Tatting is a more durable form of lace that is created with knots and loops. There are three different ways to do this. One way is needle tatting in which you use a special needle to put the lace on. The second is shuttle tatting and instead of a needle you use a special tool called a shuttle to help create the lace. The third is cro-tatting which combines needle tatting with crocheting. It is considered more difficult to do and doesn’t seem as popular in the States as it is in Japan.

I have a book called Learn Needle Tatting Step-by-Step that has color pictures along with the directions on how to learn. It has directions for left and right handers for the double stitch as well. Once you learn how to do this it is something you can do in front of the TV and make without having to think about it. I also have a book called Celtic Tatting Knots and Patterns. There are 12 original designs and it is for needle or shuttle tatters. The below website has both books along with a kit for the first book I mentioned.

http://www.hhtatting.com/category_results.cfm?Category=1