Your favorite shuttle?

[poeticfairy]

I know all us tatters are different and have different favorite shuttle and I know this because at one time I heard a lot of tatters say Aero was the best shuttle, which lead me to buy an Aero shuttle and lets just say after having one of my own it would probably be at the very, very bottom of my list of shuttles I want to use.
For me the Aero shuttles hook always hooks my thread and pulls it apart and I have yet to understand the point of that excess plastic point sticking out the back. It just gets in the way. If anyone knows if it has a point I would love to know.

Oops, sorry, didn't mean to go on venting.

Anyway my all time favorite shuttle is the Boye metal tatting shuttle. I love the hook because it works perfectly and it is sturdy and it rarely accidentally hooks my thread and if by chance it does it doesn't stab and shred my thread as I have had with the Aero. I also like the weight of it. It is not heavy but it is heavier than the plastics and I like that. I especially love the fact that it takes bobbins.

Boye was my first shuttle, so it is a little sentimental too. But so far my favorite. Also I haven't tried too many different shuttles because I prefer ones with bobbins and just being able to buy more bobbins. Though I would love to get some of those really pretty ones someday.

What is your favorite shuttle and why (if you want to add why)?

:smile:

[carolivy]

Well, I don't thinkg I can say I have a favorite shuttle, having only tried one kind....that being the Clover. I like the pointy end on it but I keep stabbing myself with it...lol I think that will ease up with more working with it though. I would like to try one of the bobbin shuttles though as I do find winding the Clover to be a PITA and I could wind the bobbins on my sewing machine...lol

[Lace-lovin' Librarian]

I have four favorite shuttle makers... all four make wood post shuttles: Diana Andra (who I believe no longer makes shuttles), Chris Hinton from The Shuttle Shop, Dave Stanbrough from Grizzly Mountain Arts, and David Reed Smith. I love the feel of wood in my hands, and I don't mind winding post shuttles. I find it very relaxing. It doesn't matter to me if there is a hook or a point. I keep a crochet hook on the table next to me at all times. I'm not a speed tatter, and sometimes taking the time to use the crochet hook is just the change of pace I need.

[rsmre]

Hi Poeticfairy,
The plastic post sticking out of the back end of the Aero Shuttle is for holding the bobbin while you are winding the thread onto the bobbin. I have read that some Aero-type shuttles have a post that is too large for the bobbin to fit onto the post. What a waste. Something extra that gets in the way and is useless! Anyway, I find that the hook is convenient for making down joins as I don't have to carry a crochet hook around with me.

[Josie Passell]

I too have a soft spot for the shuttle I learnt on, a black and white Milward. It was all that I could find 41 years ago.

[LadyDoc]

I HAD to use an Aero for some classes I took about 10-12 years ago and HATED it. Loved the hook- it didn't give me trouble- but that bobbin winder on the back end annoyed me TREMENDOUSLY!!!

My favorite is the basic Clover- although I am loving that it is now available in so many colors. It is the right, SMALL size for my small hands and works fine. I love the pick on the front for fixing simple mistakes if I catch them right away.

I am toying with ordering a LaCossette in the fall- they are pretty, have the advantages of an Aero (bobbin and hook) without that awful back end add-on. But most of the time it's Clover for me.

[Marty]

I use aero shuttles as my workhorses and haul around in public shuttles. Don't try to convince me they split the thread or are too big, nope, just right for me. BUT for really nice at-home tatting I like my wooden pop-a-bobbin shuttles and my David Reed Smith. I'm getting one from Chris Hinton at the Shuttle Shop and the anticipation is just tickling me!

[mcoperryl@gmail.com]

I have several kinds of shuttles but have only used the Clovers. When I am in antique shops and see the old metal shuttles I pick them up but haven't done anything with them. I ordered a pretty colored Lacis Sew Mate that I have a hard time adjusting to and I have the Aero that I never figured out but have used the hook for joining picots. Maybe someday I will have the opportunity to try one of the custom shuttles but for now I think it's the Clover for me.

[poeticfairy]

You know I have never used a crochet hook for tatting. I think of it as one more tool for me to lose :o). I alway loose my scissors the second after I use them. I almost always end up sitting on them. How they get from on my lap to under me still stumps me :biggrin:. Don't know if I could handle having a seperate tool for joining. I'm glad they make shuttle with hooks on them.

CarolIvy, I can't say I don't still get the occasional tatting injury from those darn hooks. I am always jealous of everyone saying they can wind the bobbins on their sewing machine. I keep thinking of getting one of those bobbin winders, but then I really would love a sewing machine more. So, I think I will put it on my wishlist and it will be the best of both world.

Librarian, I would love to get a hand made shuttle some day. You can't beat the care someone takes to create and carve one.

Rsmre, OMG I can't believe there is a real purpose to that. I rushed over to see if it fits and it does, somewhat. That would explain why the middle of the bobbins are grooved. I think i'd be afraid it would come off as you are winding, nonetheless ackward to use for that purpose. I think I might test it out tonight. Thought, even if it works I don't know if it is still worth it since it sticking out can be annoying.

Josie, is your 41 year old shuttle still holding up? I don't have any shuttles that old but my shuttles seem to hold up well with all my tatting abuse. I think I would start duct taping my Boye if it started falling apart :o).

LadyDoc, I saw those LaCossette shuttles and it is like she took the Aero and improved it by cutting of that big end and of course decorating them really pretty. Now if only I could find a way to fix the hook so it isn't so sharp to catch on the thread. I'm glad i'm the only one with that problem.

Marty, Did I say anything bad about the Aero. Nope, not a word Hee, hee :biggrin:. I know a lot of tatters would probably complain about my workhorse, the metal Boye, but you could never convince me. It's perfect for me. That wooden pop a bobbin shuttle sounds nice. I'm going to look that up.

