Waltraud Naumer published "Schiffchenspitzen Occhi Frivolités, Eine Einführung in eine alte Handarbeit mit über 100 traditionellen und neuzeitlichen Mustern und Anwendungsbeispielen." in 1984 (Verlag Paul Haupt Berne and Stuttgart.) The book presents the basic instructions for tatting and offers more than 100 traditional and modern patterns and examples of uses for the tatting. It is a hardback book with 163 pages, 11 color plates and black and white photos for all patterns. Also included are black line diagrams which are easy to follow but are, unfortunately, unnumbered.

More than 50 pages are devoted to round Christmas tree ornaments and Easter eggs. There is a round dream catcher (window decoration), a modest 3-d butterfly and a few pieces worked over cabone rings (for napkin holders.) Three very old-fashioned cravats or ties are built from individual motifs surrounded by traditional alternating ring and chain repeats. Handkerchief edgings with hanky holders, edgings for insertions and small motifs round out this book.

The expected collars cuffs and doilies appear. Unexpectedly, instructions for edging large pieces of cloth, or joining smaller pieces together to form a table runner and a full tablecloth accompany a full color photo of a table laid with all the trimmings for high tea in the European style.

There are no difficult patterns. This book would offer a great opportunity for the beginning tatter to build up confidence and experience. Two words are the key to the directions, Ring = ring and Bogen = chain. (For German tatting terms table please see: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art29867.asp .)

Tatted tablecloth for high tea.

Sample of diagram style.

Sample of patterns.