Double Stitches--step one

One of my cousins wants to learn how to tat. Unfortunately, I am too far away to teach her in person. So I thought I'd put my own instructions here for her to see. Hopefully, it will help and not hinder!

Two contrasting colors of size 10 thread and one shuttle. Wrap one of the threads on the shuttle. Doesn't really matter which one.

Tie the two threads together. 

Wrap the ball thread (red) around the pinky finger of your left hand. I've done it twice here, but three is better. 

Pull the thread over the back of your fingers toward your fore finger and thumb.

Position the knot on your fore finger. 

Secure the knot by holding it between your fore finger and thumb. Hold the shuttle in your right hand as shown.

Wrap the shuttle thread (white) around the middle and ring fingers of your right hand. Go below them and then over the back.

Pass the shuttle UNDER the ball thread between the fore finger and ring finger of your left hand.

Bring the shuttle back OVER the ball thread and through the loop formed by the fingers of your right hand. 

Here you can see that the white thread is going around the red thread. 

Pull the shuttle thread tight. Don't forget to collapse the fingers of your left hand! That thread needs to be loose. That will flip the thread so now the red thread is going around the white thread. 

Here's a close up.

Tighten the red thread around the white thread until somewhat snug. 

Close up. This is half of the double stitch. 

Keep practicing the first half of the double stitch until you are comfortable with it. It will twist as shown here. 

Coming soon...the second half of the double stitch. 

Change of plans and patterns

I've had a change of plans on the alter cloth for the temple. I've always been concerned that the first one had holes that were too big. Easy to snag 1/2 inch buttons, etc. The new idea is much better for that and actually easier to make. I'll post a photo as soon as I can.

I've also had lots of inquiries about patterns, but I don't often check the email I have listed here and sometimes I miss getting things sent out. I think I'll try to post some of the patterns here. That should keep me busy for a while!

Latest project

Alter Cloth for the Boise Temple

21 motifs finished...only 56 more to go!


From "Traditional Tatting Patterns," Edited by Rita Weiss, pg. 13

Baby bonnets

The first bonnet I made was like this one. This was the second or third one I made of this pattern. It's not my favorite.


Another bonnet.


And another. This is the same as Hannah's.
This bonnet is from "Traditional Tatting Patterns," Edited by Rita Weiss, pg. 8

More Tatting

This is an edge for a handkerchief. I made one like this for Hannah when we went to the dedication of the Twin Falls Temple. I liked it so much I decided I would make one for me, too.


(Beginning Tatting, by Gloria Crowther, pg. 8)

This is a small doily that would look very nice in a frame on the wall.


(Tatting Doilies and Edgings, Rita Weiss, pg. 14)

I have really enjoyed this pattern. I like it because I only have to tie off the ends 7 times on the whole doily, and I think it looks so intriguing. I've made 3 of these this year, and I'm keeping one of them. One of these was sold at the scout auction this year and brought $20 for 40 hours of work. (That is why I don't sell my tatting.) The other one will be donated to the family reunion this summer.


(Tatting Doilies and Edgings, Rita Weiss, pg. 24)

The Ones I'm keeping

I started this doily several times and then would get distracted. I finally got it finished, but I'm not parting with it after all that...lol.


(Learn to Tat Coats and Clark Book no. 240 1974)

This is the largest doily I've made. It has lots of little parts, and I had to tie in the ends too many times. I hate tying in the ends. So, I won't part with this one either.


(Traditional Tatting Patterns, Edited by Rita Weiss, pg. 5)

Reunion Doilies

Several years ago I started donating tatted doilies to the Bright Family Reunion.



2006
(Traditional Tatting Patterns, Edited by Rita Weiss, pg. 34.)



2007
(Tatting Doilies and Edgings, Edited by Rita Weiss, pg. 41)