what different stitches and techniques i needs to learn to be a good needle tatter

[kauveen]

Hi guys,

First of all let me thank intatters.com. Learning needle tatting all by myself seemed like a long battle till now. But finally it feels great to know that there is help and that there plenty of lovely people out there who are willing to help and share their knowledge.
I'm very new to needle tatting (2 weeks to be precise). I wanted to know what are the different stitches and techniques I would need to learn in the journey towards becoming a good tatter. I strongly wish to learn this art well so I can teach my daughter. She is 13 months now...by the time she grows up i should have hopefully mastered this. He he he
Could someone please list the stitches and techniques and if possible link to where I can learn these stitches and techniques.
Please help:smile:

[PattyD]

If you have successfully needle tatted anything at all, then you should have the double stitch (DS) down. The two fundamental tatted structures are rings and chains. So if you have the DS and rings and chains, you are a Tatter! After that there are a lot of other stitch formations and structural techniques that I am not really qualified to describe, since I am pretty much a shuttle tatter. But I am sure some other needle tatters will chime in and fill you in on the details.

I repeat: If you can tat a ring and a chain, You are a Tatter!

[kauveen]

Thanks PattyD :-) Going by that I think I can call myself a tatter after all :-)

[Judy]

Its usually best to learn techniques when you really need them for a pattern you want to do. So, I'd go out there in books -- whether new or old, and local searches here or elsewhere on the web and choose a pattern you would like to do. Tell us which one it is so that we can find it too, and then we'll help identify what new skills you need to learn.

[Lynn]

If you think you hear an echo, it's just me repeating what Patty and Judy said. I do exactly what Judy suggests and don't worry about any technique that I don't need for the particular pattern I want to tat. When I wanted to tat a split ring pattern, I learned split rings. Then I thought I might as well learn split chains and, being a shuttle tatter, frustrated myself silly till I got it. I've never had to use clunys for anything, but I once saw a pattern I liked, so I learned to make clunys, just in case I get the time to tat that one day. You see, there are many different techniques, and sometimes one will have a specific application to a certain pattern. The time to fool with it is when you want to use it, unless you just want to learn all the techniques there are. But if I'm not using a technique, I'm likely to forget how to do it, till next time I need it. Then, it's just a matter of a quick review, and I'm off tatting again. Just two weeks into it and you're already making rings and chains, so you don't have anything to worry about. When you want a certain technique, you have the books, the internet and us, so you'll do fine. BTW, your daughter is a very fortunate little girl to have such a farsighted Mom. Well done.

[kauveen]

Its usually best to learn techniques when you really need them for a pattern you want to do. So, I'd go out there in books -- whether new or old, and local searches here or elsewhere on the web and choose a pattern you would like to do. Tell us which one it is so that we can find it too, and then we'll help identify what new skills you need to learn.

Thanks Judy!!! :-)
That sounds like a good idea. I'm sure to forget a technique if I don't use it for a while. But I'll make it a point to make notes of any new technique I learn so that I will have a reference material for later. Thanks again :-)

[kauveen]

Thanks Lynn!!!
As I replied to Judy I will take one step at a time. And I'm sure I'll become a good needle tatter with everyones support and blessing. Thanks once again :-)

Love,
Veena

[carolivy]

I have a spiral notebook, the size of index cards, that I put a sample of any new technique in with any special notes for myself to make it easier to remember the next time I need it.

[xstchntat]

I agree with the others that if you can do a ring, chain, and join you are a tatter. Learn the other techniques as you come across patterns you want to do that use them. Take your time and make sure to enjoy what you are doing. When she grows up watching you enjoying what you are doing she will want to do it too.

[kauveen]

Thanks Rachael :-) She already seems to like it. Every time I sit with my needle and thread, she comes running to grab the ball of thread. Looks like I have a little tatter in making :-)

[kauveen]

Thanks Carolivy. That's a good idea.