Shuttle Tatting Tips: 4 Techniques to Improve Your Tatting

[@penniah]

Learned to tat years ago and had always just accepted that rings and chains would always be reversed. This is a game changer! Especially when I realized what you meant by unflipped - i.e. not transferring the stitch! I am all exclamation marks! - and apparently a stitchery nerd of the first order. My son thought there was something wrong with me, when I understood and was all, “Oh! Oh! I get it!” on the sofa. I was that excited.

[@SparrowSpite]

Haha! I love that you got excited about it because I was just as excited when I first figured it out years ago!

[@themaddtatter6679]

I love the fidgeting aspect of tatting and the amount of brain power involved when you get into not reversing your work and such.👍❤ Thankyou for sharing your time and talent with us as always.

[@SparrowSpite]

So true! Thank you for supporting and watching!

[@conniecondra4535]

I tried both your posted ring and nested chains and love the way they improve the look of the piece-so much smoother .

[@monisolaelliott9346]

I’m left handed and had to teach myself shuttle and needle tatting. I hold the shuttle in my left hand when I’m shuttle tatting but I needle tat with the needle in the right like most people. I’m trying to learn bobbin lace at the moment.

[@Lindaraemiess]

I love all of these techniques and am now using them regularly. I like how these all make my tatting looks smoother and flatter. Thank you.

[@SparrowSpite]

Glad you like them!

[@BeeBalm001]

Love your tips and I use most of them. Working on a gigantic table doily right now and concentrating on frontside/backside tatting. It really makes a difference. I too learned from my grandmother.

[@gigliola-dy2gl]

Hi from Italy! Thank you for your precious tips!

[@TheTugboatgirl]

Thank you so much. I know most of these techniques but never really used them, I now see why they are important. I especially love the posting technique and will now be using all if them. You do such amazing beautiful work. Love it. Please keep doing these videos

[@SparrowSpite]

Glad it was helpful! I have every intention of continuing :)

[@michaelmaxgierl2887]

Love these! I’m going to try out stitching my chains like that. I don’t quite understand the extra half stitch thing you mentioned, but I’ll have another listen with a project in front of me. Thanks for the video.

[@SparrowSpite]

It definitely makes more sense with a project in front of you!

[@teresagrzeskowiak8359]

I like your chain, did your grandmother teach you that? I taught myself to tat 51 years ago from a learn to book, over the years I have refined my tatting. Love all of your ideas.

[@SparrowSpite]

The reverse chain method is something I came up with on my own, but I’m sure I’m not the only one out there who’s thought of it! Glad you found the video useful 🙂

[@TamLou64]

Wow, you do that so effortlessly. The end result is amazing! I know nothing about how to do tatting but I think your collar is absolutely gorgeous.♥️♥️♥️

[@ericaschultz3583]

I just found your channel a couple days ago, and my tatting is already looking better! Soon, my tension will even out on unflipped chains, and I will be so happy! Thank you for sharing.

[@Anna-mh9pg]

Thank you for sharing 🤗 I’m using the posted rings & nested chains and it does make a difference 😮Next I’ll be trying to tat the chains “your way” :)

[@SparrowSpite]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@marym2811]

Your tatting is so beautiful! I taught myself the very basics when I was a teen, and now want to try ti emulate your beautiful work - but it's a lost cause. You are too good! Thank you for the videos!

[@cierrawilson2850]

I finally just got the hang of the posted rings a couple days ago, and they make such a difference!

[@SparrowSpite]

hooray!

[@dianelawrence4315]

I always post the shuttle for the reason you mentioned: if I have to reopen the ring it's much easier. I also do all my chains with two shuttles and do the reverse, unflipped stitches. It saves so much time to not have to reverse work and wind and unwind the shuttle every time. I really like how the finished piece looks to be all front-sided. Thanks for your video!

[@linter6007]

thank you so much for all these tips. I started to use them and the half stich before closing the ring is my favorite one.

[@SparrowSpite]

You are so welcome!

[@kelizlees4866]

Thank you, the unflipped chain has helped me a lot, along with right side working my work is looking much better, thank you❤️

[@SparrowSpite]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@martyvadala5724]

I just found you on Facebook I’m so happy you are dedicated to this wonderful craft…I love tatting too

[@janeb1438]

I've never seen this before. The collar was beautiful. Wow!

[@workthentravel]

I heard about tatting from my grandmother but never really learned it. This is so cool!

