Tatting

[Jackie Lott]

I have started learning needle tatting so that I'll have pieces to add to my CQ blocks. Does anyone else in the group tat? Shuttle tatting is more popular, but really hard. I could not do it.

[MichelleMermaid]

Hi Anneliese - If you have a friend in the U.S. they could probably order needles and send them to you. 

My largest needle is called a weaving needle, I think. I found it at the craft store and it works great for tatting yarn. I used it for the neckline of a shawl I made last year. I will try to take a picture of the shawl and share it here.

Anneliese said:

Hello Margaret and Michelle, same thing in Germany - people don't know anything about it and are at complete loss when I am asking in shops. I took doll's needles and made them blunt. Of course, they are rather thin and I don't know which size they would actually represent - 3 - 5 - or 8.I will send a photo to Margaret - because here I can't include a photo -
My longer needle is 12,5 cm and 1 mm thick
Anneliese

[MichelleMermaid]

Hi Margaret. I do hope to keep up the blog! I think I have a good shot since I have given myself permission to write about anything. I'm glad you are following. :)

Size 10 tatting/crochet thread is bigger than size 20. Size 20 is very thin but it makes up nice, especially with a strong thread. Size 8 embroidery thread is about like size 20 crochet thread, only much flimsier.

I learned if you choose a needle that's almost the same size/width as your thread you will get the best results.

Margaret said:

Anneliese I have ordered a new book for needle tatting, hope it comes tomorrow, also asked for another needle size 5 so will be able to compare it better to yours as I do not know the numbers on mine, like you said from your photo and ter photo I sent you they look about the same size.The place I have ordered it from say I should be using 10`s thread but I am using a thicker one, thinkl it is 20`s but it does not say in the label find 10`s a bit fiddly at th moment but will keep trying

[Anneliese]

Thank you, Michelle, I have even a daughter over there !!!! They were just moving from one town to another, so it was too unsafe for me to have it sent to them from a shop. I will wait for Christmas when she will send her parcel. I also found that weaving needle and I love it - but did not do anything with it up to now.

[Margaret]

well Anneliese the book came but it was the wrong one so have to wait again but the needle arrive safely,.It is a six=ze 5 I used on 10`s thread and have just started with 20`s found this difficult at first but now getting the hang of it. Also tried perle cotton 8`s but prefer the crochet cotton seems stronger.

Also thanks Michelle for explaining about the thread.

[Lee Scott]

I know that it is a while since this post but hope you find my reply helpful. I started to tat (shuttle) this year. Just doing it from books it was very difficult to understand the transfer of the knot from one thread to the other. I watched a UTube video on it where the presenter was using two differenct coloured threads. I then practiced using two different colours and soon got the hang of the flick to transfer the knot. I have since been doing edges and bookmarks but want to try some of the old tatting patterns from Antique Pattern Library to use as embelishments.

[Gail]

I couldn't quite get the needle tatting thing until I watch a U tube video. I watched it a couple of times. U tube will show you how to do anything.