How to tat the "Double Stitch" Materials needed: shuttle with hook end (Boye) size 10 crochet thread (DMC Cebelia) small scissors	There are a number of different types of tatting shuttles. The one illustrated above is a stainless steel "Boye" brand shuttle. The hook on the end (A) is convenient for forming joins in the pattern. The removable bobbin (C) can be attached to the end (B) for ease in winding the bobbin with thread.
	Tatting is made up of double stitches (ds) formed along a base thread in the shape of either rings (R) or chains (C). These rings and chains are joined together by picots (p). Picots are also used as a decorative element in the tatting design.

Tatting the Double Stitch

Tips for beginners: The shuttle motion when creating a double stitch is a horizontal "back and forth" movement. The shuttle does not flip or turn over when going over or under the threads. Think of it as a train on a track, with an engine at each end…first the train goes forward, then backwards, but it never leaves the ground as it changes directions. Do not wind your bobbin too fully, as this can cause your thread to become wedged in between the bobbin and the inner wall of your shuttle…this will result in grayed or blackened thread! Not a pretty sight and very difficult to remove. Watch for the 'flip' or transfer of the knot. This transfer must occur for the double stitch to be formed correctly. Left or right-handedness usually doesn't change the tatting technique since both hands are used in forming the double stitch. Left-handed tatters may even have an advantage since much of the delicate movements are made with the left hand. This said, there are some left-handed tatters who do indeed tat with the ring formed on their right hand.

Hold the shuttle in your right hand, grasped by the thumb and first finger, with hook end pointing toward the left as shown in diagram 1.
Wrap the thread around the fingers of your left hand to form a ring as shown in diagram 2.
With the little finger of the right hand, catch up the shuttle thread as shown in diagram 3.
Pass the shuttle to left (hook end first) under the shuttle and ring threads. Note that as the shuttle is passed under the ring thread you must allow the ring thread to slide between the shuttle top and your finger as shown in diagram 4.
Push the shuttle left until the end of the shuttle clears both the ring and shuttle threads as in diagram 5.
Return shuttle backwards (winder end first) over the ring thread and under the shuttle thread as in figure 6. Note that as the shuttle is passed over the ring thread you must allow the ring thread to slide between the shuttle bottom and your thumb.
Pull shuttle to the right until front of shuttle clears both threads as in diagram 7.
Drop right little finger to release the shuttle thread as in diagram 8. Loosen tension on the left hand to allow the ring thread to go slack a bit.
Pull shuttle right tightly. This will cause the knot to transfer or "flip" over and wrap around the shuttle thread as shown in diagram 9.
Raise left middle finger to tighten the stitch around the shuttle thread. Move the knot along the shuttle thread close to your thumb and finger as in diagram 10.
This is the first half of the double stitch.
Second half of the double stitch is a reverse of the first half. Catch up the shuttle thread with your right little finger as shown in diagram 3.
Pass the shuttle to left (hook end first) over the shuttle and ring threads. Note that as the shuttle is passed over the ring thread you must allow the ring thread to slide between the shuttle bottom and your thumb as shown in figure 11.
Push the shuttle left until the end of the shuttle clears both ring and shuttle threads as shown in diagram 12.
Return shuttle backwards (winder end first) under the ring thread and over the shuttle thread as in figure 13. Note that as the shuttle is passed under the ring thread you must allow the ring thread to slide between the shuttle top and your finger.
Pull the shuttle right until the end of the shuttle clears both ring and shuttle threads.
Drop right little finger to release the shuttle thread as in diagram 8. Loosen tension on the left hand to allow the ring thread to go slack a bit.
Pull shuttle right tightly. This will cause the knot to transfer or "flip" over and wrap around the shuttle thread as shown in diagram 15.
Raise the left middle finger to tighten the stitch around the shuttle thread. Move the knot along the shuttle thread and tight up against the first half of the double stitch as shown in diagram 16.
Completed double stitch (ds) is shown in diagram 17. Check to make sure your double stitch can slide along the shuttle thread. If it can't slide…oops! it isn't made correctly and you must begin again! Keep trying…you will get it!