How to Read and Write Tatting Patterns

When reading/writing a tatting pattern, the first thing to keep in mind is that there are a few rules. Some rules are written and some are not. This includes using basic international tatting symbols and abbreviations. Over the years tatting symbols have changed, been deleted or new ones added. Some of the more basic symbols and abbreviations are listed below.

ds Double Stitch
+ Join
J/j Join
p Picot
· Picot
Sm Small
L Large
Lg Large
Ch Chain
R Ring
Cl Close
RW Reverse Work

Some Victorian (older) symbols may include
d s double stitch
r w reverse work

The only difference with these particular Victorian abbreviations is that the letters are separated by a space as each letter represents an individual word. In today’s symbols these letters are joined; as you’ll note in the first list.

You will notice that there is more than one way to abbreviate/symbolize both the join and the picot. This is true with other tatting directions as well. When writing a pattern it’s important to keep clear and concise instructions by either sticking to letter abbreviations or symbols. To demonstrate some ways of writing patterns; see below.

1) R: 5·5·1·1·5·5 CL R, RW
In this example, you will see that nothing indicates what stitch to use. Of course, we are referring to the most common stitch; the double stitch. So, each of the numbers tell you how many double stitches to do. The first part of our pattern calls for 5·. This means to do five double stitches (even though the ds is not mentioned, the number-by itself-represents ds’s) and then a picot. Notice that next our pattern calls for another 5 double stitches and another picot. Then, it changes to 1 ds, a picot, another ds and another picot. Then ends with 5 ds, picot and 5 more ds’s.

Note: Since we already did a double stitch to create our picot, we only need to do four more to complete the second 5ds segment.

2) Ring: 5, p, 5, p, 1, p, 1, p, 5, p, 5 CL
Here is another way of saying the same thing as in sample #1. Both ways are correct. Please notice that, at the end, the instructions simply say CL (close). We already know that it’s a ring. The very first of the instructions tell us so. Therefore, we know that we’re closing this into a ring. However, this example does not say to reverse work. The majority of the time, you will be doing a reverse work. Your instructions, if written properly, should tell you.

Note: If you are going from a ring to a chain or from a chain to a ring, you will want to reverse work. If, however, you are making a clover or multiple ringed circle, you will not reverse your work; unless the designer has something particular in mind and they will let you know this in the pattern. This is dependent on whether you needle or shuttle tat. There are those who still teach RW with shuttle tatting and those who do not. But, is necessary with needle tatting unless told otherwise.

Another shortcut with writing patterns may be to say 5, p, 5, p, 2 single ds’s separated by picots (same way of saying 1, p, 1) But, this is usually done if there are a larger number of ds’s separated by picots.

What would be confusing to a reader is if this same pattern were written by mixing symbols and abbreviations. Notice the example below:

R: 5ds·5, p, one ·, 1·5 double stitches, ·, five
Although these instructions are not impossible to read, it would make it a bit tricky even to the seasoned tatter.

In closing, I’d like to leave you with one of my favorite lace patterns. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

R: R: 3, p, 3, p, 1ds, 1 sm p, 1 lg p, 1 sm p, 1ds, p, 3, p, 3 Cl
Ch: R: 3, p, 3, p, 1ds, 1 sm p, 1 lg p, 1 sm p, 1ds, p, 3, p, 3
R2: 3, p, 3, j in 6th p of previous r, 1ds, 1 sm p, 1 lg p, 1 sm p, 1ds, p, 3, p, 3 Cl

Continue Ch and R2 until desired length. This makes a beautiful lace and is quick to work up.