BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Tatting Learning how to make Celtic tatting

Hi Everyone,

I want to start learning how to make the Celtic style tatting. I think that's what it is called, i.e. where the chains sort of criss-cross over each other. I have seen some beautiful ones in a number of tatting sites, but I want to start from basics first.

So I would be most grateful if anyone can point me to useful sites that can show me this. Thanks a lot.

Hi Faizon,

I'm not aware of a site showing absolute basics as such, but there are plenty of free patterns available - I have some links to patterns in the Celtic Tatting section of the Free Patterns here at BellaOnline.

It's usually done with two or more pairs of shuttles which can be worked as two edgings done together and interlaced as you work, or the elements can be worked separately and added by interlacing and joining as you go. There is a further style which Rozella Linden does and she uses a needle to create Celtic tatted knots.

You might like to try Dianna Stevens's Celtic Bookmark which is not too difficult and very attractive - her site is at www.domesticarts.com . The pattern is at http://members.aol.com/Domestarts/CelticCross.html

I am sorry Gillian, what I meant by 'basic' is some simple patterns where the interlacing aren't that many. But I looked through the free Celtic tatting pattern instructions from your link at BellaOnine, and if I understand it correctly, it is a design style made up of several tatted pieces assembled together in a creative way.

I decided to try the bookmark by LaRae Mikulecky. Sections One to Three were easy enough, but I got stuck when starting Section Four. I am not sure how to start. Do I join the thread to the first picot before starting the first chain or do I join it at the end? And, how do I make this join?

I usually tidy up the thread ends by the magic thread method, one at the beginning and one at the end of the round. For this round, it would be easy enough if I start with CTM. But if I still have some more thread in the shuttle and do not want to wind a new shuttle, I will have four thread ends to hide. Where would be the suitable place to put in the magic threads?

I hope this isn't too much for you at one go.

Hi Faizon,

I honestly would wind another shuttle and not cut it off from the ball rather than have two pairs of ends to finish off. You can always use the thread elsewhere. However if you really do want to have two sets of ends I'd finish one set off into the first chain and one set off into the last chain. In other words, put the magic threads into both the first and last chain making sure the loops are pointing in the right direction.

The Section 4 round is chains only from what I can see so you would start by lock joining to a picot on the outer side of any of the split rings in the middle. Then proceed making chains as normal. Remember to tension each chain before you lock join to the next picot.

I must give that pattern a try some time, it's one I've always liked the look of.

Thanks Gillian. I followed your suggestion and wound up a new shuttle, and finished the bookmark. (I'd like to show you the finished product but I am not sure how to do it)

While waiting for your reply I managed to find another pattern which I think is a little simpler, at www.rozellalinden.com/
I think I will try this next.

Good luck, hope you enjoy the Celtic tatting!