This step-by-step illustrated tutorial on needle tatting by Laura Evans will be eagerly received by students who are just beginning the study of tatting. There is a discussion of every aspect of needle tatting from the threads to the needles. No assumptions are made about the students familiarity with needlework. Individual tools are presented and explanations are given for their use.

The basic double stitch and the formation of rings and chains are covered in extreme detail so that anyone... even a person who had never held a needle before...will quickly pick up the essentials and put them to work. The directions are presented with text and numerous illustrations which show the position of each finger of the both hands.

Multiple references are offered for each step of the work. The student can rapidly and easily access the material presented or referred to later in the book. There is an excellent abbreviations list on page 60 (I do wish it had been positioned more prominently earlier in the book.)

The needle tatting techniques are presented in a dictionary format. Each explanation is accompanied by complete illustrations showing the movements of hands and needle and thread. The sample below is listed under "Correct Errors" on pg 35

The finished technique or stitch is also presented with front and back aspects. Although tatting still strives today to present a standard notation, there are differences among patterns. The author points out potential places where there may be a confusion in terms and clarifies all of them.

Particular care was given to teaching the student how to read patterns. Examples of the old fashioned variety of pattern where every word is written out is followed by the same pattern in diagram and in numeric notation. Working through this tutorial will give the new tatter a solid foundation. Only this one teaching pattern is included. This is a great reference guide for the novice needle tatter.


Available in electronic format, the book has 68 pages and, except for the book cover, it is all in black and white.