"Left Handed" Needle Tatting Tutorial

How-To "Intro"

Left Handed Needle Tatting: How-To Make a "Double Stitch"

Left Handed Needle Tatting: How-To Make a "Picot"

A few of Katy's patterns are available at:

Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/RustiKate )

Craftsy (https://www.craftsy.com/profile/rustikate)

"Mini Doily" Needle Tatting Tutorial (Full Project) and Free Pattern!

Follow along as I shows you, step-by-step, how to make a handmade needle tatted mini doily. Free pattern below videos (pattern suitable for shuttle and needle tatters). Enjoy, learn, have fun, and happy tatting!

P.S. This doily works great for the center of the small dream catcher, in the two part tutorial project I made earlier, "click here" to see post!

*If at any point this videos moving too fast for you, and you would like to take it slower, and get a better look at what Katy just did or follow along, YouTube has a video speed adjuster/slow motion setting, that is great to make use of.

Tutorial: part one

Tutorial: part two

Tatted Mini Doily Pattern by RustiKate

Supplies List:
Size 10 Thread
Size/#5 Tatting Needle (or Shuttle)
Scissors
Iron

Pattern: Mini Doily

Round #1 (featured in video one)

R. 3ds, p, 3ds, p, 3ds, p, 3ds, cl
*Ch. 4ds, p, 4ds, RW
R. 3ds, j (to last p of last R made), 3ds, j (to next free p of last R made), 3ds, p, 3ds, cl, RW
Ch. 4ds, p, 4ds, RW
R. 3ds, j (to last p of last R made), 3ds, p, 3ds, p, 3ds, cl, RW**

Repeat from *to** until total of 7 Rs and 6 Ch.s are made.

Ch. 4ds, p, 4ds, RW
R. 3ds, j (to last p of last R made), 3ds, j (to next free p of last R. made), 3ds, j (to first p of first R made), 3ds, cl, RW
 Ch. 4ds, p, 4ds

Tie to base of first Ch., top of first R, made.
Double knot, hide ends and cut thread.

Round #2  (featured in video two)

Pull threaded needle through any one free picot of previous round, until at least two feet of thread has been pulled through, at that point knot thread to picot.

*Ch. 5ds, p, 5ds
Attach to next free p of last round**
Ch. 5ds, p, 5ds

Repeat from *to** until 8 Ch. made.

Tie to base of first Ch., and first joined p of round one.
Double knot, hide ends and cut thread.
Iron.


If you make this mini doily please share a photo or video with me (RustiKate, aka. Katy) and your fellow tatters, we would love to see your creation! You can share photos and ask questions @ the RustiKate Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/rustikate/)

A few of Katy's patterns are available at:

Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/RustiKate )

Craftsy (https://www.craftsy.com/profile/rustikate)

Tatted "Dream Catcher"

Follow along with this two-part video tutorial to learn how to make your very own handmade tatted dream catcher.

Tutorial: part one (Building Hoop) 

...You will learn how to make two different styles and skill levels, but equally as lovely, of “Dream Catchers”. One from willow harvested by hand in the forest, and the other from a vintage embroidery hoop. Enjoy, learn, have fun, and sweet dreams!  

*If at any point this video is moving too fast for you, and you would like to take it slower, and get a better look at what I just did or follow along, YouTube has a video speed adjuster/slow motion setting, that is great to make use of. 

Tutorial: part two (Assembling and Finishing)

Tutorial: part two (Assembling and Finishing) Katy as she shows you how to make two assemble two different styles and skill levels, but equally as lovely, of “Dream Catchers”.

...You will need one completed doily to make this project. Any Tatted Doily Pattern can be used to make the center of your Tatted Dream Catcher, and can be made with Shuttle or Needle Tatting. But make sure that the completed size/dimensions of your finished doily, is at least ½” to 1” smaller than the inside dimensions of your dream catcher framework/hoop. A good option for a mini tatted doily center is the free pattern that I have available."Click Here" for free pattern!

*If at any point this video is moving too fast for you, and you would like to take it slower, and get a better look at what I just did or follow along, YouTube has a video speed adjuster/slow motion setting, that is great to make use of.

If you make this project please share a photo or video with me (RustiKate) and your fellow tatters, we would love to see your creation! You can share photos and ask questions @ the RustiKate Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/rustikate/)

A few of Katy's patterns are available at:

Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/RustiKate )

Craftsy (https://www.craftsy.com/profile/rusti... )

Tatted "Snowflake" Tutorial (Full Project!)

Shuttle Tatters: Free Pattern Below!

Needle Tatters: Follow along with the "Video" as Katy shows you, step-by-step, how to make a handmade needle tatted snowflake! 

*Free pattern included (pattern suitable for shuttle and needle tatters). Enjoy, learn, have fun, and happy holidays! 

**If at any point this video is moving too fast for you, and you would like to take it slower, and get a better look at what I just did or follow along, YouTube has a video speed adjuster/slow motion setting, that is great to make use of.