Mcoperryl, I would love to find old shuttles, but haven't ran across any yet. I think I would start wondering about the history of each one I find.

[rsmre]

Hi again Poeticfairy,
I've been thinking about that post end of the Aero Shuttle, and I thought what could be used in place of the post. The first thing that I thought of was a pencil. Yes, an ordinary #2 pencil (the sharpened end) will hold the bobbin just right for winding on the thread. I'm sure that you can think of a million other things lying around your house to try. My point is that there is a website called Katie's Tatting Khronicles. On the Wednesday, November 4, 2009 post she explains how she neuters and decorates an Aero Shuttle. I'm thinking of neutering one of mine just to see how it handles. Maybe this shuttle could become one of my favorites. Truthfully, the Clovers are my favorite, but they don't hold much thread. Sew Mates come next. They hold much more thread than the Clovers, but they are a little awkward to use. I seem to poke myself with the pick more often with the Sew Mates. The pick isn't much of an issue for me anymore since I began down joining. It doesn't matter what size of thread I'm using, I still need a hook to pull the thread down through the picot.

[carolivy]

Thanks for that Blog name rsmre! She has some neat stuff there. I just may have to see if I can find an Aero shuttle while I'm on vacation and play with it when I get home.

[poeticfairy]

rsmre, now you got me looking for a pencil :oD. I'm wondering if it will wind faster off the shuttle, cause it is rather slow turning and turning the bobbin with 2 little fingers.
Thanks for the site! I love the decopauge she did to the shuttles. Now where are those tin snips . . . :o). I wonder if that is what LaCossette does for the ones she sells?!

[StarrBeth]

My favorites are my David Reed Smith shuttles. I would love to get some more from him. My other go to is the clover. Tried one of the boye metal ones and didn't really like the feel of it in my hand. LOVE the way the DRS shuttle feel in my hand though. I'd really love to get one with the hook on it.

[stashtamer]

Hmmm, favorite shuttle, I'm not certain which that is. The shuttle I use most often (well type of shuttle) is Clover. I have in my collection, original Aero shuttles, a few copies of Aero shuttles, one David Reed Smith shuttle, at least half a dozen of the metal shuttles with bobbins (a couple of those are vintage and others are much more recent), Tatsy shuttle, Boye plastic shuttles (large and small)... the list goes on. But favorite, hmmmmmm. I really do like the original Aero shuttles and some of the copies are OK (too many of the newer Aero types don't have the same tension on the bobbin). I find that with the way I hold the shuttle, I can handle nearly any size of tatting shuttle and I keep the pick/point/hook well out of my way. Basically, I like shuttles<grin>.

[Susan B T]

Which ever one I am using or the one that is full of thread for the project I am doing.

I use all my shuttles at different times. I love wood for the feel. I love Aero's for travel, take extra bobbins and have their own hook.
I have large hands so a larger shuttle is easy for me to use, some of the old celluloid or larger so I tend to use them. I like the pumpkin seeds shape plastic ones for the same reason.
I love my sterling ones, even if I cannot use them with white thread. It as to do with my body chemistry, Silver makes my hands black and it will transfer to the white thread. I have two wooden shuttles made by Georgia Seitz and these too are larger and are great for beads.
There is not one that I do not like.

[PattyD]

My favorite shuttles are Clovers. There are really 2 different kinds of Clovers, the tortoise shell and ivory ones are stiffer and have closer tips; the multi colored ones are more flexible and have tips more suited to larger threads. I use the Sew Mates when tatting with beads because there is enough room and they are enough like Clovers to suit me. I only had access to Susan Bates metal shuttles when I started, back in the mists of time, but now I call them Norman Bates. I have a lot of other shuttles for various reasons, but I don't use them.

[tatknot]

:blush: poeticfairy, I confess I'm one of those tatters who hates the metal Boye shuttle. That and the Tatsy were the only shuttles available to me when I first learned to tat. The Tatsy was so large that it always made my hands sore from rubbing against my fingers as I passed it over and under the thread. LOVE the amount of thread they can hold, but I hate to tat with them. I had trouble with the metal Boye snagging on my threads and with my thread getting caught between the bobbin and the shuttle. It held very little size 10 thread, too.

While I have a few handmade shuttles that are very nice to tat with, my everyday favorites are the Clover/Susan Bates, the Aero (the REAL one, hate that white imitation!), and the SewMate.

Thanks for asking!

[Lynn]

My all time favorite shuttle is the old Boye plastic post shuttle. The pick is not sharp and does not harm anything it pokes, (including skin) but it is excellent for most joins, except of course for those tiny, almost invisible, no more than a bump joining picots. For those, I use either a crochet hook, a Milward hook, or one of those pen hooks. Just depends on what I happen to pick up first. My second favorite shuttle is the old black and white Milward post shuttle. No pick, but it is a joy to tat with. Unfortunately, both of these shuttles are no longer in production. I recently learned that China is now producing a Boye facsimile, but that it isn't of the same quality.

As far as shuttles that are actually in production and presently procurable, I'd have to say Sewmates. They have about the same balance as my old Boyes. I don't much like the pointy pick. I've taken a file to all of them just to keep from drawing blood! But they hold about as much thread as my Boyes and they have about the same balance. After Sewmates come Clovers. I've taken a file to those too.

One shuttle I would like to try is the Lady Hoare. But I can't see investing in something pricey just for the sake of an experiment, so one day I'm going to take an expired bank card and make myself one. Just for experimental purposes.

I don't care for any kind of shuttle with a built in hook. I have the same problem as Poeticfairy with those. I also don't much care for bobbins. When I drop a shuttle, it doesn't go rolling around loosing all it's thread. (Notice I said when and not if - being a world class klutz.)

