What do I need to tat?
The Basics
- Thread
- Shuttle or Tatting Needle
- Crochet Hook
- Scissors
The very basic supplies needed are thread, a small crochet hook and a shuttle or a tatting needle.
Beginners should start their journey using a larger size thread such as a fashion 3 or a size 10 cotton thread.
Why a larger thread?
Larger thread helps you to more easily see your double stitches. It makes it easier to count stitches and be able to tell if the stitches have flipped. It also makes it easier to undo stitches that haven’t flipped.
What if I don’t have a Shuttle or Tatting Needle?
You can still learn to tat without having a shuttle or needle.
First you could learn by doing what is called finger tatting. While this method comes in handy when tatting certain elements, it can quickly become tedious if it’s all you are doing.
The other thing you could do is make your own shuttle. You can use a piece of cardboard, a plastic embroidery thread bobbin, or anything small you can wind thread around.
[ Video link to Frivole – Making and using a cardboard shuttle. ]
Why a crochet hook?
Once you have the basics of the double stitch, rings and chains you will want to begin connecting things together. That is where the crochet hook (and picots) come into play. A small size crochet hook will help you pull your thread through picots to make joins.
Beyond Basics
- Other things you may want to have:
- Picot Gauges
- Beads of various sizes
- Firewire
- Sewing / Embroidery Needle
So, what is a picot gauge?
In tatting you may notice those beautiful frilly single thread loops, those are called picots. They are a bare thread space between double stitches. Many experienced tatters can make beautiful consistent picots without the use of a gauge. However, if you’re new to tatting or want to be certain the size of your picots a picot gauge is extremely helpful.
How to by NooBear
Picot gauges can be both purchased and made. There are different kinds such as a single gauge that stair steps into different sizes or individual sized gauges. Just about anything you can find can be used as a gauge. In a pinch I discovered the stick of a cotton bud makes a wonderful 3mm picot!
Beads can be used in tatting to add that little something special to your finished piece. There are many beautiful patterns for jewelry that utilize beads within the work. They aren’t necessary, but the added sparkle is like icing on the cake!
Firewire is a type of fishing line that is recommended for making something called magic loops. These magic loops are used at the beginning and end of your tatting or between rounds. They are to help hide the ends of your thread after you’ve finished your tatted piece.
Sewing / Embroidery needles are handy for sewing in the ends of your thread after you finish a round or your entire piece.
That’s it! Those are the very basic supplies you will need to have to begin your tatting journey.
Now that you know what you’ll need, where do you go to learn? Easy!
The Online Tatting Class is my first place to send you! It’s completely FREE! They are devoted to keeping the art of tatting alive and thriving. You can register online and / or subscribe to their YouTube channel, I would strongly suggest doing both.
The Online Tatting Class
NooBear
Here's a couple
teachers on YouTube
I highly recommend
Frivole
Be sure to check out the Resource page where you can find links to all the wonderful tatting creators I recommend.
Until next time,