Tatting

I tat, and have made quite a few edgings for handkerchiefs, collars, and a very large number of individual motifs used as Christmas ornaments. I tried off and on for years to learn tatting from all sorts of written and illustrated instructions, and all I got were knots. Then one day I was at a craft fair and saw a lady tatting, and she was kind enough to have me sit with her while she taught me. I suggest you find someone to teach you in person!

This site shows how to tat. Hope it helps Shirley

In message , vanmier writes

I taught myself to tat from vintage books - it was a frustrating experience initially but one day my technique came right and I was away. I suspect learning from a person would be easier so I'd advise that option if you can find someone.

Mrs Beeton's Book of Needlework has instructions and patterns, you can download it free from Project Gutenberg:

I don't tat - I don't like the result and it's too fiddly but Spouse tats. He just picked up a book and shuttle and thread and did it.

I can't do with people who can do everything :-(

But, as I said, I don't like the results and nobody else wants doyleys these days so they're littered around the house.

So saying, we made new lampshades in the same colour parchment for table lamps recently. They're different sizes and shapes so to co-ordinate them we found some crochet cotton in the same colour, but deeper, as the new painted walls and made trim for the shades. I knitted lace edgings for one, he tatted some for another, I crocheted a third set and he says he'll do a netting decoration for the fourth. We like them and they've been admired by those who have noticed them - that is those who've had them pointed out :-)

It will have to wait until the darker months though, he's busy outside when it's light and warm, making lanterns for a Virginian museum.

So much to do - so little life left to do it in!

Mary

There is a very good video on this site Christy:

vanmier spun a FINE 'yarn':