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3nstrurtimta for dattimt

As will be judgcd, thc simplest form of tatting is the ring which is madc with one shuttle, and when a chain is introduccd, the sccond shuttle is requircd. In learning to tat, the knot is madę on thc shuttle thread, and not with it though all thc action is taken with thc shuttle thread, shown in illustration No. 3. A sccond important fact to rcmember is that the shuttle thread is pullcd taut bcforc thc knot is tightened.

First, wind thc thread around thc bobbin in thc shuttle, layer over laycr, but the thread should nevcr cxtend over thc edge.

To make a ring:    Hołd thc shuttle between thc thumb and forefinger of thc right hand as shown. Hołd thc

end of thc thread between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand and pass it around thc fingers of this hand, not too tightly, Crossing it under thc thumb. It is with this loop of thread that thc ring is worked and this is callcd the ring thread. Throw thc shuttle thread over thc right hand as in illustration No. I. Pass thc shuttle between the first and second fingers of left hand under thc shuttle and ring threads and back ovcr ring thread, allow-ing the ring thread to fali slack by bringing thc four fingers of the left hand together. Puli shuttle thread taut. then o pen thc fingers of    thc    left hand until thc loop is caught with the thumb, as shown    in No. 3.

For thc sccond half,    thc    thread is dropped    instead of raiscd, shuttle is passed over    the left-hand thread    in-

stead of under (as bcforc), is brottght through bclow, between the two threads (as before) and drawn up in the same way. (Illustration No. 2.) Illustration    No. A shows thc    second half of stitch slipping into    place beside

thc first half.

This group is callcd a double stitch and is the main stitch uscd in tatting. In making this, it will be found that by pulling thc shuttle thread and then the ring thread. the stitch slips back and forth on the shuttle thread. If it does not, thc stitch has bcen loeked and must bc madę ovcr again.

Illustration No. 5 shows a picot which is    madę by    lcaving a    spacc of thread between thc stitches,    and to join

two picots, draw thc working thread through    the picot    and pass    shuttle through loop. Then draw up    close to re-

scmblc a half stitch, but not to bc countcd as one.

Two shuttles arc requircd to make a design having    a chain.    Tie thc threads together and hołd    between thc

thumb and second finger    of    thc left hand and    with the first finger outstrctched. wind the thread    around it    two

or threc times, allowing    thc    second shuttle to    drop as on No. 6. The stitches for the    chain arc    madc with    thc

thread between the first and second fingers in thc same way as thosc for thc rings.

ABBREYIATIONS IN TATTING

r st—revcrsc stitch. sl st—slip stitch. ds—double stitch. r—ring.

p—picot. ch—chain. s ch—short chain. 1 ch—long chain. lp—long picot.

j—join, joincd, joining. sp—space. cl—close. sep—separated. p ch—picot chain.

Ir—large ring. sr—smali ring.

Ip ch—long picot chain. sk—skip.

NOTES

All beginners should usc coarsc thread to sce work better.

Ncver break off thread after winding shuttle if dircctions cali for chain (ch). When a shuttle has a point or hook, bc carcful to keep point forward. Rings arc to be madc close together unlcss dircctions cali for space (sp). A ring is always to be drawn close unless otherwise stated. Spacc mcans to allow thread between last ring and ncw one. When making mcdallions. doilics. or centcrpicccs. the work will be lovelier and easier to do if it is pressed cvery two or three rows. in the desired form. and to do this place on a thick pad, shape, and press ovcr a damp cloth. and then a dry one. until thc piece is dry. This will show how the work is going, and will keep it from bcing too fuli or too tight.

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