Chapter 9

TATTING

IFtatting is new to you, you'll be surprised how easy —and enjoyable—it is to learn. In no time your shuttle will be flying through the thread, and your only problem will be in choosing from the myriad enchanting designs. There are gossamer doilies and place mats, a tablecloth of extraordinary delicacy and beauty .

One edging is lovelier and more delicate than the next. There is no limit to the ways in which you will use them ... on guest towels, pillow slips, to give a touch of luxury to a simple slip or night dress, or to add a handmade look to your tea napkins.

How to Tat

Shuttles . . . Shuttles are made of various materials, such as Bone, Tortoise Shell, and Steel. Some are shaped like the one shown in the illustrations. Others are made with a hook at the end, but the latter is not practical, for it hinders the worker in gaining speed.

Winding the Shuttle . .. Wind thread around the bobbin in center of shuttle. If there is a hole in center of bobbin, insert thread through the hole and tie a knot. In some instances the bobbin is removable. Do not wind thread be­yond the edge of shuttle.

Tatting Threads . . . Tatting is made with fine thread. Tatting-Crochet comes in lovely colors and is especially suited to work of this type. For coarser work, use Best Six Cord Mer­cerized Crochet in Sizes 20 and 30.

Materials: Best Six Cord Mercerized Cro­chet,Size 20, 2 balls . . . One tatting shuttle with a pointed end. With this thread you will be able to practice and then you can make the dainty towel edg­ing shown on page 178.

LEARN HOW STEPS

WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFT HAND

1. Grasp the free end of the thread between thumb and forefinger.
2. Spread the middle, ring and little fingers and encircle them with the thread.
3. Bring the thread around to make a circle and hold securely between the thumb and forefinger (Fig. 1).
4. Bend the little finger to catch the thread against the palm (Fig. 2).
5. Bend the middle finger back to catch the loose part of the circle (Fig. 3).
6. Adjust the thread so that the fingers do not feel strained.

WHAT TO DO WITH THE RIGHT HAND

1. Unwind shuttle so that shuttle thread is about 12 inches long (Fig. 4).
2. Hold shuttle so that pointed end is facing the left hand and thread coming from back of bobbin (Fig. 4).
3. Grasp flat side between thumb and fore­ finger in a horizontal position, holding the other three fingers on a level with the fore­
   finger (Fig. 4).

The Double Stitch—The Basic Stitch of Tatting

FIRST HALF OF THE DOUBLE STITCH

1. Draw shuttle thread out to its full length, keeping right and left hands at equal levels (Fig. 4).
2. Pass the shuttle thread under and then over the right hand below the top joint of fingers (Fig. 5).
   
   
3. With thread in this position, bring the shut­ tle forward and insert it under (Fig. 5) and bring it back over thread held between middle and forefinger of left hand (Fig. 6).
4. Drop middle finger of left hand.
5. Draw shuttle thread taut (Fig. 7) and hold it in this position until first half of double stitch is completed.
6. Slowly raise middle -finger of left hand, thus sliding loop into position between thumb and forefinger (Fig. 8). This completes first
   half of a double stitch

NOTE: Be careful to do Steps 4, 5 and 6 ex­actly as directed. Notice as you work that the shuttle thread is encircled by a loose loop made by the circle of thread in left hand. The impor­tance of keeping the shuttle thread taut until this loop is in position cannot be overempha­sized.

SECOND HALF OF DOUBLE STITCH

1. Bring shuttle forward again and, keeping back end of the shuttle toward you, carry it over and bring it back under the thread held
   between the middle and forefinger of left hand. (Please note that this time the thread is not wound around the hand.) (Figs. 9 and 10).
2. Drop middle fingerof left hand.
3. Draw shuttle thread taut and hold in this position until second half of double stitch is completed.
4. Slowly raise middle finger,thus sliding loop into position between thumb and forefinger of the left hand (Fig. 11). This completes second half of the Double Stitch, the basic stitch in
   Tatting.

