What size thread/string?

[Deacon]

Looks like i've got more time on my hands that thread lately.
I'm nursing some busted knuckles from putting a new skid plate on my jeep.

I was curious as to what's the most "popular" size of thread that is used.
Please forgive me if that has been discussed. (I did a couple of searches and found a wonderful topic in respect to tension)
And I do realize that it depends on the project. I'm currently working with size 8 and it seems to be pretty easy to work with but many of the projects I see on here look to be using somewhat larger thread.
And is there a specific type that's easier to work with than another.

[picotsnkeys]

Good question....

I've wondered that too!

I have fallen into working with size 20 thread because I received a gift of several varigated balls. And also, the store I teach at stocks the size 20 Lizbeth.

That said, it does depend on the project. Bottom line: A good tight twist!

Oh, and a good set of latex gloves to work on the car!
Melanie

[PattyD]

Well, the largest threads available that are most suitable for tatting are crochet thread (3 ply, OK) size 3. Crochet thread comes in sizes 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 mostly. Antique crochet threads which are still wandering the earth looking for a good project had a much wider range. Crochet thread can be kind of soft and there is a type that is cabled that is very soft.

If you are using size 8, that is an embroidery thread called pearl cotton and is definitely on the floss side (lightly twisted). Again it can be had in sizes 3, 5, 8, 12, 16, and rarely 20. Floss is defined as hardly twisted at all. Also the 2 plies that pearl cotton is made from are quite large. However, tatters regularly use it because the range of colors are so yummy.

Cordonnet (french meaning twisted like a rope) is a 6 ply thread where 3 pairs are tightly twisted in one direction and then all 3 twisted pairs are twisted together in the opposite direction, making a very firm thread most suited to tatting where the definition of the stitches is much enhanced by the firmness of the thread. Lizbeth cordonnet is available is 10 (largest), 20, 40, and 80 (smallest).

Thread sizing is mostly intended as a manufacturing measure where the size number indicates how many units of thread can be made from a specified amount of raw fiber. Finer thread produces more thread from a fixed amount of fiber so the larger the number the smaller the thread. Sigh! One of the historical miscellany we have to put up with. The amount of fiber differs from thread to thread and fiber to fiber. The whole point here is that a smaller thread has a larger number.

So in pearl cotton, a size 5 would be larger than the size 8 your are using. DMC pearl cotton is smaller that Valdani at any given size. So if you are looking to use a larger thread, Valdani size 8 is more like a DMC size 5.

I have always said that anything long enough, strong enough and flexible enough can be used to tat!

Just to show how flexible tatting can be, AnneB tats with a yarn that is strips of t-shirt material and produces enormous work. A friend of hers tatted a door mat with large rope. I use size 100 glazed quilting cotton for miniature doilies.

[Susan B T]

I agree with Patty... she a smart and talented lady. Project does have some n say in what type of thread you choose. I like the tighter twisted and more plys for my projects. I have tatted with size 3 to size 100. Love to mix the Sulky sewing threads to get different results or put one with tatting thread to bright up a project.

Just tat and have fun.

[Deacon]

Cordonnet (french meaning twisted like a rope) is a 6 ply thread where 3 pairs are tightly twisted in one direction and then all 3 twisted pairs are twisted together in the opposite direction, making a very firm thread most suited to tatting where the definition of the stitches is much enhanced by the firmness of the thread. Lizbeth cordonnet is available is 10 (largest), 20, 40, and 80 (smallest).
I'm wondering if the Cordonnet 10 is what I'm seeing where the stitches are so "crisp". I'm using DMC 8 and after working of few rings/chains it has a frayed look. I even thought about running it across some bees wax like I do twine.


I have always said that anything long enough, strong enough and flexible enough can be used to tat!

Funny you should mention that. I made my daughter a paracord bracelet. I removed the center strands and began wondering if I could tat with it.


Oh, and a good set of latex gloves to work on the car! Melanie

I actually had a pair of leather work gloves on, but the skid plate (40 pounds) slipped and dropped to the concrete about 12 inches. Unfortunately my hand broke its fall..............


Just tat and have fun.

Oh, trust me. I'm having a lot more fun with this than I anticipated. Just wish I had more free/tatting time.
I very much appreciate your patience with my question.

[Antiquarian]

When I first started tatting I used size 10 and 20 cordonnet. I still prefer size 20 for most everything. I use size 40 for more delicate work and have used size 80 once or twice *shiver*.

[IdahoCanuck]

One thing you can do is..... when you see something that is done with some thread that you really like the look of, whether color or firmness ... ask the tatter who made it what thread they used... I love browsing through the albums at what others have done and see many tatters tatting the same patterns, but they can look very different depending on the color, size and firmness/softness of the thread used.

[Elfiona]

Pearl cotton threads are very soft as PattyD mentioned. Using beeswax on them won't stop the frayed look. That is part of the nature of pearl cotton threads. You will also notice, when you get some cordonnet or other cotton thread, that the pearl cotton is very slippery. To get more definition of the stitch, you wind up tatting very tight. I see many tatters getting wonderful results from pearl cotton, but it is not one I prefer. If you have a Hobby Lobby near by, you should be able to pick up a selection of Lizbeth thread, or even the larger crochet cottons. If not, check the web. There are several places where you can order the thread you want. I think it is on the Home tab, but there is a place in InTatters now that list vendors who sell tatting supplies.

