A book of basics with very basic patterns for the novice tatter, it does contain a few extras. There are really good illustrations of the basic stitches and techniques, a hexagonal template for pinning out and a very good diagram and photos showing the difference between a round center ring made traditionally and made with a mock picot.

The patterns include earring, snowflakes and suncatchers with very simple ring and chain combinations. But there is an intriguing heart edging (or insertion) with lots of lacy picots (excellent place for the beginner to learn the use of a picot gauge). And the Snowflake Ornament pattern takes a familiar old-time pattern and presents it with a fresh look as a six-point snowflake, a square motif, combined and expanded to an eight inch doily and a 16-repeat table mat. Excellent adaptations that are very well constructed.

The book I *DO* recommend to beginners who don't have access to another human to show the flip is Rozella Linden's (Ruth Perry) "Easy Tatting". I've mailed that book to more people than I can remember. I think it does show a clear explanation of capsizing the knot. I add to my email buddies who are beginning tatters that "It's -ALL- in the 'twang'." I say that if they can get that shuttle thread tensioned enough to twang, then they'll be in the right position to wiggle that double stitch into place with the other hand.

"Easy Tatting" is a wonderful boook for all beginning tatters. This book covers all the basics of tatting which includes: supplies for tatting, learning to create the double stitch, rings, chains, picots, simple use of beads, joins, fold-over joins, and lock joins. All the patterns in this book are all wonderful as first patterns. Starting out with simple rings, moving on to medallions and snowflakes, to doiles. I highly recommend this book to first-time tatters for its wonderful instructions, easy patterns, and its low price.

This book starts with a how to tat section (with drawings of hands), plus a long list of abbreviations (including 3 sizes of picots and the measurements for each size), and tips telling how the patterns are written. The patterns are given "difficulty" ratings. There is also information on laundering and starching your work. Patterns are written in short form, but you will want to mark your place with a sticky note for ease of following along each round.

Many of the patterns are for Christmas tree use - snowflakes, including 3edgings 1 treetop "star/snowflake," 22 motifs (heart, a bell et al) "pinafore" edging, 10 Christmas ball covers, 4 "notepaper" patterns, 4 pincushion edgings, a picture frame, a handkerchief edging, and a little felt needlecase with tatted "embellishments." I bought the book primarily for the ball covers and note paper, but worked several of the "motifs" as well. Photographs are black and white and ball covers show detail pretty well. Motifs are white on black background, but you cannot see stitches. (Technology was not as advanced back then, I guess.) I like this book, and I think it's worth having in my tatting "library."

Copyright 1917 by Lillian Frances Brown, Boston, MA, this antique needlework booklet was produced by the Dexter Yarn Co. Pawtucket, RI and the introduction featured a description of their 100 years of progress. Five pages of the booklet contained tatting patterns, pages 10, 12 -15. It may be freely copied and shared.

"FINE CROCHET AND TATTING" #259 (10 Cent book)©1949, The Spool Cotton Company, New York First Edition 15 pages, about 1/2 of the book is tatting. There are collars, edgings, doilies and a lovely star-shaped doily on pg. 6. Some have been reprinted in other books.

Published originally in Swedish as Frivoliteter in 1967, The Dover publication was reprinted in 1988 and is slightly abridged from the English version published in 1974. Black-and-white, patterns are in short form, no diagrams. Size of finished piece is given (if worked in the recommended thread). Patterns include edgings, doilies, table mats, "stars" (I'd call them medallions), collars, bookmarks, three "bridal crowns," and other items. There is a section of more "advanced" patterns at the back of the book mostly doilies, but the crowns are back there, too. I really like this book

Most of the patterns have diagrams and I managed to find translations of some of the words on the internet that help with the instructions. Some of the patterns and designs shown are quite unusual pieces, but not all the items shown have patterns given. A nice book, but a bit of a challenge due to language difficulties.

It is a lovely little book. The photos are quite good and I like your explanation of the Rhoda Auld method of adding beads. Your crafting how-2 of putting the flowers into stems is easy to understand also. The tatting techniques are all basic and the combo of the crafting and the tatting to create the 3-d effect is one which I think will encourage the beginning and intermediate tatter to start thinking beyond a straight line.

This book is a translation of the Tatting section of "Ich Kann Handarbeiten"http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/donnerschnebel.jpg (I can do handwork [or] I know handwork) -the whole book was reprinted as "Handarbeiten wie zu Grossmutters Zeit" (Hand work as in Grandmother's time). Ms. Chesno has made this into a little 35-page booklet, with an introductory section at the front. The information and basic tatting instructions flows smoothly into the patterns. (I guess the original German book was a how-to book, because patterns are in a logical, orderly progression from simple to more complex.)

Illustrations are drawn for all, or almost all, of the patterns. There are 37 "illustrations" in the book, so there are probably 27 "patterns" (some of the illustrations are in the how-to part of the beginning material). I bought the book mainly to see what tatting was like in Germany - literally in MY grandmother's day. I don't know if she knew how to tat, but she DID do a lot of handwork. Patterns are a little hard for me to figure out, but ANY vintage-era pattern seems to be hard for me to work at first. There are some really pretty things in here: medallions, edgings, and insertions. Some of the "wide" edgings look really nice on a hankie when tatted in very small thread.

I received the most wonderful tatting book for Christmas, a reprint edition from Germany containing two foundational works by Tina Frauberger. Her Handbuch Der Schiffchenspitze (1917) and her II Band Des Handbuches Der Schiffchenspitze (1921). I have wanted these books for a long time. Actually I wanted the first one and for a while thought the second one might just be a later printing of the first, but that is not the case. Though I do not read German using Babel Fish I feel confident in referring to this reprint as containing volumes one and two of the Manual of Tatting. Schiffchenspitze translates as Boat Point [ed's note: "spitze" is also German for "lace"] which refers to the shape of the shuttle and to lace, thus tatting).

Volume one has two forwards, volume two has one. Volume one also has an introduction. After this both volumes have the following sections:

Both volumes have a few images that do not have patterns, but just a few. My copy came with a supplement (Nachtrag) giving the missing patterns at the beginning and towards the end of the first volume. I love the word for the diagrams, Wortbild, (word picture). There are many examples of what I would call edgings, insertions and motifs, but there are also several doilies or mats. Many of the patterns are built from earlier patterns. An interesting historical suprise to me is that even though there are no patterns given there are illustrations of tatting with beads, this in 1917.

Overall I find the patterns to be brilliant and especially beautiful. I must put Tina Frauberger amongst the top of my list of designers. The symbols and method of presenting the patterns is very different from anything I have seen elsewhere, and in some ways perhaps a little more intuitive, from my perspective. Dealing with an unfamiliar language and set of symbols, I had to deal with paragraphs indicating the use of an earlier pattern with additions or exceptions. I am planning my first project which is square mat (doily) built on what the designer calls Kronen (Crowns).

Minimal text so it isn’t too much of a challenge as all patterns have diagrams. It’s all hanky or placemat edgings, and they are pretty. It’s a small book, but a very nice one.

This book contains a little bit of "everything." There's a round doily, a heart-shaped one, a couple simple edgings, a "medallion yoke" (looks like a square collar to me), baby bootees, some snowflakes, napkin rings, candlestick "frill", a rosary, bookmark, a few Christmas items, a "snowflake" collar (a round collar with snowflake medallions - it's cute), a handkerchief edging that's simple but pretty, napkin rings, and a couple sachets.

Photographs inside the book are black-and-white. The back cover has small color versions of the same photos that are inside the book. Patterns are written in "long" form. There are no diagrams. The two sachets are a little strange (to me, at least) - one is part tatted and part crocheted, the other is all crochet (a little odd - to me - to see a crochet pattern in a tatting book). At the end of the book there is a section on crochet technique, but no tatting technique information. Some of the patterns make me wonder if they are reprints of "vintage" patterns, others are "new" designs, but still pretty. (For example, the baby bootees are almost identical to a "vintage" pattern I found online - they are so similar you can't tell them apart unless you check the stitch count on one or two of the rows. The pattern seemed to be re-worded in more "modern" terms, though (a benefit, to be sure. Some of those "antique" patterns can be really hard to figure out.)

