History of Tatting

Hey! Stop complaining! Knowledge is power! And anyway, I don't know all that much about tatting history anyway. It's still nice to know a little about it. If any of this is wrong, and you know what's really true, I apologize for the inaccuracy I just write this stuff up for fun, and to get you started with some information.

Knotwork has been used in net-making since the beginning of time, and has been traced back to the ancient Egyptians. This was a practical lace, not exactly delicate hankie trim. When and from where actual tatting started is somewhat of a mystery, although it is pretty much agreed that it was started in seventeenth century Europe. Some of the terms used are French (e.g. picot, from Middle French literally meaning small point, one of a series of small ornamental loops forming an edging on ribbon or lace). The name for Tatting in various countries appears to be derived from the old French for lace, frivolitete, such as the Scandinavian frivoleter, and maybe even our own:

      tete-->tatting

Well, anyway, while some say that the French invented tatting, other European countries might feel differently, so why don't we just say it is an earth lace?

Frivolité - I hate that. In English, it makes it sound like tatting is a frivolous way to spend your time. Tatting is called Occhi in Italian, referring to the fact that the rings look like eyes. In Japan, I believe it is actually named for the Japanese word for the shuttle that is used. (I like those terms better, since of course I love shuttles, and occhi is just so fun to say!). It makes me feel like a fancy pants to say that I make shuttle-lace, instead of just saying I tat.

Knotwork has been around forever and a day, in the form of fishnets and the like, but fancy ladies making bits of lace came later! Like most arts of long ago, it was reserved for the rich and well-to-do. While fisherman used knotwork to make their nets, I don't think serfs had much time to tat, what with the farming and all. Another reason that probably only fine ladies tatted is because a tatting shuttle was a luxury - they didn't have plastic back then! Shuttles were made of bone, horn, ivory, mother of pearl, precious metals, sometimes decorated with gems (read: expensive). The more ostentatious, the better! Imagine, being the envy of your tatting circle! Quick, hide your gem-encrusted shuttle, here comes the queen! (first rule in seventeenth century tatting - never outshine the monarchy)

Funny thing is that those shuttles aren't as good as what we can get today. Have you ever seen those ladies' shuttles? They are gigantic!! I can understand though, I love shuttles too. But the point is, don't dwell on the past! Get yourself the Susan Bates $1.95 special and tat away!

Like all good things, tatting came to an end (Don't worry! It came back!) with the arrival of machine made lace, that was readily available in stores. I think that rather than having a piece of homemade lace, it was probably more of a status symbol to have bought & paid for your lace in an fancy store. You know, like it was in the 1980's. Tatting has been revived now because handmade things are popular again, and also because it is a relaxing and enjoyable pastime!

Tatting is about a lost art as Latin is a dead language. I'm a tatter and a Latinist, so take it from me, and don't let anyone tell you any different!