tatting

a tatted bookmark by Vivian Elsner

I’ve mentioned before how I continue to be amazed when a vague subject crosses my path (literally, visually, or electronically) several instances in a short span of time.

It happened again today—three events within a ten-hour timespan. The subject is SO vague, you may not even be aware of what it is.

Tatting.

No, not tattooing, just tatting.

Per Wikipedia, “Tatting is a technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace from a series of knots and loops. Tatting can be used to make lace edging as well as doilies, collars, accessories such as earrings and necklaces, and other decorative pieces.

Until about ten years ago, I had never heard of it myself since the gene for sewing, knitting, and crocheting skipped over me.

But then my sister-in-law Alice gifted me with a tatted bookmark made by a friend of hers. I liked it so much I bought some as gifts for family members.

I discovered recently that somehow mine had gotten lost. Vivian Elsner, the crafter, had moved away so my local source was gone. Then Alice found one tucked away in a drawer to fill the void. It now hangs safely on the bulletin board above my writing desk.

I was sitting at my desk today readying some cards to put in the mail, and I glanced at that tatted bookmark. “I know someone who would appreciate one of those,” I thought to myself.

And yay, I found four offered by an Etsy crafter in England, so I ordered them.

After dropping off my cards at the Post Office, I stopped at the information desk at our local library. While the librarian was looking up something for me, I glanced at a display rack on the counter.

There, right in front, was a notice for a free tatting class in June.

I mean, come on now. What are the odds?

Then when I got home and opened my blog idea book to get started writing today’s post, what should fall out except the information card Vivian had included with her tatted bookmark.

I give up. OK. All right. Uncle. I’ve written about tatting.

So this isn’t my usual make you laugh post, or advice on living a happy life, or ways to be better at public speaking. I’ve told you about tatting.

What you do with that knowledge is completely up to you.

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A short video of a woman tatting. Now you understand why I could never do this.

History of tatting