For people who love to tat or people who want to learn, this group will include discussion about books, patterns, problems, and hints about the art of tatting.

Q: What requires six pairs, but is not bobbin lace?
A: Look at the photo to the right. I call this my "Rainbow Sherbet" doily. The thread used to tat the edging is not variegated, but actually six different colors of thread, for a total of twelve shuttles, all working at the same time. It was a lot of fun, but I don't plan to do it again, thank you <grin>.

I was recently asked for the pattern for this doily. There is no real pattern, per se. It was a lesson taught in Georgia Seitz's online tatting class. I just elaborated on it. Here's the URL for the lesson:

http://www.georgiaseitz.com/classes/1896/1896.html

The pattern for the basic idea is on the above webpage. For the doily, I had to alter it just a bit. The rings on the inside (joined to the linen doily) are 3±3+(join to the doily)3=3 (very small picots, just large enough to insert hook). The chains are still CH: 25, and the rings on the outside are still 5±5-5-5 (1/4" open-measured picots), as in the design shown on Georgia's page. The pattern is versatile enough to be adaptable to any size fabric circle, but you may have to experiment for a bit, until it looks correct for you. Also, since I tat quite tightly, your rings and chains may come out bigger, if you tat loosely, so you may have to adjust the pattern, even on the same size circle as I used (8" diameter).

Many people ask how I handled so many shuttles at the same time. The answer is, I didn't. I kept each pair of shuttles wound up short, and placed inside a 2X3 zippered bag. I only took out the two shuttles with which I was tatting, worked their ring-chain-weave-ring, then wound them back up and worked with the next pair. Tedious, yes, but I think the effect was worth it. Enjoy...