Tatting

Tatting (frivolité) is a technique of making lace from knots, in which chains and rings with characteristic picot loops are formed using a special shuttle or needle. Unlike crochet or knitting, tatting is built precisely on tight knots, so the lace comes out strong, textured and very refined. Historically the technique was used to trim collars, cuffs, doilies, wedding accessories and church textiles. The work demands patience and precision: each element is worked by hand, knot by knot. Tatting allows openwork flowers, stars and geometric patterns to be created that adorn the edge of a piece or become an ornament in their own right — earrings, necklaces, brooches. It is a rare, almost jeweller-like handcraft in which lace that looks precious is born from a simple thread.