I'm glad there are so many different types of shuttles to choose from. We all have different size hands and some of us have physical issues that make one kind of shuttle preferable. No matter what shuttle we use, the point is to tat! Whatever aids in that goal is okay by me.

[xstchntat]

For small projects I like to use clovers, med size projects I like the sewmates, large I like to use tatsys. As to my favorite shuttle it has been a Mother of Pearl one I inherited from my grandma tied with an olderf brass one with engraving on it that also came from her. Now that I am making shuttles I think the one I am working on is my favorite until it is finished then the next one takes its place. It had been a journey learning to make them and I appreciate everyone that has sent me wood and given me hints to make them work. I may have to start an Etsy store when I can sell them if I get too many. I probable will not sell any until I have made some special one to say thank you to the people I feel helped to make it a usable tool to actually use to make tatting and not just to look at. I have some micro carving tools and want to try carving a pretty flower on one or more of them. The desire to creat a beautiful shuttle that really works is something I had not anticipated. When I want to be pretty while tatting I like to use my Abalone shell shuttles.

[IcePrincess]

I haven't yet found a shuttle I hate, to be honest. I favour the bobbin-style ones, mostly working aero, for finer threads my silent tatters are perfect. But when tatting up larger thread it is clover or SewMate - or Tatsy, depending on thread size.

[RandaGray]

My all time favorite shuttle is the American made metal Boye bobbin shuttle *ducks the flying tomatoes*....I have one of the newer, Chinese made ones & I don't know if it's just the one I got or what, but there are I guess what you'd call burs on the inside that keep the bobbin from turning smoothly. I hadn't bought one in a few years, so it suprised me that they'd changed production. *sigh* So I guess I'll stick with the 3 I have & put that one in the "don't use" drawer...
After that it would have to be my Sew Mates.
I have a bone shuttle with no hook that DH bought me, that for sentimental reasons I love, but don't use that often. I'll always love it though for the trouble he went to in getting it; he searched the internet for the one with carving on he thought I'd like, then had it sent to his work so I wouldn't know, & took his lunch break to sand apart the tips to just the right tension. I found out he'd taken a length of thread & tested it against my sew mate, then wound it to make sure it was just right. Needless to say he caught alot of flak from his co workers :heart: And it wasn't for a holiday or special event either :D

[soyloquesoy]

I sort of replied in the hate thread, lol, but of the 3 kinds I have tried, I prefer clovers...

I would dearly love to try some of the fancy ones specially wooden, but as someone said, not too reasonable to spend that kind of money on a try thing. (at least not at this point in my life, and being so happy with what I do have :biggrin:)

[vividmana]

I have very little experience with shuttles, have some clovers, some aero, another shuttle aero style.
But today! Oh boy. Goodies! I got 1 Sew mate shuttle without a point (in a wonderful) purple and a Sew mate shuttle with a point in teal!!

I do believe this is the beginning of a wonderful relationship between my teal shuttle and myself. If you haven't caught on, teal is my hands down FAVORITE color. :)

[gahorsley]

has anyone seen the package of pastel clovers like on "Aileens Wicked Tats"blog? Would I just love to have those, but haven't been able to locate any anywhere. Any suggestions from someone?

[stashtamer]

My all time favorite shuttle is the American made metal Boye bobbin shuttle *ducks the flying tomatoes*....I have one of the newer, Chinese made ones & I don't know if it's just the one I got or what, but there are I guess what you'd call burs on the inside that keep the bobbin from turning smoothly. I hadn't bought one in a few years, so it suprised me that they'd changed production. *sigh* So I guess I'll stick with the 3 I have & put that one in the "don't use" drawer...
After that it would have to be my Sew Mates.
I have a bone shuttle with no hook that DH bought me, that for sentimental reasons I love, but don't use that often. I'll always love it though for the trouble he went to in getting it; he searched the internet for the one with carving on he thought I'd like, then had it sent to his work so I wouldn't know, & took his lunch break to sand apart the tips to just the right tension. I found out he'd taken a length of thread & tested it against my sew mate, then wound it to make sure it was just right. Needless to say he caught alot of flak from his co workers :heart: And it wasn't for a holiday or special event either :D

I do like my older metal with bobbin shuttles. I have one that is no newer than 1940s and it is a GREAT little shuttle, smooth motion, tightly held together with no catchy spots on it and the hook is actually relatively fine. The newer versions of that same shuttle are horrid, thread catches because the bobbin does not move smoothly, the hook is coarse and the folds near it catch thread. I do NOT like those at all.

Now, about that man of yours, what a sweetheart to find you a shuttle and have it be a "just because" gift.

[RandaGray]

Stashtamer,
My shuttles aren't that old - only about three or four years, but I know Boye has changed manufacturers in the last year or so. I contacted the company with unsatisfactory results. I do plan on stocking up & possible coming up with some older ones.
I'm interested in these DMC metal shuttles - I've never seen one!
Sometimes he makes me want to be a spouse abuser, but he makes up for it with the occasional sweet gesture :) I have to admit I got lucky - or that nobody else would tolerate either one of us!! :grin:

[BahmaTerri]

I like different shuttles for different reasons. The Clover shuttles are perfect for any type of tatting. The Aero shuttles (with the back end snipped off - otherwise they are too long for my hands) are great because you can fill extra bobbins and be ready to go. I have two pop-a-bobbin shuttles that just feel fabulous to hold and wonderful to work with. I do not have any shuttles without points on them - but I've thought about getting a couple to use when doing Clunies or lots of split rings.

[Sewicked]

My favorite shuttle was no longer in production, although I've heard that someone is reproducing them. I love my Just-rite! It's a post shuttle that pops apart for loading. I'm also fond of my Lady Hoare (made by a box maker) for large threads and large projects.

