question about needle

[frakira]

Maybe stupid question, but.. how long are tatting needles? Are there more lengths?
I tried needle tatting with bead needle, but maybe it is too long. Now I see that one czech eshop offers tatting needle and it is 7cm length. Is it possible? Isn't it too short?

[TotusMel]

The non yarn sized needles I've used are 5", that's about 12.5cm. I would think a 7cm needle could work, but would limit what you could make a bit.

[waterdew]

Hi Frakira - the ones that I have used tend to be 5.5" and 8" long. They are long enough. They only need to be long enough to hold a chain or a ring at a time, so you are unlikely to do a ring or chain so big it won't fit on the needle. The longer needles tend to be when you are using wool/yarn.

[BlueDode]

frakira:

7 cm works out to be about 2-3/8" or so, if my conversion is correct. This is shorter than the ones I have, but these might be a blessing in disguise.

Are these tatting needles meant for fine (size 80, size 100 etc.) thread? If so, these might be handier to work with than the longer ones for these threads. I've found the long, smallest diameter needles a bit awkward to use with the fine sized threads: they tend to bend and I'm afraid they'll break, but so far they haven't.

The shorter needles are probably plenty long for nearly all rings and chains using these threads: if not, you can possibly tat them in two or more sections.

I'd give them a try, at least with fine thread, to see what you think -- let us know, OK?

[carolivy]

Like TotusMel, my tatting needles are all around 12.5cm long. I would think a 7cm needle would be awkward to use.

[Judy]

My needles are the 12.5 cm size, and also a couple maybe 10 cm. The comment about the size 7 and size 8 needles bending is something that sometimes bothers me, but most of the time I don't notice. So, a very short needle for a small thread might be just the thing. Make sure it doesn't have a sharp point, nor a bulge at the eye, or you have problems scraping your fingers and getting the stitches off. One more thought. Maybe this tatting needle is for the special needle tatting techniques where the needle is used exactly like a shuttle and you do those fancy flowers. (Exhaustion has set in, or senility... can't remember the author and I just bought the book)

[BlueDode]

Judy: the autor is To De Haan Van Beek, the book New Dimensions in Tatting if memory serves me.
Even with that method I would not want to tat with a sharp pointed needle: "point" well taken. So is the caveat about avoiding "expanded eyed" and going with recessed eyed needles so the stitches slide off the needle.
frakira: do you needle tat by making the double stitches directly on the needle, or by making the double stitches on the core/needle thread (similar to shuttle tatting)? Or is there another method you use?
"

[frakira]

I am working with needle by making ds directly on the needle, but I am not good at it :-D
I use it only for things I am not able create with shuttle, e.g. here is my first attempt with needle (now I think I can do it with shuttles too, but I didn't try it - I haven't enough free shuttles and time, but once I will, I want bracelet with this pattern)

[carolivy]

VERY pretty!

[frakira]

This realisation isn't pretty, but I like this pattern and it is mine! (doesn't matter that I wanted to tat something else :-D)

[BlueDode]

frakira:
Did you use those 7cm needles for your celtic design? It is very interesting, and hey, even pretty: that is a pattern that might be a bit of a challenge to do with the shuttle -- a successful piece of work I'd say.

[frakira]

It is made with 19cm long bead needle - I have no tatting needle yet ;-)
And yes, you will need 4 shuttles + 2 balls and you must close 3 rings in one time.. I am sure it is possible, but working with 3 unclosed rings together is terrible, I love how easy it is with needle..

[Judy]

And yes, you will need 4 shuttles + 2 balls and you must close 3 rings in one time.. I am sure it is possible, but working with 3 unclosed rings together is terrible, I love how easy it is with needle..

Ah yes, as I still struggle with shuttles its a marvel to me that we don't just openly admit that some things are easier in one method than the other. Like very long spiral chains on a needle... No, I'm not trying to revive a debate on which is better/easier/etc. just looking at reality. Like making a cake, there's a thousand recipes for even a simple white cake. Some are better with hand mixing, some with machine.

[rsmre]

Often, I will try out a pattern with the shuttle and the needle. The tool that gives me the best results is the one that I'll use for the final piece. I had been using the needle to make a large piece for my dining room table. I knew that the needle would be faster and less stressful than using a shuttle. It went fast alright - I ran out of thread. The good news is that Handy Hands is having a sale.

[Green Gal]

Has anyone ever bothered to try needle tatting with the self threading needles. They have an opening at the end and the idea has always intrigued me. Of course you couldn't pull too hard could you, but the idea has always appealed to me.

Apart from the fact that I am used to the normal sized tatting needles I think I could cope with a shorter one. EXCEPT when I am doing endless Josephine chains. Then I would love an extra extra long needle>

[perlnaofee]

Like Totusmel , Judy and Carolivy,... mine are 12.5 needles, without sharp point and without bulg at the eye. These are the original onces.

Of course, when one fine needle recently broke in the middle after a long long long use, and I could finish my work with it ;-)), but I am used to needle tatting.

I recognized that many suppliers offer "tatting needles", just take them from other crafting f.e. "Teddy making" or whatever, it is just a long needle thats it, but be careful, bad to use these . But these suppliers damage our needle tatting, when people definitly don't succeed in learning it with those needles.

[frakira]

I found that tatting corner (http://www.tattingcorner.com/) sends to Czech republic, so I ordered needles (thin, thick.. and japanese hooks.. and shuttles :-D) there..
I can't wait to see that all ;-))

[carolivy]

Glad you finally found someplace that will send to you Frakira!

[patrice]

I have several smaller needles(for size 80-120)that are very bendable and hard to use.The eyes are so small,that even my smallest threader can't get in-and using 100 to 120 thread-is nearly impossible to thread.My favorite needle is bent and old,but it has a rather large eye,and it is sharp-which makes it easier to hide threads with.

[Judy]

As an aid, I (gasp), stick the eye in my mouth. It puts the tiniest bit of saliva in the eye, and seems to help "wick" the thread through the eye. Anybody else use this disgusting trick?

[Judith Connors]

Re: New Dimensions in Tatting
The type of needle tatting mentioned in this book is 'indirect needle tatting', i.e. with a needle (like a shuttle), as opposed to 'direct needle tatting, i.e. on a needle. Indirect needle tatting can be done with tapestry needles; then you won't prick yourself or split the thread.

[frakira]

I don't understand how it is possible tat with needle in the same way as with shuttle.. In this case you need long thread and work will be difficult, don't you?

[BlueDode]

frakira:
If you can find a copy of To De Haan-Van Beek's book New Dimensions in Tatting, this technique is illustrated.
The author uses a length of thread comparable to what you would use hand sewing, but she uses a palette of color comparable to intricate needlepoint designs -- many colors -- and using some techniques that work well with a regular needle (such as a tapestry needle), she has made some very colorful patterns, such as tropical fish. So, many ends to hide, but many opportunities to add color, plus some techniques that work with the needle that might not with the shuttle.

[Judith Connors]

If you have done finger tatting, frakira, you'll find that the needle movements are similar.