NOTE: The shuttle thread, when pulled, should slide easily. If it does not, you did not follow the italicized directions exactly, and you must begin again.

Practice this stitch until you do it with ease. Strive to make automatic the italicized direc­tions.

Rings, Picots and Joinings

All tatting designs contain rings- and picots. The ring forms the basis of the design. The picots are used for decoration and for joining. Practice the following directions. They give in detail the fundamentals of rings, picots and joinings. When your rings are even and your picots uniform in size, cut off your practice piece and begin again, because the same direc­tions will make the attractive edging for the Guest Towel on page 178.

FIRST RING

NOTE: The working stitch always comes be­tween the thumb and forefinger. In Figs. 12, 13 and 14 the fingers should come where the arrow points. The drawings are made in this manner so that all the steps may be clear.

1. Make four double stitches (ds). (Follow directions on page 178).
2. Next make the first half of a double stitch (ds), but as you slide it into position stop about 1/4inch from the preceding double stitch (ds) (Fig. 12).
3. Complete the double stitch (ds) (Fig. 13).
4. Draw the entire stitch close to the first four stitches (Fig. 14). The little loop formed from the space left between the stitches is a picot (P).
5. Make four more double stitches (ds).
6. Please note that Steps 2, 3, 4 and 5 should be written 1 picot (p) and 5 double stitches (ds). A picot refers only to the loop and does not include the double stitch which fastens the loop.
7. Make another picot and five double stitches (see Step 6).
8. Make a picot and four double stitches.
9. Holding the stitches securely between thumb and forefinger of left hand, draw the shuttle thread tight so that the first and last
   stitches meet, forming a ring (Fig. 15).

SECOND RING and JOINING

1. Wind the thread around the left hand in position for another ring.
2. Make 4 double stitches 1/4of an inch away from ring just made.
3. Insert pointed end of shuttle through the last picot of previous ring and catch the thread encircling the left hand.
4. Pull the thread through until there is a loop large enough to insert shuttle (Fig. 16).
5. Pull the shuttle through loop and draw the shuttle thread tight.
6. Slowly raise middle finger of left hand to draw up the loop. This joins the new ring to the old one and counts as the first half of the next double stitch.
7. Complete the double stitch.
8. Repeat Steps 5 to 9 under First Ring.

Continue in this manner for each succeed­ing ring, repeating Steps 1 to 8 under Second Ring and Joining.

The preceding directions have been given in detail so as to make the steps clear in your mind. Now you are ready to read the same directions as they would appear in a book. (The abbreviations are explained to make the directions easier for a beginner to read).

Edging .... For Guest Towel

R (ring) of 4 ds (double stitches), 3 p's (picots) sep (separated) by 5 ds, 4 ds, cl (close); * sp (space) of 1/4inch; r (ring) of 4 ds, join to the last p of previous r, 5 ds, 2 p's sep by 5 ds, 4 ds, cl. Repeat from * for length desired.

JOINING THE THREAD

When a new thread is required make a square knot close to the base of the last ring or chain, but do not cut off the ends, for the strain of the work may loosen the knot. If you make a knot in the thread, cut it off and tie the new thread close to last ring. Knots prevent the ring from being drawn up, for they will not pass through the double stitches. Cut off loose ends later.

REVERSING YOUR WORK

In tatting you have noticed that the rounded end of the loop on which you are working faces the top. However, you can produce an effect such as that shown in Handkerchief Edging by turning your work first up and then down. The directions will say rw (reverse work). To do this, the ring you have just worked is turned so that the base of the ring faces the top, and the new ring is worked as usual with the loop side up.

