Learn Needle Tatting

[Kersti]

What's the best and easiest way to learn needle tatting? Are there any particular books out there? Any particular online tutorials? What tools do I need? Would I be better off sticking to the shuttle tatting?

[Metanoia]

The best way is to have a go. I recently learnt via two sites predominantly:

TotusMel's Instructable: http://www.instructables.com/id/Learn_Needle_Tatting_With_My_Flower_Pendant/

HHTatting: http://www.hhtatting.com/learn.html

[TotusMel]

I learned using a combo of online sites and Barbara Foster's books. You will obviously need needles, they come individually & in 3 packs.

I suggest starting with a size 5 and size 10 thread, but since you're used to using small thread, you might want the 3 pack so you can move to smaller thread quickly.

As for whether you should bother or not, it's completely up to you.

[garyo]

I have just started learning needle tatting today.
With four tatting needles (Size 3, 5, 7 and 8), I bought Learn Needle Tatting Step-by-Step by Barbara Foster from Handy Hands Tatting (http://www.hhtatting.com/index.html) (no affiliation).
For hands movements, thanks to TotusMel, I watched a video, YouTube - Needle Tatting(www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtMR_XtTvTk). This video encourages me to needle tat. Before watching this video, I'd never imagined I would needle tat.

Using size 5 needle, I started with Olympus #40 thread, which is about same size as DMC Cebelia 20.

I keep on tatting with shuttles, and would like to learn needle tatting more. It's so fun!

[Susan B T]

Here are some other links for learning...

needle tatting sites....

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

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

http://www.hhtatting.com/learn.html

Christiane gives some great information here....

http://www.tatting.de/dol/ndltat.htm

Pam has some great pictures and information...

http://www.geocities.com/pamela+devries/page1.html

Roger has a great site for needle instructions....

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

Some very good video's and patters and wonderful eye candy
provided by Pamela C,

http://totusmel.blogspot.com/

On Annie's attic site you can get pictures and quick time video..

http://www.anniesattic.com/crochet/content.html?content_id=119

As always.. Georgia's site is a wealth of information....
Here is a link to some important basics in needle tatting.. a must for any needle tatter....

http://www.georgiaseitz.com/dana/needletat.html

Rachel has some wonderful free patterns on her site...

http://www.pineywoodstatting.com/

[Metanoia]

If you can't find a "tatting needle" to buy, I made mine out of a long dolling needle by trimming the sharp point with bolt cutters and sanding it smooth. You just need the needle thickness to be about the same as the thread you will use.

[Green Gal]

Needle tatting is also great for anyone with mobility issues in one hand or RSI from knitting etc.

[tattedlace]

HHtatting.com has a learn technique section on needle tatting. She (Barbara Foster) has written a book "Learn needle tatting Step by step" and she has a DVD to go with it. Both the book and the DVD are excellent. I do both needle tatting and shuttle tatting. I usually test a pattern with needle tatting as it is soooo much easier to correct a mistake. However I enjoy doing both and the shuttle has the nicest results with the tiny 80 or 100 threads.

[Allison]

great resources! I've just started needle tatting and will use all of the links here!

[Deann]

Kersti,
As far as whether you should stick with a shuttle or not: That is a personal thing. Some people find they are more fluid with the needles. I learned both ways but, found I am more consistent with the shuttle.
Deann

[BlueDode]

Kersti:
Needle tatting opens up different possibilities technically/mechanically and opens up opportunities to use other fibers. This can be fun. As I recall, you are moving: might want to postpone the needle tatting journey until you are done with the journey of relocation: both can take time. Good luck!

[sonsery]

I'm brand new here too and excited to see a forum that addresses needle tatting. :)

Someone already gave you a link to Georgia's site, but there is another site where she and others teach tatting. The classes are taught in a chat sessions. The lessons are posted online with links to instructions. You can work ahead and read the instructions and even try them. And then if you have any questions you can either have them answered in class or by email.

I just joined the classes last week and they have been very helpful. :)
Here's a link to the site: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/nt/mimi/html/index.html

sonsery

[carolivy]

Roger has some wonderful tutorials here:
http://needletatting.proboards.com/index.cgi? You will have to register to see them though.
I wanted to learn how to tat with the shuttle, but have Fibromyalgia and Arthritis in my hands so cannot hold my hands correctly to do Suttle Tatting, but find I have no problems Needle tatting at all...even with thread as fine as 70!

[mamajotats]

I taught myself with the "Learn Needle Tatting Step By Step" by Barbara Foster also. It was so easy because I already understood the basics of tatting stitches. The needle becomes the base to tat on instead of the thread. And yes , it is MUCH easier to check for mistakes and correct them BEFORE you pull the needle through.Tatting with the shuttle does make the item more delicate in most cases, but it is easier to me. I still do shuttle tatting to keep practiced with it.

