How many needles does it take to tat?

[jamlover]

I've read of folks getting a set of needles. And I've only seen one person needle tatting and it looked like she was only using one needle. So how many needles do you use at a time? Is a set several different sizes or is it kind of like a set of 4 sock or mitten knitting needles?

Simple question from a shuttle tatter.

[xstchntat]

Needles can be purchased one at a time or Handy Hands and Lacis have sets with 3 or 4 different sizes in the set. Each size is used for a different size thread so if you buy a set it saves a little bit of money. I have so many from my grandma that I have only purchased the size 9 one from Lacis. Even patterns that call for 2 needles can be done with one since you can change the thread in the needle quite easily.

[Sherongb]

Just like a crochet hook it only needs one to tat.

But (and you knew this was coming) if you want to use different size threads and have it look good you will need different size tatting needles (again like crochet hooks). For some techniques it is easier to use two of the same size needle (such as floating rings).

And then there is the point where you have several different projects being worked on at the same time (perhaps a purse project and one you work on at home, or a work project and a home project) if you have more than the one needle you don't have to remember to take the needle with you, there is one in the other project.

So again, it's like shuttle tatting - you usually only need one shuttle but having more often makes it easier.

[crazytatter]

A mostly shuttle tatter myself but I have used needle too. So far I only do rings and chains, only need one needle for it. I know you can use 2 needles to bring in different colors. I have bought a set, it is marked with different sizes for different sizes of thread.

Thus far into my tatting, I find myself prefering more to shuttle than needle.

[shannon_in_love]

typically you use 1 needle... unless you want to do some fancy ring off split rings...then you need two.

[jamlover]

Thanks ladies!!

[janet6567]

Which is more difficult: needle or shuttle?:ermm:

[carolivy]

A "set" of tatting needles contains anywhere from 3-4 needles (at least the ones that I bought did). Like when you buy a set of crochet hooks there is one needle of each size. One set I bought had #3, #5 & #7....the next set was the same as this one but also inclued a #8. You only actually tat with one needle at a time, but some tatting patterns can be easier if you have a needle threaded onto each end of the thread (hense 2 needles) but you are only actually tatting with one at a time.
Hope this isn't confusing....sigh

[Judy]

Which is more difficult: needle or shuttle?:ermm:
The easiest one is usually the one you learned first. Having said that, most agree that needle tatting is easiest to learn quickly.

and Carolivy, one needle at a time is sufficient until you get to one of Roger L.'s exotic techniques that takes two needles sitting next to each other. Never did figure that one out, but I spent so much time staring at it that the image is burned into the back of my eye.

[carolivy]

Judy, I've never seen any of those patterns.

[soyloquesoy]

The easiest one is usually the one you learned first. Having said that, most agree that needle tatting is easiest to learn quickly.

and Carolivy, one needle at a time is sufficient until you get to one of Roger L.'s exotic techniques that takes two needles sitting next to each other. Never did figure that one out, but I spent so much time staring at it that the image is burned into the back of my eye.
LOL Judy!

[Holly Ann]

I personally think shuttle is much more difficult due to if you make a mistake, you have to cut it out. With the needle, you just take it off the needle. I think it is less difficult. But it is a personal choice.
Which is more difficult: needle or shuttle?:ermm:

[Catriona]

you also use 2 needles when doing thrown rings.

[BlueDode]

Some techniques require two needle threads -- split rings I think, and yes, "thrown rings" or "rings on rings" -- and typically one might use two needles here. I believe one of the books by "Rozella Linden" has this instruction. IMHO, needle tatting with more than one needle thread can be a tangled up mess -- one needs to take steps to keep the two yarns separate,

[Judy]

.. IMHO, needle tatting with more than one needle thread can be a tangled up mess -- one needs to take steps to keep the two yarns separate,
Oh yes, you do need to take steps. Left chair arm, right chair arm. Actually split rings are worked with just one needle.
Thrown rings can be done with one needle but is easier with two. With one needle you're taking stitches off and unthreading the needle and moving it to the other thread and then back after you finish that ring. Actually, I like doing them with one needle and a shuttle! The shuttle acts like a ball, and when its time to do the thrown ring, the shuttle comes into play to create the ring, and then retires to its role of chain thread supply. That's how I solved the problem of tangles. Using two needles for a big job is very discouraging -- you quickly use up all the thread on the second needle, and if you don't plan carefully, you'll be adding thread before you even get many of the rings made that would use the second needle. That 24 snowflakes pattern on the 2nd or third day with ALL rings and no bare threads (split rings and thrown rings and regular rings only, no chains)comes to mind.

[carolivy]

I personally think shuttle is much more difficult due to if you make a mistake, you have to cut it out. With the needle, you just take it off the needle. I think it is less difficult. But it is a personal choice.

Un-tatting (or Retro-tatting) is really not that difficult with shuttle tatting once you learn how. I think out of all the mistakes that I have made so far with shuttle tatting, I've only ever cut out the mistake one time. The rest of the time I have just taken the time to retrotat the piece.

[shannon_in_love]

judy. regular rings thrown off chains can be done with one needle...to achieve a ring thrown off a split ring you need two,
the method you are talking about is also useful...thats the way i do it...but thats because i am also a shuttle tatter...if someone is exclusively needle tatter than they can't really do that method..and need two needles.

the pattern that pops into my head needing this technique is glorias snowflake (http://rozellalinden.blogspot.com/2008/12/gloria-snowflake-copyright-c-2008-ruth.html). (i used the shuttle help technique for the rings off the split rings)

[BlueDode]

That 24 snowflakes pattern on the 2nd or third day with ALL rings and no bare threads (split rings and thrown rings and regular rings only, no chains)comes to mind.

Judy: I believe I know the pattern! I've tatted it with two shuttles, never thought of trying a needle and a shuttle -- mixed media (shuttle and needle) at a basic level! BTW, before I tatted that pattern, I would have sworn that "ring and thread space only" patterns required one shuttle and no ball, and again, I stand corrected!