As civilization moved out from the middle east, tatting traveled to Europe. In Italy, it was called Occhi (eyes) from the shape of the rings; Frivolite in France, from its frivolous or fragile appearance; and Schiffchen arbeit (little boat work), from the shape of the shuttle, in Germany. When it finally reached England, it acquired the name "tatting. Tatters is also a Scandinavian word meaning rags. However, some have suggested that while sitting together working at their lace women "tattled" and gossiped, but obviously this had to have been a man who came up with this explanation!
However, the early Chinese also used knotting and couched their knotted designs into their embroideries. So, this might be how tatting came to Europe. For the same type of knotting and couching was very popular in Medieval times. It is mentioned by Chaucer in Canterbury Tales (1387).
In England it became the favorite pastime of the ladies at Court. Due to this the shuttles became very elaborate and expensive. Made to be seen as well as to be used. Some very precious threads were used for knotting including gold thread. Ivory and tortoiseshell were decorated and inlaid with gold and silver and mother-of-pearl. And many were decorated with precious gems.
So it seems that tatting was a common lace-making craft in almost all nations. And becoming more and more common everyday. It doesn't matter where tatting came from, or what you call it, it is in our hearts and souls.
Go To Page: 1
