I recently wrote an article about how to decorate a mint tin and use it to carry around your small tatting articles and a shuttle. I had also wanted to mention other items that one could purchase that make wonderful totes for tatting projects. If these items are not available in your region/country, maybe you can create something similar.

Here are a few ‘optional’ tatting totes and the description of the original intended use:
1. Eyeglass case-(needle or shuttle tatters)-designed to carry eyeglasses or sunglasses. Many eyeglass cases have straps because they are intended to be worn/clipped onto a belt. But, they can be clipped on the visor of your vehicle, the cable of your bicycle brake cord or various other convenient places. I recommend the type where the glasses are inserted from the end and have a flap to cover that end; usually held close with Velcro. One might make their own flap by using a piece of leather/Pleather/ heavy plastic or such. It can be stitched across one side and use Velcro to stitch to the other end and onto the case itself. Or, maybe a button sewed on the case and either elastic thread (making a ‘stretchable’ button hole) or regular embroidery floss or some other type of thread that can be stitched to the flap and pulled down and wrapped around the button to hold it in place.

2. Cigarette case-(shuttle tatters)-designed to either be slipped through a belt and worn at the waste or carried in a woman’s purse. Although I do no condone the use of tobacco products, the cigarette case can come in handy for tatters by putting a small shuttle and some bobbins of thread in the part that was intended to hold the cigarettes.

3. Fanny packs-(needle or shuttle tatters)-designed to be worn around the waist. Although called a ‘fanny’ pack (being called such because they were originally worn in the back and clipped in the front) they can be worn on the side and clipped on the opposite side of the waist. This wide and ‘somewhat’ banana-shaped, zipped tote is usually designed with a cotton woven ‘belt’ attached to each end and clips around the waist with a ‘snap’ clip. Because this is usually made of some type of cloth (rather than leather), it is better for the shuttle than the needle as needles may work their way through the fabric and be lost along the way-side. One might recreate an item like this (and you can change the shape as you like) by stitching a tote and then stitching straps or strips of cloth to each end. You can use whatever type of fastener you prefer or just tie the ends together in a fancy bow. This is especially nice if you are wearing your homemade fanny pack on the side of your waist.

These are just a few of my ideas but they are at the top of my list because they can be worn on the body or placed in your purse and leave your hands free for tatting. It also makes for a convenient place to leave your thread and keep it nice and clean.

I hope these ideas get your creative juices flowing so that you might be inspired by items that you already have around the house/can easily purchase or may be able to make yourself.