I've learned to endure the clovers & other post-style shuttles. I prefer bobbin shuttles, but NOT the Susan Bates. I don't care for the modern Aeros or Boye either. I prefer the old Boye, even if I have to be careful with white thread & not to overload it.

[rsmre]

Hi All,

Carolivy: Your welcome.
Poeticfairy: They do look like the LaCossettes. My favorite is the plaid shuttle.
gahorsley: Handy Hands (an online tatting store) carries the pastel colored Clover Shuttles that you mentioned earlier. To find them, just type Handy Hands in your search box. It's a great company, and they carry oodles of tatting supplies. I've also seen these shuttles in JoAnne's Fabrics.

[poeticfairy]

My all time favorite shuttle is the American made metal Boye bobbin shuttle *ducks the flying tomatoes*....I have one of the newer, Chinese made ones & I don't know if it's just the one I got or what, but there are I guess what you'd call burs on the inside that keep the bobbin from turning smoothly. I hadn't bought one in a few years, so it suprised me that they'd changed production. *sigh* So I guess I'll stick with the 3 I have & put that one in the "don't use" drawer...
After that it would have to be my Sew Mates.
I have a bone shuttle with no hook that DH bought me, that for sentimental reasons I love, but don't use that often. I'll always love it though for the trouble he went to in getting it; he searched the internet for the one with carving on he thought I'd like, then had it sent to his work so I wouldn't know, & took his lunch break to sand apart the tips to just the right tension. I found out he'd taken a length of thread & tested it against my sew mate, then wound it to make sure it was just right. Needless to say he caught alot of flak from his co workers :heart: And it wasn't for a holiday or special event either :D

None of those tomatoes came from me. I'm dodging them with you :o). I love the Boye. I have the made in China Boye and it doesn't have any burs or anything, like you experienced. Mine is smooth and the bobbin moves smoothly. I don't know if you got a lemon or if the newer ones are like that. The one I have is more than a few years old. I noticed the new ones are packaged as Wright and not Boye. I don't know if that was when they made the change or they changed again?
I was looking around Ebay for bobbin replacements and there was someone selling a lot of 6 Made in America Boye shuttles for $10. And there was even someone selling one, unused, in the original the package. So, at least you still have options to get another Made in U.S.A one.
That was so sweet of your hubby to go through all that trouble to make it perfect from you. So sweet!

Ok, I am sure everyone already knew but after seeing the original packaging for the vintage Boye shuttle, it turns out the bottom end of the Boye shuttle is also for winding the bobbin (except it doesn't stick out like crazy like the Aero, yet serves the same purpose.) Why am I just learning this now? They didn't put that on my packaging. I just tried it and it works. Geesh after all these years!

[squeeky]

Love the little clovers, but want to order some SewMates so badly. Unfortunately when it's a toss up between threads and shuttles, threads usually win. I still miss my cherry and fish wooden shuttles and keep hinting at my bf to replace them, along with a Gr8 & a Pop-A for all the misery he's caused by losing my tatting bag. (hehehe) Not holding my breath...

I never noticed my old metal boye shuttle catching the thread when I used them years ago, only noticed it when I bought a new one and started tatting again last year. Hopefully there's a "made in" mark so I can figure out which one is the REAL old one and which ones I got when I started again. The newer ones being cheaply made could be the source of problems. *crosses fingers* But, I can still cheat-tat with just the bobbins.

[MercyPres]

Love the GR8 and pop-a-bobbins. Boye is what I learned on and have 3 that I still use for some projects. I have a celluloid post that has a nice feel but is just so large and I just prefer my bobbin shuttles.

[Lynn]

Squeeky, I LOVE the idea of cheat tatting. Beats finger tatting hollow. I've seen that clothes pins work for that a well as a shuttle-less bobbin.

[jamlover]

I was disappointed in the Aero shuttle___hook to large and back end not needed. The old metal with removable bobbins let the thread get caught between the bobbin and the shuttle. One of my David Reed Smith's is separated a little on one end. Were the other end not snug, it would be useless. I vote the little clover. (Quite a price difference too!)

[rsmre]

Hi gahorsley,

I forgot to mention that I have seen the pastel colored Clover Shuttles offered on Ebay, too.

[Marty]

Ok, I am sure everyone already knew but after seeing the original packaging for the vintage Boye shuttle, it turns out the bottom end of the Boye shuttle is also for winding the bobbin (except it doesn't stick out like crazy like the Aero, yet serves the same purpose.) Why am I just learning this now? They didn't put that on my packaging. I just tried it and it works. Geesh after all these years!

The metal Boye shuttles I learned on (vintage 1974) had that end for winding the shuttles -- but just like the Susan Bates, the bobbin didn't FIT on the end. I used to try pencil ends, sucker sticks with tape wrapped around them, all manner of make-shift stuff. I STILL like my Aeros and their size.

[gahorsley]

poeticfairy--thank you for sharing about the bottom of the boye enabling you to wind the shuttle. I never knew that and just tried it. THANKS for sharing that little tidbit. and rsmre I am off to handy hands right now thanks to you too!

[gahorsley]

ok rsmre what's the secret? I just went ot handy hnds and didn't see them. I was all ready to order. I saw the package of bright colors, bujt not the pastels. now I am mad!

[rsmre]

Hi gahorsley,
I must apologize to you. I thought that the Clover Shuttles that you described were the ones that Handy Hands sells. I should have gone to Aileen's Wicked Tats blog to see them for myself before I recommended Handy Hands, JoAnne's and Ebay to you. I just visited Aileen's, but I don't know where to find the pastel colored Clover Shuttles on her blog. Again, I apologize for giving you the wrong information. It was an innocent misunderstanding, and I am truly sorry that you were disappointed.