The book is ok, but sometimes the "long form" patterns get so complicated that you have to either rewrite it in short form, diagram it and use the diagram to tat from, or just ignore the pattern and tat by looking at the picture after you get the general idea of the thing. This was a real problem for a friend who has been tatting for about a year. We spent quite a lot of time "deciphering" the instructions. Someone with more experience would probably not have so much difficulty with the way the patterns are written. THIS tatter prefers fewer/shorter directions and a good diagram, maybe with a technical drawing included for something that's hard to express in words.

Il Chiacchierino #2 This is a tatting-book in Italian with 23 patterns, each with at least one black-and-white picture. It was published 1955 by the makers of Ancora threads the so-called "Ancora - Filati da Ricamo". It has clear directions. On page 1 we can find illustrated how to tat and on the last page there is a list of abbreviations. There are also some funny drawings of the 50's. I am afraid it is no longer available. What I liked the most were the gloves, I wonder if they fit all sizes. I will let you know when I finish them!

Judi Banashek’s Impeccable Tatting is a technical reference, there are no patterns. After a first reading the book can be used as like any other well organized reference. The book is broken into three main sections: Terminology & Clarification Section; Ends Be Gone Tatting Strategies Section; Planning A New Path. These are followed by four short articles. Most of the articles are in the form of charts dedicated to specific techniques. In my opinion this is one of the best features of the book.

The first section is dedicated to terminology and basic techniques. I still find the article and chart on joins helpful. The final article covers what the author calls Impeccable Front Side (tatting).The second section has three main subsections: Attaching new thread; Concealing Thread Ends; Strategies for Uncut Mobility. The third section, Planning a New Path, is a short guide to planning a path through the pattern so you can implement the techniques from the second section. There is a short fourth section consisting of four articles; three on picots and one entitled “Excellence in Tatting.”

I recommend this one to beginners.

In her third book, Iris Niebach has designed a triangular pattern, Iris, which she uses in multiples to create blocks or individually for edgings. She has cleverly adapted the same design to create a gorgeous butterfly, too!

The book starts with Q & A "about" split rings, then has a how-to section (it looks like she uses the "turn the ring upside down" method), then goes into the patterns. She seems to prefer doing 2-color split rings (I like mine better with 1 color - no problem, just wind 2 shuttles CTM and work the patterns as written). If you DON'T use 2 different colors, be sure to use shuttles that are different colors, as she specifies "color A" and "color B" in the patterns. You are told how much thread is needed on the shuttle and how much is needed on the ball (great to know if you're using "leftover" thread for making the alphabet letters).

Patterns in the book include the ENTIRE alphabet (great for initials on things), a cross bookmark, a doily (made with the same cross as the bookmark but joined together), a snowflake/star, and a collar. Patterns are not difficult to work if you're familiar with split rings. Photographs are in black and white, and show enough detail to see what you're supposed to be doing, but not enough detail to count stitches.

Mary McCarthy, editor of the tatting newsletter "KNOTS!", has published a compilation of previous issues (Vol. 2 #2 through Vol. 3 #1) from the time period of Nov. 1995 through Sept. 1996. Filled with tatting patterns, tips and tales from tatters, it is a good way for newer tatters to catch up on what they've been missing.

64 pages, fantstically bright and beautiful color photographs on all but about 9 pages, in German. This is a manual in the style of the work of the famous German tatting designer, Helma Siepman. I believe these are her former students. This entire book is dedicated to freeform tatting and concentrates on the formation of picture tatting composed of floral motifs. Absolutely inspirational for the tatter ready to work outside the realm of patterns.

The instructions for needle tatting in this book are fantastic! Barbara Foster explains things so clearly that even I was able to sit down and tat with a needle almost immediately. The patterns in the book are pretty, and the directions are very clear. NOTHING in the book is difficult to make. (I'd rather shuttle tat, but even that is not a problem, as the patterns can be worked with a shuttle, too - with the possible exception of one small butterfly.) This book is so easy to understand that I was even able to teach someone how to needle-tat even though I really don't remember how to do it myself! If you want to learn needle tatting, this is an excellent book to get.

35 pages Booklet. The General Information Page gives a list of Coats & Clark threads suitable for tatting; paragraph on shuttles; winding shuttles; and, a list of Abbreviations used in the patterns. Pages 1-10 have drawings of how to tat rings, chains, picots, joining. The use of Ball and Shuttle threads is covered along with joining the thread and whip stitching ends.

Reverse work is covered along with Josephine Knot, long Picot and using two shuttles. There is a page of helpful hints and how to block and launder, complete with photos. My favorite page is page 16 The comparative sizes of one motif worked in different sizes of thread, tatted in sizes, 70, 50,40, 30, 20, 10, Pearl Cotton and knit-Cro-Sheen shown in actual sizes. Along with edgings, place mats, shade pulls are bookmarks, motif for pillow top, and two doilies. It is a small format booklet crammed with a lot of information. Something to watch for on e-bay! The directions are very good for beginning tatters.

This booklet includes instructions for both right-handed AND left-handed beginners. I pretty much ignored the how-to section, because I already had been tatting for years when I bought the book. Pictures in the how-to section are drawings. The book includes a brief "hints" section covering joining (a new thread), blocking, and laundering. Pictures (2) in the hints section (blocking) are black and white photos. There are two edgings in the book - a shuttle-only small edging, and a wide edging to go on a round cloth center for making a doily. Patterns are written in long form. Both are pretty easy to work. I bought the book for the two edging patterns, primarily the wide edging pattern. I wish there were more patterns in it, but it's a "how-to" book, not a book of patterns, so it's normal to expect more space to be devoted to technique. I still like the patterns.

About two dozen original snowflakes/ornaments, mostly six-sided, mostly simple patterns.

In the back of my copy, which is kept wedged between books because the cover goes soft and curly in humidity- is an email... and I know AKTATTER was blessed with knowing in person this lovely lady!!! because the letter tells of Georgia's learning to tat in 1979 in Sacramento California.

I still have the check where I ordered my books because she endorsed it.. have one of her volumes of poetry.. and adore this book ...and I feel so blessed to not only have the book & 5 of her small ones, but the memory of talking to her on the phone & a letter from her.

"Let's Tat!" is 352 pages, hard bound- and more special- printed and hand bound by a beloved tatter who wanted to share tatting with everyone. It is b&w with very good photos of the tatting, I was constantly amazed at all the techniques that she teaches and for me it was a book that I "read" practically from cover to cover- because it was so much fun. It was delightful because of her descriptions of the patterns- where they came from- and often memories that they evoked. Page 91 is a particular favorite- Centipede Edging... the story about it is precious- taking us back to pioneer times & wagon travel. Her mother called it Centipede Edging- and Angeline was so fearful of centipedes that it was quite unpleasant to think about having this edging on her own clothing. This book is like a recorded history of tatting. If you can ever borrow one and spend time just reading it for pleasure - don't hesitate. and if you find a copy somewhere for sale- don't hesitate- BUY IT!!

Minimal text so it isn’t too much of a challenge as all patterns have diagrams. It’s all hanky or placemat edgings, and they are pretty. It’s a small book, but a very nice one.

"Basic book of Macrame & Tatting," Octopus Books (British), 1973. I picked up this hard back book from Ebay. The first 39 pages are macramé with 7 projects and directions for working macramé. The rest of the book (89 pages) is tatting. It contains the standard shuttle tatting instructions with pictures of hand positions. There are 21 patterns from edgings to chair sets, doilies, collar and cuff set. The patterns written in long hand with good clear pictures of finished items

These motifs are for joining or applique and range from simple hearts and butterflies to squares for tablecloths or runners, and a the more complicated hummingbird and swan patterns. Several patterns call for split rings.

This book contains 69 "motifs" - mostly snowflakes, but also a stocking, angel, small cross, gingerbread boy and girl, Christmas tree, candy cane, and two hearts, one using split rings (which is one of the prettiest tatted hearts I've tried tatting so far). There is no "how to tat" section, but if you know the basics, you can make many of the snowflakes and other motifs in this book. If you know just a few of the "extras" (SLT, split ring) you can make anything.