Handkerchief Edging Reversing Your Work

Materials: Tatting-Crochet, Size 70, 2 balls. ... A tatting shuttle.
* R of 5 ds, p, 5 ds, cl. Rw, sp of 1/8inch. R of 4 ds, 3 p's sep by 4 ds, 4 ds, cl. Rw, sp of 1/8inch. Lr of 5 ds, join to p of first r, 2 ds, 5 p's sep by 2 ds, 5 ds, cl. Rw and make another r like 2nd, joining to 3rd p of 2nd r. Rw and make another r like first, joining to last p of 3rd r. Rw and make another r like 2nd, joining to adjacent r. Rw, sp. Repeat from * for length desired, joining to first p of lr.

Using a Ball Thread and a Shuttle

Some tatting designs contain chains besides rings and picots. Rings can be made only with the shuttle thread wound in a complete circle around the left hand. Chains can be made only with a thread wound halfway around the hand (Fig. 17). When rings and chains appear in the same design it is necessary to use two working threads (a shuttle thread and a ball thread). Tie end of ball thread to end of shut­tle thread. When you are making a ring, use the shuttle thread in the regular manner.

When the ring is completed and you wish to make a chain, turn it so that the base of ring is held between the thumb and forefinger (see Fig. 17). Stretch the ball thread over the back of the fingers in same way as shuttle thread, but instead of making a complete circle, wind it twice around the little finger to control ten­sion (Fig. 17). Work over the ball thread with the shuttle in the same manner as in making rings. (Picots and joinings are made in the same way as on rings.) When you have fin­ished the chain, pull the stitches close together and put down the ball thread. Pick up the shuttle thread to make another ring.

Luncheon Set

Materials: Best Six Cord Mercebized Cro­chet, Size 20, 9 balls of White or Ecru . . . 31/8 yards of linen, 36 inches wide. Mat 15 x 33 inches, place mats 11 x I61/2 inches, and napkins, each about I61/2 inches square.

PLACE MAT (Make 6) ... Cut 6 pieces of linen, each 121/2 x 18 inches. Make a 1/2-inch hem all around, with hemstitching.

CORNER MOTIF (Make 4 for each mat) ...
Use shuttle and ball of thread.

FLOWER ... 1st rnd: With shuttle make r of 2 ds, 4 p's sep by 3 ds, 1 ds, cl. Tie ends securely and cut. 2nd rnd: Tie shuttle and ball threads to one p of r. * Make a ch of 2 ds, p, 2 ds, p, 2 ds, join to next p of r. Repeat from * around. Tie ends and cut. 3rd rnd: Tie threads to one p of previous rnd. * Make a ch of 3 ds, p, 3 ds, join to next p. Repeat from * around. Tie ends securely and cut off ball thread (8 scallops in rnd).

SPRAY . . . With shuttle, sp of 1/4inch. R of 4 ds, join to adjacent p of 3rd rnd, 8 ds, p, 4 ds, p, 8 ds, cl. Rw. Leave no sp. R of 4 ds, join to adjacent p of 3rd rnd, 8 ds, p, 4 ds, p, 8 ds, cl. Insert tip of shuttle in the sp to the right of the 1/4inch thread and fasten securely (as for join­ing to a p). One group of 2 rings is made.

* Rw, sp of 3/8 inch. R of 4 ds, join to first p of adjacent r, 8 ds, p, 4 ds, p, 8 ds, cl. Rw, no sp. R of 4 ds, join to first p of adjacent r, 8 ds, p, 4 ds, p, 8 ds, cl. Insert tip of shuttle in sp to the right of 1/2 inch thread and fasten securely (as for joining to a p). Repeat from * until 14 rings are made (7 groups of 2 rings each). Sp of 1/4inch. R of 4 ds, join to adjacent p, 8 ds, p, 8 ds, join to adjacent p of r at opposite side, 4 ds, cl. Tie securely and cut. A spray is now made on one side. Skip 2 scallops of flower, attach shuttle thread and make a 2nd spray at right angle to first spray, joining first 2 rings of spray to next 2 p's of flower. This completes one corner motif.

