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

[jcortese]

I've heard of needle tatting, but I use and prefer a shuttle. I like the fact that it's tighter, that I can use thread+ball more easily, that I can toss it in my pocket without worry, and there are a lot of pretty shuttles out there to collect, too. :-)

[jcortese]

I should also say that I love tatting with extremely thin thread (sewing thread and silk thread), and that's not really an option with a needle.

[emmacrew]

Shuttle tatting definitely gives me personally better results. I've seen a lot of really sloppy and loose needle tatting, but I've also seen some really fine needle tatting. Shuttle tatting does have the advantage of fewer thread joins, though.

[moniqueleigh]

Heh. I'm very amused to read that it seems most of our members prefer shuttle to needle. :) No reason, I'm just easily amused today. I, too, prefer the shuttle. My MIL has sent me a pack of needles & pattern book for them, but I haven't even bothered as I like to tat tightly. While some people do quite nicely with needles, there does seem to be a limit on the size of threads & tightness one can get (all down to needle size).

Wow, you've quite a number of crafts there. Congrats & welcome to the group! Please do show off your work -- we love seeing what our members are doing! Which reminds me, I really do need to get pictures of the snowflakes I made for my mother..... Er, yeah, back at Yule..... Oops.

[majolika]

[piroshki]

I suppose it really depends on the sort of result you want to end up with.

Shuttle tatting will end up tighter because your knots are not made loose enough to account for both the thread and the needle going through it. However, shuttle tatting is limited against things that are particularly fuzzy, like wool yarns, or inflexible, such as hemp, flax, or wire.

People with arthritic hands find using needles easier; I have taught the blind to tat (with 5-wt. cordonnet) and they prefered the shuttle. As far as speed goes...again this will depend on how you tat.

If your goal is to use very fine threads - 100 wt. or smaller - you will want to perfect your shuttle-tatting skills. If you want to use novelty fibres, stick with the needles.

Or just learn both, use both, and have fun with 'em.

Are you planning on bobbin-lace, cluny lace, or Battenburg, when you say "pillow lace"?

[_diane]

Bobbin. The problem is finding someone to teach me in person. I can pick up most crafts from books and online instruction, but bobbin lace has eluded me.