The textual material at the front of the book is very helpful and informative and includes a section on how to make a picot gauge from a plastic floss "bobbin." Everything in the book can be made in one round. If the same size thread is used, all of the snowflakes come out approximately the same size. Patti Duff gives (approximate) lengths of thread to wind on the shuttle for each pattern, tells you whether you are tatting clockwise or counter-clockwise, and gives very clear, precise directions in each pattern. As far as *this* tatter could tell, there are no errors in any of the patterns. If one carefully follows the directions as written, EVERYTHING in this book comes out looking VERY good. This may very well become your all-time favorite tatting book.

There is good news and bad news, however. First, the bad news: Minitats is out of print. BUT the good news is, if you contact Patti Duff patdtats@juno.com, you may be able to get a copy printed for you.

This is 144 pgs, full color full page photos, with 50 patterns. For me the joy of this book are the pages in the Gallery section that give so many creative ideas on how to USE tatting creatively. We can learn to make edgings, motifs and doilys- but how do we incorporate them into everyday life so that we can enjoy them? This book shows us how to ornament our lives- and how to use tatting on photo mats, clothing, hats, shoes, bottles, hat boxes, linens and on and on... eye candy for sure.


Nihon Vogue's "Do-It--Yourself" series #13, 1978 (see "Tatted Fashion" English version) ----------- Teiko Fujito (Japanese)


OCCHI -------------------------------------------Hilde Schleip (German)


Occhi------------------------Ruth Scharf (German)

Occhi: Neue Blätter (New Leaves)------------------------Ruth Scharf (German)


Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/scharf.html


Occhi 1 & 2 ------------------------------- Gisela Graff-Hofgen (German)


OCCHI-Schiffchenspitze-Frivolite ------------Marianne Langwieser & Tatiana Scharowa (German)

Review:

Several pages of instructions using modern photographs and reprints from antique books. Photographs and diagrams for all patterns. Many traditional style tatting patterns which are accompanied by suggestions for application as fashion accessories. Also sections on the split ring and on bead work. Final chapter encourages a foray into freeform tatting. (Patterns easy to follow from diagrams, knowledge of German not necessary.)

Susanne Schwenke's second book is in German with a small chart at back of book translating terms and/or abbreviations.

Although my ability to read German is limited I believe that Susanne Schwenke also wrote another book called "Occhi - Tatting - Frivolite: Mustersammlung" under her maiden name (Susanne Rolf). There is no "techniques" section in this book, instead tatters are referred to other books (which are printed in English) if they need help with techniques used in her book.

There are 4 sections of patterns, edgings, Christmas tatting, Easter tatting, and table decor. All the patterns use 2 shuttles, designated as "blue" and "green." Patterns are written in short form and diagrammed. Both pattern instructions AND diagrams are clear and easy to follow. Pattern instructions indicate "blue" or "green" shuttle, which really DOES help, because the "working" shuttle and the "ball" shuttle trade places from time to time. Techniques used include mock rings (SCMRs) and Block tatting, both of which were new and never-before-heard-of techniques for THIS tatter. So far THIS tatter has only tried the first 5 patterns in the book, in various sizes of thread. They're make up "edgings" section of the book. The first 3 patterns are truly edgings, the next 2 are ...well...I'd call them "doilies" tatted onto a round cloth center. Either way, they go around the "edge" of something, though. At first it was confusing to work the patterns, but this was due to my inability to read the language (and to my forgetting to switch shuttles when told "blue" shuttle, R:...etc.!)

The pictures are beautiful, and if you follow the directions, YOUR finished results are as nice as those pictured! Christmas section is stars and snowflakes, very pretty indeed; the Easter section has 3 patterns for egg coverings using size 80 thread and 2 shuttles and they are gorgeous; the table decor section has 2 napkin ring patterns and a pattern for a square that can be used to make a tablecloth by itself OR to make a tablecloth out of cloth with the square used to connect sections of cloth. The author gives a diagram of how to use the squares (and fabric) to make the tablecloth pictured on the cover. Cover photo is in color, photographs IN the book are all in black and white, but still REALLY gorgeous.

Judging from the directions and diagrams in the "edges" section, all of which this tatter HAS worked (in various thread sizes on everything from hankies to bed linens and beyond....which is one reason nothing from the other sections has been tried yet) the whole book is fantastic. No problems working the patterns in later sections of the book are anticipated, as Susanne Schwenke's directions are so VERY well-written and the diagrams are truly helpful, even to a tatter who prefers "verbal" patterns. Don't let the language frighten you away from this book. It's a real jewel.

This is another antique reprint from Handy Hands Tatting (email staff@hhtatting.com and request catalog and sample newsletter.) This nicely done reprint is the 1896 "Tatting & Netting" by Butterick. 140 patterns.

Larger paperback book, 104 pages, color photos throughout the book, in Italian. Doilies and edgings in the traditional manner. Diagrams for the basic tatting method but not for patterns, however, the color photographs are enlarged and easy to follow. (Knowledge of Italian not necessry.) Final chapter includes several unique applications of tatting framed as pictures, as decorations for serving trays, as a freestanding jewelry box and as lace for dolls' clothes.

From what I could tell, this is a reprint of Priscilla No. 2 (1915). It definitely LOOKS like "vintage" patterns. Some of the patterns use Coronation Cord (no longer made, although the intro says "soutache braid" makes a "workable substitute." (Do they still make soutache braid?)[Ed. note: Yes, soutache braid is still available] The book contains edgings (some of them really gorgeous!), doilies, collars (some appliqued on net), at least one flower for your hair, a couple bonbon baskets (3-D), padded tatting, an alphabet, some bags (one beaded, another with coronation cord, a couple more without 'extras'), jewelry (with beads), candle shades (one of them with beads), baby bonnets (one really pretty one!), at least one 3-D flower for your hair (plus the "flat" one mentioned earlier). (Motifs used in the various items can be used for other purposes with a little imagination, and we tatters are FULL of imagination.)

Techniques include (but are not limited to) padded tatting, 3-D tatting, use of coronation cord, "set" stitch, lattice work (this MAY use the alligator join, it's hard for me to tell from the description in the pattern), and other techniques. Patterns are in the old "long" form. Thread sizes are often recommended, and number of "balls" of thread are recommended sometimes, but this was from almost 100 years ago - it doesn't say how many yards/meters of thread are in the ball, or indicate the size of the ball. In addition, some of the threads may not be available today, but substitutes are fairly easy to find in most cases.

"The Tatted Lace Patterns of Emily Liebert" (Schiffchen Arbeiten 1 & 11) has some lovely patterns but the text is in German (not usually a problem) but the print font is Fraktur, Old English style, and pretty difficult to read even for someone who reads German. The print is very clear and you can sometimes count the stitches but I would not recommend this book to anyone who isn't fluent in German.

Tat a sheep, a rose or one of two unusual pictorial doilies, 7 edgings. Includes color photo. The pattern is simple.

While at the bank to arrange new-house financing, another customer commented on Pete Alderson's book that I had with me entitled "Shuttle Tatting without a Teacher". I could write a review of that book if you don't already have one. Not only was I able to make my first double-stitch by myself before any in-person instruction using this book, but Pete mailed it to me promptly before I even bought the money order to pay for it.

A wonderful book published posthumously (bless her, Betty is sadly missed but happily remembered) prepared by Mary Maynard (of the wonderful Flower Book fame.) This is a well set out with grand diagrams and photos. Written progressively for easy learning and contains great tips and help throughout. How I wish I'd have had this little book when I was learning! There was even "a new to me" way of starting with 2 colours" (we are never done learning - that's why I love tatting!) And, succinctly, it does just what it says in the title :-)
Review by Stephanie:

This book contains a clear, detailed explanation (complete with illustrations for every step) of how to shuttle tat. It's mostly a how-to book, but has a few very basic "beginner" patterns in it. The down-join is recommended as the join of choice/preference, and is taught right at the start (with a note saying that most tatters use a different join but this has become the "preferred" join for many of them so you may as well go ahead and learn it now. Right-side/wrong-side tatting is taught (with the same note) also. Really, if you're going to do it, you might as well learn it that way instead of learning the "old" way and having to change your tatting "habits" later on. This is one of the best books I've ever seen for learn-to-tat purposes. I wish it had been around when I was learning to tat. If you want to learn to tat and don't know anyone who can show you "in person," I heartily recommend this book.