Baste corners to linen, having outer edges of corners 1/2 inch in from hemstitching. With a ruler and pencil, draw a line around tatted corner, touching the p's. With Mercerized Cro­chet (or matching embroidery thread), work buttonhole stitch around the tatted corners and over the penciled line as for cutwork, making a stitch into each p to join lace to linen. Cut away linen at back of lace.

CENTER MAT ... Cut a piece of linen I81/2 x 36 inches. Make a l1/4-inch hem all around with hemstitching. Work and insert 4 Corner Motifs as for Place Mats. Now make 2 more inserts as follows: Work as for Corner Motif until first Spray is completed. Skip 4 scallops of flower, attach shuttle thread: make a second Spray exactly opposite first Spray. Baste one insert at center of long side of run­ner, V2 inch in from hemstitching, and finish as for corners. Sew second insert at opposite long side to correspond.

NAPKIN (Make 6) ... Cut 6 pieces of linen, each 18 inches square. Make a 1/2-inch hem all around with hemstitching.

NAPKIN INSERT . . . Work as for Corner Motif until first Spray is completed. Baste Insert on corner of napkin so that outer edge is 1/2inch in from hemstitched edges, and finish as for other inserts.

Collar Edging

Materials: Tatting-Crochet, 2 balls. ... A tatting shuttle.
Tie shuttle and ball threads. ** With shuttle make r of 4 ds, 7 p's sep by 2 ds, 4 ds, cl. * R of 4 ds, join to last p of previous r, 2 ds, 6 p's sep by 2 ds, 4 ds, cl. Repeat from * 2 more times, joining the last r at both sides. Tie ends securely and cut (a flower made). Repeat from * * for desired length, joining center p of one r to center p of one r of previous flower.

EDGING . . . Attach threads to first free p of r opposite joining of flowers, and * make a ch of 6 ds, 7 p's sep by 2 ds, 6 ds, skip r, join to next p of next r, ch of 3 ds, 2 p's sep by 2 ds, 3 ds, join to next p of next r. Repeat from * across. Tie ends and cut.

JOSEPHINE KNOT . . . This is an ornamen­tal ring, consisting of the first half of a double stitch made a specified number of times.

LONG PICOT ... To make a long picot, make a longer space between double stitches.

TWO SHUTTLES . . . When you wish to work rings in two colors, two shuttles are used. The two colors (one in each shuttle) may be alternated. When this takes place you drop the shuttle which made the preceding ring, pick up the second shuttle and make a ring as be­fore; When the rings are separated by a chain, hold the thread of the second shuttle like the ball thread in Fig. 17.

No. 9070 Edging

Materials: Tatting-Cbochet, Size 70.

Sr of 4 ds, 3 sm p's sep by 4 ds, 4 ds, cl. Rw, sp of 1/8inch, r of 9 ds, sm p, 4 ds, sin p, 5 ds, cl. * R of 5 ds, join to last sm p of preceding r, 2 ds, 8 p's sep by 2 ds, 2 ds, sm p, 5 ds, cl. R of 5 ds, join to sm p of preceding r, 4 ds, sm p, 9 ds, cl (last 3 r's constitute a clover). Rw, sp of 1/8inch, r of 4 ds, join to last sm p of last sr, (4 ds, sm p) twice, 4 ds, cl. Sp of 3/8 inch, sr of ds, join to last sm p of preceding r, (4 ds, m p) twice, 4 ds, cl. Rw, sp of 1/8inch, r of 9 ds, join to sm p of last r of clover, 4 ds, sm p, ds, cl. Repeat from * for length desired. Tie and cut.

