This new book by Annamaria Riccardi is awash with color and tempting designs. This A-4 size paperbound book with 41 full color pages is published by Prestigio Edizioni SRL, Rome Italy, 2015. It is printed all in Italian. (But don't let the language worry you, read on.)

The designs are presented with very large diagrams for with each one. The full color photos cover a entire page. The facing companion pages present the text of the tatting directions in Italian.

The companion pages also present diagrams in black and white with color highlights. The diagrams are shown in a very large size for easy viewing. The double stitch count is given on the diagrams which also show the order of working the tatted elements.

The essential instructions for the new tatter are given in the last few pages of the book. The full color diagrams are also presented in a very large format for ease of understanding. They need no translation.

Although the traditional up join is taught in that last section, the down join could easily be mastered to enhance the front/back side look to the tatting. I truly believe that using the front/back side method of tatting greatly enhances the work.

Annamaria's extraordinary use of ombre (not a variegated color which shows 3-4 distinct and separate colors but ombre which shows the color as dark, medium, light, medium, dark and repeats) colored threads is eye-catching. The techniques for these traditional style tatted edgings call for one shuttle/needle, shuttle and ball or two shuttles. This book would offer great practice for a new tatter and give the seasoned tatter many hours of tatting pleasure.



Please see also Annamaria's 2013 book on Tatted Jewelry:

https://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45778.asp