I have always wondered about tatting. I use the word in crossword puzzles. Maybe I should learn to tat! I'd love for someone, who really knows the ins and outs of tatting to recommend a good Youtube video of how to get started. What do I need to buy to get started? Thanks, Jan

Now I know I have to try it, and a friend of mine said she'd teach me. Does it wear out your hands? Now all I need are shuttles - do they come in difference sizes? Is there one kind better than the others? I have tons of cotton thread so I'm ready to go! Thanks for all your answers! Sunday morning hugs, Jan

My grandma used to tat, too. I never learned. I understand that they are design files now that you can use on your embroidery machine.

My grandma used to tat and I have a tatting shuttle, but have never had the time to learn. I have a book (reader's digest) that shows you how to do several things, like knitting, crocheting, macrame, tatting and a few others - even for left handers.

You need cotton thread and 1 or 2 shuttles. There are only two knots you have to learn. I find it very easy and very relaxing to do.
Where most people go wrong is not adding enough pressure to turn the knot, it's a trick you can manage in no time at all. Just have someone show it to you. I don't know of any video's.

I did a lot of tatting when younger. It is very hard on your fingers and I am unable to do it anymore due to arthritis

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by hightechgrammy 24 Jun 2012

That's what I was afraid of..... my hands just ache after doing lots of hand sewing....

I had to learn to tat left handed very difficult had to sit and look over right handers sholder and learn how to go backyards. The main stitch is the same slip not as macrame only done with shuttle and thread. The little rings are made with the shuttle only and the straight pieces are made with a combination of shuttle and thread. My eyes are failing so my cotton had to get thicker so doesnt look as nice and delecate as it used to. Hugs Joyce

shuttle tatting is quite difficult and the tension is all important. Really there are only a couple of knots to learn, but I could never master it. However I can do it using the big needles which Bevitex talks about. Of course it will not be as fine as the shttle, because the needle thickness determines the fine-ness of work. Shuttle work fine-ness is determined by thickness of the thread used.

I tried with a shuttle and all I got was a bunch of tangeld thread wrapped around my fingers. Then I discovered needle tatting. Much easier, the needles are 5 inches long. And there is a kit you can get at your craft store with an easy instruction book included. I'm no expert but can make a nice butterfly.
Bev
adding a link to handy hands tatting

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by janetedna 22 Jun 2012

Very interesting. Not tried this way but my left hand used to hurt after using the shuttle and I very often forgot to join the picots! Not very succesful. Jan

Jan my grandmother's shuttles were a silver looking metal. she tatted baby booties and bonnets and lace to edge the tucks in my petticoats made from bleached out flour sacks, there would be 4 or 5 tucks going down all the way around and a ruffle around the bottom. the tucks were to let out as I got taller. I have one daughter that tats and she has made me some book mark crosses. me I tried but never gained the expertise. as the other have said there is a new way now called needle tatting but have not seen any. Good luck on learning a very old, very beautiful skill/Lillian

Tatting requires just 3 things- Cotton Thread, a shuttle (wooden or plastic) and PLENTY of patience. It can produce such delicate laces. There's also a lot of books and DVDs out for directions. I learned from my Grandma and Mom and it's such a tiny hobby to carry around with you. I've even taken the old tatting off pillow cases etc. from Great Grandma on down to repurpose on new things. What a wonderful treasure to repurpose for younger family members to cherish as well. Good Luck! :-)
Charlotte

Hi Jan,

Here is the link about "bowlds" father who did the tatting. Love Chris

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by asterixsew 21 Jun 2012

Chris you are a star but will a flower do instead?

I googled needle tatting kit and overstock has a starter kit $13 not bad

You can also do a more modern needle tatting -there are starter kits out there at Lacis

When I was in college one of my friends tatted every spare minute, waiting for lectures to begin, up and down in the lift, coffee break... By the end of three years she had enough to go round her wedding dress and the 3 bridesmaids. A few weeks ago there were some beautiful pictures in projects of work tatted by someones father. They will still be there if one is up to a hunt. I have done some tatting but not enough to instruct via the internet

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by asterixsew 21 Jun 2012

Ah needs is a tatting shuttle and cotton thread. Look on ebay where ever you are