No. 9O72 Edging

Materials: Tatting-Crochet,Size 70.
1st row: Tie ball and shuttle threads to­gether. Sr of 4 ds, 3 sm p's sep by 4 ds, 4 ds, cl. Rw, ch of 5 ds, p, 5 ds. Rw, lr of 4 ds, join to last sm p of preceding r, 6 ds, p, 6 ds, sm p, 4 ds, cl. Rw, ch of 5 ds, p, 5 ds. Rw, sr of 4 ds, join to sm p of preceding r, 4 ds, 2 sm p's sep by 4 ds, 4 ds, cl. Repeat from * for desired length, ending with a sr. 2nd row: Fasten ball and shuttle threads to 2nd p of first r of 1st row. Ch of 2 ds, sm p, 9 ds, p, 9 ds, sm p, 2 ds, skip lr, join free p of next sr of 1st row. Ch of 2 ds, join to last p of preceding ch, 9 ds, p, 9 ds, sm p, 2 ds. Repeat from * across. Tie and cut.

No. 9O73 Edging

Materials: Tatting-Crochet, Size 70.
1st row: Tie ball and shuttle threads to­gether. R of 6 ds, sm p, 5 ds, sm p, 1 ds, cl. * R of 1 ds, join to sm p of preceding r, (5 ds, sm p) twice, 1 ds, cl. R of 1 ds, join to sm p of preceding r, 5 ds, sm p, 6 ds, cl (shamrock made). Rw, ch of 16 ds. Rw, r of 6 ds, join to sm p of preceding r, 5 ds, sm p, 1 ds, cl. Re­ peat from * for desired length. Tie and cut. 2nd row: Fasten ball and shuttle threads to sp at base of first shamrock of 1st row. Ch of 2 ds, sm p, * 4 ds, 7 p's sep by 2 ds, 4 ds, sm p, 2 ds, join to sp at base of next shamrock. Ch of 2 ds, join to last sm p of preceding ch. Repeat from * across. Tie and cut.

No. 9O71 Edging

Materials: Tatting-Crochet, Size 70.
Tie ball and shuttle threads together. R of 4 ds, 3 p's sep by 4 ds, 4 ds, cl. Rw, ch of 6 ds, sm p, 14 ds. * Rw, r of 8 ds, join to 2nd p of preceding r, 8 ds, cl. Rw, ch of 14 ds, sm p, 6 ds. Rw, r of 4 ds, p, 4 ds, join to 2nd p of next-to-last r, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, cl. Ch of 4 ds, p, 4 ds. R of 4 ds, 3 p's sep by 4 ds, 4 ds, cl. Rw, ch of 6 ds, join to sm p of next-to-last ch, 14 ds. Repeat from * for desired length, ending with rw, r of 4 ds, p, 4 ds, join to 2nd p of next-to-last r, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, cl. Tie and cut.

No. 9O78 Edging

Materials: Tatting-Crochet, Size 70.
Tie ball and shuttle threads together. Lr of 4 ds, sm p, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, sm p, 4 ds, cl. * Rw, ch of 3 ds, p, 7 ds, sm p, 1 ds. Rw, sr of 1 ds, 9 sm p's sep by 1 ds, 1 ds, cl. Ch of 6 ds, join to last sm p of last lr, 4 ds. Skip 1 p on last sr, join to next p. (Ch of 10 ds, skip next p on same sr, join to next p) 3 times. Ch of 4 ds, sm p, 6 ds, join to base of sr (flower made). Rw, ch of 1 ds, join to p on adjoining ch, 7 ds, p, 3 ds. Rw, lr of 4 ds, join to sm p of last ch of flower, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, sm p, 4 ds, cl. Repeat from * for length desired. Tie and cut.

No. 9O69 Edging

Materials: Tatting-Crochet, Size 70.
Tie ball and shuttle threads together. * Sr of 6 ds, sm p, 6 ds, cl. Rw, ch of 5 ds, p, 6 ds. Rw, lr of 7 ds, sm p, 7 ds, cl. Ch of 6 ds, join to sm p of sr, 6,ds, join to sm p of lr, 6 ds, sm p, 6 ds and fasten ball thread to sp at base of lr. Rw, ch of 6 ds, p, 5 ds. Rw, sr of 6 ds, join to sm p in next-to-last ch, 6 ds, cl. Rw, sr of 6 ds, sm p, 6 ds, cl. Rw, ch of 6 ds, p, 6 ds. Rw, r of 6 ds, join to sm p of preceding r, 6 ds, cl. Rw. Repeat from * for length desired. Tie and cut.

