I don't like such long periods of silence in my blog! So here's a quick peek into how I tat
Like many tatters, I have an individual way of tatting and of all the videos I've watched so far, none comes close. Some day I might make a video to show my tatting hold and movements, but here's one uploaded by Beth Vawter - https://youtu.be/Q23FakixLp0. I, too, follow my knitting style for both crochet and tatting!
In answer to a query, I had shared these 2 pics in Craftree many years back showing how I wrap the ball/knotting thread only once around my pinky when tatting a chain!
On rare occasions when I cannot get the required tension, I wrap it twice (below). The spacing out is deliberate to illustrate the wrap clearly.
I find this very comfortable and those who have arthritis might find it similarly comfortable. My pinky has never to date been starved of blood or felt tired 😁 and I save time by that single wrap.
For crochet I was taught to wrap thread multiple times around my index finger and it used to put me off because the blood supply would be hampered. Until I used my knitting wrap around pinky and now I don't mind crocheting!
Do you wrap thread multiple times around the pinky or just once, when tatting?
Twice I think. So automatic I can’t even tell you. But I do know that I use my index finger for tensioning instead of the correct or traditional middle finger.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that we both use the middle finger for the punch, Jane, and will look more carefully for your pinky now 🥰 I haven't been able to change the finger pinch either 😃
DeleteI was taught a different way - the best 'match' is (if I remember correctly) from the Modern Priscilla book(s) of around 1908 or 1909, but even then, it's somewhat modified. Not sure if this is what's called the 'Riego' method or not. The lady who taught me to tat told me to wrap the thread around my hand the same way for a chain as for a ring. The only difference is when you let go of the ring, it is actually a *ring.* When you let go of the chain, since the core thread and the thread around your hand are two different threads, it forms a chain. I find this very comfortable, even with arthritis in my hands. The whole 'hold' is somewhat different from the 'usual' tatter's way of holding the thread, though. It may not be quite as fast as the 'slip and slide' method, but it works well for me. If I teach someone to tat, I usually teach them the 'normal' way of doing it, because it makes it easier for them to learn new techniques if they don't have to try to figure out how to do it PLUS adapt what they're seeing to a completely different way of holding and manipulating the thread(s).
ReplyDeleteStephanieW
This is truly interesting, Stephanie! 🥰 After all in needle tatting both ring and chain start the same way. I can't wait to give it a try - makes logical sense doesn't it!
DeleteI looked up Priscilla 1909 and see that the right hand pinky is used for tensioning the core thread!
So many ways so many paths ... all leading to the same beautiful lace 😍
I agree, muskaan. Like you, the number of my 'pinky wraps' (1 or 2) depends on the tension I need. Some years ago Georgia and Palmettos(?) made a CD of numerous hand wraps and movements. It was fascinating to watch what other tatters did. You may be able to get a copy.
ReplyDeleteOh good to know, Judith!💕 I considered myself the black sheep of tatting since I haven't come across the way I tat 😁
DeleteGot a chance to watch the sample of "Tatting Hands" (link in my Resources page) where Georgia had shared details in the LaceIOLI site. Fun to see what goes on behind each lace 😍