Tatted Snowflake Pattern by RustiKate 

Supplies List:

Size 10 or 20 Thread 

Size/#5 Tatting Needle (or Shuttle)

Scissors

Iron

Ornament Hook 

Spray Starch (optional) 

Pattern:

R. 2ds, p, 2ds, cl.

Ch. 4ds, p, 8ds.

R. 3ds, p, 1ds, Lg p, 1ds, p, 3ds, cl.

Ch. 8ds, p, 4ds, RW.

*R. 2ds, j (to p of first ring made), 2ds, cl, RW.

Ch. 4ds, j (to free p of last chain made), 8ds.

R. 3ds, p, 1ds, Lg p, 1ds, p, 3ds, cl.

Ch. 8ds, p, 4ds, RW.** 

Repeat from *to** until total of four small rings, four large rings, and seven chains are made. 

Ch. 8ds, p, 4ds, RW.

R. 2ds, j (to p of first ring made), 2ds, cl, RW. 

Ch. 4ds, j (to free p of last chain made), 8ds.

R. 3ds, p, 1ds, Lg p, 1ds, p, 3ds, cl.

Ch. 8ds, j (to free p of very first chain made), 4ds, RW. 

Tie off to top of first ring made, base of first chain. Double knot, hide thread ends and trim thread. Iron. Stiffen with spray starch if desired. Attach ornament hook to any free large picot. 

If you make this ornament please share a photo or video with me (RustiKate) and your fellow tatters, we would love to see your creation! You can share photos and ask questions @ the RustiKate Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/rustikate/) 

A few of Katy's other patterns are available at: 

Etsy  

Craftsy 

Blocking and Stiffing Tatting

As lovely and delicate as tatting, and especially picots, can be, they can also be frustrating at times. If you have ever had to wash your tatting, stored it long term, or inherited tatting, you know that those lovely lace loops can get twisted every which way, and be nearly impossible to iron out flat. Also, you can run into this problem when you are starting out tatting, and are still working on figuring out even thread tension, or when making large or extra large picots.

A good way to undo the curly, twisty, loops that result, and to save your sanity (if your picots are doing this, than you know what I mean!) is to "block" them. Blocking with or without stiffening, is a good method to use to relatively rapidly, get your tatting looking beautiful and resting flat and elegantly again, as it should be.

Below are two videos, that I hope you will find helpful. One on blocking, and the other on the main kind of spray starch that I use (though often I do not use stiffeners at all). Also scroll past video links, for my grandma's sugar starch/stiffener recipe.

Blocking Tatting:

Stiffening Tatting:

 Recipe for Sugar Stiffener 

If you desire a strong stiffener, very stiff, and will not be getting item damp in the future, then sugar water stiffener is a good option for you. Here is the sugar water stiffener recipe that I inherited.

• 1cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄2cup water
• Put sugar and water in a pan. Cook and stir mixture continually, on low heat, until it becomes clear. Best not to let liquid boil. When liquid mixture becomes clear, remove from heat and cool.
• Dampen item, that you wish to stiffen, in fresh water. Then use towel to pat out extra water. Next, after sugar water has cooled, dip item in it, and gently squeeze or pat out extra sugar water. 
• If a flat item, lay tatting flat and let dry. If shaped, such as a basket, bowl, or three-d flower, then find an item that is desired shape and size and place tatting on/over item to use as mold. Let item dry, and then remove. 
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Tangled Thread - Needle Tatting - How to Prevent Tangled Thread

Tangled thread is all too familiar of a sight... 

...How can we "STOP" tangled thread? So many people struggle with the frustration of tangled thread in needle tatting. It is one of the top reasons that beginner tatters give up on tatting. I know I struggled with it at first. Over the years I have found that there are two main reasons for thread tangling. But there are a few basic things you can do to cut down on, and possibly remove all together, this problem. I made a short video (link below), to talk about this issue. Check it out, and see if it is helpful. I hope it will be! 

This video will give you tips on how to stop and prevent tangled threads in needle tatting. Katy talks about the main causes for tangled thread and what you can do about it. 

Tatted Medallion (Full Project Tutorial!) - Needle Tatting

I love this quick and easy tatted medallion. Great for beginner tatters and experts alike. Very versatile, with endless uses. Let your imagination run wild, and your creativity guide you. 

For a few of the medallions that I made, I  hand sewed them on to headbands, for a fun and casually cute look (see photos below). 

For full project tutorial please watch the video below. 

And remember, if at any point this video is moving too fast for you, and you would like to take it slower, and get a better look at what I just did or follow along, YouTube has a video speed adjuster/slow motion setting, that is great to make use of.

Happy Tatting!

~ Katy :)

Instructional Video: 

Wedding Dress - Dress it up With Tatting!

This upcycle wedding/white dress, is dressed up even more by the subtle embellishment of tatting, pearls, and vintage jewelry. I love working tatting into every project possible. Even the most subtle tatted touches, can be fabulous!

Style: 1950's style halter top

Brand: Handmade/upcycled

Color: White

Size: S

Skirt length: 20" (just above the knee)

Material: Cotton fabric, zipper, cotton tatting thread, vintage pearls/jewelry,thread, glue

This dress is also convertible. The tatted lace, vintage jewelry and pearl medallion/broach, was constructed to be easily added or removed, for a customizable look. I love being able to upcycle items like this, it is truly "echo chic" = environmentally friendly! 