[nightowlbunny]

hi i'm new here. i found out about tatting when i found totusmel's tutorial on the mask she's wearing on instructables. i didn't know tatting existed. now i'm dying to start. too bad i have school at the moment. but when vacations comes i'm definitely going to start trying it out. and the links you guys gave looks helpful too :-D. from what i'm seeing so far the needle tat looks easier then the shuttle. but that's just me >_>

[Ridgewoman]

hi i'm new here. i found out about tatting when i found totusmel's tutorial on the mask she's wearing on instructables. i didn't know tatting existed. now i'm dying to start. too bad i have school at the moment. but when vacations comes i'm definitely going to start trying it out. and the links you guys gave looks helpful too :-D. from what i'm seeing so far the needle tat looks easier then the shuttle. but that's just me >_>

While it is simpler to learn, the result is not the same as tatting produced by a shuttle. Needle tatting (modern needle tatting) produces a looser, floppier effect. Learning traditional lace making with a shuttle is not difficult and takes the same persistence as learning any other skill.

If you want to learn traditional tatting, you would use a shuttle.

B. :heart: Happy Tatting :thmbup:

[Dawn]

Just my two cents... I taught myself to needle tat with Barbara Foster's book and managed to have a nice looking piece of lace in about 30 minutes or so. I am so much faster with the needle than the shuttle that I prefer to work with the needle. I tend to work with a tighter tension so I end up not working very smoothly with the shuttles. I get my hands all tied up in the thread!! It probably all boils down to personal preference, though. I plan to keep up with the shuttle, just because I haven't mastered it yet, but needle is definitely my favorite way to tat. :)

[carolivy]

While it is simpler to learn, the result is not the same as tatting produced by a shuttle. Needle tatting (modern needle tatting) produces a looser, floppier effect. Learning traditional lace making with a shuttle is not difficult and takes the same persistence as learning any other skill.

If you want to learn traditional tatting, you would use a shuttle.

B. :heart: Happy Tatting :thmbup:

This is not neccessarily true. If you hold your tension tight and steady and close all of your chains and rings snuggly, it is NOT floppy. I have had Shuttle Tatters look at some of my work at Craft Shows that I do and they compliment me on my Shuttle Tatting and are completely blown away when I bring out my NEEDLE and show them that I Needle Tat, not Shuttle Tat. :wink: It is ALL in the tension. :thmbup:

[Kersti]

I do both and must say that if I'm using finer threads I prefer to shuttle tat and if using thicker threads to needle tat.

[Ridgewoman]

This is not neccessarily true. If you hold your tension tight and steady and close all of your chains and rings snuggly, it is NOT floppy. I have had Shuttle Tatters look at some of my work at Craft Shows that I do and they compliment me on my Shuttle Tatting and are completely blown away when I bring out my NEEDLE and show them that I Needle Tat, not Shuttle Tat. :wink: It is ALL in the tension. :thmbup:

There are always exceptions to the rule of thumb. I've only 'heard' about one whose tatting looked like traditional (shuttle) tatting; but, all that I've seen and handled was looser and tended to be floppy. Too bad there aren't more like you or that teachers of needle tatting would make it a point to teach a better technique.
Course, I am a confirmed shuttle tatter ~ so I do have a bias.
Everyone is happy with different outcomes ~ and we are all different folks.
Bev :heart:

[Vivaudiss]

Having just learned needle tatting a couple weeks ago I can see both views on the floppy/not floppy thing. I figured out if I use the larger needle (#5) then I get that looser floppy look but with the smaller needle (#7) I get a smoother tighter ring/chain. I tried the #5 at first and even w/ the size 10 thread I hated the feel but switched to the smaller needle w/ the size 20 or smaller thread and love it!!! Even used a size 40 thread and had NO probs...later I'm gonna try my new 50!!!! woohoo hehehe

[Laura Bobay]

I taught my self to needle tat 12 years ago with the Barbara Foster book "Learn to Needle Tat". I now teach needle tatting to others. Barbara Foster can be contacted through "Handy Hands" (www.hhtatting.com (http://www.hhtatting.com))
I never did get the hang of the shuttle. I have friends who have given up the shuttle for the needle due to health issues (arthritis).

[Laura Bobay]

I too have had shuttle tatters look at my work and believe it is done with shuttles.... It really is in the tension and use of the proper needle size for the thread you are using. The secret to the tension is to "snug" each stitch on the needle...snug but not tight and keep them all snug next to each other with no gaps that will be loosened when you pull the needle through.... Practice Practice Practice! And then practice some more! Happy Tatting!

[Kersti]

While tidying up my tatting box last night I came across two half-finished motifs, both the same thread. One was needle tatted (admittedly an early attempt) and the other shuttle tatted. Quite different, shuttle much tighter. Needle would get that way with the right size and practice. There is a slightly different quality to the needle tatting, but that's to be expected given the different method.

