Tatting - help me begin, i'm clueless!

[spikemomma]

Where is the best place to learn how to do tatting? I have no idea about how tricky it is, but i fancy giving it a whirl. Can you craft goddesses advise?

Just Google it. There is loads, books, videos. I can do it, but not very well and find it much more limiting than knitting. Limiting as is: what you can make with it. The furthest I got was a bookmark in the shape of a cross.

I taught myself from books. It is easy once you have mastered the basic stitch, but grows slowly! I have only done a few complete projects but you can easily do little flowers and designs to embellish things, with the current craze for corsages it might add something especially in coloured threads.

I prefer the kind of shuttle that has a bobbin you can wind on a sewing machine and an attached hook: this - maybe Hobbycraft would have the crochet cotton?

You could google Ring of Tatters but I wasn't inspired by them at the Stitching show: it's an underrated craft IMO.

Also you could look on Amazon/library for one of Mary Konior's books, she has lovely little patterns for ornaments/flowers rather than the interminable doilies.

I'm really interested in tatting - my grandmother tatted loads of antimacassars and tray mats in it, which still lurk in the back of drawers. I can crochet, is there a big difference, and what can it do that crochet can't?

There are lots of youtube vids on tatting. it is quite portable, I keep some in my handbag for waiting rooms and queues. I make Christmas baubles and embellishments. Hats off to those who can manage a whole tablecloth. It takes me ages.

Well it's just a different look to crochet, I think it's quite attractive, and it makes a firmer structure so things hold their shape. I don't think it's any harder than crochet (except I can barely crochet so maybe not qualified to comment!)

Once you learn the basic stitch then it's not difficult. There are other techniques to learn later on like split ring, joining in thread invisibly, as you advance.

As suggested google it, there are plenty of resources. There's groups on yahoo and revelry.com. I also Like the shuttle with the crochet hook on the end, more convenient than a separate one when it comes to joining. There's also needle tatting, but I didn't try that. Thread, I used DMC cotton. I made a necklace, bookmark and some samples.

Enjoy :)

Ravelry, Siikibam, Revelry would be nice, but it is not what it is. Ravelry as in the opposite of Unravel

Thanks girls.

Tatting looks lovely, but a whole lot more complicated than crochet (which i'm new at and love). It seems less obvious than crochet as it's so intricate, it's hard to see what to do!

Could you link to the basic stitches - if that's what they're called?! I've looked on the web, but i'm unsure at what i'm looking for. I want to make cross bookmarks, xmas snowflakes and baubles. THANKS for your help so far - i heart you crafters big time! xx

DutchOma, thats spell check for you! Thanks for the correction :)

Spikemomma, here's some links:

www.carriestatting.com/
doit101.com/Crafts/Tatting.html
www.thisntat.com/lessons1.html

Videos:

I had trouble with it at the beginning. I actually gave up in (severe) frustration. But I couldn't let it rest and when I went back to it (with determination) I figured it out. It was the 'flip' I think that was the issue for me.

Honest, it's easier than crochet. There is only one stitch!

helpful introduction. There is one stitch (knot) - if you leave a gap between them, you get a little loop (picot), you can make it into a loop (ring) or an open ended piece (chain) and everything is made of these elements joined together.

is not a bad tutorial but if you're still stuck I may attempt my very first youtube video.

You will probably be tight to start with, I really slacken off the thread looped round my hand as I make the stitches so the "flip" happens easily, and the stitches aren't too tight to slide along. I really think an oldfashioned book with line drawings might illustrate it better than all these videos where you can't really see the direction of the threads, but have a go anyway

I mean, if you have to buy a shuttle, buy a book too I suggest - old ones from the 50's and 60's are great. Fascinating selection of booklets, and tatted things, on ebay.

Thank you so much siikibam and greenlotus - and everyone else. I will definately check these links out. You've given me the confidence to at least try it. I'm hoping to try and make some snowflakes by christmas..!

You're making me want to tat again spikemomma. In fact you gave me an idea :)

Blimey! No one I've ever mentioned tatting to has known what I was talking about! I learned as a 12 year old. Still got the shuttle, just lost the know how :)

lotsO, should be like riding a Nike :)

Never ridden a Nike Siikibam I've re namechanged btw! :)

Gadamn spell checker!! that WAS bike Solo

thought it might have been but wanted to be sure I hadn't been missing out on something stupendous all these years!