Dress is available for a limited time on Etsy.com "Click Here" to see listing

PHOTOS: 

    

      

   

 

                 

Two Colors of Thread - Needle Tatting

Overwhelmingly, the question I have been asked the most in the last several month is, "How do I needle tat with two different colors of thread?" Here is a tutorial/how-to video on just that. I hope that you will find it helpful!

Yes, there are other methods, I find that this one is most convenient for me, and I use it most frequently, so I am starting with this method as the first tutorial on this subject. I will share more information about other methods in the future and/or upon request.

And remember, if at any point this video is moving too fast for you, and you would like to take it slower, and get a better look at what I just did or follow along, YouTube has a video speed adjuster/slow motion setting, that is great to make use of.

Happy Tatting!

~ Katy :)

P.S. I would love to see your creations and projects! You can share them with me on the RustiKate Facebook Page. 

Tatting - New Season of Needle Tatting Videos

I am so excited to share, that I am working on a new season of needle tatting videos! I have a new studio space, lots of new projects to share, and question from viewers to answer. The first video up, is my RustiKate Intro Video, but MANY OTHER WILL FOLLOW SOON!

Picot Gauge/Spacer - Make Your Own

One of my students made and shared this with me. She wanted a way to make extremely consistent picots, so she cut her card (library card, etc.) into different sized strips. Each then used as a gauge or spacer, for her picots. She tells me that this works great for her, and I hope that if you are looking for a way to practice your picot sizing consistence, that this will work for you too! 

My Students' Beautiful Workmanship (a Photo Album)

I am super proud of the creativity, effort, and skill, of my amazing tatting and arts and crafts students - well done!

Posted by RustiKate on Friday, March 25, 2016

Why is it Special? RustiKate's Tatting Needle

I like to use my own kind of tatting needle, when needle tatting. I prefer a 5” needle with a slightly pointed tip. I find this the best kind of needle, because I like to tat directly onto the edge of fabrics, linens, etc., instead of the traditional way by creating your tatting first and then had sewing it on afterword. Not only does it save time and effort, by tatting directly onto the object that you are wanting to edge (connect tatting to), but it also makes it easier to figure out the tatting dimensions you need to complete your project, because you can adjust your tatting to fit as you go. I simply love this method, and would never want to be without my special needle again. 

I have had people ask me what needle I use, and if they can get one themselves. This is it, and I make them myself. It is equivalent to a sized 5 (standard/mid-range) tatting needle. After having numerous people ask if they can get one, I have decided to make extra and offer them for sale on the RustiKate Esty Shop. If you are interested in purchasing one for yourself, please follow the link below, and I hope you will enjoy using it as much as I do!

Happy Tatting ~ Katy :) 

Link: RustiKate Etsy Shop 

Tatting - Best Needle Tatting Tip

Katy's secret "Special Step" in Needle Tatting 

Learn this simple step to make your tatting smoother, flatter, and stronger. Your tatting will lay more beautifully and require less ironing than it ever has before! 

Video Tutorial: 

Tatting - When You Run Out of Thread

     If you run out of thread, double knot where you stop, cut thread about 4” from work, hide thread ends in work, and snip off excess. 

Then simply rethread needle as before. Attach thread were you left off, by inserting needle where you wish to start, bring it up, and make a simple knot at the base of the work, leaving roughly 12” of free thread between the flush knot and the thread on the needle. Then place your needle against your previous work and begin to tat. 

When you run out of thread on your needle, before your project is completed, you need to add more thread. Learn how to tie off, hide thread ends, and add more thread easily, in needle tatting. Katy will show you how, step by step! 

Tatting - Knot

A basic knot should be placed at the end of each chain (Ch. and ring (R.) as it is completed, to secure it and maintain proper shape. At the completion of a project (or if you run out of thread), double knot where you stop, cut thread about 4” from work, hide thread ends in work, and snip off excess. 

Tatting - Close (cl.)

This refers to the forming of a ring (R.). Closing (cl.) is the removal of a ring’s stitches from the needle and the passing of the needle through the loop at the end of the thread’s tail. Tension is then put on the thread until the ring takes its proper shape. 

Tatting - Picot(p) and Double Stitch(ds)

Picot, the space that is left between double stitches, to form a loop. It is helpful to remember that a ds. (double stitch) is always counted as a stitch, even when it appears to be part of a picot.

Tatting - Reverse Work (RW.) in Needle Tatting

When starting a ring (R.), it should point towards the left (think of a wedding “ring” on the “left” hand). When starting a chain (Ch.), it should point towards the right. 

If directions state Not to Reveres Work (NRw.), or does not designate either Rw. or NRw., after a ring or chain, then do not reverse work.  Reversing work determines the way your tatting will lay, and the direction in which the work will go, so refer back to the project photo often, as a guide; especially on vintage patterns, as they may not always indicate this step in their directions. 

Learn how to reverse your work (RW.) in needle tatting, with ease. Katy will show you how, step by step!