[hattalahutta]

garhorsley: I've been looking at Tatting & Design (a UK online store), and they have Clovers in both 5- and 2-packs. The sets of five are the fluorescent ones, but I think perhaps the packs of two are more pastel. I could be wrong, so you'd better check it out for yourself :smile: I tried to find pictures of the shuttles on the blog you mentioned, but no luck :huh:

[gahorsley]

ok guys I know I am not crazy about seeing the package of pastel clovers on Aileen's wicked tats blog. You have to read about two or three days worth of her most recent posts. There is a big picture of the package and she talks about her friend coming and they were available in Singapore and the friend got some. Am I crazy or has someone else seen this> Please help, after the day I have had today, maybe I DID dream that up!!!

[hattalahutta]

Found the picture now, and those shuttles really are different! Not at all like I imagined. Never seen them before, and I was completely unsuccessful in finding anything about them online - even with my awsome Googling powers (*ahem*) :bb: Would be a lot easier if I could read what it says on the package and then google in Japanese or whatever, but alas.. only had a little Chinese :blush: BUT if someone comes across these pretties I want to know about it too, I definitely want a set! :smile:

[gahorsley]

Got my new shuttle that Mercy's husband made for me from some of the teak hardwood flooring from daughter's. LOVE IT! It's a different style to what I have been using, but love the feel of it, the look of it, and the wonderful craftsmanship of it. What a special treasure this has already become. Kelly doesn't understand when I tell her I am tatting with her "floor". Thanks Mercy and Jerry for my new treasure!

[RandaGray]

oookkkayyy i'm filing an official protest - you can't have all the pretty new shuttles!!!

[Susanna]

I have one of almost everything: Aero, Clover (old and new, stiff and soft) Tatsy, Boye, the metal-bobbin ones, even a bunch of cellulose antique that were given to me by friends, the German ones that are just the tortiseshell plastic, smooth and that tend to fly out of my hand when I tat, the new coconut shell by Mr Cua from Handy Hands (I bought em from Snowgoose!), a Celtic bone shuttle for Celtic tatting, abalone... well, you get the drift. I've even got the slotted shuttles that were being sold a while back (catch the thread every time, what a pain!) I can tat with almost anything, including just a ball with the thread secured (slows me down considerable), but my hands down favorite is my ancient Clovers. They're tighter, the plastic is a bit harder, they hold the thread better (no unwinding when I drop the shuttle to join or whatever). The Sew Mates are a close second. I even have some of the old Susan Bates Clover-style in the white plastic, they're identical to the Clovers, love 'em.

How the heck do you manage to use the Aero? I tend to keep my thread to a specific length, which means winding and unwinding my Clover... I've tatted with the Aero, and the fussing with the thread length is what made me go back to the Clover. I like the fast rollup that lets me shorten the thread.

I'd love to use a shuttle that has a built in hook. I have to use a crochet hook to down-join currently, regardless of points. I've thought about getting one of D. R. Smith's, and ordering the hook, but if I hate it I'd hate to have spent that much money.

As to how much the shuttle holds... I use King Tut to tat with a lot, and 80 weight thread, so Clovers are good. When I'm using 20wt (mostly for Christmas tree snowflakes) I'm always tempted to go dig out my Tatsys. 20wt. is so thick you have to refill constantly, so Clovers are just a nuisance. Sew Mates hold more, even if it does slow me down a bit, so that's what I generally use with the thicker threads.

No matter what... I love this form of lacemaking. Portable, inifnitely creative, and people are always so curious. Great way to strike up a conversation. BTW, Friday the 3rd is National Stitch in Public Day... Tatting counts!

[LadyDoc]

BTW, Friday the 3rd is National Stitch in Public Day... Tatting counts!

No public tatting here on Friday- wind and rain from Earl will be keeping us inside! How about Saturday- which is supposed to be sunny and beautiful?

[carolivy]

Won't be going anywhere on Friday, but I will be all over public on Saturday as I am flying out to my friend's in Oneonta NY on Saturday and I have a 3 hour layover at one of my stops...lol

[Judith Connors]

Despite having tried a variety of shuttles over quite some time, I use the Clover shuttle with the pick.
* The range of colours separates them in multiple-shuttle work. I know exactly which shuttle I need to use, and when.
* The pick helps to 'tweek' picots into shape. This minimises blocking.
* There is minimal use of a crochet hook.
* They are cheap to buy should I break one.

No, I don't have shares in Clover!

Lacis.com has shuttles just like the Clover model, which hold slightly more thread. They come in beautiful neon colours.

[mcoperryl@gmail.com]

I agree with you, if I ever am able to afford one of the collectibles I am afraid that I would be afraid to use it.

[RandaGray]

Mostly what I have are the cheaper ones but I admit to wanting one or two nice ones.... I have one made of bone that I stash back & I'm waiting for the one from Racheal to get here :) That should be sufficient for anything more than what I have for a while. I'm happy with my Boye's & Sew Mates, but I like pretty things too.... don't we all? lol

[Judith Connors]

I have several old shuttles, silver, bone ivory. When I touch them I realise that they have come to me by an interesting route, and I am connected to tatters (who may no longer be alive) who shared our common interest in handmade lace.

[TeresaW]

I think my favorite shuttle is the whichever one I am using at the time. My shuttles "talk" to me and will sometimes tell me that there are certain projects they are the ones to use. For example, I started a tablecloth (made of multiple motifs) using the shuttle that was my Great, Great Aunt's. This was a Detach-a-Spool that used a bobbin. Because I was foolish, I used bobbins that were just a bit too wide and eventually "popped" the solder on the back of the shuttle. I then began using a Silent Tatter because I could fill lots of bobbins (I had purchased a dozen extra bobbins).

