Okay, I’m being overly dramatic. It’s not that bad. Really.
But sometimes that’s what I see in my student’s faces when they show up to class and relate the time (or many times) they tried to learn tatting only to feel snubbed by a knoted thread.
The trick with the double stitch is “transferring,” or “flipping,” the knot from the working thread to the shuttle thread every time. Once you get this down, you can tat just about anything.
In an attempt to make this easier to see, here is my video tutorial on the subject. Yes, it’s a bit longer than many similar video tutes, but I’m trying to make it as blindingly clear as possible. If it’s not that clear, and you still have questions, please leave a comment or shoot me an email.
This post is part of a series of Absolute Beginner Tatting Lessons. Go back to the previous lesson, Winding a Shuttle, or jump ahead to the next lesson, The Left Handed Double Stitch.
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Thanks for your tutorials! I’ve just learned to needle tat, and have made a lot of quick progress, but not so for shuttle tatting. So far, I’ve just made a lot of messy knots.
However, your double stitch tutorial has resulted in my actually making tatting knots instead of ugly knots. 
Needle tatting is so much easier, but I’ve decided that I WILL learn with the shuttle too.
Eagerly awaiting rings and chains!
Shell
Shell, I’m so glad this helped! Keep practicing the tatting knots, and those ugly knots will get fewer and fewer.
Let me know how your progress goes!
I actually created a shuttle tatted object that I’m not ashamed to show people–after five days of trying to make anything that looked half as good as my needle tatting. This isn’t half bad–and the credit really goes to you! I can’t wait for your next tutorial. I wish I lived a little closer to Santa Fe (I live in San Diego County CA)–it’s one of my favorite places, plus I could get in some tatting lessons in person.
Shell, thank you so much for letting me know how this little video has helped you. That was the whole idea. YAY!
I’m thrilled you are getting along with the shuttle better. It can become your friend!
Keep me updated!
This is absolutely wonderful!!! I have taught my students to tat but never this clearly and simply. I’m excited to try again (teaching others) and use this to show. It’s so perfect!!
Michelle, thanks. I hope this gives you an idea or two to pass along to others.
I can’t really take credit for the simplicity though. I was teaching a friend to tat some while ago, and she kept insisting I break down what I was doing, movement by movement. It really forced me to analyze each individual part, and I have kept at as I have taught others. I think that helps most people, but I’m always looking for new tips for teaching.
You did an absolutely phenomenal job of demonstrating the stitch transfer! All the other videos out there totally leave that part out! Here’s a question (maybe a video idea?): As you tat and the thread on your left hand gets tighter, how do you most easily and effectively loosen it back up without messing up your work?
Thank you so much!
♥Anita
Anita, I’ll be posting a video in a few days that shows exactly how to do that.
Basically, when you are holding your thread in a ring, look at the thread as you are holding it between your thumb and forefinger, then go downwards to the space between your thumb and pinkie. Pull on that thread downward to get more thread and loosen the ring. Pull the shuttle upward to tighten the ring. Good luck!
Thank you! Now, if only I can get it wrapped right around my fingers again after I do that! *Ü*
♥Anita
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I, too, am a needle-tatter who is a bit mystified by shuttle tatting. I watched this and said “Wow”. It was very clear what you were doing. Thanks for sharing this.
Jeanine, I hope this encourages you to try shuttle tatting too. Let me know how it goes.
Hey thereFastTatterI I noticed your blog site on Aol the other day and I am really grateful that I did!
I genuinely like your posting approach and tips which you offer.
I will bookmark your site for future reference!
Thank you FastTatter for The Dreaded Double Stitch Tatted Treasures, a great blog post!
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Finally!!! I did my first double stitch!!! THANK YOU!!!
Woohoo!!! You go girl!
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Best shuttle tat beginner tutorial I have found! The magic is, as you said, that ‘flip’ of the thread. I couldn’t figure out why I was doing the threading properly but only sometimes the know would work. I wasn’t doing the flip each time. Thank you!
Heather, Thank you SOOOO much for this video series. It is making very clear what has been spectacularly murky up till now. I especially like the measured pace you are following, which allows me to actually SEE the flip occurring, which I have never actually seen in a video. And the best part of a video, as always, is that I can repeat sections as many times as I need to…or until my cat, Abby the Tabby, says “Enough!” and comes over and starts batting at my computer monitor!
Whatever…
Anyway, thanks!!
bachdiva, you are spectacularly welcome. That flip can be difficult to see, especially when a cat is getting in the way. Mine certainly don’t help the tatting process.
