Shuttle or needle?

[_diane]

Hi there, I'm brand new to tatting after having done knitting, crochet, sewing, spinning, and bookbinding (pillow lace next after this). I have both shuttles and needles and have tried both, and was wondering what the people here do more. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the different methods? I'm finding needle tatting much easier, but

Comments

[navygreen]

I'm a shuttle tatter myself, but I'm not much help really, as I've never tried or been introduced to needle tatting.

[teikasmom]

I started needle tatting first and then learned shuttle tatting. Needle is faster and I shuttle tat tighter. I think it's a personal preference.

[flubbles]

I'm a lot faster with my needles...but I also slice the crap out of my knuckles...so I tend to use my shuttles more...less injury:)

[flubbles]

I forgot to mention too.....with shuttle tatting, you have the ability to remain attached to a ball of thread (if you're using one shuttle).....if you're using needles, you have to cut the thread (at least, in my experience, if there's a cool technique to avoid that, I would love to know about it)....so you're more likely to need to do joins with needles....

I tend to like leaving stuff attached to a ball, skein, hank, whatever, instead of guessing and cutting...

[wosny]

I'm a shuttle tatter, and haven't tried needle tatting, but I think long term shuttle patterns are the most frequently available, also check out some the patterns produced by Sherry and you can see that needles just wouldn't be practicable!

[elspethdawitch]

I've only ever used a shuttle, because it was harder and more "authentic" (I work at a historical village), but I know a lady there who needle tats...and I think it is really just a matter of preference...but I still wouldn't bother to learn how to needle tat, just because I don't want to learn all over again ;)