This is a German book; however, it has extremely clear diagrams, pictures, AND shorthand instructions, with a translation of all the tatting terms, so that the patterns are perfectly clear to non-German speakers. The format is similar to the series of Danish tatting books published by Akacia press. It was the doily on the front cover which interested me in the first place, and I was thrilled to find that there are patterns for five other doilies as well; also ten edgings and eight snowflakes.

There are several patterns which incorporate block tatting and mock rings, although specific directions for these techniques are not given. The author has given her email address at the front of the book, which I think is a very helpful touch. I am very happy with my purchase: this is a book of traditional designs, and it's small enough to be carried along with the work.

"STAR BOOK OF TATTING DESIGNS,#2," The American Thread Company, New York. Designed and edited by Anne Orr for The American Thread Company. © 1935 (10 Cent book,) 22 pages. Patterns for luncheon sets, medallions, and 2 baby bbonnets, all of which have been reprinted in other books.

This collection features 21 bookmrks plus a bookplate; several patterns call for split rings. A few of the bookmarks need to be mounted on ribbon or fabric, most are designed so a ribbon may be laced through. One is a cross.

Tat's Where I Stopped: A Year of Tatted Bookmarks by Nancy Tracy This is Nancy's newest book (2007) This 37 page treat is well worth the $17.95 price. First, the format is creative. Each project is designed with the beginning and intermediate student in mind. It calls for one shuttle when using the shoelace trick.(The instructions for this are given) If the shoelace trick isn't preferable, two shuttles will be needed for most of the patterns.

Second, there is an easy project for each month of the year. January has a mittens bookmark, June is a 'flip-flop' corner bookmark, September is a pencil and so forth. Many of the projects would be suitable for making up a key fob, The Baseball and Bat.(April), or an applique made from August's Flower Garden Hat. Color plates before each section show the completed project. Diagrams are large and easy to read; an asset for beginner's learning to read diagrams. The instructions are well written and there is a key to the tatting terminology used in the patterns.

Nancy believes that tatting is about "creativity and fun." Therefore, the tatter does not have to use the same colors or sizes of thread for the projects. The tatter can, as Nancy suggests, "even change the design to suit your needs". It is available directly from Nancy at www.be-stitchedstore.com.

This book was published in 2001. This tatter bought it hot-off-the-press, all excited and ready to get tatting, then promptly moved to another city and forgot to drag the book out until about 2 weeks ago. Great discovery: this is a really nice book! All bookmarks - several crosses, but also a few other designs. If you're not fond of tatting crosses, not to worry - the cross designs would look nice if you just did a longer version of just one "arm" of the cross. You may have to figure out how/where to start and stop, but with some "figuring" that shouldn't be a problem for you.

Patterns can be made with either shuttle OR needle - when there are things that needle tatters may need to do differently from shuttle tatters, there are notes to that effect. Patterns are written in short form but are very clear. No diagrams, but nice color photos with an arrow superimposed to indicate starting point (when necessary). Thread recommended is mostly Flora size 20, but there is one bookmark that uses size 50 thread. No "technical" section, but the book DOES include a "finishing tips" section that tells how to make a tassel, twisted cord, and how to block the finished bookmark. Patterns are rated for "difficulty" level, but even the "intermediate-experienced" level patterns are pretty straightforward. If you can tat with shuttle (or needle) and ball, THIS tatter would be willing to say you CAN make the bookmarks in this book. No "advanced" techniques needed for anything in the book. Since they're bookmarks, they work up relatively "fast"** in case you need a small gift or remembrance for someone at the "last" minute. (**depends on how fast you tat) This is a very nice book.

Nina Libin brings fresh insight into the art of creating beaded tatting, or as she says, tatted lace of beads. Her first book, "Tatted Lace of Beads The Techniques of Beanile Lace" leads us on a journey of discovery and exploration of the many possible combinations of beads, threads, and knots. As a primer for learning the basic stitches in tatting, it offers step by step instructions and detailed illustrations showing the movements of the hands. It goes on to examine multiple traditional ways to incorporate beads in the tatting. Placement of beads on both rings and chains and over joins are practiced through eighteen projects.

After grounding the tatter in a solid understanding of tatting enhanced with beads, she leads us beyond the ordinary to explore beading enhanced by tatting. Here a new art form is created from the merging of these two traditional crafts. This merger brings to life delicate tendrils of filigree lace glistening with beads and gem stones. And such three-dimensional beaded tatting encourages the creation of stunning jewelry and appliques. It can be formed into clothing accessories and used to replace the traditional elements of Irish Lace Crochet to awe-inspiring effect.

The photography of the tatted lace and the beaded lace is remarkable clear and close up. The details in the trefoils, plant scrolls and filigree motifs is outstanding. The definitions used incorporate the traditional tatting terms with abbreviations developed specifically to explain the Beanile Lace techniques. Although some parts of the pattern directions appear algebraic in nature a quick read of the definitions makes it all easy to follow.

Beanile Lace will be both challenging and intriguing to both tatters and beaders alike.

Nina Libin's first Bead Book is marvelous - for learning to tat with beads, and for a variety of stitching patterns in the front - on which to practice.

A little of almost everything you can think of: coasters, "luncheon" sets, collars, doilies and place mats, edgings - some I've never seen in another book before, baby caps/bonnets, and more. These patterns are from thread company booklets from the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Black and white photos, no diagrams, patterns are written in long form. The items in this book are exquisite. This book is definitely a treasure!

This book was originally published in Italy(1999) and translated to English and subsequently published by DMC. Paperback book 8.5 x 11 inches. The book contains 25 patterns grouped by themes (Precious, Miniatures, Christmas, etc.) Basic shuttle instructions are given, but I don't think I'd want to try learning from them. Patterns are written in long hand with fairly good diagrams (without stitch counts)and good clear pictures of finished items.

"Tatting" #142(10 cent book,) Clark’s O.N.T. J. & P. Coats ©1939, The Spool Cotton Co. There are patterns for towel edgings, medallions, some with woven sections in the doily, sdgings, collars, and Baby Bonnet, 23 pages. Most patterns have been reprinted. Patterns are written in lLonghand pattern notation.

"Tatting" Clark’s O.N.T. Book #183 (10 cent book). Contains luncheon sets, doilies, collars, edgings. The Spool Cotton Company, ©1942. All of these patterns are duplicated in "The Tatter’s Treasure Chest" compiled by Mary Carolyn Waldrep (Dover Pubs)

"Tatting" #229 (10 Cent book,) Clark’s O.N.T. J. & P. Coats. AKA Star book (Tatting & Cushion Sets) #229 (15 cents) 1948 pub. in Canada. It contains handkerchief edgings, edgings, table cloth, placemats, 23 pages. Most patterns repeated in "The Tatter’s Treasure Chest."©1946, The Spool Cotton Company, first edition, H-9950 C-15 23 pages. Mostly reprinted in Tatter’s Treasure Chest.

Another good 'beginner' tatting book from DMC is "TATTING" the 1974 Editions Th. de Dillmont (printed in France.) The contents cover materials needed, and photos of 'how to tat'. Picots, Rose motif insertion and a lace made of rose motifs. Abbreviations used in the patterns are given. An hexagonal pattern and a section on Church Lace, picot lace, Josephine Picots; motifs, flower, chevron insertions, Round, Triangle, Gothic Arch, Four Clover leaves, tray cloths, table mats, and a large lace motif.

Another thing I recommend to beginners is not a book. It's the video by Mildred Clark produced by Victorian Video Petaluma, CA : Victorian Video Productions, 1990. 1 videocassette (80 min.) : sd., col. ; 1/2 in. VHS format. Summary: Learn the basic stitch, picots, joinings and how to create chains and rings in the traditional tatting method. ISBN 0936225289

I have purchased this video and have loaned it to people around the country. I think it's tremendously clear about how to capsize knots and gives a good boost to people who don't have access to a real life tatting teacher. [I can't do the shuttle movements the way she shows, however. Just have never mastered her spartanly economical movements.]

