There are two types of tatting that are made today, needle tatting and shuttle tatting, and both are different in the way in which they handle the thread for the join.

If you are using a tatting needle joining is fairly simple - just pull the loop through the picot with the tip of the needle, then slide the loop down the needle close to the last stitch. If you are using two needles, you can take the second needle through the picot for a closer join - then just make the next double stitch as normal.

If you are using a shuttle to make the join, however, there are other problems involved. Many shuttles nowadays come with a small hook embedded in the end and you are expected to push this hook through the picot to which you are joining and use it to pull the thread through. However there are two problems here. One is that particularly with the metal shuttles on sale, the hook is really too large to be of practical use. The plastic Aero shuttles are OK but the hook is suitable only for size 10-40 threads and would not work with the very fine threads.

Really for using a shuttle it is often better to keep a separate very fine crochet hook - sizes 0.75 mm, 0.60 mm, 0.50 mm and 0.40 mm (sizes 13-16 USA and size 4, 5, 6 and 7 UK Imperial size) are best. Don't use the hook itself to pull the thread through - you will probably catch and split it just where you don't want it to be seen. Instead, as soon as you have lifted the thread through the picot, slip the crochet hook back along the loop of thread that you have just pulled through and then lift it up till it is big enough to push the shuttle through.

In short, take as much care as you can with your joins to enhance your tatting, and you will be able to enjoy its beauty for many years to come.