needle tatting child

[simplicity]

I shuttle tat, but my daughter (very nearly 10 years old) has started to needle tat. She can do rings and chains and is starting to get neater. How might I encourage her in her tatting? This might include simple patterns, little gifts or even a book if there is one suitable for a child. She is not very good at sticking with a craft project for very long.

[Lace-lovin' Librarian]

Praise! Praise! Praise! We had a motivational speaker at school two weeks ago, and he's convinced that praise for simple accomplishments will encourage anyone to try to improve themselves. Barbara Foster's Learn to Needle Tat is a beautiful book with excellent pictures and some lovely, simple patterns. I don't needle tat, but I keep a copy of her book just in case.

[simplicity]

Thanks.

[soyloquesoy]

What is she "into"? She will probably go on doing it as long as she takes something out of it - be it the joy of conquering new skills, or of creating things she loves :biggrin:

At ten maybe dragons take her fancy? This pattern is only rings and chains, and really lovely! http://www.intatters.com/showthread.php?2795-All-rings-and-chains-dragon&highlight=dragon Striking out or highlighting the lines she has completed may help her follow the pattern (it is a useful hint for anyone following a pattern, young or old, and be them knitting tatting or any other craft)

Other big hits with that age range are friendship bracelets. I can't think of any pattern right away, but there are many.

I do not needle tatt so I don't have specific advice for that, but remember to share you joy in her doings, and to try not to be disappointed if she moves on - there's so much to learn in this life, and so little time!

[RandaGray]

Do it together!!! When I was around 10, my mother taught me to crochet - a huge task for her, because she taught me backwards.... She's right handed & I'm left :) My favorite part of the day was sitting on the couch, crocheting together! I did more between the ages of 10 & 13 than I ever have since.... I can't wait to teach my daughter to tat, CONGRATULATIONS!! :)

[tatknot]

My oldest daughter began to tat at about that age. We had tatting tea parties every week. We also taught a couple of her friends to tat. With her friends and mine, we had a nice little group. (The teapot was usually supplemented by soft drinks.) We planned projects for competition in the local fair (kids love winning ribbons) and even did some demonstrations together at a nearby historical park.

[Susan B T]

Glad she is taking up tatting. Tat together, Praise is very good, do not be over critical of mistakes, we all make them. If she gets frustrated, Just put it down for a while then try again later.

Here are a couple of site that have eay to harder patterns. Maybe get on the computer together and print off the ones she likes and make a note book.
Tammy has some really cute dove earrings, among other things.

needle tatting sites....

Tammy's site has needle tatting movies.. and patterns a wonderful site.....

http://www.frontiernet.net/~TammyRodgers/

Roger has a wonderful site. Forum style, no fee to join and has great patterns all skill levels

http://needletatting.proboards.com/index.cgi

[vividmana]

As you said, simple patterns. Maybe patterns that aren't your average motif but like little creatures and butterflies

[stashtamer]

That's great that your daughter is interested in tatting. Fun threads, simple fun designs, and praise, just as have been suggested. My older son had to do a Demonstration for a class in High School. He chose to demonstrate tatting. I taught him shuttle tatting and he did enough to complete a couple of butterflies and one bookmark. He got an A on his demonstration. Since then, he has not tatted one little bit. I asked him if he still tatted, and he said NOPE. My younger son doesn't tat, but he sure admires it and he gives me suggestions for designs. My younger son will quilt with me and he knots bracelets, but not tatted, these are hemp bracelets.... basically simple macrame.

[simplicity]

Thank you for all your wonderful ideas. It sounds like a lot of family fun. (:

[StarrBeth]

Like they've already said, the best thing you can do is praise her and encourage her. The suggestion to get on the computer with her and search for patterns she would like to try is a great one. I need to get my daughter tatting again. I've taught her a little shuttle tatting and she loves to be able to tell people she tats. :biggrin:

[artikaur]

I would do something simple- like just one ring, and then a really long spiral chain (long enough to go around her wrist or ankle) and then another simple ring. Add a clasp to the rings, and she has a very simple friendship bracelet/anklet.

At ten years old, she should be able to have the patience for a small bracelet like that, or perhaps an easy wreath. When she is a little older, maybe a bookmark or a doily?

Hope I was helpful- Arti.

[crazytatter]

what about letting her join intatters? I bet she can post some of her works and get praises too.

[simplicity]

I printed out some doodle patterns for her and showed her how to read the patterns. She has just made the 'jumpy guy' doodle.

What about metalic thread, would that be too tricky too work with?

[Judy]

I've used some metallics. Is this shuttle or needle? For a needle, it doesn't work well as the needle thread because it doesn't slide through the stitches without wanting to tangle and have some of the plies break. Shuttle probably not a problem. Keep it small. 4-wing butterfly, etc.

[simplicity]

Thanks.

[j.stacy]

you are very lucky to have a child that is even INTERESTED in tatting!!! my advice: just enjoy it! it may not last long, passing phases and all ;)

my oldest child is six and has never shown an interest in LEARNING any of the hand crafts i do, which is many!! he does like my spinning wheel, but that's only because he wants to treadle it!! they think it's a stationary bicycle or something!! but my youngest, a three year old daughter, says "when i'm older, mommy, you can teach me these???" it's so cute! and she's always interested in what i'm making, what things will turn out to be! the only problem is that she thinks everything i make will be hers!!! lol. but i do make her things that are only for her!

[stashtamer]

When my second son was about 4yrs old (before he started school) he would work with me at the computer. He would use my EQ quilt design program and design things. Then I would sew some of them. It depended on what he had designed. Some of his designs were not usable and others were just fantastic. Simple yet amazing. He's 17 (nearly 18) and is still interested in my quilting and tatting. He does have some quilt and quilt "like" projects that are his own. He still gives me design ideas. For quilts and for tatting. My older son, if he were around, he might give me ideas, but he's been "too grown up" to work with Mom for years and years now.