Is it Sometimes Easier to Read Than to Tat?

I mean, really. This is just over the top. That white binder, the fat one, is full of patterns I have downloaded. When do I think I am going to attempt even half of those?

Perhaps, I am trying to avoid the learning curve, as I pour over pages of pictures and instructions of other people's strategies, instead of actually picking up my shuttle.

Maybe this is an integral part of the process for those of us that love to savour a new book. Maybe an essential component of learning a new craft is to crack open a cover, inhale the fresh print, and consume the secrets and delights that dwell inside. I have gleaned much from the wise teachings and esoteric diagrams that fill my tatterly library, lovingly built up over the past half year!

What has sprung from those pages into my shuttle? Well, PattyD's Mardi Gras design on InTatters:



http://www.intatters.com/

Just look at all those split rings that go in all directions!

Then came the little tallies that I ADORE, whose construction completely eluded me. For months, I read about how to do that weird, cat-in -the-cradle, loom thing, till I read SuzanneM's blog, where she has a great, instructional video on Clunies - check it out - http://morduededentelle.wordpress.com/.
Here are mine, newly tatted today. Not perfect, by any means, but I'm getting it! Finally!

The books, in conjunction with the Internet, and wonderful, helpful, patient and supportive online tatters, have been my instructors and my companions in this tatting adventure.

In a city of over four million people, I do not know anyone who tats. Reading is sometimes easier than tatting, but I couldn't have learned to tat without the books.