How to Do Finger Tatting

There are various thread-based crafts throughout history. Many, however, involve special tools. Tatting is a knotting technique, often used to create durable lace crafts, that doesn't require any tools other than your fingers and the thread. Though many people do this craft with the aid of a tool called a shuttle or on a needle, you don't need either of these tools to create a beautiful tatting craft.

Things You'll Need

• Thread

Instructions

1. Wrap the thread around your hand. Leave a small tail of thread hanging, and then pinch the thread with your forefinger and thumb. Wrap the thread around the knuckles of your remaining fingers, bringing the thread back around the palm side of your hand. Pinch it between your forefinger and thumb once again.

2. Make your first loop. Pass the long end of the thread through the middle of the wrapped thread. Bring it around the front thread and pass it back through the loop it made. Pull the thread down to tighten the loop, bringing the middle finger down to allow the loop to flip as you tighten in.

3. Finish off the double stitch. Make the second loop opposite of your first. Bring it around the front of your thread and then up through the thread wrapped around your fingers and through the loop you just made. Pull this loop tight, again dropping the middle finger to allow it to flip.

4. Repeat these steps to make a chain of double stitches. Allow a small amount of thread between your stitches to create small loops called picots. Combining chains of double stitches and picots and joining these lines together will create intricate patterns and beautiful lace.