Tatting 101 ---------------------------------------Nadine Nunnelley
Review:http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/101.htm


Tatting: 101 Motifs and Edgings ------------------------Teiko Fujito


Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/fujito101.html


Tatting, Books #1,2,3,4,5,&6 (reprints of 1920's-30's)------------- House of White Birches

Tatting a 4 Square Ring -----------------------------------Mary Maynard

Review:http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/maynard4sqr.html

Tatting Adventures (US edition) aka Creative Tatting (world edition)---------Judith Connors

Judith Connors notes: There was no reprint of my book, 'Creative Tatting'. This was the original title, but Lacis went ahead and printed its own US edition, 'Tatting Adventures'. (I knew that this confusion would occur, but try telling that to publishers.) Therefore, the review on your list would read better as: 'Creative Tatting' (world edition) aka 'Tatting Adventures' (US edition).

"Tatting; a fascinating book of delicate lace designs," (10 cent book) The Spool Cotton Company, ©1944, #207. Traditional patterns for edgings, collars, doilies. All contained in "The Tatter’s Treasure Chest" by Mary Carolyn Waldrep (Dover Pubs), and other books

"Tatting", ORR, Ann #35 Revised.©1940 Centerpieces, Doilies, Medallions 31 pages. Often reprinted in other books.

"Tatting" ORR, Ann #43, From Ann Orr Studio, Nashville, TN ©1942. Patterns for centerpieces, small medallions, edgings (published in other books but one unusual daisy edging, a large awesome tablecloth in square medallions, oval doilies, square doilies. Written in long hand, some not since published designs. Nice book. Only 15 pages but packed with lovely designs.

This book is different from any other tatting book I've encountered - instead of photos, patterns, and diagrams for a "specific" project, this book gives little ...well..."doo-dads" that can be combined to make all sorts of pretty things, along with photos of projects you can MAKE with thiese little tatted items. Photographs are really pretty, and the instructions and diagrams given are clear.

There are 9 numbered sections/chapters: 1)Brief history or tatting, 2)Tools and techniques, 3)How to use the book, 4)Stationery, gift tags, key rings, 5)Small cards/paperweights, 6)bookmarks/door finger plates, 7)favours/Dollhouse Doyleys, 8)Bonsai tree pictures, and 9)Special occasion cards. Also given is an appendix with a couple "basic" edgings. Each section (from sections 4 - 9) gives a number of small items with instructions and a small diagram. After the small items for that section are given, ways to combine them into little pictures are shown, with individual items coded so the tatter knows which things to make for that picture.

This tatter fell in love with the bonsai trees and made the Japanese cherry tree bonsai to give to the owners of a Japanese restaurant. Although the collages in the book are shown in black and white, and white is recommended for the collages, this tatter did it in cherry-blossom pink, brown, and green, and the results DID look much like a Japanese cherry tree. The component parts of the pictures - work up relatively quickly (depending on your tatting speed, of course). After making a bunch "straight from the book," new and adventurous "original" cards started pouring out - using the basic component parts from this book. It's fun! Try it! Once you get past the "I can't draw" phase and start putting things together, you'll have a ball.) What a fun book!

Tatting Collage by Lindsay Rogers ISBN 1-86108-020-4 There is a brief history of tatting sections, followed by a couple of pages of tips and advice. This book contains many small motifs with shorthand written directions and diagrams with black and white photos and is inspiring stuff for those wanting to create their own pictures, paperwieghts, keyrings and other small or large projects using flowers, birds, butterflies etc. There are no large individual pieces in this book, but you could put lots of the small motifs together to make a large project.

This book contains a selection of patterns from various books/booklets published by different thread companies between 1920 and 1944. Black-and-white pictures, patterns are in long form, no diagrams, and print is a little small - I bought an inexpensive "page magnifier" to help me SEE to read the patterns. Patterns include doilies, edgings, place mats, chair sets (antimacassars and the little doilies to protect the arms of the chair, too), and (probably) more things I forgot to mention. Some patterns have "interesting" names ("Whip Cream Frill"), some are identified only with numbers (edging "no. 3009"), but everything in the book is pretty and looks "do-able."

This was my very first tatting book. I saw this on a shelf at House of Fabrics. I had never heard of tatting so I was intrigued. For the few dollars it cost me, I was game to try to learn. I bought the only shuttle I could find that day. I drove myself to tears of frustration trying to learn from the book.

Luckily a friend came to visit from far away. I told her my tale of grief and woe. She said that her mother had shown her how to tat many years before and suggested that perhaps we could decipher the instructions together if the book gave her memory a nudge. We spent the afternoon with Ms. Shipp's instructions and we finally figured out the flip.

The short story is that I would not recommend a beginner try to learn from this book without a friend to help. Despite the title, it's not the kind of book that's totally beginner-friendly. I haven't looked at it in a while but I do know that I accomplished several of the patterns in the book. So, while the patterns are beginner-friendly enough, the 'how to tat' section is not for absolute beginners who don't have access to another tatter who can demonstrate the knot-capsizing flip.

This was my first tatting book. I was hoping to teach myself to tat, but the elderly lady who owned the needlework shop said you couldn't learn from a book. It had photographs, so I was sure I could do it. I couldn't, but she was willing to teach me, so I was back at the shop the next day, eager to get going "for real." That was in 1986. There is a page of information on "equipment," stitches, laundering, and starching (sugar starch recipe included), and a short "how to tat" section with photographs. Patterns are written in "long form" and include 6 edgings (all of which are beginner-friendly), 26 snowflakes (many of which I made, but some looked too "scary" to try in my beginner days), and 2 cross bookmarks, both of which LOOK beginner-friendly, but I only made one of them. If you already KNOW how to tat, this book is ok for a beginner, but I wouldn't recommend it to someone to LEARN from.

14 patterns. Beautiful work.

There are lovely colour photographs on the inside and outside of the covers with black and white pictures on the pages. There are good diagrams with clear text, and there are several different leaves and flowers that can be used in combination with one another to give many different effects. A bit of a challenge working with fishing line and wire along with threads and beads, but Lindsay gives some good tips and the results are lovely.

This book was published by Lindsay Art 'n' Lace, Invergarry, Inverness-shire, Scotland PH35 4HG, ISBN No. 0 9524353 6 5 21pp. Illus.

In Book 3 of her series on tatting for special occasions, Lindsay introduces the reader to her techniques for tatting flowers which she has developed over the years. All blooms are illustrated on the front and back covers in color (and she's used some lovely threads and beads). The book begins with hints for better executing her patterns. She has included clear hand-drawn illustrations of her techniques where necessary. The book contains written patterns for approximately 12 flowers and two versions of leaves. Lindsay also offers some good suggestions for personalizing the patterns to suit the readers needs. This book would be good for an advanced beginner to intermediate tatter. Skills used are primarily rings and chains with beads. Oh, and fishing line. ;-)
Tatting for Special Occasions Mats ---------------------------------Lindsay Rogers


Review:

8 mats (doilies)

Tatting Hearts -------------------------------- Teri Duesenbury, Dover Pubs

Review by Stephanie:

The book begins with a nice, informative introduction (history of tatting), then gives several pages of "how to tat" that include the basics plus split ring (dead-spider method), and "stacking" (which Teri Dusenbury may have invented) - a way of making 3-D effects. There are 12 tatted heart patterns in this book, rated for difficulty (novice, intermediate, advanced). Patterns are given in "short" form, and an explanation of how to read the patterns is given in the section at the beginning of the book. Some use split rings, some do not. Recommended thread size is given. All hearts use at least 2 shuttles (3 of them use 3 shuttles). At least one of the patterns uses the "stacking" technique. Pictures are in black and white; some of them are detailed enough to be able to count stitches with a magnifying glass, others are not quite that detailed. These are not quick-and-easy hearts that can be completed in an hour or less (well, not by most of us, at least), but they ARE pretty.

