So I thought that I would need shuttles a bit bigger than what I have, so I ordered two and received them this week, boy did I get a surprise!!!!!!!!! I didn't realize they would be this huge. Anyway do any of you tatters out there have these Tatsy Shuttles and what have you used yours for?
I have one - ancient but hardly used!! I DO find it very useful for demonstrating and teaching new tatters, though. I use rats tail cord on mine. I'm sure there are other uses for them too.
ReplyDeleteI have several Tatsy shuttles, but not that lovely yellow one! I also have two Tatsy-style shuttles from Grizzly Mountain Arts. I prefer my wooden shuttles because they are smooth. The raised letters on the Tatsy shuttles can snag the thread... annoying at times, but not a big problem.
ReplyDeleteI like to use my Tatsy shuttles when using hand-dyed thread, or when working on a large project. I can divide the hand-dyed thread between the two shuttles, and then I don't need to add thread midway through the project.
I have two, red and blue. I haven't used them in years. My least favorite shuttle without a doubt.
ReplyDeleteI have some, but have never used them. They seem too big to control - but I bet they would be perfect to hold a lot of thread for a large project. I've also thought about trying tatting with a small silk yarn, and one would almost have to put that on a large shuttle like these I think.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteGosh they are big, I thought mine were large but they are BIG, I use my black plastic Aero ones, I would love a wood one but never got around to buying any new ones for years, I supposed I am so used to them. I worked out the other day that I have been tatting 40 years next year and all my shuttles were brought in the 1970's. What I dont like is shuttles with hooks attached to them, I think they are dangerous, as the hook could stick into your hand, when teaching I have said to use shuttles without the hooks in. I was also told the smaller the shuttle the neater the work. I am interested to see how you get on with them and if they are better being bigger. Margaret
I have a couple that I've used in teaching but I don't like them and seldom use them anymore. They are much too big for my hands so it's very awkward to hold but with a large cord, it's a great visual for teaching.
ReplyDeleteSome people with larger hands than mine like them because they hold so much thread and they can tat forever without adding more.
My first Tatsy was bought from Herrschner's back in the early '80s, along with the Winandy Tatting book. I looooove Tatsy. Since then, I have bought a few more in different colors.
ReplyDeleteIt is just a matter of becoming accustomed to the different styles and sizes, and of adjusting the shuttle used to the different project you are working on. This is like knitting needles; sometimes you need a thin needle, sometimes you need a thicker needle, sometimes bamboo is better and other times you want a needle in a different material.
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Good Grief! Even my cat would run away!
ReplyDeleteFox : )
I mainly use mine with hemp yarn. Or when using a TON of medium to large sized beads.
ReplyDeleteI got mine in a Tatsy "kit" along with a much thicker tatting cotton thread when I first started tatting in the "60's. Being so large, I found it very clumsy and awkward to work with, but it served the purpose with holding the larger thread so I didn't have to keep "adding" thread. It certainly is not my favorite shuttle. I don't think I have even used it a second time.
ReplyDeletei have one. i use it when i see a pattern in shuttle/ball then split whatever format...or if i know that i am going to need two shuttles and chains are abundant... or any 2 shuttle pattern...you know i kinda use my tatsy often...also i use it for yarn...i am making a blanket with tons of different knit and crochet patterns and designs... i figured why not add a square of tatting...:)
ReplyDeletealso if you are looking for shuttles larger than clovers and smaller than tatsy...go with sewmates... they are my favorite shuttles...
I learned on Tatsys - and the book was my companion, it's the one which finally taught me how it was done.
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly, I always found them comfortable to hold, I hold them in my whole palm, rather than just by the fingers, a la clover.
They're not so tactile and portable though, and so I don't use them these days. Tatting is something I carry around with me, unlike my knitting and crochet.
I'm keeping them to teach my grandchildren one day - nice bright primary colours!
I think I have only used it once, for a project with lots of beads.
ReplyDeleteIt's fascinating to read all the comments!
ReplyDeleteLike Jane and Gina, I have used my now 20-year-old Tatsy to demonstrate with, and I let visitors to our festivals use my second one to copy my hand moveents.
I show the chain first, and I wind cotton yarn on the Tatsy (like that used for crocheted/knitted wash cloths) and tie on another color for the ball thread.
That way they can clearly see how the left hand forms the knot (if they're right-handed!) Janette Baker begins her "How to Tat" DVD with a chain and uses the two colors method also. She uses a clover-type shuttle, but recommends thick thread, like size 5.
As Diane notes, it's great to have a Tatsy to hold a lot of thread, and to use when doing ring-and-chain patterns where you need a second shuttle for only a few rings. But it basically acts as the 'ball' thread, so you don't have to tat with it that often.
I have no problem holding the shuttle at all, but I wouldn't choose it for most of my tatting. I prefer a hook on the end of my shuttles , and was delighted to learn that the fellow who makes the Pop A Bobbin shuttles has successfully made a large wood shuttle (but smaller than the Tatsy) with a hook on it! I hope to order one and use it to hold a lot of thread but be 'there' for rings when necessary.
I was amazed to read that Maureen learned to tat from the Tatsy book. Was there a real 'book'? There were instructions with the Tatsy I bought in 1989, and they were no clearer to me than the instructions I couldn't understand since 1955, even though the package said "New easy instructions!"
Fortunately I found someone to 'show' me how to tat a few weeks after I got the Tatsy. I praciced with the Tatsy, but soon switched to a Boye metal shuttle w/bobbin, and I was off and running. Today I prefer Aeros and special wood shuttles with bobbins made by a fellow here in Pennsylvania back in the early '90s.
But I still demo with the Tatsy and am pleased to have it! I can't find them in craft stores these days, at least around here.
Do I get a prize for the longest comment? :)
ReplyDeleteMy daughter tatted yarn with the Tatsy shuttles because they were the only ones big enough to hold enough to make it worthwhile. She made some gorgeous skinny scarfs with them. I have one that I'm going to use to make little bits to put in my Christmas cards because I can put so much thread on them and not have too many ends or waste too much thread.
ReplyDeleteI have a pair in the same colors. I've recently started using mine because I am using size 10 crochet thread to tat with. I will also use them for a larger project that way I don't have to bother with a bunch of cut and ties. It was harder to hold at first but once I began to 'palm' rather than 'finger' the shuttle, it got better and easier to use them.
ReplyDeleteHi Typs,
ReplyDeleteYes, I ordered 1 of the Tatsy shuttles thinking that I would need a bigger one and yes, I too was surprised at the size of them; they're huge!!
I find it a little difficult to maneuver when making rings (and sometimes chains), BUT... they come in handy when I'm working on a project that I need to have enough thread on my shuttle. They also work well with the bigger thread (light sport-weight yarn). and also to help teach ppl how to tat.