Tatting

My new passion - Tatting. Absolutely loving it! So what is tatting (I think it's Frivolite in other languages)?

Tatting is a technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace constructed by a series of knots and loops.Tatting can be used to make lace edging as well as doilies, collars, and other decorative pieces. The lace is formed by a pattern of rings and chains formed from a series of cow hitch, or half-hitch knots, called double stitches (ds), over a core thread. Gaps can be left between the stitches to form picots, which are used for practical construction as well as decorative effect.

Tatting dates to the early 19th century. The term for tatting in most European languages is derived from French frivolité, which refers to the purely decorative nature of the textiles produced by this technique. The technique was developed to imitate point lace.

In German tatting is called Schiffchenarbeit, which means the work of the little boat, referring to the boat-shaped shuttle, and in Italian tatting is called occhi, which means eyes, referring to the rings which make up the lace. (Wikipedia, 2012)

Me practicing with shuttle tatting

 What  I'm doing is called shuttle tatting. Remember my last post about Knitting&Stitching Show, was picture there about lady who gave me her shuttle? So there it is, the grey (its grey, right, just quality of pictures not good, cant wait for Xmas to get myself new camera) shuttle (my favorite by now). Another one just came in the post today, didn't tried it yet.
So what is Shuttle Tatting?

Vintage tatting shuttles from the early twentieth century.

Newer type of shuttle with hook.

Tatting with a shuttle is the earliest method of creating tatted lace. A tatting shuttle facilitates tatting by holding a length of woundthread and guiding it through loops to make the requisite knots. It is normally a metal or ivory pointed oval shape less than 3 inches (76 mm) long, but shuttles come in a variety of shapes and materials. Shuttles often have a point or hook on one end to aid in the construction of the lace. Antique shuttles and unique shuttles have become highly sought after by collectors — even those who do not tat.

To make the lace, the tatter wraps the thread around one hand and manipulates the shuttle with the other hand. No tools other than the thread, the hands, and the shuttle are used, though a crochet hook may be necessary if the shuttle does not have a point or hook. (Wikipedia, 2012)

Close up of my practice piece

Love this Book, its called Tatting Collage as you see, and have loads of nice patterns for beginner and not only (got this book in local library, but mite actually buy it for myself. 

Butterfly I made and stick to my Art Journal

I was searching internet for good tatting sites and tutorials and came over to this one, its called Tatted Treasures, and its absolutely amazing, and has good tutorials, videos and all stuff you need if you want to start tatting.

So Happy Tatting Everyone!

Tatted Froggy XXX