Tatting: Historic Lacemaking Method -------------------------------- Leo Vonn

Tatting History (Shire Album) -------------------------Pam Palmer


Tatting Innovations (Kreatives OCCHI)--------------------------------------Helma Siepman


Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/hstatnew.html


Tatting: It's in the Bag! -----------------------------------Dianna Stevens


Review:

The patterns are ingenious, challenging and ever so cute. The Victorian bag model I have seen and it has lots of beads and the most clever use of one shuttle work to cover a seam! You'll love it! It's in the Bag! Available direct from Dianna, too. Contact: DiStevTat@aol.com

Tatting - Just Knots --------------------------------------------------- Kirstine & Inge Lise Nikolajsen Akacia Pubs.


Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/2njustknots.html

Review by Stephanie Wilson:

"Tatting - Just Knots: Tatting for Beginners" contains 56 pages. The book describes tatting "basics" completely with very nice drawings in the how-to section. Quite a lot of material is covered in the beginning of the book. It also covers left-handed tatting, too - complete with great illustrations. There are quite a few patterns in this book - a couple different "candle guard" patterns, hair scrunchy, edgings, all kinds of nice things to make. The book states that there is something to appeal to all age groups, and I think they're right - there is such a WIDE range of patterns (with really nice color photos for each) that EVERYBODY should be able to find something they want to make from this book!

Patterns are clear and easy to follow, with diagrams for each pattern in addition to the written instructions. Some patterns include beads. Items in the book, diagrams, and general "style" and "looks" of the book are very similar to "The Third Tatting Book" (by the same tatters.) I'm not sure I'd have been able to handle tatting without someone to teach me, even with this book, but I SURE wish it had been available when I learned to tat. These patterns are fantastic, but still beginner-easy. This is definitely a "keeper."

Tatting Lace -------------------------------------------Sumi Fujishige


Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/fujishigetatlace.htm


Tatting Lace --------------------------------------------Teiko Fujito ( Japanese) Japan, 1995, p. back, 68pp

Review by Judith

This book was originally offered in Japan in a series of five publications about different types of handmade lace. Although it is written in Japanese, the photographs and visual diagrams are of such good quality that most tatters will be able to follow them. Corresponding page numbers and suggested thread sizes appear at the beginning of all written instructions. The articles range from simple edgings to a lacy stole, enough to keep the avid tatter busy. While other tatting books in Japanese have been published since 1995, this book remains a favorite with tatters who enjoy a challenge.

Tatting Lace (Ondori's Tatting Lace) -----------------------------------------------Ondori Pubs (Japanese)


Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/ondori.html


Tatting Lace: A New Approach to Tatting -------------------- Yusai Shokoin (Japanese)


Review by Jon:

This is a book in Japanese and I don't understand or read Japanese at all. But the diagrams are quite clear to follow. The book has a very good tutorial page that covers the basic technique and also split chains & split ring, double picot and block tatting. All tutorials have pictures that are easy to follow even without knowing a word of Japanese.

The book has patterns that use lots of beads, one of the reasons why I bought the book, It doesn't just focus on doilies and motifs. There are patterns for using tatting in a variety of things like purses, pins, pincushions and such.

Tatting in Lace -------------------------------- Mary Konior

Tatting: It's Not Just Doilies Anymore!----------------- Georgia Seitz
Review: The Ribbonwinners Series - http://www.georgiaseitz.com/page2.html

Tatting Lace -------------------------------- In Japanese

Tatting Lace -------------------------------- Takashima In Japanese

Tatting Made Simple -------------------------------- Helen A. Chesno

Tatting Miscellany ------------------------------- Lindsay Rogers

Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/rogerstatmisc.html

Tatting Knots and Notes Revisited Book 1 --------------------------------Doretha Albee


Review:

The editor of Tatting Knots and Notes has made a compilation of past issues for those who are new to tatting, "Tatting Knots and Notes Revisited Book 1." It contains reprints of patterns from the newsletter from Vol 7 issue 3 through Volume 12 (January 1992 - August 1997). A must have book!

Tatting on the Edge (and Beyond) -------------------------------- Georgia Seitz

Review: The Ribbonwinners Series - http://www.georgiaseitz.com/page2.html

Tatting or Frivolite -------------------------------- Mrs. Mee and Mrs. Austin

Tatting Ornaments ---------------------------------------------Terry McGuffin
Review by Bob:

Tatted Ornaments by Terry the Tatter. This book is mainly Christmas tree baubles in a range of stunning patterns. There are clear colour photos and shorthand instructions including size of thread and dimensions of ornament. There are round baubles, bell shaped ones, and also some patterns to do on eggs. Very pretty work.

Review by Bob:

There are lots of small motifs to start with and some lovely doilies and crowns for the more experienced tatter too. Black and white photos, good clear shorthand instructions. There is a short section on technique at the front of the book. A nice book with a range of patterns to suit all abilities.

Tatting Patterns -------------------------------- Mary Konior

Tatting Patterns --------------------------------------Lyn Morton

Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/mortontatpat.html

Review by Bev:

For a variety of patterns my favorite book is Lyn Morton's book, Tatting Patterns. (Ed.: This is a compilation of Lyn's first 4 books.)

Review by Stephanie:

Here is another book with exquisite photographs. (Originally this book was another "just for the pictures" purchase.) The directions are clear and well-written, often even telling you how much thread to wind onto the shuttle. In addition to the written directions, there is a diagram provided for each pattern. As a relative "beginner" tatter when this book was purchased, a few of the patterns were a bit challenging, but not too difficult. Some of the patterns use split rings, many do not. The book includes many round "motifs" that can be used as snowflakes (done in white), or for other purposes (done in colors). Some motifs can be joined together to make table mats or doilies, others (5-sided ones, particularly) are best used singly. There are some very pretty edgings, motifs, doily (more than one?), collar (at least 2), and other items in this book. There is a "jewelry" section that includes a "wedding hoop" - the photo of this necklace is so beautiful that *this* tatter bought the book mostly to have that pattern. There may be a "wedding" section, too (the book is in another state right now - can't double check). A "greetings cards" section gives additional motifs, many of which have been made by *this* happy tatter and fastened into hoops, sewn onto clothing, or actually used to make a card. This is a fantastic book!

There may be an error in one of the patterns: the "wedding hoop" is beautifully diagrammed and instructions are wonderfully clear, but the resulting piece of lace, while still very pretty, does not seem to match the photograph. By looking closely at the photograph, it is fairly simple to create a piece of lace that more closely matches the photograph in the book, but the process used to *get* that piece of lace no longer matches the diagram and instructions. Even with this minor problem, this is still an excellent book.

Tatting Patterns -------------------------------- Julia E. Sanders (Dover Pubs) (See The Priscilla Tatting Book #2)

Review by Stephanie:

From what I could tell, this is a reprint of Priscilla No. 2 (1915). It definitely LOOKS like "vintage" patterns. Some of the patterns use Coronation Cord (no longer made, although the intro says "soutache braid" makes a "workable substitute." (Do they still make soutache braid?)[Ed. note: Yes, soutache braid is still available] The book contains edgings (some of them really gorgeous!), doilies, collars (some appliqued on net), at least one flower for your hair, a couple bonbon baskets (3-D), padded tatting, an alphabet, some bags (one beaded, another with coronation cord, a couple more without 'extras'), jewelry (with beads), candle shades (one of them with beads), baby bonnets (one really pretty one!), at least one 3-D flower for your hair (plus the "flat" one mentioned earlier). (Motifs used in the various items can be used for other purposes with a little imagination, and we tatters are FULL of imagination.)

Techniques include (but are not limited to) padded tatting, 3-D tatting, use of coronation cord, "set" stitch, lattice work (this MAY use the alligator join, it's hard for me to tell from the description in the pattern), and other techniques. Patterns are in the old "long" form. Thread sizes are often recommended, and number of "balls" of thread are recommended sometimes, but this was from almost 100 years ago - it doesn't say how many yards/meters of thread are in the ball, or indicate the size of the ball. In addition, some of the threads may not be available today, but substitutes are fairly easy to find in most cases.