[nightowlbunny]

holy crap. looks like i have a lot to learn. but i need to start first, to get the idea of what you guys are talking with the tension and all. there seems to be a load of information here. you guys probably mention it before but can you guys refer me to forum here or site that just teaches the very basics of tatting, like pre-k basics lol. like i said before i'm clueless to this technique :P. thanks a bunch

[carolivy]

holy crap. looks like i have a lot to learn. but i need to start first, to get the idea of what you guys are talking with the tension and all. there seems to be a load of information here. you guys probably mention it before but can you guys refer me to forum here or site that just teaches the very basics of tatting, like pre-k basics lol. like i said before i'm clueless to this technique :P. thanks a bunch

Roger has a LOT of tutorials for Needle tatting on the Needle Tatting Forum here:
http://needletatting.proboards.com/index.cgi? (as with a lot of forums, you will have to join to see a lot of the information, but it is WELL worth it! :smile:)

[Judy]

Kersti,
Everyone has supplied you with great advice on getting started. Good jobs!
As for a reason to needle tat? Split rings are a breeze. Who says you have to use one or the other? You can even switch back and forth for different rounds. You'll love the ability to fix a mistake fast! I'm no longer using shuttle tatting because of a nerve disorder. I can hold the needles OK, but not the finger positions for shuttle tatting. So, its a great skill to pick up to teach to others who can't manage to transfer the stitch in shuttle tatting. The other thing I like is that I can put it down and pick it up again anywhere in a pattern, even in the middle of a ring, and not have trouble resuming work.

[Vivaudiss]

Kersti,
Everyone has supplied you with great advice on getting started. Good jobs!
As for a reason to needle tat? Split rings are a breeze. Who says you have to use one or the other? You can even switch back and forth for different rounds. You'll love the ability to fix a mistake fast!
The other thing I like is that I can put it down and pick it up again anywhere in a pattern, even in the middle of a ring, and not have trouble resuming work.
I haven't tried split rings yet on the needle but it does look easier (prob have to go back to TotusMel's instructables for it LOL). And I love being able to set it down whenever and not worry about it getting nasty and tangled in the middle of a ring :) and to just run the mess up off the end is so much easier that having to unpick!! But the gagillion yards of thread of the end of the needle are problematic for me so right now I stick to small motifs :blush:

[Judy]

Ah, ye olde tangles on the needle side problem. Barbara Foster wrote something about "learning to handle more than"..I forget the number. Then I discovered that its not me, its the thread!:w00t: So, now I test new thread before I start tatting with 3 yards on the needle side. Some are so twisty that they've gone to friends who crochet. Lucky them. Some are nice colors I really liked. Now, I have a short list of brands that I stick to.

[carolivy]

I have found that if I keep my hand inside the ring as I'm closing it, holding the cord thread, I can help catch the snags before they become a problem. I have also found that after about 2 rings, all of the "extra twist" has worked its way out of the thread and I don't get those snags anymore....perservere, ladies! :wink:

[BahmaTerri]

Another thing I've learned along the way to handle lengthy needle thread is to hold it against my body as I'm pulling through the ring. It helps keep it tangle-free and you can feel when it starts to ball up and stop it before it becomes a mess.

[bimjell]

I have needle tatted medalions. I am having a hard time figuring out how to do anything else. I am self taught. I am stuck in my home because of environmental allergies and multiple chemical sensitivities. Are there any very basic books to get me past medalions?

[Christiane]

I learnt needle tatting with Barbra Foster's Book "Needle Tatting Step by Step" and bought my needles with HH Tatting,
For the Split-Ring with a Needle,
there is a good tutorial at :
http://ww.hhtatting.com/splitring.htm (hope the link works)
Any way, I found it with my browser :[Needle Tatting Split-Ring] with Google

[bimjell]

I learnt needle tatting with Barbra Foster's Book "Needle Tatting Step by Step" and bought my needles with HH Tatting,
For the Split-Ring with a Needle,
there is a good tutorial at :
http://ww.hhtatting.com/splitring.htm (hope the link works)
Any way, I found it with my browser :[Needle Tatting Split-Ring] with Google
I have two of Barbara's books "Needle Tatting Step By Step" & "Needle Tatting With Style Book 1". I need step by step pictures, being I have no one to watch.

[nightowlbunny]

Roger has a LOT of tutorials for Needle tatting on the Needle Tatting Forum here:
http://needletatting.proboards.com/index.cgi? (as with a lot of forums, you will have to join to see a lot of the information, but it is WELL worth it! :smile:)

oooo this looks interesting. thank you very much. i'm going to join right now:biggrin:

[dchau]

What's the best and easiest way to learn needle tatting? Are there any particular books out there? Any particular online tutorials? What tools do I need? Would I be better off sticking to the shuttle tatting?

Go to Youtube, there are some free tutorials:biggrin: