Hey everyone, today I’m going to talk about tatting vs crochet. Tatting and crochet are two great crafts, but they are different crafts.
You’ll see a lot about tatting on my blog, with different tutorials and patterns that I’ve made. And if you’re looking for crochet patterns and tutorials, my sister’s blog has tons of tutorials and patterns. You can find her blog Here.
Here are some of my free tatting patterns you can find in the tatting section of my blog to help you get started on your tatting adventures.
- Free Elegant Snowflake Ornament Tatting Pattern.
- Free Lace Bookmark Shuttle Tatting Pattern.
- Free Snowman Tatting Pattern and Tutorial.
- Easy and Simple Square Motif Tatting Pattern.
In this post we’ll explore tatting, crocheting, and also what’s called cro-tatting. I love tatting and you’ll find tutorials on how to start needle tatting and shuttle tatting on my blog.
Crocheting is also another great craft and I’ve crocheted a couple of things. But, tatting is my favorite out of the two.
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Tatting
First, I’ll explain what tatting is and some of the supplies you need to get started. Tatting is a form of lace-making, in fact tatting is the easiest lace you can make.
Here are some of the craft supplies you’ll need to get started tatting.
- Tatting shuttle or tatting needle.
- Crochet thread (size 10 is a great starting thread).
- Small crochet hook (optional).
You can use a crochet hook in tatting to connect the picots in shuttle tatting. But, you don’t have to have one, because you can either use the little point on the end of your tatting shuttle to pull the thread through. Or your tatting shuttle may have a little crochet hook where the point is.
And while bobbin lace and other types of needle lace need a pillow or something and pins. Tatting is a lot more stable when you start, because all you need is a tatting needle or tatting shuttle and your thread to get started. But, you can still make beautiful laces and lace edgings with tatting.
Tatted lace is made with a series of knots or double stitches and what’s called picots. And tatting is made up of rings and chains made out of the double stitches.
There is needle tatting that uses a long needle to make the rings and chains. And there is shuttle tatting that uses a tatting shuttle that has your thread wrapped around it. Out of the two tatting techniques needle tatting is the easiest and most beginner friendly. I am more of a shuttle tatter, because I enjoy using a shuttle more than I do a tatting needle.
The tatting thread you use for your tatting projects is crochet thread. Crochet cotton thread comes in different sizes.
The thread size you use depends on how you want your project to look. Size 10 crochet thread is the best thread for beginner tatters. And finer threads can make your projects look more elegant and dainty. And the size of tatting needle you use depends on the thickness of the thread, while in shuttle tatting you can use the same shuttle with any size thread.
Reading thread sizes can be a little confusing. Because the higher the number means the thinner the thread, and the lower the number is thicker thread.
Cro-Tatting
Cro-tatting is also called crochet tatting. It uses a cro-tatting hook that looks like a tatting needle with a little hook on the end.
Cro-tatting is more flexible than regular tatting and has a more detailed look than crochet. This is closer to needle tatting than shuttle tatting. Because like in needle tatting the stitches are made on the needle or hook.
Cro-tatting is easy to unravel if you’ve made a mistake. While with regular tatting it’s just about impossible to undo the rings if you make a mistake.
Crochet
Crochet is a craft that uses a crochet hook and yarn to create different project like, scarfs, blankets, baby loveys, amigurumi and more. Amigurumi is a Japanese form of crocheting stuffed animals and dolls.
Here is what you need to get started crocheting.
And with crocheting you can also make washclothes, scrubbies, coasters, potholders, and other kitchen items. There is so much you can make with crochet that I can’t even list all the possibilities.
Crocheting is sometimes confused with knitting. But, while knitting also uses yarn it is done with two knitting needle, and crochet is done with a hook.
Crocheting has a ton of stitches, the most common is the single crochet and the double crochet.
While you can use crochet thread for your crocheting projects, most of the time yarn is used. You can use different weights of yarn. There is lace weight yarn to super bulky yarn.
Crochet hooks come in all different sizes. And the size of crochet hook you use depends on the weight of yarn you’re using.
Some think that crochet dates back to the nineteenth century, but other think it maybe older than that. But, no matter how old the art of crochet is, it’s a very enjoyable craft to do.
What’s the difference?
We’ve looked at tatting and crocheting, now I’m going to tell you some of the differences between them.
These are both types of needle work. But, tatting is considered a form of lace making. If you’ve never done either one you may think they look alike. But, once you get started making projects, you’ll be able to easily tell the difference.
Crocheting is easier to do and start, while tatting can be a little more complex. Mostly because tatting uses thin thread and you make smaller lacy items. Even though you can make lace edging and dollies with crochet.
Tatting uses only one stitch, but crocheting has a ton of different stitches to try. When you make a mistake in crocheting it’s easy to unravel, but tatted rings are impossible to undo.
Crochet maybe more popular than tatting with more patterns available. But, tatting by no means is a lost art, you can find plenty of patterns and tutorials for it.
Whichever one you want to start or if you want to try both of them. They’re both great crafts and thank you for reading this post about tatting vs crochet. And be sure to check back on my blog for more tatting related posts.