Tatting Patterns and Designs -------------------------- Gun Blomqvist & Elwy Persson Dover Pubs


Review by Stephanie:

The Dover publication (1988) is slightly abridged from the English version published in 1974 (published originally in Swedish as Frivoliteter in 1967). Black-and-white, patterns are in short form, no diagrams. Size of finished piece is given (if worked in the recommended thread). Patterns include edgings, doilies, table mats, "stars" (I'd call them medallions), collars, bookmarks, three "bridal crowns," and other items. There is a section of more "advanced" patterns at the back of the book mostly doilies, but the crowns are back there, too. I really like this book

Tatting Patterns Old & New -------------------------------- Helen A. Chesno

Tatting: A Potpourri of Patterns -------------------- Barbara Foster (reprints of oldies +)

Tatting: Ring of Flowers ------------------------------------Mary Maynard


Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/classes2/maynard/Maynard.html



Tatting Shuttles of American Collectors -------------Heidi Nakayama

Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/heiditsac.html


Tatting Special -------------------------------- House of White Birches Monica Hahn


Tatting Step by Step -------------------------------- Katie? Ballard


Tatting Talk: A Self-Improvement Guide for Tatters-------------------Georgia Seitz

Review: The Ribbonwinners Series - Book 5 and Book 6http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/gseitzbk5bk6.html


Tatting Technique & History -------------------------------- Elgiva Nicholls
Tatting Technique & History -------------------------------- Elgiva Nicholls
Review by Margaret:

I have really only used two books. The first by Elgiva Nicholls at the library was an old copy but the idea of starting with just the lark's head knot in two colours before picking up any shuttle proved very helpful both for myself and my girlfriend.

Review by Bev:

For a complete History and Evolution of Tatting, Elgiva Nicholls Tatting Technique and History is very interesting and helpful. There are photographic plates that illustrate the text. The section on Using Multiple Threads offers a few patterns for practice. Photographs are given for node stitch chain, perle beading chain, chain in raised tatting, quatrefoil, flower stalks and flowers. An example of working in metallic thread is the dragonfly. Preparing work for exhibition is also covered. This is one of the 3 books that I, personally, think is a 'must' for tatters. The other two would be Rebecca Jones' book and Judy Banashek's "Advanced Techniques" book.

Tatting Technique & History -------------------------------- Elgiva Nicholls Dover Pubs.

Review by Stephanie:

This book doesn't have any patterns (except for a few VERY basic ones in the beginner section, but as a beginner I would have needed something more explicit, I think). It is entirely about the history of tatting, and tatting technique. The book is a gold-mine of information ABOUT tatting. If you're looking for patterns, don't get this one. If you want to know more about tatting history and technique, this is one you'll want for your library. There are line drawings to illustrate some points, and black-and-white photographs show examples of tatting. Good information in this book both for beginners AND those with some experience.

Tatting: The Contemporary Art of Knotting with a Shuttle ----------------------Rhoda L. Auld


Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/auld.html


Review by Sue:

This is a wonderful book, especially for designers, and one that I have used often for inspiration. As well as having a small section on history, tools, and basic technique photos, it has a great section on adding beads in many different ways, and a design section showing lots of drawings of basic formations, what she calls "building blocks . . . as a starting point for ideas." By the sample you can definitely tell this book was published in the 1970's during the big macrame revival era. In a chapter called 'Breaking the Rules' she describes a three-dimensional bobble she has used as a butterfly body. She promotes looking at tatting in new ways, encouraging the tatter to experiment and try new variations.

Tatting Times Edgings --------------------------------------------------------Karey Solomon

Review:

More than 20 edging patterns, many original, with illustrations, history and suggestions for use. Most were in Tatting Times (1992 & 1993); most are simple.

Tatting Times Two --------------------------------------------------------Karey Solomon


Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/kareytatx2.html


Tatting Tiny Treasures:Miniature Tatting for Dollhouses -------------------- Georgia Seitz

Review: The Ribbonwinners Series - http://www.georgiaseitz.com/page2.html

Tatting Treats 1, 2, and 3-------------------------------- Pam Palmer
Reviews:
1. http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/palmertt1.html Book 1
3. http://www.georgiaseitz.com/palmer.html Book 3


Tatting with Anne Orr -------------------------------- Anne Orr Dover Pubs 1989

Review by Bob:

Tatting with Anne Orr. ISBN 0-486-25982-x There is a short section at the beginning with basic tatting instructions, but it is only a couple of pages. There is a variety of patterns including doilies of varying sizes, baby bonnets, place mats, medallions and lots of edgings. it is an old-fashioned book, with black and white photographs, no diagrams, and "longhand" pattern instructions. The work is very pretty, and if you like the more traditional style of doilies, as I do, then you will enjoy this book.

Review by Bev:

40 photographs 8 1/4 x 11" paperbound. A Dover Book. This book is comprised of patterns created during the first half of the twentieth century, featuring more than 100 designs, 50 edgings (forget-me-not, shamrock et cet), 40 medallions (triangular, circular, square and snowflake; collars and yokes; luncheon sets, baby items (3 caps). Photographed on a black background the stitches are easy to see as well as being fully described. This is the book that has photographs and explanation of the Reverse stitch, abbreviations and notes to beginners

Review by Stephanie:

This book is a combination of two books. It contains an altered and abridged version of Anne Orr's "Tatting Book No. 13," and "The Star Book of Tatting Designs No. 2" (the Star book was published in 1935, Anne Orr's Book #13 was not dated as far as I can tell). There is a brief introduction, a short "how to tat" and a "how to do 'reverse stitch,' section" (which was what Anne Orr called split rings). Patterns are pretty old-fashioned (which is to be expected since they're from the early part of the 20th century!) but this is the whole reason I WANTED this book - for the "old fashioned" patterns. There are about 40 medallions, around 50 edgings, some doilies, "luncheon sets," 3 baby bonnets, a very pretty pair of booties, and a few other items. Vintage patterns are fairly easy to work, but sometimes take a little experimenting before I can get them to look exactly right they're somehow "different" from what we're used to, and it takes a bit of thought and a little time to work out mentally before you get it "just right." In spite of (or maybe because of) the mental gymnastics required, I really, REALLY like this book

Tatting with Beads -------------------------------- Rosemarie Peel


Tatting with Beads 2 -------------------------------- Rosemarie Peel


Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/peeltatbead2.html



Tatting with Buttons -------------------------------------------------Karey Solomon


Review:

19 Simple tatting ptterns to showcase favorite buttons. Includes several hearts, motifs, a doily, a collar, a sun catcher to make with colored translucent buttons, a picture frame, garland, edging, bag, butterfly and more. Button history and sizing information as well.

Tatting with Buttons 2 ------------------------------------Karey Solomon


Review: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/kareybutton2.html


Tatting with Colour -------------------------------- Rosemarie Peel

Tatting with Friends -----------------------------------------Georgia Seitz, ed.

Review: The Ribbonwinners Series - Book 5 and Book 6http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/gseitzbk5bk6.html


Tatting with a Needle for Beginners G. Bromley


Tatting with One Hand -------------------------------- Helen A. Chesno


Review" http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/chesnotat1.html


Tatting with One Shuttle Book 1 -----------------------------Mark Myers
Review:http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/myershow2.html
to order: http://www.tat-man.net/emailform.html

Tatting with Tatsy -------------------------------- Carol Winandy

Review by Connie:

"Tatting" by Tatsy (©1989 Carol M. Winandy)I used to teach myself (or started learning anyway) tatting. I found her picture by picture steps really helpful. I was making rings in about an hour or a little less.

Review by Stephanie:

I bought the book primarily for the patterns. I had only just learned to tat, and these looked "do-able," even for a beginner. My favorite pattern in the entire book is probably the hat/bonbon basket. With a handle, and starched a certain way, this makes a cute bonbon basket. Without the handle, and stiffened a little differently, it makes a cute hat. I've made this little hat in everything from size 10 thread down to sewing thread (size 80 might fit Barbie - not sure), and it looks cute. Thread a narrow ribbon through as a hatband, tie it in a bow, and it really is cute. There are other cute things in the book, too - an angel/bell (finished one way it's a 3-D bell, another way, you can make 3-D angel), a cute little fan (bookmark or just a cute little motif to sew on to something), a butterfly, snowflakes, and lots of other pretty little things. The most inspiring part of the book when I first bought it was the comments in there about what to DO with all that stuff once you made it - sew it on everything, which is what I did! I've had a LOT of fun with that little book over the years.

