avid tatter. Tatting designs are elegant, dainty and useful in one - tatting projects include doilies, runners, collars, table covers, handkerchiefs, pillow edgings and more. If you're just starting out with tatting, this article aims to provide the basic overview before embarking on a project.
Step 1
Familiarize yourself with the threads used for tatting. Suitable threads include crochet cotton and mercerized cotton. DMC is one popular brand known for its tatting threads. Threads can be purchased online as well as in craft stores. (NOTE: When teaching someone to tat, I accidently found if you use two colors of thread, one in the bobbin and another for the ball, you can quickly see if an error has been made. When done correctly, the work should all be one color. If you see two colors, you know somethings was done wrong.)
Step 2
Obtain some tatting shuttles. Old shuttles used to be made of bone, tortoiseshell, Bakelite or steel. Modern shuttles are made from plastic. You may be able to collect older versions, although obtaining tortoiseshell shuttles can be difficult due to endangered species regulations. Start with modern ones and if you get a passion for tatting, you might even discover a passion for collecting old shuttles for display!
Step 3
Learn how to wind the shuttle. Wind the thread around the bobbin that is situated in the center of the shuttle. If there is a hole in the center of the shuttle, insert the thread through the hole and tie a knot before commencing your project. Note that in some instances, the bobbin is removable. Do not wind the thread beyond the edge of the shuttle.
Step 4
Practice using the shuttle. This is explained in illustrated detail at Use a Tatting Shuttle. A brief outline is provided here for the sake of completeness.
- Take a shuttle with a pointed end and 2 balls of mercerized cotton. Wind as described above.
- Take the shuttle in the right hand, between the thumb and second finger, and allow the forefinger to remain at liberty.
- Rest the under side of the shuttle between the second and third and on the middle finger.
- Place the thread round the three middle fingers of the left hand, so as to form a loop, keeping the second and third fingers a little apart, and bring the cotton again between the thumb and forefinger, letting the end fall within the palm of the hand, while the end of cotton which holds on to the shuttle passes over the thumb-nail.
Step 5
Try a variety of tatting stitches. Once you have familiarized yourself with the above information, commence with the basic stitches, such as double stitch, rings, chains etc. This will get you used to how tatting feels and establish your own manner before you embark on projects.
Step 6
Understand how to use reverse work. In tatting you will notice that the rounded end of the loop on which you are working faces the top. However, you can produce an interesting effect by turning your work first up and then down. The directions will say "rw" (reverse work). To do this, once you have worked a ring, turn it so that the base of the ring faces the top and the new ring is worked as usual with the loop side up.
Step 7
Start your first tatting project. Start with edgings and insertions first. Check out wikiHow's Tatting category for many ideas.
Tips
- Tatting differs entirely from crochet, and is composed of stitches forming knots. It is intended to be an imitation of point lace, and it is often used for trimming under linen, on account of its strength.
- Learn the relevant tatting abbreviations:
- r - ring
- lr - large ring
- sr - small ring
- ds - double stitch
- p - picot
- lp - long picot
- sm p - small picot
- sep. - separated
- cl - close
- rw - reverse work
- sp - space
- ch - chain
- Note that "purl" is sometimes the term used to refer to a Josephine picot or knot. In many Victorian-era patterns, it is used to indicate a picot.
- If collecting old tatting shuttles is a passion with you, note that some were made from ivory and tortoiseshell. When you collect these, ensure that they are vintage and obtain them legally from antique specialists only. Do not purchase new ivory or tortoiseshell, as this breaches the laws on protecting endangered species and encourages illegal poaching of disappearing species. Other older forms of shuttles include bone, mother-of-pearl or even wood with inlaid designs. Collecting shuttles can be an enjoyable pastime for the vintage sewing enthusiast.
- If you use two colors of thread, one in the bobbin and another for the ball, you can quickly see if an error has been made. When done correctly, the work should all be one color. If you see two colors, you know somethings was done wrong.
