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 OK, first: the whole book is written in Japanese. If you can read that language, I imagine that the how-to-tat instructions are fabulous. The pictures, diagrams and patterns are all wonderful, and there is even an English alphabet and a set of numbers. The patterns are all very elegant and well-designed, with clear diagrams. They range from edgings and motifs to stunning shawls and curtians. There are even 4 tatted necklaces! This isn't a beginner book (unless you know the language, but the patterns are wonderful and I would highly reccomend it.  This book is a compilation of patterns sent in by members of the e-tatters and Tat-chat e-mail lists. The variety is wonderful: patterns range from classic doilies and motifs to a bat, self-closing mock rings, and the cutest tatted teddy bear you ever saw. There are no how-to instructions in this book, its all patterns (more for your money!) They are presented in a variety of ways (diagrams, longhand, etc.) and range from basic beginner to challenging in difficulty. The illustrations are b&w and color photocopies of the pieces, and are large enough to be really helpful.  This is the updated version of her 2 previous learn-to-needle-tat books, combined into one volume. There are LOTS of very clear color pictures, and a handy little guide to which needle to use with the size of thread you have. This book is so clear and well-planned, if you can't learn to needle tat from it, I don't know what to tell you! She give step-by-step instructions (with a photo for each step) for both left- and right-handed methods, rings and chains, and 2-color tatting. There are some great beginner patterns, too: bookmark, tiny butterflies and flowers, collar/edging, and a little medallion. I really enjoyed learning to needle tat from this book, its a great introduction to tatting.  |
 This book has 12 patterns, and something for every occasion. I think that my favorite is the tatted beehive surrounded with flowers and bees. These are very creative and unique designs, not your basic doilies at all! There is also a tatted mouse sitting on a ball of thread, reading a tatting newsletter, great stuff. The photographs are royal blue and white, very clear, and the picots are the most consistently perfect ones I've ever seen! Some patterns are rings and chains only, while others use pearl tatting and split rings. This isn't a beginner book, but someone who's done a few larger/more complex projects could work most of these designs, and there's plenty for the advanced tatters here as well.  I just got this book, so I haven't actually made anything from it yet. The cover is just gorgeous, a large doily in pale yellow, sage green, rose and varigated lavender. The designs are very unique, she represents flowers vividly using the basic rings and chains of tatting. The patterns range from fairly simple to quite complex, this is really not a book for new beginners, but a couple of simpler patterns are great for the ones who've already tackled a couple of projects. My one complaint with this book is that the pictures are slightly faded and blurred, but considering that each pattern is shown in color, I got over it pretty quick! The patterns are diagrammed, and there are great little hints throughout the book to improve your work. I'd say this is a great book for lacemakers looking for something a bit different.  ($30, hardcover) I love this book! The introduction could just break your heart, but the rest is kind of fun. (By the way, this is a reprint of a 1910 book--it does have instructions on how to tat, but it looks like a different method than what's used now.) There are no patterns, its more like a catalog of work done by the Queen of Romania and Lady Hoare. Black and white photos show some of the most complex tatting you ever saw. Things like gold thread, pearls, topaz and silk are used in these pieces, and man do I wish the pictures were in color! There are no patterns in this book, just lots of inspiration. You can tell that these two creative women were devoted to tatting as an art form.  |
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She talks to rainbows, and to the seas... |
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