Tatting - Writers Forum

**Penelope** · 08-17-2005, 08:39 AM

Perle cotton is wound round
two shuttles which are bound
together by a common thread
to keep the creation neat
from teardrop one to complete.

Mistakes can't be undone
by the power of one
so it's best to beware
and keep count with care.

It's just one knot repeated
until a loop is completed
with spaced picots to add flair
it appears lighter than air
and it's drawn up tight
in crisp clean white.

Chains bridge the spaces
as the curlicue chases
another sweet swirl.
Flickered fingernails twirl
kinks out of the cord
as the shuttle spins free
and then is taken in hand.

Clicking makes measure
of creative links leisure.
Correct all the wrong angles
add beads and spangles.

When it comes to the end
it's a gift for a friend.
You might see a snowflake
or a wish upon star.
It's up to your take
and what keeps you on par.

PFA

journyman161 · 08-17-2005, 09:17 AM

Is this how they make those lace doilies?

Nice poem, & if I'm right about the type of final product, also clearly described to one who had no idea what tatting is.

Is the 'shuttle spins free' referring to when you give a tug on the yarn to get some slack with which to work?

**Penelope** · 08-17-2005, 09:28 AM

Thank you! I am so relieved you could understand what I was writing about. I've tatted since I was 16 and saw a gorgeous lace doily in a craft shop. I had to buy a book to teach myself because I didn't know anyone who did it other than the shopkeeper. Tatting is one knot - a slip knot that slides along the thread and I found it quite easy but no one else I know has. It's all down to keeping the tension tight. When the knots are made, the cord twists and in order to keep the kinks from twisting the cord you have to spin the shuttle every so often. It's so much prettier than crochet. A few women here at the forums have received one in the mail from me because I took it up again (made fifteen stars/snowflakes) and didn't want to wait for Christmas. I can't just watch TV - I have to be doing something too and tatting takes up so little room. It's a dying art from what I've been told. Closer to macramé than any other thing I can think of. Easier too.

I went and found a link that shows tatted lace and the shuttles too.
http://www.wcnet.org/~scwheels/

I am so pleased you understood the poem! Really!

Psycho6058 · 08-17-2005, 11:06 AM

Doesn't have anything to do with "tit for tat"?

Just kidding. very interesting and informative. Nice job.

Burnz · 08-17-2005, 10:04 PM

Pen,

My mom knows all about tatting. She is as crafty as Martha Stewart, well more so actually cuz she has never been put under house arrest. It was a very interesting piece. Have you ever gotten into the fine art of quilting? My mom and aunts had me help tie a quilt once, felt like we were back on the plains with Laura Ingalls and the whole gang. I liked this one a lot.

nae411 · 08-17-2005, 10:07 PM

Pen I would not have known how much to appreciate this poem until I received my snow flake. Thank you girl, this poem is as lovely as the gift.

Nae ;0)

**Penelope** · 08-17-2005, 10:27 PM

Wayne - heh! I've always wondered why they call it tatting. I suppose it's better than titting. Would I have ever begun if it was so named? hmmm ..

Michael - Your mom knows tatting too? Cool! Yes, I quilt and .. knit - crochet - embroider - you name it, I've tried my hand at most crafts. I was knitting by the age of eight. My mother encouraged this sort of self expression. She never tatted though. Quilting is a lovely craft. I'm not all that good but it didn't seem to matter.

Nae - I read Kimberly's thank you thread and began to think about how to write a poem on tatting and what it entails. I think I'm lucky to have had your address to send you something on impulse. It's a circle really. I read your poem about your Christmas tree and know you'd appreciate something like that. You are so welcome Nae. I love doing things on impulse.

I'm so happy this poem worked out well.

Pardot Kynes · 08-17-2005, 10:31 PM

I had never heard of tatting before this thread....Good poem though. Even if I can't appreciate it all.

**Penelope** · 08-17-2005, 10:39 PM

Well - you appreciated it enough to leave this comment and you learned something new too. How cool is that?

Thanks!

Quack Corleone · 08-18-2005, 04:59 AM

Thank you for writing a poem that's actually about something! None of this sappy, empty, broken heart, suicide, "I cut myself because nobody loves me" spew. Not that I know anything about poetry, really. But I do like your poem.

It's neat that you use the tatting jargon; spices up the piece. Only thing that I dislike is the last line. Ending with "par" makes me think of golf, and I don't like golf. Unless "par" is also one of those magical tatting words!

**Penelope** · 08-18-2005, 07:50 AM

What a lovely comment! Thanks! Most of my poetry isn't about angst. I ended with par because the word didn't begin with golf. It dates back to the 16th century and is connected with Latin whereas the golf term came about in the 19th century. I like taking a word and spinning it away from the 'popular' usage.

bobbiego · 08-18-2005, 08:20 AM

Pen,

As one who can not find my fingers when doing delicate work, I so enjoyed the detailed discription of a beautiful creation, so well written..thank you.

Bobbie

**Penelope** · 08-18-2005, 08:29 AM

Bobbie! Thanks! I wanted to add something too. When I was a Union honcho there were a lot of women who sniffed at women who had such skills. It was as if these women lacked the ability to see the beauty in such creations. It teaches patience better than any other endeavor I've come across.

In the early days of Union organizing in the mines, quilting bees were sometimes used as cover for meetings about sedition. I never was ashamed of being capable with a needle and thread. It's an art too. Shame on those women for mocking other women. Who the heck were they anyhow?

Thanks again Bobbie, I appreciate your comment. I'm so glad I wrote this poem!

08-18-2005, 01:37 PM

flawless, as usual...

vodka

**Penelope** · 08-18-2005, 02:01 PM

Thanks Jen!

Why are you the black spy? I always liked Spy vs Spy.