There are also some threads that tell me (aren't I silly?) which shuttle that they want to be wound onto. I have a number of metal shuttles but I typically don't use them anymore because if the thread is caught between the shuttle and bobbin, there is a smear on my tatting that is difficult to remove so they have would up in my collection. I have a Jack Coen shuttle made from a Texas fence post that I really like. It is light-weight and holds a lot of thread but I don't use it for beading.

For class work or public demos, I will use Clovers as I have been known to give my shuttle to someone who "gets it" in order to encourage them to continue.

[carolivy]

Well, I now have 2 kinds of shuttles. The friend I visited gave me a Sewmate shuttle and I'm working with it right now. I really like how much thread it holds! Still no favorite with me though. I can work with and like both types of shuttles that I have.

[Sonja]

The Japanese women in Horstmar (Germany) in spring, end of May 2010 gave us a card with the new colours of the clovershuttles. They say it was very new. They are beautifull, a half-transparant very soft colour (5 different)
So I have them.Most of time I use the Clovers and the Aeroshuttles.

[TatRose]

Hello, I am new here and new to tatting. I am looking for a new tatting shuttle because the two that I have are terribly inadequate, and this thread has been very helpful! Thanks! Can anyone list for me the brands of shuttles that would be a bobbin style? I have a boye but hate it because the bobbin does not unwind easily and these little metal flakes keep flaking off of the bobbin (which is one reason it doesn't unwind right). But I like the bobbin-style, and I like that it has a hook and not just a pick. It sounds as if a lot of people like clovers and sewmates, but from my googling, it looks like both of those types are post-winding types.

[RandaGray]

Let me think... bobbin shuttles...
Boye, DMC, Susan Bates, Aero, Silent Tatter, Gr8 (shuttlebrothers) are the ones I can think of... There are I'm sure several various other brands, but these are the ones off the top of my head :) You can also get a "modified Aero" on etsy that are neutered & decorated, but someone will have to help me with the name of the seller! Hope this helps!

[carolivy]

Pop-a-Bobbin is another bobbin shuttle. I am currently using my new Aero, but have alreay (just after 1 day of use) worn off the stops on the shuttle that keep the bobbin from freely unwinding....sigh

[LadyDoc]

Let me think... bobbin shuttles...
Boye, DMC, Susan Bates, Aero, Silent Tatter, Gr8 (shuttlebrothers) are the ones I can think of... There are I'm sure several various other brands, but these are the ones off the top of my head :) You can also get a "modified Aero" on etsy that are neutered & decorated, but someone will have to help me with the name of the seller! Hope this helps!

The modified and decorated Aeros on Etsy are LaCossette. HERE'S (http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaCossette) the link. I just ordered one last night- looking forward to trying it.

I am a confirmed Clover user- small hands make these the best size and they are not expensive so I am always "picking up" a few more. I was made to use an Aero in some classes I took and really liked the hook but that back end made it too big and too clumsy for me. I probably should have bought a basic Aero and "fixed" it myself before buying the LaCossette, but it is so pretty!

[RandaGray]

CarolIvy, I completely forgot the pop-a-bobbins!!! I suppose it was my subconcious mind keeping me from spending more money on a shuttle!! :)
I also had the same problem with the Aero, repeatedly! That's the main reason I don't use them. I even went out & bought a new one & some new bobbins - same result. So I'll stick with what I have :)

[RandaGray]

CarolIvy! I completely forgot the Pop-a-Bobbins!! I guess it was my subconcious mind keeping me from adding another "i need" to the "i want" list!!
I also had the same problem with the Aero shuttles; I even went out & bought a new one & new spare bobbins.... After the 2nd one wore out in less than a week, I decided I'd go with something a little more sturdy - at least for me... But to each his/her own I suppose :)

[carolivy]

I'll let you know if I discover a remedy for the problem.

[TatRose]

Thanks all! This was very helpful! Just finished a huge project at work and am going to buy a few new shuttles as a reward to try out.

[susiearnholt]

Erin Hinton says that the "tatted shuttles" are still in production for $25, with or without a point. http://www.tattingforums.com/forums/showthread.php?107-Tatted-Shuttles/page12

[Ireneho]

I like my tail-less Fake Aero, I have one more that needs a tail lobbing, but that's for another thread! :D I find that the hook is really good for joining but not so good for opening stitches. I use my clover for opening stitches, but if i work with it, it stabs me in the hand! These things have a mind of their own!!

[PattyD]

I don't use any tools to stab, jab, or pierce a stitch I want to undo. I just pluck with my fingernails and they don't shred anything. I don't have long nails, they are always short because I play the piano.

[Catriona]

I have a few different kinds but my favourite is the neutered areo shuttle. I have 4 of Lacossette's decorated shuttles. I have learned that the best way to hold the shuttle is to make sure that the hook is facing away from you. I find it doesn't catch on my thread this way but it does when it is facing me. That is the only dissappointing thing about one of my new shuttles is that I like the little pearl she puts on them at the top but on my new one the hook faces in when this way up so it catches my thead.

I don't have any trouble unpicking stitches or opening rings with the hooks so all in all I love love love them.

I also have two silent tatters from rose ground which are nice but I find them slippy and quite thick so I keep dropping them. Also the tool for unscrewing the bobbin is not a good fit for the screw so its a bit of a pain in the neck but otherwise very nice.

I actuallty HATE the cover shuttles. I dont like post shuttles much anyway and the hook is always stabbing me and I find it less helpful for unpicking than the hook. A lot of people will probably think I am crazy for this!

[Ireneho]

I haven't seen any videos where the shuttle is held with the pointy bit facing into the hand... Is that what people mean by hook catching onto the thread? I use mine with the hook facing the other way.