No. 9O66 Edging

Materials: Tatting-Crochet, Size 70, 2 balls.
Sr of (4 ds, p) twice, 4 ds, cl and tie. * Rw, lr of 4 ds, 3 sm p's sep by 2 ds, 4 ds, sm p, 10 ds, cl and tie. Rw, sp of 1/4-inch, r of 2 ds, join to 2nd p of sr, 2 ds, 6 p's sep by 2 ds, 2 ds, cl. Sp of 1/4inch and join thread to last sm p of lr. R of 4 ds, join to last p of preceding r, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, cl and tie. Repeat from * for length desired. Tie and cut.

No. 9O63 Edging

Materials: Tatting-Crochet, Size 70, 2 balls .. . Handkerchief.
MOTIF (Make 4) ... Beginning at a corner, lr of 4 ds, sm p, 10 ds, p, 4 ds, p, 6 ds, sm p,  ds, cl. * Sr of 4 ds, join to last sm p of pre­ceding lr, 2 ds, 9 p's sep by 2 ds, 2 ds, cl. Rw, sp of 1/2 inch, make a center r of 8 ds, sm p, 4 ds, Ip, 4 ds, sm p, 8 ds, cl. Rw, sp of 1/4inch, sr of (2 ds, p) twice, 2 ds, join to center p of preceding sr, 2 ds, 8 p's sep by 2 ds, 2 ds, cl. Rw, sp of 1/4inch, center r of 8 ds, join to last sm p of previous center r, 4 ds, join to lp of first center r, 4 ds, sm p, 8 ds, cl. Rw, sp of 3/8 inch, sr of 2 ds, 4 p's sep by 2 ds, 2 ds, join to 2nd-from-last p of last sr, 2 ds, 4 p's sep by 2 ds, 2 ds, sm p, 4 ds, cl. Lr of 4 ds, join to sm p of preceding sr, 10 ds, p, 10 ds, sm p, 4 ds, cl. Sr of 4 ds, join to sm p of preceding r, 2 ds, 9 p's sep by 2 ds, 2 ds, cl. Rw, sp of 3/8 inch, make and join another center r as before. Rw, sp of 1/4inch, r of (2 ds, p) twice, 2 ds, join to center p of last sr, 2 ds, 8 p's sep by 2 ds, 2 ds, cl. Rw, sp of 1/4inch, make and join another center r. Rw, sp of 3/8 inch, r of 2 ds, 4 p's sep by 2 ds, 2 ds, join to 2nd-from-last p of last sr, 2 ds, 4 p's sep by 2 ds, sm p, 4 ds, cl. R of 4 ds, join to sm p of preceding r, 6 ds, p, 4 ds, p, 10 ds, sm p, 4 ds, cl. Repeat from * once more, joining the last sm p of last center r to first sm p of first center r and joining the last sm p of last sr to the first sm p of the first Ir. Tie and cut.

EDGING . . . R of 2 ds, p, 2 ds, join to 2nd free p of first lr made on a motif, 2 ds, 5 p's sep by 2 ds, 2 ds, cl. * Sp of 1/4inch, r of 2 ds, p, 2 ds, join to next-to-last p of preceding r, 2 ds, 5 p's sep by 2 ds, 2 ds, cl. Repeat from * until piece reaches corresponding position on other side of handkerchief, joining 6th p on last r of edging to the first free p of 3rd lr made on next motif. Continue thus until the 4 motifs are joined. After completing the tatting, baste the corners in place. With ruler, draw lines on handkerchief just touching the picots of the corner and fasten corners to handkerchief by buttonholing over this line, catching in the picots. Whip edging in place.

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