Tatting - How to Start and Hide End (no knot)

February 2019: Unfortunately, KZbin has now decided to remove annotations which means all my first silent but annotated videos, including this one, will be more difficult to understand without text. I will gradually have to remake these videos with sound but it will take a while.
This short video shows how to start tatting a ring and hide the tail end of your thread into the first few stitches. This is the way I always start my tatting when I'm not using the continuous thread method (which also avoids a knot at the beginning and has the great advantage of completely avoiding having to hide thread ends).

[@knackfulknitter]

As a tatter, I know what you are doing without any words. It is wonderful and might be what I need to start my 2nd round of your Victorian lace doily/collar tat along 2021!

[@11Frivole]

Hi Maria, have you also seen this other video about starting with no knots (this one has sound): kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXzKmGNqdpuCrJI

[@knackfulknitter]

@@11Frivole, I will take a look and save it as a favorite so I won’t forget. :-) xx

[@WhatsMarlyUpTo]

OK, so you don't have to start with a knot then! I like that!! Thanks for all your wonderfully helpful videos! What would I do without people like you? Or without the internet for that matter? LOL

[@11Frivole]

You are so welcome! Yes, much nicer to avoid knots as much as possible in tatting. And cannot agree with you more, the internet is so useful with all that information at our fingertips! :-)

[@11Frivole]

"Addiction" being the key word here Megan! I do hope you will enjoy it if you decide to start. There's such a lot of resources now available on the web, it's a great time to learn.

[@thecupcakefoxblog]

Wow this is really cool! I haven't even heard of tatting before, but now I think I will be able to get into it. Thanks for introducing me to a new potential addiction. :D

[@jkmaus]

That was a lovely demonstration of closing the flower. Thank you!!! So my next question is--how do you finish it off??? I think that is what my biggest trouble is. I start so many projects that remain unfinished because I don't understand how to 1. finish off and 2. hide the ends.

[@11Frivole]

Hi jkmaus, thank you for all your comments. Yes, this video shows a technique you would use when working a pattern that requires one shuttle only. If I needed to start with two shuttles, most of the time I would use the continuous thread method. If I was using two shuttles with two different colours, I would use this method but I would slip the thread of the second shuttle into the first ring before tightening it. Then tat over the new tail with the first few stitches of the first chain.

[@jkmaus]

Ok I just realized my comments are getting put onto the wrong video, no clue why. Anyway, this vid shows a single thread emerging from the bottomof the ring when you close it. Where do you go from there? You can only do single-shuttle patterns with this particular method, correct?

[@m8i8n]

Wow you tat at lightning speed!