[bergdisinga]

I really like my Aero because of the bobbin. I find it very nice that i just have to pull the shuttle to get more thread in stead of having to turn it. When I work with 2 shuttles I use the Aero and a Clover. I like the tip of the Clover to pick the knots to undo them.
Is there any bobbin shuttle with a pick, like the one on the Clover?

[GraceT]

I have just read this thread from the beginning, with great interest, because I'm not satisfied with the shuttles I have. So far as I know, in Singapore there are only Clover shuttles (including those beautiful pastel colours) and Birch shuttles at Spotlight (Aero-style, only one colour, red). I love the feel of the Clover shuttle in my hand, but I can't manage joins with the pick, so I end up using the Birch shuttles for their built-in hook and the bobbin. However, the ratchet wears out pretty quickly, and the hook on one of them feels loose, and I've been tatting for less than two months!

I was intrigued about the Pop-a-Bobbin shuttle (sometimes available here: http://janeeborall.blogspot.com/p/pop-bobbin-shuttles_14.html), and I found a thorough comparison of its virtues vs. other hook-&-bobbin shuttles here (http://sharonstattedlace.blogspot.com/2010/06/threads-and-pop-bobbin-shuttles.html). So now that's the shuttle I really want! But it's quite a lot to fork out, and one has to be really quick off the mark, it seems...

BTW, why has no-one mentioned the GR-8 shuttles from the Shuttle brothers? Before I happened on this thread, I was seriously thinking of investing in a couple of them, but if they aren't anyone's favourite shuttles, maybe I'll have another think...

[Ireneho]

I don't like big shuttles, they don't fit thru the loop on my hand when i'm making rings and chains. I prefer the smaller ones like the Aero and clover. Though I'm looking at the Sewmate one cos it like an in-between size of the Clover and Tatsy shuttle.

[GraceT]

I don't like big shuttles, they don't fit thru the loop on my hand when i'm making rings and chains. I prefer the smaller ones like the Aero and clover. Though I'm looking at the Sewmate one cos it like an in-between size of the Clover and Tatsy shuttle.

So are the GR-8 shuttles too big? Too heavy? What about the other wooden bobbin shuttles like the Pop-a-Bobbin or the Silent Shuttle from Roseground?

[susiearnholt]

The Silent Tatter from Roseground is a little heavier (usually) than a pop-a-bobbin because of its brass screws. The screws also let you make the tension exactly what you want and have it stay there, though, so I would say those are the "gold standard" of bobbin shuttles. I have several pop-a-bobbins, and I like them in that they use aero bobbins, so they are quick to change and easy to put with whatever project. The Gr-8 shuttles are fiddly. The bobbins often tighten when you get thread out, then they loosen too much when you back thread onto the bobbin to do a chain after a ring. I have one that is quite pretty, but I find that I use it only for a chain shuttle because I spend too much time adjusting the tension otherwise. (That said, some folks have them entirely figured out and love them.) Gr-8s also do not have an actual hook, which some like and some don't.

[xstchntat]

the little pearl she puts on them at the top but on my new one the hook faces in when this way up so it catches my thead.
You can take a pliers and gently twist th hook to the other position. Gently is the key word-you don't want to pull it out. When you get it where you want it you can leave it or if you worry about it coming loose put a very teeny tiny small drop of super glue and let it dry. For this less is more. I have done this with quite a few of the shuttles that had hooks that faced the wrong way for me.

[GraceT]

Thanks, susiearnholt, this is very helpful.

[Knit7641]

Why did you husband cause you to lose your tatting bag? I don't even let my husband touch any of my crafting accessories like, crocheting, knitting and tatting. Because he knows I would go ballistic on him if he does.

[susiearnholt]

I wish it bothered my husband for me to "go ballistic." When we were engaged, I was cross stitching, and I would visit the bathroom, having left said stitching on the coffee table, and it would be gone when I got back...and he would have "no idea" where it was. Typically, he had "cleaned" it by moving it higher than I could see. He and his brother once "cleaned" our house by taking every bit of anything on a table and just putting it in boxes and then in the storage room. I lost TWO of my favorite shuttles and a Kim Millar bookmark that was almost finished that week. It put me off tatting for several years until I was going through boxes and "re-discovered" the tiny tatting bag that had been shoved in the box with all kinds of papers. After 15 years of marriage, I've mostly got him trained to "leave my stuff alone!" or at least ask ME to move it if it is bothering him, but those first few years....ROUGH.

[kocuria]

well, i'm a post-shuttle worshipper all the way :) i do have two bobbin shuttles (ponys, i believe) from my sister - but i love the traditional ones so much more, the clack-clack of winding and then unwinding :heart: i usually use wooden ones (no idea who makes them, but they are quite popular over here) or pryms (for smaller projects/threads).

[susiearnholt]

http://www.davidreedsmith.com/ makes lovely "clack-clack" wooden shuttles in several sizes!

[kocuria]

http://www.davidreedsmith.com/ makes lovely "clack-clack" wooden shuttles in several sizes!

and drop spindles and hook necklaces too... oh what have you done, susie, now my paycheck is doomed :w00t:

[MercyPres]

I have several pop-a-bobbins, and I like them in that they use aero bobbins, so they are quick to change and easy to put with whatever project. The Gr-8 shuttles are fiddly. The bobbins often tighten when you get thread out, then they loosen too much when you back thread onto the bobbin to do a chain after a ring. I have one that is quite pretty, but I find that I use it only for a chain shuttle because I spend too much time adjusting the tension otherwise. (That said, some folks have them entirely figured out and love them.) Gr-8s also do not have an actual hook, which some like and some don't.

I, too, have several pop-a-bobbins and like them. I also have several GR8 shuttles and love them, the hooks are shorter on the GR8 than on pop-a-bobbins. I do not find the GR8 to be any heavier than the pops and they are shorter in length than the pops.

