Where to Purchase Thread in the UK

[lwcreations]

Hi,

I am a complete tatting beginner I am trying both shuttle and needle tatting. I have to say the thread sizing confusions me. I am based in Dagenham, Essex in the UK and was wondering if there were any local shops that sell thread. I have been to hobbycraft but they don't seem to have a wide selection of colours.
I have purchased a few balls of thread online but the colours are never the same in real life. I love Yarnplayer's thread and am toying with the idea of having some shipped - but I hate waiting.

If anyone can give me any recommendations or help it would be much appreciated.

[FireRose]

I can't help you with a local shop but for thread sizing, this page might help http://www.tatsall.ca/thread.equivalency.htm. Generally speaking, the smaller the thread size, the thicker the thread. For most threads (except pearl threads) the size is approximately the number of thread widths per inch. i.e. if you take a pencil (or any other straight implement) and wrap the thread around it tightly, the number of wraps that would fit into one inch length of the pencil should be the thread size. So if you wrap size 10 crochet cotton around the pencil 10 times the total length of the pencil covered would be 1 inch and if you wraped size 80 tatting thread around the pencil 80 times the length would again be 1 inch. This however does not hold true for pearl cottons. I do not know what the logic behind pearl cotton sizes is but in my experience a size 12 pearl cotton is similar in width to size 30 crochet cotton. Hope this helps.

[Lynn]

When wrapping, wrap around the ruler instead of a pencil. That way, you eliminate one step in the measuring procedure, and are likely to get a more accurate measurement.

[lwcreations]

Thanks for the replies I think I need to get my ruler out and starting measuring, so I can work out what size thread I have.

Thanks again.

[Kersti]

Do remember that you can use embroidery floss or pearl floss for tatting. Pearl is probably easier as you don't need to split threads. Embroidery you'd probably want to split into two lots of three threads in order to tat. Of course you wouldn't do this for larger pieces, but perfect for a beginner or for smaller items like bookmarks or snowflakes.

If you needle tat you can use a lot of different threads - even wool.

[lwcreations]

Thanks Kersti I will have to investigate that idea. I do needle tat as well as shuttle I haven't worked out my preference as yet. I haven't got a lot of patterns for either really so am having to search for them as well. I love your varigated necklace/pendant that shows in the slide show I think it states that it is a pattern by Mary Konior - can you advise me where I can purchase these patterns? I would also love to know what thread it was you used.

Many thanks

[Leeanne]

You may want to check out this site: http://www.tatting.co.uk/

They may have a shop.

[Lynn]

I looked over the site provided by Leeanne. From my experience, I suggest you try either the Turkish cotton or Flora threads. Both tat very smoothly. British size 20 is a good size to start with. You can see the stitches fine and if you have to retro tat, it's easier in a larger size.

I am impressed that you manage both shuttle and needle. That will give you a lot more flexibility in what kinds of projects you tackle. I am limited to the shuttle, but I think some of the stunning Celtic pieces would be much more easily executed with a needle. Good on you.