Tatting with Visual Patterns * -------------------------------- Mary Konior

Review by Bob:

Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior. ISBN 0-7134-8802-6 This book has many edgings, table decorations, collars and smaller motifs to choose from. There are good colour photographs and clear diagrams as well as "shorthand" written instructions. There are helpful "knowhow" boxes periodically throughout the book with tips and advice. There is a basic techniques section at the back of the book, with a glossary of terms

Review by Esther:

I bought this book because I got the wrong impression from its title. I thought it was going to be a tutorial on how to sit down with a visual pattern you've never seen before and figure out how to do it. To wit, I had a copy of "24 Snowflakes" from Denmark (or some other far off land) and the patterns are all visual. I'm TOTALLY at a loss about how to accomplish even the easiest of the easy snowflakes. I look at the patterns and haven't a clue where to start or how to proceed.

I saw the title of the Konior book and thought "This is my ANSWER!" I was sure that this book would teach me all I need to know to decipher any visual tatting pattern. I was mistaken.

It's a lovely book and I've enjoyed working several patterns from it. But don't be misled by the title. It is not a tutorial for how to sit down at any old visual tatting pattern and be able to figure out which is a split ring, which is a regular ring, when to reverse work, when to shoe lace trick, when to encapsulate, when to do self-closing mock ring, when to split chain, etc.

Review by Stephanie:

A 1-page section at the beginning of the book gives a color-coded key to interpret the diagrams so you can tell if you're supposed to do a split ring, a Josephine ring, join the picots, don't join the picots, etc. Diagrams are done in bright pink and bright blue, which makes them easier to interpret. In among the actual "patterns" are little "know-how" boxes, which are numbered. Various patterns refer the tatter to related "know-how" boxes for further instruction/enlightenment on the subject. Some of the "know-hows" are pretty basic (in my opinion), some of them were more "exotic" (to me), but ALL of them are good, useful, and interesting (to me) information.

It's not just a book of diagrams, Mary Konior gives you enough information in WORDS to get you started, THEN you can take over using the diagram. For a person who "needs" a verbal pattern, this helps you cross the (scary) line between words and "pictures." Diagrams in the book are clear and stitch counts are clearly marked, although if you're VERY nearsighted you may need a magnifier to read stitch counts in some of them. (I need one, anyway.) Besides being pretty and nicely-photographed, the various patterns often are given whimsical, fun names like "Skipping Ropes," "Curds and Whey," "Onion Skins," "Maids of Honour," or "Flower Patch." Some 3-D patterns (at least one rose and at least one other flower) are included, as well as "free" tatting, which, as Mary Konior explains, is not "free form" if you give "exact" directions for making the project - you have to sort of just "do" it. Anything in the book sounds "do-able." I have tried several patterns in the book and so far, they're wonderful. Of course, this is also the first attempt (for me) at actually READING diagrams, and it's a challengs, but once you LEARN to do it, it will be easy. The biggest thing is just DO it, and this book is a fantastically nice (and lovely) way to LEARN to do it with gorgeous pictures to look at, too!

Review by Judith

This book was originally offered in Japan in a series of five publications about different types of handmade lace. Although it is written in Japanese, the photographs and visual diagrams are of such good quality that most tatters will be able to follow them. Corresponding page numbers and suggested thread sizes appear at the beginning of all written instructions. The articles range from simple edgings to a lacy stole, enough to keep the avid tatter busy. While other tatting books in Japanese have been published since 1995, this book remains a favorite with tatters who enjoy a challenge.

Tatting Y2K (2000 calendar + patterns) ------------------------------Karey Solomon



Review: "http://www.georgiaseitz.com/page3c.html"

These include a star, heart, two edgings, a bag, a snowflake/doily hexagon, stationery "droodles" 3-D daffodils, tatting-covered Easter egg, an oak leaf and a bookmark. Tatting Y2K (2000 calendar + patterns)

The Third Tatting Book -----------------------------Kirstine Nikolajsen & Inge Lise Nikolajsen

Thirteen Bell Patterns ---------------------------------Terry McGuffin 2007

Review:http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/mcguffin13bells.html
Review:

"Thirteen Bell Patterns, Old patterns, new patterns, some you have, some you don't, some you just want all in one book." All 13 of the bell patterns I've designed to put on glass bells. These patterns range from pretty easy (Bella Mia, Scalloped Bell, This Bell) to somewhat challenging (Bella Angelina, Bella Nina). All pictures are in color, 9 patterns are both written out and charted. Total cost is $13.00 including shipping to anywhere in the US and $15.00 outside the US. You can purchase them direct: Terry McGuffin 1424 Montclair Dr. Modesto, CA 95350

Three-D Christmas Decorations ----------------------------------- Toni Storer


Review:http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/tonis/tonisxmas.html


Review by Stephanie:

This book is printed in Danish, English, and German. It starts with an explanation of symbols used throughout the book (in the diagrams), then has a nice section explaining techniques (with very good diagrams). Techniques include - but are not limited to - basic tatting, magic thread (which they don't call "magic thread" but they explain very nicely, regardless of what they call it), split ring, "roll" tatting, and Cluny tatting. Their explanations are clear and easy to follow. This book was startling to me - not because of any really "avant-garde" techniques or designs, but because they took basic, simple things and did something new and refreshing, and unexpected with it. (An example of what I mean is on page 28 - a simple edging used on a collar, except where the collar comes to a "point" at the front, the edging not only goes around the "edge," but also branches out to take a little "detour" - an unexpected turn at each corner. It's lovely, just beautiful!

All of the photographs are exquisite, especially the "bride's hat" on the cover of the book. Everything is so pretty it makes you want to start at the beginning and tat your way through the entire book! Patterns are diagrammed with some written instructions, but in this book, the diagrams are the "main" thing, not the written directions. Techniques used include (but are not limited to) roll tatting, split rings, block tatting, Cluny tatting, and maybe some mignonette (on the bride's "mitts" - gloves with no fingers). The book contains a little of almost everything, from small "motifs" to collars, edgings, napkin rings, christening cap (tatting combined with crochet), bookmarks, doilies, hair trims, a 3-D Easter egg and a 3-D angel, and of course, that breathtakingly beautiful bride's hat (and more). It is well worth the price of the book for the photographs alone.

Timeless Doilies Crochet-Tatting ---------------------------------------- Annie's Attic

To Boldly Go Where No Shuttle Has Gone Before -------------------------------- Anne Dyer



Traditional Tatting Patterns -------------------------------- Rita Weiss Dover Pubs


Review by Stephanie:

Black and white photographs, lots of really pretty patterns, written in 'long form.' This is a collection of various thread-company publications from the 1930s and 1940s. Patterns include doilies, edgings, tablecloths, place mats, baby hats, baby booties, collars and yokes. A tatted alphabet is also in this book. Warning: some of the patterns in this book are in EXTREMELY small print. If you like old patterns, you'll really like this book.

Transitions in Tatting from Flat to Floral ----------------------------------- Sharon Briggs


Review by Elizabeth:

That is a very nice book with lots of flowers and other motifs even a 3D angel. It has very good instruction and the diagrams are large and easy to read.

Treasure Chest of Crochet (some tat) -------------------------------- Star Book #45

Tree of Life --------------------------------------------Karey Solomon


Review: "http://www.georgiaseitz.com/page3c.html"

The Tatter's Tree of Life" featuring original botnical patterns, particularly designs taught at the past two IOLI conventions and other workshops.

Twelve Days of Christmas -----------------------------------------Pam Palmer
More Reviews to be integrated
Books by Dianna Stevens http://www.domesticarts.com/Books/Books.htm
http://www.georgiaseitz.com/page3b.html
http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/bookreviews2.html
http://www.georgiaseitz.com/page3c.html
http://www.georgiaseitz.com/reviews/bookreviews3.html
http://www.georgiaseitz.com/classes2/crotatbks.html Terry
AKTATTER@aol.com