[@annekeschep8148]

Great tips! I am going to try these out and see the difference in real life. I subscribed and I am going to binge watch. I am looking for a specific technique you probably show in one of your tutorials. Thanks👍

[@SparrowSpite]

Which technique are you looking for? If I do have it up I can point you in the right direction :)

[@annekeschep8148]

@@SparrowSpite I was looking for an easy way how to connect the last ring with the first ring, keeping all the stitches flat. I found a tip; folding the work and how to connect correctly with that first picot. I learned tatting from my aunt, but only the very basics: rings, picots, chains. It was only one lesson! Decades later I learned more techniques (KZbin, books) and more possibilities; it reignited my interest. But I only tat sporadically, as I work more with paper. Sometimes I add little tatted butterflies or flowers on my handmade cards. Thanks 👍

[@Panneapple]

Posted rings!! My rings almost always look a little off when I close them and I figured it was simply my fault because I couldn't get the right tension on those stitches (which, to be fair, might be a part of the problem), and I thought it would all get better once I worked on that, but I just tried the extra half stitch and dropping the shuttle in and the difference is staggering! The ring looks so pretty and neat now... I can't wait to integrate this technique in my next project! Unfortunately, as I'm a beginner, the part about two shuttles unflipped chains and nested chains kind of flew straight over my head... I'll have to revisit this video when I have a little more experience and can properly understand what's shown/explained here. Thank you so much for all the tips!

[@cyndieastland2190]

I admire you so much I wish I could pick this art form up. I’ve been trying on and off for years and can’t get it. You amaze me thank you for sharing your craft.

[@SparrowSpite]

Don't give up! Have you looked at my courses on Patreon? They're all video format that you can watch any time!

[@carriem9510]

You came up on my TikTok, and I think I want to learn this. It looks so neat!

[@SparrowSpite]

you should! It's very neat, and very fun!

[@anaritasilvarodriguescosta1602]

Thank you for all tips!! I specially loved number 1 and 3!! 👍👍👍 Thank you!!

[@SparrowSpite]

Glad you like them!

[@JannekeKuijer]

It took me a while but now i finally understand the technique s and use them. You really have to get used to the non flipped stitches on the chains. Thanks for the lessons. I do watch the tat a longs without making the piece while working on my own tatting. it’s nice to hear the comments and see you work and giving tips and tricks. I hope you feel better. I try to improve my tatting because i want to make a nightgown with a tatted yoke. I have to practice more and i think reading an old written pattern is also a challenge for me. Do you ever make yokes?

[@melvaleventhal5231]

Lovely work 😊

[@kaylee9615]

I have to say...I am giving myself a pat on the back for already figuring out how to do most of these hahaha Except the posted ring...that one will be put to use on the earrings I am making right now though!

[@SparrowSpite]

Would love to know what you think of it! :D

[@isra9862]

I've been watching and loving your videos for a few years but I was scared to try tatting myself because it looked hard but 2 days ago I bought a pair of shuttles and today I was trying it for the first time. Flipping the stitches are so annoying and you saying that I don't have to do it is insane. As soon as I figure out how I can alter the patterns to do it your way, I won't go back lol.

[@blazers447]

Omg you need to make new tips videos- your work is amazing and I want to know more. Also you’re just really awesome and I love all your videos

[@SparrowSpite]

Thank you! I definitely want to add more tips videos here!

[@SparkleKnits]

This is so helpful, thank you!

[@judymarkel8029]

Very good information. Thank you

[@braveheartlioness]

Beautiful!

[@gonzaarajulia]

Hola, gracias por tus videos, son muy buenos, quisiera saber como terminas tus trabajos, escondes los hilos o solo anudas y cortas..?,¿como logras que el tejido no se desate? es lo que mas me cuesta, gracias

[@estherjacqueline8625]

Thank you.

[@gayatribhatt4156]

Thank you for sharing important tips it's more helpful to make our tatting work very net & finished , thank you again from India 🇮🇳 Happy new year 🎉 ✨️ to you & your family

[@SparrowSpite]

My pleasure 😊 Happy new year!

[@valeriereinholtz4523]

It was very good to watch. I dntk if when u go thru the shuttle

[@aslprobro]

never heard of tatting. As crocheter/ knitter, I'm fascinated! I'm definitely going to be giving this a try. Would you recommend using fingering weight wool yarn?

