Hello! I enjoy collecting data and the insights that come with that process. I thought it could be interesting to do a survey of our tatting subreddit and share the results.

The survey is completely anonymous, and you may answer as many or as few questions as you would like. This survey is not associated with the moderators.

If the moderators would like direct access to this survey I would be happy to share with them. The rules do not currently prohibit posts of this nature but I understand if moving forward surveys are restricted or to be sent via moderators only.

All respondents will be given immediate access to a summary of the survey results. I will post the results of the survey publicly when a significant number of responses have been submitted or when it becomes clear responses will not be forthcoming.

I just noticed that the subreddit banner isn't tatting but is a beautiful (Honiton?) bobbin lace butterfly!

Does anybody have any butterfly tatting patterns they could recommend that look similar to the one on the banner? I would like to use them as applique pieces.

When I googled 'butterfly tatting patterns' I found there were a lot of 'simple butterfly patterns' which were cute but lack the body in the wings that I am looking for. I did see a few different options on Pinterest that looked interesting. However, I would rather take the recommendation of someone who has tatted a pattern before over window shopping - if that makes sense.

Thank you!

I made a ring I flipped it and did my chain now I flip again and do three ds and attach to picot on ring. When I flip over and make the three do I pull the yarn side that's near my index finger (right side of photo) or the pinky? Then when I close the second ring how do I keep the chain from closing ?

Learned to tat for my dollhouse project. It's a bit of a train wreck tension and direction wise, but it's done, lol. I've got loads of vintage crochet edging pattern books that also include tatting (which I've ignored for years!). I made a single motif and then added a border to beef it up a bit. I don't think I have the patience to make it in smaller thread, lol, but it works as an antimacassar, which is what I wanted.

Where are we buying thread smaller than a 10? I just started and had a ton of thread gifted to me but it’s all size 10 or bigger. (Some of it is vintage from
The 80’s and using a different measuring system all together) is everyone just buying it online? I had doing that with colors because I’m picky and want to see it in person.

I’m super excited about my latest piece which I am entering in my local county fair (Arapahoe County, CO, USA)! It’s a ferris wheel that spins 🎡

This is Jan Stawasz doily 1 (rounds 1-7) from Tatted Treasures. Completed in size 20 Lizbeth thread, in white, honey drizzle, white Metallic, and Metallic Gem Stone. It is mounted to a clock movement, but lesson learned it is wayyyyy too heavy to spin on its own 🙃 After the fair I will probably 3D print some gears to hand crank it.

Members of the Rocky Mountain Lace Guild will be demonstrating lacemaking this weekend at the Arapahoe County Fair from 11A-5P both days, so if you’re in the area come see us! 🧵

Everything finally made sense and I accomplished this little guy! Now onto learning how to read a diagram.

Hi guys, I know this is easy, but I'm tatting beginner, could someone help me?

Wow this doily is really coming together. Don’t mind the center, I split a little water on it. I’m so happy to finally finish this round, however the next round is exactly the same as the last row of the monster doily. I haven’t even started it yet but I’m already sick of it, that same row has already consumed two weeks of my life! But no matter how long it takes it I’m too far along to stop.

Going to go see my doily at the Sacramento State Fair tomorrow. I will post pictures

Hello, the way this is written a bit confusing to me , can you help me with

I'm new to tatting and this is the first wheel I've ever done. It's not perfect, I definitely overtightened the loops and my picots aren't super even and a few are twisted, but I'm of the opinion that done is better than perfect and my next one will be even better! I learned a lot.

Hi, I've been learning shuttle tatting for about a month now. I tried to make a sort of horseshoe shape like in the first picture (pattern from here). In my first attempt, the piece naturally wanted to curve the opposite way that the pattern did (top: chains inside, picots outside). In my second attempt, it curved the way the pattern did (bottom: chains outside, picots inside), even though I don't feel like I did anything differently.

I don't understand what affects which way a piece curves. Is there some aspect of tension or something that I need to be paying more attention to? I haven't blocked either of these yet, either.

Thanks!!

i started tatting today and i can’t seem to make the rings close to eachother, ive tried loosening the end stitches and pulling on all the loose threads but no luck :( the second photo it what the end product is meant to be

I made a lace edging that isn't straight but rather wavy, kind of what the picture 1 shows. It goes sewn around a centre of fabric and the final piece looks like a star.

I'm looking for the right technique to attach the edging to the fabric but I can't find a proper explanation.

The border of the fabric is supposed to be kind of embroidered (?) and then joined to the lace, as shown in picture 2.

How do you achieve the final shape? Do you cut the fabric first, then embroider the border and then the edging?

If anyone can point to a tutorial it would be appreciated 🙏

My first attempt at a beaded project. Not perfect, but I’m pretty happy with it, and my mom loves it.
From a video on yt by Lionas Handmade Tatting.

I finally figured out how to switch from chain to ring to chain, and I'VE NEVER FELT MORE POWERFUL.

Also, for such a genteel handicraft, tatting sure does make me cuss a lot.

Edit: OK, you guys are excellent. Also, I keep imagining tattists/tatters/tattarinos from olden times muttering things like "Consarn it!" or "Blast!" or "THUNDERATION!", and it's cracking me up.

Edit 2: "Heavens to Murgatroyd!"

The janky looking one on the left is mine 😬. The one on the right is what it's supposed to look like 🤦🏽‍♀️.

But here's the good news. I actually finished something and I didn't throw it away cross the room once !!!! I'd say that's progress.

Hi tatters,

Long time lurker and admirer here. I'm a complete newbie to tatting, but dagnabbit, I think I can do this!!! I love knitting and crochet.

What draws me to tatting (beyond the stunning geometries) is the Irish cultural history. As a member of the Irish diaspora, I would like to connect to my ancestors in this way.

What books for beginners would you recommend? Or even basic patterns or motifs. Youtube channels, websites, etc all welcome.

Thank you 🙏

Hi y’all!

I posted a few days ago, asking if my thread was too thin for learning tatting. You lovely people convinced me that even though I can definitely do tatting with 40s/2 thread, a crochet thread (aka size 10) would be a much better and easier starting point.

It arrived yesterday and I can confirm I am having a much better time with it! As in, I can see my stitches! And the finished ring of 15 is visible on my finger! Behold!

That being said, I can confirm you can learn in thin thread - the rings in my picture are both the first things I did after receiving the thicker thread, and I had no trouble making them. Ut was super easy after struggling with the thin thread for hours!

In conclusion, I don’t recommend starting on thin thread, but if it’s the only thing available to you, you definitely can.

So I started this pattern this is my second week of learning and practicing then it throws me a split ring. Wth 🤦🏽‍♀️ yeah I think I got it but it's terrible. Guess I have to learn sometime.

After 2 months of trying again and scrapping, I finally managed to finish this!!

I may have mentioned not liking making individual motif rounds that Jan typically utilizes, however I’m doing it in the name of having this beautiful doily. I really like all of the interesting shaped doilies he made, and they are typically my go to. Most tatting doilies are round, so it’s a good change from the usual.

Heres my first needle tatting project I made with a random sewing needle and thread. I really like it :)

I’ve been working on this handkerchief for the last month to give to my friend for her birthday and I’m so happy with how it turned out!! I had to reverse engineer the pattern from a random photo I saw online but hopefully my schematic is legible haha 😅