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Georgia
03-05-2012, 03:57 AM
Stumbled across this group . I have
not done tatting before but looking forward to giving it a go.
What should I start with?
Welcome to the group, Georgia. We're all here for you to answer any queries you have.
What should you start with? First decide if you want to learn shuttle or needle tatting. There are youtube videos for both. Then purchase your shuttle or needle and a good sized highly mercerized thread. You'll want a size 10 or bigger for this beginning bit, so you can clearly see what the thread is doing.
If you decide to begin with shuttle tatting, you may want two colours and begin by tatting a chain. Working with two colours will help you see exactly what the thread is doing so it's easier to "get the flip". If you're depending on youtube vids, I suggest you begin with this one (http://entrelanzaderas.blogspot.com/2010/10/clases-de-frivolite-tatting-lessons.html). If you decide to begin with needle tatting, I'll let someone else help, as I don't do that yet.
Where in Australia are you? There are guilds there where you can get all the help you'll need. Unfortunately, I don't know where they are, but a yell for help here, along with your location, will get you enough information to begin.
Finally, relax and have fun with it. Things often don't work the first time round. It takes a bit of practice and time to engender the muscle memory your fingers need to tat smoothly. You will get it. Breathe. Take breaks. Ask questions - there are NO silly questions. If you need to know, you need to ask. And let us know how you're getting on and how we can be of further help.
Ireneho
03-05-2012, 06:38 AM
Yay! Another Aussie! :)
I buy most of my tatting stuff from here...
http://www.crochetaustralia.com.au/
Some other members also shop there, they're pretty good delivery and customer service and will order stuff in for you too.
Like Lynn said, if u get stuck, ask!
Georgia
03-05-2012, 10:29 AM
dont you just love the internet! Thanks so much you are all motivating me .
Elfiona
03-05-2012, 05:15 PM
And don't forget to look at the album section. It can inspire you on in your tatting efforts. There is a large variety of skill level and talent here. There are also some information at the Home tab for beginning tatters. There really is only one knot to learn, but there is quite a bit of various techniques to learn that will boggle your mind. But don't worry. At each stage there is so much that you can do that will still look beautiful.
xstchntat
04-05-2012, 05:37 PM
Begin with a small motif that can be used as a pendant and go from there. The albums here are full of inspiration and you are always free to try your own interpretation of anything as well. Be creative but also remember to have fun!
Welcome, I'm a needle tatter, and having a blast! To quote others who said it first, "tatters are the nicest people."
Georgia
05-05-2012, 11:01 AM
oh my god. this is hard. sew knit crotchet but this!!!!!! I am not sure what i am doing wrong . I have a perle8 thread as that was the only option at the shop and it seems very fine. . I have watched many many utube videos some suggested and others . I get the flip bit but it seems to flip back before it reaches the previous knot.????
Georgia
05-05-2012, 11:54 AM
Thanks Lyn
are aus crotchet cotton the same numbers as american?
Hi Georgia.... The flip is the only really hard part about shuttle tatting... I know that when my fingers got sensitive to the flip I could feel it and even sometimes hear a "pop" when it shifted. The slide over to join its partners on the core thread is often done with a motion by the 2nd or 3rd finger of the left hand before you try to tighten it on the core.. I have now exhausted my store of knowledge on shuttle tatting. I do needle tatting.. You say you've watched the videos.. some are better than others and slow the steps down. Just keep on asking. Its like riding a bicycle...once you learn, you won't forget!
MercyPres
05-05-2012, 07:04 PM
Hi Georgia, hmmm, somewhere recently there was a url to a video that really slows down that part of learning to tat. I will look for it. Found it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJa5FQQy_gY
Tatting tuition for absolute beginners
Linda's instructions and patterns are amazing!!!
Hi, Georgia. As far as I know Australian and American sizes are about the same. Thread comes from all over the place, and some of what is on both sides of the sea may come from Turkey, France, Britain, or any even Korea and Japan. Some sizes are a bit different. There's a thread or two here that discusses these differences. I think someone, somewhere, sometime worked out a chart to compare them, but that's all I know about it.
Look at whatever video makes the most sense to you as you read through this next paragraph.
Once you pass the shuttle through and bring it back, two things have to happen simultaneously. First, the finger you use to tension the thread has to relax so there is absolutely no tension at all on your working thread. (This is the thread that is on top and makes the stitches. If you are right handed, it will be in your left hand.) Second, you have to pull the core (shuttle) thread, the thread attached to the shuttle, straight back and make sure it is taut and does not move. At this time the working thread should pop up on top of the shuttle thread. When it does, keep the shuttle thread as taut as you can, being careful not to shift it in any direction, and slowly lift your tension finger to bring the working thread all the way to the previous knot. This maneuver is equally true for both halves of the double stitch. It helps to keep the thread short enough that you aren't stretching your fingers too far.
Just keep at, Georgia. Learning the flip is absolutely the most difficult part of tatting. I'm sorry it has to be the very first bit you need to learn. The good news is that once you're past this, with a bit of practice and determination, you can do anything.