[@SparrowSpite]

I would not, I actually recommend using a tatting cotton, especially for beginners, as yarn is too fuzzy and stretches too much. I have a blog post about the difference between tatting cotton and yarns/crochet cotton on pocketcraftsclub.com for more info.

[@aslprobro]

@@SparrowSpite thank you!!!! 😊

[@maelenaramirez5778]

Gracias ❤ saludos desde Tabasco México 30 años tejiendo frivolite amo frivolite

[@rla8125]

Do you still block your items with beads? I've always used some sort of blocking, but I find it a little more complicated to block or stiffen when I use beads. Just wondering what you do

[@SparrowSpite]

Yes I do! When I use beads, I typically only "tat in" small seed beads, and then any larger crystals or elements are sewn on after, so I can do my usual steam blocking (very carefully!) between these steps.

[@darlynhayduk2072]

I learned to tat over 20 years ago but didn't perfect my technique back then. Now I'm picking it back up. I appreciate the finesse and perfection of your tips. I wish that you went a wee bit slower... also, we're looking at your beautiful piece but it would be helpful if you pointed to the stitch with a needle (or the point of the shuttle) that you're explaining...for us sudo newbies...lol.

[@SparrowSpite]

Thank you for the feedback, I will keep that in mind. :) For the speed, you can actually adjust the playback speed in the KZbin player, so that it's a bit slower.

[@lessiansaralonde620]

Regarding point three, nested chains. do you put the extra half stich at the end of the first chain or the start of the second chain? I cant even see it in your example here. I tried doing both options and they both did not look good. I tried every one of these tips and not a one of them improved my work, some of the points actually made it look worse.

[@peachbunni3]

I FOUND YOU!! I follow you on tick tock and now I found you here!

[@SparrowSpite]

You did, indeed! Welcome to my not so secret secret channel lol

[@patris.3012]

Where can I find the tutorial for the piece exposed in the mannequin??

[@unrightist]

Idk why but I've never actually watched a video from Sparrow and did not expect them to sound like that xD.

[@Janneke50]

I, m trying to use your techniques. Do you post the ring also when you make a josephine knot. Thank you for your tips🇳🇱👋🏻

[@SparrowSpite]

Yes I do! I actually don't do josephine knots that often, but when I do I do post them!

[@1avdwgn]

How do you make joints when tatting a chain made of unflipped stitches ... ?

[@lillianyeung2004]

Thanks for the tips, interesting. :D

[@SparrowSpite]

Thanks for watching!

[@MsLunaMaeMoon]

I have a few questions but I don't know how to phrase it. Im trying to wrap my brain around nested chain and ride side of the piece do you still reverse work?

[@SparrowSpite]

If you are making unflipped chains, then no you do not reverse work. If you are making traditional flipped chains (as you would if you were using a single shuttle and ball thread) then yes, you will still need to reverse work. It makes a lot more sense when you actually try it, so don't be afraid to play around with it!

[@stevemichael8186]

ah i follow you on tik tok this is the first time ive seen your youtube, you inspired me to learn tatting

[@SparrowSpite]

Glad you found me here!

[@stevemichael8186]

@@SparrowSpite me too i love your style because i love black lace so i started on christmas eve right now i have lung damage so tatting is pretty much the only thing i have strength for minus a little crochet

[@stevemichael8186]

@@SparrowSpite just got the jubilee pattern

[@SparrowSpite]

Excellent! I hope you enjoy making it!

[@sabsi4137]

Thanks for your videos, especially this one. Now, I just have a question in general: When you start a new round, do you use the rest yarn left on the shuttles and tat over the ends or do you wind a new complete thread on them? Sometimes, I struggle when tatting over the ends or sewing them in.

[@SparrowSpite]

It really just depends on the piece for me and how much thread I have left on the shuttles. If it's a small amount of thread left and I know I will need more I will usually just wind new. Have you seen my video on hiding ends? It may help you with working them in easier. :)

[@sabsi4137]

@@SparrowSpite Thank you for your reply. Just watched the video on hiding ends - it helps a lot 👍👍👍

[@workplacedng7519]

Thank you for sharing, it is very useful and I have benefited a lot. I would like to ask you how you handle the ends of the thread when you finish knitting?🥰

[@SparrowSpite]

Hi there! I have a video on hiding ends here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYrOZmh-Z9WkaqM

[@aliciascott3176]

THANK YOU

[@flowerjoy2090]

You mentioned other advanced lessons. Are those videos available?

