Shuttle or needle?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_diane/]

Hi there, I'm brand new to tatting after having done knitting, crochet, sewing, spinning, and bookbinding (pillow lace next after this). I have both shuttles and needles and have tried both, and was wondering what the people here do more. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the different methods? I'm finding needle tatting much easier, but if shuttle tatting's going to give me better results, I'll keep working on that.

Comments

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I'm a shuttle tatter myself, but I'm not much help really, as I've never tried or been introduced to needle tatting.

[teikasmom.livejournal.com]

I started needle tatting first and then learned shuttle tatting. Needle is faster and I shuttle tat tighter. I think it's a personal preference.

[flubbles.livejournal.com]

I'm a lot faster with my needles...but I also slice the crap out of my knuckles...so I tend to use my shuttles more...less injury:)

[flubbles.livejournal.com]

I forgot to mention too.....with shuttle tatting, you have the ability to remain attached to a ball of thread (if you're using one shuttle).....if you're using needles, you have to cut the thread (at least, in my experience, if there's a cool technique to avoid that, I would love to know about it)....so you're more likely to need to do joins with needles....

I tend to like leaving stuff attached to a ball, skein, hank, whatever, instead of guessing and cutting...

[wosny.livejournal.com]

I'm a shuttle tatter, and haven't tried needle tatting, but I think long term shuttle patterns are the most frequently available, also check out some the patterns produced by Sherry (http://ladyshuttlemaker.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html) and you can see that needles just wouldn't be practicable!

[elspethdawitch.livejournal.com]

I've only ever used a shuttle, because it was harder and more "authentic" (I work at a historical village), but I know a lady there who needle tats...and I think it is really just a matter of preference...but I still wouldn't bother to learn how to needle tat, just because I don't want to learn all over again ;)

[jcortese.livejournal.com]

I've heard of needle tatting, but I use and prefer a shuttle. I like the fact that it's tighter, that I can use thread+ball more easily, that I can toss it in my pocket without worry, and there are a lot of pretty shuttles out there to collect, too. :-)

[jcortese.livejournal.com]

I should also say that I love tatting with extremely thin thread (sewing thread and silk thread), and that's not really an option with a needle.

[emmacrew.livejournal.com]

Shuttle tatting definitely gives me personally better results. I've seen a lot of really sloppy and loose needle tatting, but I've also seen some really fine needle tatting. Shuttle tatting does have the advantage of fewer thread joins, though.

[moniqueleigh]

Heh. I'm very amused to read that it seems most of our members prefer shuttle to needle. :) No reason, I'm just easily amused today. I, too, prefer the shuttle. My MIL has sent me a pack of needles & pattern book for them, but I haven't even bothered as I like to tat tightly. While some people do quite nicely with needles, there does seem to be a limit on the size of threads & tightness one can get (all down to needle size).

Wow, you've quite a number of crafts there. Congrats & welcome to the group! Please do show off your work -- we love seeing what our members are doing! Which reminds me, I really do need to get pictures of the snowflakes I made for my mother..... Er, yeah, back at Yule..... Oops.

[majolika.livejournal.com]

I'm shuttle-only as well. I admit that I don't even know how needle tatting works, really.
Welcome, and have fun :)

[piroshki.livejournal.com]

I suppose it really depends on the sort of result you want to end up with.

Shuttle tatting will end up tighter because your knots are not made loose enough to account for both the thread and the needle going through it. However, shuttle tatting is limited against things that are particularly fuzzy, like wool yarns, or inflexible, such as hemp, flax, or wire.

People with arthritic hands find using needles easier; I have taught the blind to tat (with 5-wt. cordonnet) and they prefered the shuttle. As far as speed goes...again this will depend on how you tat.

If your goal is to use very fine threads - 100 wt. or smaller - you will want to perfect your shuttle-tatting skills. If you want to use novelty fibres, stick with the needles.

Or just learn both, use both, and have fun with 'em.

Are you planning on bobbin-lace, cluny lace, or Battenburg, when you say "pillow lace"?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_diane/]

Bobbin. The problem is finding someone to teach me in person. I can pick up most crafts from books and online instruction, but bobbin lace has eluded me.

[foxglove-8778.livejournal.com]

I have been tatting for over 20 years. One of the things that I like better about shuttle than needle is that shuttle tends to be much more portable. When I'm in a doctor's waiting room, it's so easy to take the shuttle out of a pocket or purse and keep my hands busy for a while. That also gives me opportunities to educate people about the art.

Bobbin lace was my new hobby for the last few years. Not so portable. It is so much easier than it seems to be, just like tatting. I prefer to use silk thread in bobbin lace instead of tatted lace. With bulky weight, needle tatting. It can be difficult to judge how much to cut for a piece. Usually I'll need to do a test motif first.

Hope this helps!