How to Learn Tatting

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By Juliet Myfanwy Johnson
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The intricate art of Needle Tatting is not a skill for the meek! You'll need plenty of patience and great eye-hand coordination to accomplish this miniscule weaving. The result is a finely woven, delicate piece of lace. Below are the steps for completing the Double Stitch, which is the backbone of tatting.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Thread
Tatting needle

Step 1

Cut a 40 inch length of thread. Thread needle so one thread end is 4 inches long, the remaining end is 36 inches. Hold needle in your right hand, and pick up the 36 inch thread in your left, putting it behind the needle. Hold it against the needle using your right index finger. Close the bottom three fingers of your left hand over the 36 inch thread.
Step 2

Wrap the thread over your finger, clockwise around. From the bottom of the index finger going up, push the needle toward the end of that finger. Put thread on the needle, then take out your index finger.
Step 3

Hold the stitch against the needle with your index finger. You have completed Step 1 of the Double Stitch.
Step 4

Wrap the trhead behind your finger, going counter clockwise. Bend your index finger and slide the needle toward your fingernail tip. Pull thread down the needle against the other stitch and push them closely together. Double stitch is complete.
Step 5

Repeat Steps 1 through 4 Continue making double stitches and pushing them together.

Comments

slyviolet said

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on 10/20/2008 I agree with mayflowerlace's comment -- also, this is the sort of skill that really cannot be easily conveyed in writing, and so this article could be made much more useful with still photos of hand positions or better yet a video.