I have always (and I mean always) been fascinated with tatting. I really don’t know why – it seemed to be this mysterious, beautiful, thing that my Grandmother did and that no one else could. I always asked to be taught, but my Grandmother just never understood why I would ever want to learn.
But I have decided that it is time. I bought myself a shuttle and I am ready to go.
Now… the biggest problem is that I have to figure this out. Unfortunately, my Grandmother is no longer with us, so I am learning this thing ‘blind’. But it is a challenge that I am ready for! (As I write this, I can see my hands making beautiful laces and trims… and in my daydreams everything is gorgeous and perfect… but this is probably not going to be reality – at least right away.)
So – I found some really great books from the 1800′s (Priscilla’s Tatting Book No.1, No.2, and No.3 -they are listed amongst some other great resources on the digital archives site at the University of Arizona) that have good instructions and wonderful pictures, but learning from a book is just tough to do sometimes. So I turned to Youtube. And I found nothing worthwhile… until Amy Palanjian from ReadyMade Magazine told me about a YouTube video they did and it is amazing. (Really – this is your first stop if you want to learn some tatting along with me!)
I guess I don’t have much more to say than that at this point. I have my shuttle and my crochet cotton, instructional books,and now, thanks to ReadyMade magazine, I have some video instruction too. All I need is to get at it! Wish me luck!!!
Does anyone have any hints, tips or tricks? Have you tried this for yourself? Have you ever wanted to try tatting?
There are quite a few videos on YouTube and lots and lots of online help. Just ‘goggle’ tatting and you’ll be amazed. Also there are a lot of free tatting pattern pages too. We’re here – tatters from all round the world will be saying welcome to ‘tat land’.
Jane
Thanks Jane! I visited your site too – and it will take me some time to get through all the great information and links that you have posted.
Hi! I am a long time tatter and at your disposal for questions, problems, rants and whatever else happens during learning to tat. You are not crazy. Tatting is a terrific needle art and has lots of interesting possibilities.
PattyD
Thanks so much Patty! I might just take you up on your offer
I spent much of Friday learning the double knot (?) – it took me a while but I finally figured out the dip/flip thing with the string. This could be a long process, but tatting is so gorgeous!!!