How to Use the Continuous Thread Method when Tatting

Sewing in ends when you complete your tatting project is not something most tatters look forward to. Usually when you tat with the basic rings and chains you end up with two threads when you are done, which have to be sewn in and hid.

When you tat using the Continuous Thread Method (CTM) you leave the shuttle thread on the ball (or attatched to a second shuttle) and end up with only one thread end to hide, instead of two, when you finish your tatting project. One less thread makes completing a tatting project much quicker and often a tatter much happier.

Step 1: Wind the thread on your shuttle from the ball of thread, as you normally would, but do not cut the thread when you are finished winding.

Step 2: Hold your tatting shuttle, with your dominant hand. Let the ball of thread hang or rest in your lap.

Step 3: Pinch the thread, with your opposite hands (non-dominant) thumb and pointer finger, half way between the ball and shuttle.

Step 4: Wrap the thread around your non-dominant hand just exactly as you would when you begin to tat a ring.

Step 5: Holding the shuttle in your dominant hand begin tatting as you normally would. The ball thread should be resting in your lap hanging down similar to if it were the cut thread for the ring, although still attached. The ball thread will act as your second thread for tatting chains. When you close the first ring the ball thread will be in the correct position for beginning a chain.

You can also use this CTM for tatting with two shuttles. The second shuttle would act as the ball thread in the instructions. Cut the length of thread you need to fill both shuttles. Wind one shuttle with one thread end and then the second shuttle with the other thread end. Then, complete as instructed.