An Adventure in Learning to Tat

My mom says I inherited my "craftiness" from my grandmother. She always had some project or another underway.

I vaguely remember her having tatting shuttles in her apron pockets.  I was too young when she passed so I didn't get a chance to learn from her, and until recently, I've never attempted to learn. But one Saturday out of nowhere I got the bug and sat down with a pair of shuttles and a dozen youtube videos. Ultimately, I think the lure of new "tools" and learning something new was just too strong to resist.

I have to say it is pretty frustrating.  I've gone through at least three full shuttles of thread and still don't have anything useful to show for it.  I've torn out countless double stitiches and have come close to what my son calls a "rage fit".  Oh wait. Actually, I think I may haves given into one of those fits, but shhhhh don't tell him.

All that being said....I think I've got it!  I still have to count and recount my stitches carefully and triple check to see if I remembered to add that 3rd picot the pattern called for.  But I am starting to FLY with that shuttle.  I've got the rhythm down. I'm very close to the point where I will have something to lay out in front of people and say see what I did.  

I've seen web articles that call tatting a lost art.  I am beginning to have delusions of bringing tatting back into vogue and starting a resurgence similar to what's happening in the knitting world.   But I have to say, I don't believe it's a lost art for a minute.  I've found a sweet little community of tatters on the web who share tips, patterns and their love for the art.  Also, I am amazed at the prices vintage shuttles are garnering on ebay.   I've seen an original Mdlle Reigo de la Branchardiere c.1850 tatting book from france sell for $500.00!  I've sourced a few woodworkers who are producing the most beautiful shuttles in the world.  

Nope.  Tatting isn't a lost art; there are a lot of passionate tatters out there.  I have recently joined their ranks. Well, at least at the beginner level.

You'll be seeing more posts about my new obsession.  Keep calm and tat on!