[kocuria]

huh, girls, what is it with your husbands and cleaning sprees? :shock:
i have a deal. i don't touch anything in my significant other's corner of the room, or any of his stuff for that matter (he's a scientist... loads of important notes looking like unimportant jibberish, better safe than sorry...), and he does the same even though the room is overriden by my craft supplies :innocent: when something gets in the way, we just relocate it to the other person's 'zone', simple as that... :huh:

[susiearnholt]

Should I say "sorry" or "have fun shopping"? I just got a curly maple and a birds eye maple in the tiny size with a brass hook to make earrings (primarily), and I love my padouk (reddish brown wood) and sycamore in the next size that will allow for a hook. There just aren't that many places to find wood, clack-clack shuttles with hooks...especially where you can get your name on them for free.

[GraceT]

Should I say "sorry" or "have fun shopping"? I just got a curly maple and a birds eye maple in the tiny size with a brass hook to make earrings (primarily), and I love my padouk (reddish brown wood) and sycamore in the next size that will allow for a hook. There just aren't that many places to find wood, clack-clack shuttles with hooks...especially where you can get your name on them for free.

I wasn't interested in a David Reed Smith shuttle until you mentioned the brass hook! But I looked on the website, and it's not a real crochet hook. Can you tell me whether it behaves like a crochet hook, and what size hook it corresponds to? Thanks.

Also, has anyone tried the pewter option? It makes the shuttle less beautiful, but does it improve the function by a lot?

[susiearnholt]

I don't like the way the pewter looks, and I've had some of his shuttles for YEARS and they don't lose their "click." He has a picture of a brass hook compared to a size 14 at http://www.davidreedsmith.com/Shuttles/Brasshoo.htm. It behaves like a very short crochet hook, and I find it shreds my preferred size 20 thread less often than a size 14 or 12 crochet hook. I'd put it between a size 12 and 10...small enough to go through a pretty tiny picot, large enough not to shred the thread.

[GraceT]

I don't like the way the pewter looks, and I've had some of his shuttles for YEARS and they don't lose their "click." He has a picture of a brass hook compared to a size 14 at http://www.davidreedsmith.com/Shuttles/Brasshoo.htm. It behaves like a very short crochet hook, and I find it shreds my preferred size 20 thread less often than a size 14 or 12 crochet hook. I'd put it between a size 12 and 10...small enough to go through a pretty tiny picot, large enough not to shred the thread.

Thanks, that's very helpful! I'm definitely interested to buy now! I'm eyeing the sycamore wood...

[susiearnholt]

I have a sycamore that I really like. It is a lighter shade than the curly maple (similar to a holly color) but it has similar waves in the grain that show up especially well in good light. I think his shuttles are pretty much as light as the clover or sewmate that matches them in size, but the hooks make them nicer to use.

[ChellWyo]

Hello Everyone,

I noticed that no one mentioned Tatsy shuttles. They are my favorite because you can even wind yarn on them. It's what I learned on when i started tatting. I have my great grandmothers shuttle and several others that are antiques. I'd love to run into a silver shuttle some day. That would make me jump for joy, but most people at these shops have no cue what I'm even asking them for so I'm still looking!!! I received a bamboo shuttle and I'm still testing it. TATSY ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!

[themadtatter]

I received two "Thumb Shuttles" from River over at Etsy. I absolutely LOVE them! They are really cute and hold just enough thread for bracelets, earrings etc. They are smooth as silk, and easy to hold (plus when I am out and about I tend to like to carry my tatting in my "treasure chest" (c'mon ladies, haven't we ALL been guilty of this at one time or another??) and the clovers with their sharp little picks....well just...... OUCH!!! I am w/c bound and do not carry a purse as it has been proven to be to easy to either catch in a doorframe when hung on the arm or come up gone after being followed by young miscreants if hung on the back(I lost an entire month of income one time, after DH hung it on the back of my w/c, complete with expensive digital camera, IPhone and irreplaceable pictures). So therefore I need somewhere to put my shuttles when traveling and my TC is as safe as it can get!LOL

I think there are lots of great and not so great shuttles and it's all dependent on personal preference. My pros/cons:
Tasty-holds lots of thread/Too big for small hands
Clover-Just right size,nice pick for picots/Pick is very sharp!(scars on back of middle finger fom multiple stab wounds)
Metal Boye-sturdy/metal connector snags on thread
Aero-Can switch bobbins easily, great hook for picots/bobbin wears out after much use, kind of long
GR8-I can't really say I liked this-bobbin tension too unstable. Either too loose or tightens too much as you tat.
LaCossette/neutered Aeros-beautiful designs,shorter and easier than standard length/bobbin wear
Pop A Bobbin- I haven't been lucky enough to get one yet!
River(OldWaysCrafts/Etsy)-beautiful, smooth,nice for small tats, fits perfectly under finger/doesn't hold a lot of thread

Anyway, that's my take on favorite shuttles!

[susiearnholt]

River is actually running a contest where she's offered a pair of thumb shuttles in trade for a pair of tatted earrings. I think she'll be picking the winner in the next couple days.

[Deb13b]

Ooooooo oooooo I didn't know you could get DRS shuttles with hooks ! That's the only reason I don't have one lol.

I've only been tatting a few months and have only used 2 different shuttles. Clovers and one of LaCossettes' beautiful aeros. (i'm actually waiting for another to arrive, I spotted it in her etsy shop and ordered instantly lol).

I was pining for a GR8 shuttle but I have been put off by the tension-post-thingy. Too much of a faff-on for me.

So, my most used shuttles are defo the clovers as I'm using very thick crochet cotton at the minute and I don't want the hook on the aero to mess it up. I love the feel of them in my hand, they're so light. They're cheap and cheerful and get the job done !