TATTING

Introduction: Tatting is a technique for handcrafting lace can be docuemented approximately to the early 19th century. it is often simple to work and with proficiency in basic stitches a good working speed can be obtained .it is generally used for crafting patterns and trimmings.

Abberviations:

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Join Ring stitch chain-a series of sts double stitch picot ring- draw shuttle reversework-turn work space small picot long picot the number of picot in repeat the close ring

st

ch

ds

- or p Cl r thread Rw over Sp Sm p Lg p Sep separated a ring *=asterisk directions .

EqUipments reqiured for tatting

o The instrument that is used called shuttle.

A tatting shuttle is normally a metal or plastic pointed oval shape less than 3 inches long, but shuttles come in a variety of shapes and material.

o Shuttles often have a point or hook on one end to aid in the construction of the lace. o Tatting can be used to make lace edging as well as doilies,collars,and other decorative pieces. o To make the lace, the tatter wraps the thread around one hand and manipulates the shuttle with the other hand. o The lace is formed by a pattern of rings and chains formed from larks heads knots called stiches. o Gaps can be left between the stitches to form picots, which are used for practical construction as well as decorative effect. o A shuttle with both hook and the needle. the hook on the end (A) is convinient for forming joined in the pattern. The removable bobbin (C)can be attached to the end(B) for ease in winding the bobbin with thread. o The materials required for tatting are shuttle with hook end, crochet thread and small scissors.

Basic steps in tatting The tatting starts with winding of the bobbinand then with the steps in making tatting stitches.tatting is made up of double

stitches (ds) formed along a base there IN THE SHAPE OF EITHER (R) OR CHAINS(C).These rings and chains are joined together by picots(p).Picots are used as a decorative elements in the tatting design.

RING

CHAIN

PICOT

Winding the bobbin In the centre of the shuttle is bobbin. If t is removable and has a hole at one side, tie the thread and wind until bobbin is full. If it is not removable, tie thread into the bobbin hole and fill the bobbin by wrapping smoothly and evenly with thread until bobbin is filled. Do not fill beyond the blades of the shuttle. To practice with, any coarse cotton ,ply 20 or 30 ,is a good choice. Tatting is a series of running knots or stitches which are usually drawn into a ring. thread must slip easily through the knots.

Tatting a double stitch: 1. The shuttle motion when creating a double stitch is a horizontalback and forth movement. The shuttle goes not flip or turn over when going over or under the threads. Think of it as a train on a track ,with an engine at eah endfirst the train goes forwards,but it never leaves the ground as it changes directions. 2. Donot wind your bobbin too fulll,as this can cause your thread to become wedged in betwee the bobbin and the inner wall of your shuttle this will result in grayed or blackened thread. 3. Watch for the flip or transfer of the knot.this transfer must occur for the double stitch to be formed correctly. 4. Left or right handedness usually doesnt change the tatting technique since both hands are used in forming the double stitch.left-handed tatters mayeven have an advantage since much of the delicate movements are made with the left hand. Steps in tatting a double stitch:

Hold the shuttle in your right hand,grasped by the thumb and first finger ,with hook end pointing towards the left.

Wrap the thread around the fingers of your left hand to form a ring With the little finger of the right hand,catch up the thread Pass the shuttle to left(hook end first)under the shuttle and ring threads.the shuttle is passed under the ring thread.you must allow the ring thread to slide between the shuttle top and our finger

Push the shuttle left un til the end of the shuttle clears both the ring and shuttle threads.

Return shuttle backwards (winder end first) over the ring thread and under the shuttle thread.the shuttle is passed over the ring thread you

must allow the ring thread to slide between the shuttle bottom of your thumb.

Pull shuttle to the right until front of the shuttle clears both threads .

Drop right little finger to release the shuttle thread.loosen tension on the left hand to allow the ring to go slack a bit.

Pull shuttle right tightly. this will cause the knot to transfer or flip over and wrap around the shuttle thread.

Raise left middle finger finger

to tighten the stitch around the shuttle

thread. move the knot along the shuttle thread close to your thumb and

This is the first half of the double stitch.

Second half of the double stitch I a reverse of the first half. catch up the shuttle thread with your right little finger.

Pass the shuttle to left (hook end first)over the shuttle and ring threads .Note that as the shuttle is passed over the ring thread ,you must allow the ring thread to slide between the shuttle bottom and your thumb .

Push the shuttle left until the end of the shuttle clear both ring and shuttle threads

Return shuttle backwards (winder end first) under the rind thread and over the shuttle thread.the shuttle passed under the ring thread ,you must allow thread to slidebetween the shuttle top and your finger.

Pull the shuttle right the end of the shuttle clear both ring and shuttle threads. Drop right little finger to release the shuttle thread. loosen tension on the left hand to allow the ring thread to go slack a bit.

Pull shuttle tightly. This will cause the knot to transfer or flip over and wrap around the shuttle thread.

Raise the left middle finger to tighten the stitch around the shuttle thread.move the knot along the shuttle thread and tight up against the first half of the double stitch.

Complete double stitch to make sure your double stitch can slide along the shuttle thread .if the double stitch does not slide discard it and start from the beginning.

Ring and picots The dainty effect depents on the lacy called picots .a picots is the first half of a double but drawn close up agaist the preceding stitch .it held by the on the shuttle thread at the distance of about the quater ,thus the double will meet and picot loop is formed on the ring. The double made in forming the picot is considered part of the next group doubles Practice double and picot until you can make them readlly.then make a ring. Remember to keep thread on the back shuttle for the ease of working. work 3 ds,p,3 ds. hold stitches firmly in the left hand under thumb and forefinger after the last double is complete draw the shuttlethread gently double of the ring. for larger picots leave a larger space between double. Joining rings make a loop large enough to intrest shuttle slip the shuttle through it and loop and pull shuttle thread taut to therigth draw back out ff picot with the finger on the left hand make second half of the double. Be sure to hold shuttle thread taut or a square knot will develop when second half is made and it will not slip. Now work ds;p,,3 s and draw up from the second ring. Continue from*for desired length. To reserve work .Turn your work so that of ring base just made is at the top and work next ring as usual.

To join threads

Always join new thread at the base ring or the chain by making a square
knot and leaving the end until work is finished as the strain may loosen the knot. cut end later leaving them long enough so that they will not pull loose. Never join a new thread in the ring as the knot will not pass through the double stitch.

Pattern in tatting
Tatted loop;
Make 12 double stitch with one shuttle, draw them together into the half ring and tighten the thread the first of the next scallop must be so close to the last knot of the preceding scallop as to touch it.

Picot loop
Made with the shuttle 4 double stitches,1 picot *3 double stitches ,1 picot 2 double stitches1 picot ,3 double stitches; close the ring .leave sufficient length of the thread before beginning the next ring for the ring not to overlap each other. make 4 double ,draw the left hand thread through the 5th picot of the last ring and repeat from*.

The picot loop intersect Make with one shuttle a ring of the double stitches (ds). 1 picot (p) * 3 ds .1 p, 2 ds,1 p, 3 ds ; close the ring. turn the work leave the same length of the thread and make a second ring turn their work and leave the same length of the thread free: begin a 3 rd ring and after the 4th ds connect with the 5th p of the first ring turn the work and connected the ring in like manner with the 2nd ring. continue in this way ,turning the work after each ring.