Tatting Videos
Here you go ladies, off to Tatting School
Tatting is probably the most common lace found in liturgical applications. It is strong, and holds its shape beautifully. Most often found on the ends of purificators, and the edges of corporals or amices, It can also show up as embellishments for things like the interiors of pyx burses or reliquaries. I have even see whole alb skirts, 30 inches long, that were completely tatted.
Here are several videos that cover the basics. Be patient with the learning curve. Things will click and you’ll be off an running. If you hit a snag, get chummy with Our Lady the Undoer of Knots.
The Basics of Tatting
Choosing the best shuttle for the job needs some consideration. I have used several versions. The shuttles above have smooth tips on both ends. These probably feel the nicest in the hand. You will have to pay attention to which way you have things pointed because there is a business end of a shuttle, determined by how the string comes off of it. You’ll also need to have a separate tiny crochet hook on hand to join rings together. I had a hook that I could hang around my neck so it was always handy. I cut the handle shorter and drilled a hole through the end to accommodate a chain.
Probably the most common shuttle is this one with the curved point on one end. Because lace made for altar linens is very fine, typically using thread in the #60 – #80 range, the picos for joining rings are very small. That makes this type of shuttle rather frustrating because the points are not precise enough. These would be fine for heavier lace like what would be appropriate for an altar cloth (using threads in the #10 – #40 range).
These shuttles are well suited for tatting lace for altar linens and lace edgings. The hook is incorporated in the end of the shuttle.
Here is a link to the tatting patterns that we use on our purificators.