Since I’ve been doing a lot of tatting posts, patterns and tutorials here lately. I decided to write a post about what tatting is to help beginner tatters get started.
Because since I have started tatting I have learned that tatting is not as well known as crocheting and knitting. I myself had never heard of it before I saw something about it on Pinterest a couple of years ago.
Most of the time when I mention tatting, a lot of people don’t know what it is. So, in this post I’ll explain what tatting is, and the different types of tatting out there.
Save this post on your Pinterest for later Here.
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Here are some more post I did about tatting
- How to Read Tatting Pattern and Diagrams.
- Tatting vs Crochet and What is The Difference.
- The Different Types of Tatting for Beginners.
What is Tatting?
In short, tatting is a form of lace making. It’s a technique that uses a series of knots and loops to create a very durable lace.
Tatted lace is durable because you make the lace with knots called double stitches. And the loops you see on something that is tatted are called picots.
Tatting is an old fashioned needle craft that you only have to learn one stitch to make. Tatted lace consists of rings and chains
Tatted lace can be made with shuttles or with tatting needles. If you’re a beginner, you may find that needle tatting is the easier of the two.
And tatting patterns will be written or have a tatting diagram to show you how to make the pattern. My tatting pattern will have both the written instructions and the tatting diagram.
How Old is Tatting?
I don’t think anybody really knows how old tatting is. Some say it dates back over 200 years and others think it is not that old.
All I know is that tatting has been around for many years and is still done today. While it may not be as popular as knitting or crocheting, tatting is still done quite a bit by crafters today.
What do I need to get started?
To get started tatting, beginner tatters really just need a couple of things.
- Crochet Thread or Tatting Thread: Usually size 10 crochet thread is a great beginner thread to start with. I know with crochet thread and tatting thread, the higher the number the thinner the thread. And the lower the number the thicker the tread. You can also use different kinds of thread.
- Tatting Needle or Tatting Shuttle: I have both tatting shuttles and tatting needles, and I like both types of tatting. But, I think I like shuttle tatting the best.
You’ll also need a pair of small scissors and if you’re going to shuttle tat you’ll need a small crochet hook to join the picots. Unless you tatting shuttle already has a small hook on the end.
The Different Types of Tatting
There are three different types of tatting.
- Shuttle Tatting: Shuttle tatting is made by using shuttles. You make the lace by using your hands and the shuttle. Shuttle tatting lace can be made with one shuttle or with two shuttles.
- Needle Tatting: In needle tatting you’ll use a special needle made for tatting. The rings and chains in needle tatting are made directly on the needle and then you slide the stitches off the needle onto the thread. Needle tatting is considered the easiest form of tatting for beginner tatters to start. The size of tatting needle you use depends on the size of thread you’re wanting to use.
- Cro-Tatting: This type of tatting combines crochet and tatting to make the lace. And cro-tatting is similar to needle tatting, because the stitches are made on a special cro-tatting hook that looks like a tatting needle with a small hook on the end. Cro-tatting is also easier to unravel, while shuttle tatting is just about impossible to undo.
Thank you for reading this post and I hope that it has helped you learn a little more about tatting. And that it has helped you beginner tatters to understand this old-fashioned craft.