[@SparrowSpite]

They are available as part of my course on Patreon at patreon.com/getknotty :)

[@manishagahlot9601]

Hi ! Thank you for sharing techniques that make a world of difference. Could you please guide on joining two lengths of laces to make a wider piece, please. Thank you

[@SparrowSpite]

I'd be happy to help with that if I can! Just to be clear are you asking about adding length, or adding width?

[@manishagahlot9601]

@@SparrowSpite Thank you so very much. I meant making a length of a basic design and then enhancing the width by joining sideways. So, if a design is half an inch in width, we keep adding that half inch to get the required width, the second piece is added on top or bottom of the length.the length remains the same.

[@SparrowSpite]

Got it! There are of course a few different ways you can do this, so I'll work on getting some info up for you soon :)

[@manishagahlot9601]

@@SparrowSpite Thank you so much. It would be a dream come true. It has been on my list for so long. God bless you.

[@boundandchained]

So for nested chains done unflipped, would you do two first halves of unflipped/second halves of regular, or first half of a regular stitch, then do a reversed double stitch? (So like… shuttle over then under twice, or under over, over under?) (this is difficult to describe 😂)

[@SparrowSpite]

In my nested unflipped chains I do first half (nesting stitch) then begin the second half/first half pattern. Does that help?

[@amandab5195]

Thanks so much for a great video!! I''m trying to get my head around this issue too... would you do first half at the end of a chain to nest it, then the ring, then the second half before continuing with the next chain? I don't have the problem of the knots fighting for space but more that there is a wee gap with single thread visible.... Thanks in advance for your help!! :-)

[@twistedpixie6972]

4:53 “Because it’s fast and I’m impatient.” Can I use this and make it my new mantra for my ADHD brain and how I love instant gratification? If not, it’s cool. Just cool to find someone else who gets it. 💜 Danielle (they/she)

[@alinahavlishyna2389]

Amazing

[@dianeomalley2059]

Do you teach how to do tatting for beginners

[@dianeomalley2059]

❤❤

[@SparrowSpite]

I do! My lessons can be found on patreon at patreon.com/getknotty

[@normalchaos]

When blocking a piece, do you ever use a stiffener to help the piece hold it's shape?

[@SparrowSpite]

Usually only on pieces that need to be solidified into a hard form with a glue solution to keep their shape, like the crowns that I make. For most pieces, no.

[@normalchaos]

@@SparrowSpite Thank you so much!

[@littlepix101]

I guess I have to block my work.... Do you count a join as a stitch?

[@SparrowSpite]

I personally do not count a join, but some people do. It's really just most important to be consistent either way you choose!

[@sab3508]

Do you think you'll restock the beginners kit?

[@SparrowSpite]

I absolutely will be, yes! I'm just waiting on a shipment of supplies that's been delayed, but hopefully before the end of the month!

[@laurenestubbs]

What size thread do you use most? I’m a newbie.

[@SparrowSpite]

Size 10, mostly! A few of my projects are done in size 20 or size 3, but I rarely use anything other than 10.

[@hjkennaugh]

I enjoyed your tips but I would find it very helpful if you could slow everything down just a bit. You are obviously very familiar with what you are saying but to be able to learn what you are showing it is a bit too fast. Your work is absolutely beautiful and I would love to learn from you. Thank you.

[@SparrowSpite]

Hello! This video was intended to be more of an introduction/overview to these techniques, and less an actual instruction video. My teaching lessons can be found through the Get Knotty Patreon here: www.patreon.com/getknotty

[@tashspond]

Don’t you have to do this when you reverse? How do you work on the bottom without reversing?

[@SparrowSpite]

Which technique are you specifically referring to?

[@tashspond]

@@SparrowSpite when reversing work, especially when doing mirroring loops, if I don’t also reverse the stitches, doesn’t it look backwards? It looks sort of backwards to me. I have to reverse and work backwards for them to look correct. Am I doing it wrong?

[@valerietham7295]

❤❤❤❤

[@arunarchith3540]

Cant see any work, script is on the work more bigger in size

[@aykz4204]

😍❤👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@braveheartlioness]

*JOHN 14:6* Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

[@maryburt3114]

I came to learn to tat not watch a freak show.

[@SparrowSpite]

It's a two-for-one! And lucky for you I don't even charge admission! What a deal! 🙂