P.S. http://www.intatters.com/content.php?147-Tatting-Suppliers

[squeeky]

I learned to tat with pearle. Looking back that's probably why I didn't like tatting so much when I started. The pearle wasn't as crisp as I expected, the fraying/fuzzy annoyed me, beeswax didn't help that much and I had to tat tight to make the knots as stable as I liked. Thread Heaven might have helped but I didn't learn about that for a couple of decades. Now I use size 20 cordonnet (Lizbeth) mostly and I'm having to break that tight-tat habit. I've worked with size 10 crochet cotton - still have lots of UFO's *blush*, size 8 buttonhole gimp, size 2 nylon (that wasn't nearly as colorfast as the label said it was, grrr), size 30 and 20 cebelia, and 2-5 plys of various serger, quilting, sewing and buttonhole threads (still love that sorta tweedy look). And even some size 80 tatting thread.

Even though the buttonhole gimp was a bit rough on my fingers, it tatted up pretty neat, was very stable and needed minimal blocking. Oh, and it untatted Very Nicely. BTW, I have no idea what buttonhole gimp really means, that's just what was printed on the label inside the spool.

Looking at it now, I don't really have a favorite thread. My go to for test tatting is size 10 or 20 cebelia but when I get ready to work the project there's no telling what I'll do it in.

So, I've wondered the same thing, Deacon. There are so (too ?) many options. It's just a matter of what puts the sun in our belly at the time.

[Deacon]

Thank you all for the input. I'll take any advice you can throw my way. I'm making sure to copy all this into my notes for reference.


It's just a matter of what puts the sun in our belly at the time.
I haven't heard that in a while. I'm originally from Tennessee.

Isn't it funny how similar issues arise no matter what size thread/string/rope you use?
May I assume that it's similar to when I'm working with rope, the type/size/wind of material you use and the "bite" has a lot to do with how it comes together.
And what you're trying to accomplish with it.
Looks like I'll be spending a little more time at the store studying thread......... ;)

[Ireneho]

I use S-Lon #18 Beading Cord because I can't be stuffed starching and ironing. That just feels too much like house work!! Sometimes, I'll use size 20 Lizbeth cos it's what available in my local craft shop and online where I buy most of my tatting supplies. #10 isn't all that popular here.

I bought 2 trays of Oren Bayan last week cos it was discounted, haven't used them yet. They're very nice feel and look to them, so it has to be a special project for them!

I've used 3ply crochet cotton also, but I do not like they get fuzzy after awhile.

[GraceT]

I started out with Milford Mercer Size 40 (I think it's the Cordonnet kind of thread). It's a little larger than Lizbeth Size 40. It seems to me that Size 20 is the most popular all round, but I still do like the dainty look of Size 40. I haven't dared to try Size 60 or 80 yet.

[crazytatter]

This is a great topic. I really wasn't very clear on what type of thread I am using and why it is so soft until after I read Patty's comment. I have tatted mostly with embroidery floss as that is what I have left over from my cross stitch days. It has the frayed look and the finished project always flops around not ridgit at all. Until this most recent exchange I got a gift ball of Lizbeth that I finally understand how good and tight Lizbeth thread is. I wanted to get more Lizbeth just couldn't make up my mind what color to get :P

[squeeky]

I haven't heard that in a while. I'm originally from Tennessee.



It's a paraphrase of a quote from Picasso and the name of a fantastic eatery here in Atlanta.

Knowing how threads react makes it easier to match project, desired result, and thread. And we all find that one that works perfectly for us nearly every time. I'll find mine eventually. At the moment I can't help but see what any/every thing does when I try to tat it. :smile:

[Sonja]

My favorite size of thread is 20. Fine enough to be lace and unpickable when I make mistakes. But I use also the turkisch thread, that's about 40 I think. But also 10 Manuela or Cebelia. Depends on what I want to make. I have more thread than I can ever use, but still buying. I love all the colours they have in all the threads.

[Marty]

I just like threads. I have everything from whatever size hand quilting thread is to size 10. I only use the size ten for testing out new patterns. My favorite is size 80.

[Deacon]

UPDATE!

After a few weeks of travel, healing, honeydo's, more travel I finally got a moment to sit down and tat..............

First, I want to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to Janet6567 for a most generous gift. I received a box with several spools of Lizbeth thread.
All I can say is WOW, for the gift and the difference in how the thread "behaves".
I could tell a difference as soon as I did the first flip......
And it's so much easier to see my work as I progress and I noticed I'm getting a more consistent tension.
And it doesn't fray nearly as much when I need to undo any stitches.

Again, THANK YOU Janet6567. And THANK YOU to the forum for helping me get acclimated to tatting. I hope and pray that I can repay the generosity.

[GraceT]

Congratulations, Deacon! Yeah, Lizbeth DOES feel different! I also have noticed all the things you noticed. It makes us look good, doesn't it?

[xstchntat]

my favorite sizo is 100. DMC makes it in white and ecru, though LadyShuttleMaker has some really yummy colors in her Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/LadyShuttleMaker). Her hand dyed size 100 I have been using more of lately. Not while traveling though. Now that we are home again I am searching for just the right pattern for some of the colors I ordered right before we left.