Yay! Just did my first ring!!
Woohoo! You go girl!
Just wanted to say thank you for helping me learn to tat. Your work here is my “go to” resource!
Jean, you are very welcome. I’m glad that you’re learning to text and then I can help!
Hello, I have just spent two days trying to master this art and every time I try ,
I cannot pull the shuttle thread to make a ring ? I have just watched your video on DS and realised that I was not flipping the stitches………I shall endeavor to master this art once more with your invaluable help and let you know how I have got on…..Fingers and toes crossed….oh no not fingers, I need them to Tat !!!
Many, many thanks to you for helping me to understand where I’ve been going wrong….I so adore this skill…I’m praying that it works for me !!!!!!!!
hugs
chris richards
xxxxxxxx
Chris, good luck! I’m glad you figured out what the problem was, and hope the video will help you do it right.
Shuttle tatting is so much harder! You should try needle tatting! It is five bajillion times easier, and you don’t have to buy to shuttles, you use one needle and one thread! It is so much easier to learn!!! The difference in difficulty between the two methods is astronomical!
Shuttle tatting and needle tatting are definitely different challenges, and I agree that learning shuttle tatting is more difficult. I also think that most people who have mastered the skill would say it is worth the effort put in.
That said, I also learned needle tatting first and encourage anyone who wants to, to take that up. It is easy and fun and a great talent to have.
Shuttle tatting and needle tatting are definitely different challenges, and I agree that learning shuttle tatting is more difficult. I also think that most people who have mastered the skill would say it is worth the effort put in.
That said, I also learned needle tatting first and encourage anyone who wants to, to take that up. It is easy and fun and a great skill to have.
Hi Heather…..YES I can do a ring now, but I need a lot of practice…..onwards and forwards, I’m sure I’ll get there ! Thank you for helping me !!
hugs
chris R
xxxxx
Yay!!! Good for you!
Heather, I just discovered your video tutorials, and they are amazing! Thank you so much for making them. I went from zero knowledge of tatting on Saturday at noon to chaining and ringing up a storm by Saturday evening! Your videos are so clear.
If anyone is reading this and getting discouraged by the tatting learning curve, don’t despair! I’m finding that it takes LOTS of practice. Tatting requires a ton of manual dexterity — and boy are my fingers getting a workout. It’s taking me a while to get all of the finger movements down, but I think that will come with time and practice. Every time I re-watch these videos, I find some way to make my finger movements more efficient. So thanks, Heather, for all of your help!
Kim, that’s wonderful! Keep practicing and it will get much easier, and even feel natural, I promise.
Hi Heather Tatter,
As everyone else has said, your video helped me finally get the flip down. Thank you so much. I’ve tried other resources but yours is the one that made the breakthrough.
Possibly a new shuttle tatter should always try to use 2 contrast threads? I’ve only been using 1 and it has made it all the harder.
Certainly it is a jolt to start with needle tatting and try the shuttle, but I feel it will be worth it; even more than that, the right needles are difficult to get in my country so I’ve been using doll needles and knooks (not typo) to learn.
I’m going to keep practicing and I’m sure eventually the movements will be second nature. You’re quite the brilliant teacher to be able to break it down so well for us, as well as super generous to share your knowledge.
Seems tatters are generally kind people. I was referred to your site from a friend on Intatters.com and though I’ve tried loads of other crafts, I’ve never been as happy as with this one. Thanks again. I will look at your other vids when I grow confident with the flip!
Cheers.
Welcome to tatting! I’m so glad you found my blog, and hope it will help you enjoy your new craft.
I felt the same way when I started tatting. I’ve done many other crafts, including needle crafts, and enjoy many of them, but tatting is my real joy.
Hello!
I am an absolute beginner in tatting, and I have to say that this tutorial is helping me so much, it is so clear, and makes it easier than it looks, especially since I am left-handed: I decided to learn the right handed way as I am a somewhat complicated left handed person. I have tried many time to crochet and knit and it would turn out as a nightmare as I had been taught by my grandma who was right-handed and tried to show me for the left hand. But I went all confused because I had seen her doing it for years right hand and this made it impossible for me to properly learn again. It would not make any sense to me anymore.
I am now quite comfortable to hold the shuttle on the right hand and my double stitches are getting better and better! A few more metres of double stitches and I will be able to move onto the picots, all this thanks to your video!
Have a nice day,
from a very confused left hand
Yay, I am glad it is easier than expected and that you’re making progress. Try out the picots, they are also easier than they look.