Beginners Needle Tatting Classes

6-Week Course

Discover the beautiful traditional craft of Needle Tatting and learn how to create delicate lace using a tatting needle and thread.

This 6-week beginner-friendly course introduces needle tatting gradually, beginning with the basic double stitch and progressing through rings, chains, picots, joining techniques and simple motifs.

No previous tatting experience is required.

Needle tatting is different from shuttle tatting and can be a wonderful introduction to handmade lace for learners who prefer working with a needle.

Course Duration

6 Weeks

Classes are taught progressively, with each week building upon the skills learned in the previous lesson.

Suitable for complete beginners.

---

What You Will Learn

Throughout the 6-week course, you will learn:

• Understanding needle tatting tools and materials
• Choosing the correct tatting needle and thread
• How to hold and tension the working thread
• The needle tatting double stitch
• Forming rings
• Creating chains
• Making decorative picots
• Understanding picot size and spacing
• Joining rings and motifs
• Reading basic needle tatting patterns
• Understanding common tatting terminology and abbreviations
• Starting and finishing thread neatly
• Hiding and securing thread ends
• Correcting common beginner mistakes
• Creating simple decorative motifs
• Finishing and shaping completed tatting

---

6-Week Learning Program

Week 1 – Introduction to Needle Tatting

Meet your tatting needle and become familiar with the basic tools and materials used in needle tatting.

You will learn:

• Parts and sizes of tatting needles
• Suitable threads for beginners
• How needle size relates to thread size
• How to hold the needle and thread
• Understanding working thread and ball thread
• Creating the basic double stitch
• First-half and second-half stitches
• Maintaining comfortable tension
• Sliding stitches from the needle

Practice: Double-stitch samples and your first simple ring.

---

Week 2 – Rings & Picots

Build confidence with the basic stitch while introducing the decorative picot.

You will learn:

• Creating consistent rings
• Making picots
• Decorative versus joining picots
• Controlling picot size
• Counting stitches accurately
• Reading simple stitch notation
• Closing rings correctly
• Recognising and correcting uneven tension

Practice Project: Simple tatted flower or ring motif.

---

Week 3 – Chains & Pattern Formation

Learn how rings and chains work together to create traditional tatted lace.

You will learn:

• Creating chains
• Turning and positioning your work
• Alternating rings and chains
• Maintaining consistent tension
• Understanding pattern repeats
• Following simple written tatting instructions
• Recognising the structure of a tatting pattern

Practice Project: Small decorative edging sample.

---

Week 4 – Joining Techniques

Joining is one of the essential skills that allows individual rings and sections of tatting to become larger lace designs.

You will learn:

• Joining through picots
• Joining rings together
• Connecting rings and chains
• Understanding joining points on a pattern
• Keeping joins neat and correctly positioned
• Preventing twisting
• Identifying and correcting common joining mistakes

Practice Project: Joined flower, medallion or small motif.

---

Week 5 – Reading Patterns & Building Motifs

Begin working more independently from a needle tatting pattern.

You will learn:

• Common needle tatting abbreviations
• Reading stitch counts
• Identifying rings, chains and joins within a pattern
• Following pattern repeats
• Planning thread requirements
• Adding new thread when required
• Hiding thread ends
• Maintaining consistent sizing throughout a project

Project: Begin your final needle tatting project.

---

Week 6 – Completing Your Tatting Project

Bring together all the techniques learned throughout the course.

You will:

• Continue and complete your final project
• Practise independent pattern reading
• Troubleshoot common problems
• Secure and hide thread ends neatly
• Shape and finish your tatting
• Learn basic blocking and presentation techniques
• Discuss ways to continue developing your needle tatting skills

Final Project: Complete a small tatted lace project such as a bookmark, decorative motif, lace edging, small ornament or similar beginner-friendly piece.

---

Supply List

Students will require:

Essential Supplies

• Tatting needle set – preferably containing different sizes
• Crochet cotton or tatting thread suitable for the selected needle
• Small sharp embroidery scissors
• Fine crochet hook for joins, if required
• Tapestry or embroidery needle for finishing ends
• Measuring tape or small ruler
• Notebook and pen/pencil
• Small container, pouch or project bag for keeping supplies together

Recommended Beginner Threads

Smooth, firmly twisted cotton thread is generally easiest when learning.

Suitable options may include:

• Size 10 crochet cotton for initial practice
• Size 20 tatting/crochet cotton as skills develop
• Mercerised cotton tatting thread

Beginners are encouraged to start with a light or medium-coloured thread so individual stitches are easier to see.

Very dark, fluffy, fuzzy, metallic or highly textured threads are best avoided while learning the basic techniques.

Optional Supplies

• Thread organiser
• Small project box
• Needle threader
• Blocking mat
• Rust-proof pins
• Pattern folder
• Magnifying lamp or reading glasses if required for close work

---

Who Is This Course For?

This course is suitable for:

• Complete beginners
• Learners interested in traditional lace-making
• Sewers, crocheters and knitters wanting to explore another textile craft
• Learners who have tried shuttle tatting but would like to explore needle tatting
• Returning crafters wanting a structured refresher
• Anyone who enjoys detailed, creative handwork

Classes are taught in a friendly and supportive environment, allowing learners to progress at their own pace.

Blended age groups welcome.
Gender neutral.
NDIS participants welcome.

---

Skills You Will Have By The End Of The Course

By the completion of the 6 weeks, learners should have developed the foundation skills to:

✓ Work the needle tatting double stitch
✓ Create rings and chains
✓ Make consistent picots
✓ Join tatted elements together
✓ Understand basic tatting terminology
✓ Follow a simple written needle tatting pattern
✓ Start and finish work neatly
✓ Complete simple motifs and lace projects independently

---

Important Course Information

Needle tatting is a skill that develops through repetition and practice. Students are encouraged to practise the techniques learned between classes whenever possible.

Individual results and learning pace will vary, and assistance will be provided throughout the course.

Once you have completed Beginners Needle Tatting, you can continue developing your skills through more advanced motifs, decorative edgings, larger lace projects and intermediate needle tatting techniques.

 

📍 Classes held in Rooty Hill
🌐 Enrol Online 
📅 Saturdays 6:30pm to 8pm📍 Classes held in Rooty Hill
📅 Saturdays 6:30pm to 8pm
💜 NDIS Participants Welcome
😊 Gender Neutral
🤼‍♀️ Blended Age groups

 

ENROL HERE!

 

💳 How to Pay

We accept payment via PayID or Direct Bank Transfer only — no cash payments accepted.

Afterpay can be used for full upfront payment only.

PayID: 0423 088 671

Payment must be received at least 3 days before your class date to secure your spot

Once the enrollment form is filled and your order is placed, please make payment using the details above.