I actually learned to tat when I was 12. My mother was tatting pretty lace edgings for tablecloths at the time. I really loved the way she moved the shuttle over and under the thread held in her left hand to create the loops and knots.


Despite some whining on my part, Mum was initially reluctant to buy me a tatting shuttle kit because she didn't think I was serious about it. So I taught myself to tat using a makeshift clothespeg as a tatting shuttle! Mum then bought me a real one. But she was right because I did lose interest soon after. Had I known then one could make pretty jewelry too, I may have continued the craft.

Tatting was developed in the early 19th century to imitate needlepoint lace. The English word for the craft likely comes from the word "tatters" which refers to the fraility of fabric. The Italians called it "occhi" and further east, it was known as "makouk" after the shuttle.


The working thread is loaded onto a shuttle or bobbin which is used to create the knots on a circle of thread held on the left hand. Here is a 2 minute  modern day video to show you how this graceful craft is done.  If you are inspired, check out the free tutorials below!



Rings
Yarnplayer also known as Marilee Pockley created these gorgeous lacy rings shown above and on the left. She has kindly written the free tutorial for her Remembrance ring which you can download from her blog post here. The tricky bit is sewing or tatting in the ends. She gives another link on how to do it.
Via

Earrings
Be-stitched has some really cool free tutorials showing plenty of creativity. This is the pretty purple peony tatted earrings tutorial. I've seen plenty of beads strung on thread and crocheted or knitted into designs after. Here is a superb example of doing the same with tatting.

Then the tatted loopy earrings tutorial for a bit of drama! I liked how she added loops of seed beads below.

And for ultra fun, the tatted funky earrings.

This intriguingly named design by Sally Kerson (Tat's Heaven) is called the tatted tooth brush earrings! Via
For those of you who love the delicate look, check out Be-stitched's necklace and earring set tutorial.She added seed beads as well for this design.


Then there is the ultra-sexy Queen's Feet tutorial from TotusMel. This one uses needle tatting (no shuttle) which might be easier for some. 

This amazing tatted and bead cross pendant tutorial is from Tatbit Tats. via


The tatted pin tutorial is also by Tatbit Tats. Scroll down to see the instructions.  Via

The tatted dragonfly could be made into pin or perhaps a pendant. The tutorial is by Jon's Tatting Patterns. Via

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips