snug stitches

[Ellen]

How can I make my stitches appear tighter along the core thread?

I enjoy needle tatting. My fingers struggle with a shuttle, and I'm not to the point at which that is enjoyable. I tat with a group of ladies, and some of them use a shuttle. I like the way their shuttle tatting finished products look tighter than my needle tatting projects. Their shuttle thread-size-40 projects have almost the same look as my size-80 ones. I like their teeny-tiny snug stitches!

I use the recommended size needles: 5 needle for thread 10 or 20, 7 needle for 40 & sometimes for 20, 8 needle for finer threads. I pull my rings and chains snug and knot them as I close. I realize I am making my double stitches around the needle while my shuttle friends are putting their stitches directly onto the core thread. I thought needle tatting was just "looser," and I had to accept that look. But, I've seen pictures of needle tatting on this site that simply take my breath away. They have the uniformity of the needle stitches but the snug look of the shuttle stitches. What is the strategy for that tight appearance?

I'm what I call an advanced beginner, and I believe practice might have something to do with this snug effect. If there's a way to tat better, though, I'd rather practice the tighter way than what I've been doing. Good photography may contribute, and perhaps I'm just too demanding of myself. Still, I'd like to know if there's something I should be doing differently.

Thanks for being there for my questions! I just discovered the intatters site recently, and I have been learning new things by leaps and bounds! No one else in my in-person tatting group knows more advanced needle techniques than I do, so I have been struggling to figure things out on my own and with books. I learn best with a guide. Thanks for guiding me!

[louine]

I suggest you use the smallest needle that you can get the thread in ......I use a size 7 needle for 20 thread......I seldom try to use thread any smaller.

Be prepared to bend some needles......

[Ellen]

Thanks, Louine. I know what you mean about the bent needles--I think most of my size 7 needles are bent. The size 5s are easier to deal with, sort of like the bigger pencils for little kids just learning to write, I guess.

I'm sorry there's not a trick to learn, but on the other hand, I'm glad I'm already doing things right. I guess.

On another note, I am going to look through my old glasses cases for use as handy, portable tatting cases. Great idea from your pics! I would never have thought of that. Whenever I meet with my tatting group, I seem to lug along way too much. I never heard of an EZBob, either, but what a cool idea that is, too!

Thanks so much!

[xstchntat]

I also use the smallest needle I can get the thread through the eye of. For size 40 thread I use my 8 needle. Sometimes I unravel the end a bit and thread one ply at a time. Sometimes I use my flat nose pliers to help pull that needle and the first part of the thread where it is doubled through the stitches. Lacis sells a size nine needle I use for size 100 threads. I haven't done a lot of needle tatting since I learner shuttle three and a half years ago.

[louine]

Ellen, BTW, did you see the private message that I sent to you....
And I rarely have a completely original idea, I just usually take other's ideas and adjust them to my needs and materials. There are some great ideas in older post for portable tatting cases...check these out....

http://www.intatters.com/showthread....ghlight=wallet

http://www.intatters.com/showthread....hlight=storage

[Judy]

It takes more initial thought, but I've built an automatic tug after each half stitch in the direction of my right elbow so I don't get any unintended pico picots. Keeping the stitches tight on the needle helps, but you can pull it so tight taht the stitches don't want to slide down over the eye. I agree size 20 on a 7 needle. Took me about 3 years to work down to it. Ask if you're struggling with one of the techniques... You will soon be facing off.. needles vs shuttles... who does the split ring faster... Heheehe...

[carolivy]

When I'm threading the needle, I "flatten" the thread with my teeth so I can get it in a smaller needle. I tat everything from a 20 smaller on my size 8 needle and you can't tell the difference now. Sometimes I have to use a pair of flat nose pliers to help pull the needle but I like the tighter/smaller stitches so it doesn't bother me.

[Ellen]

Wow! Thanks for the tips. I can't imagine getting size 20 thread through the eye of the size 8 needle, but I can understand that it would help tighten my stitches. Perhaps I can try a size 7 first and work my way down as time goes along. I have broken numerous needle threaders since I've been tatting--I pull the wire right out of them. Is there a brand that you'd recommend as strongest for pulling the thread through the tiny needle eyes? I figure I'll have to get it started with a needle threader, won't I? Then, I can "attack" with pliers if I have to.

It is very reassuring to hear that other needle tatters have faced the same challenges I am having.

[carolivy]

With the smaller needles you can't use a needle threader. It is hard enough to get a single strand of thread through the eye let alone 2 strands. Just untwist (unply) about an inch of the thread and hold the strands flat to thread them through the smaller eye.

[sarahwood8]

I buy the needle threaders that have a plastic body. They last much longer than those that are crimped metal. I also hold the wire when I pull the thread through. It puts less stress on the connection and my threaders last longer. I still go through plenty of them. But I can usually get them to last at least a week.