Twenty to Make: Tatted Snowflakes

Jennifer Williams trained as a domestic science (home economics) teacher but her interest in textile crafts started when she was only six years old. Her tatting designs have been published in tatting and lace magazines and are displayed at various textile and lace exhibitions. Jennifer is a member of the international guild, the Ring of Tatters. Visit her website for patterns and technique tutorials: www.cariad-tatting.com

Tatting produces a lacy effect that is perfect for capturing the fragile magic of snowflakes. There are the usual twenty in this book, each one with a girl's name, and all good examples of how beautiful and delicate tatting can look. This is a book of projects, and if you cannot tat you won't learn it here; beginners need to go elsewhere and there is a suggestion below. If you are a reasonably confident tatter who has learned the essentials, these patterns will test your skills. Some pieces incorporate beads, sequins, buttons or are even worked onto curtain rings. The author says that as long as you know the basics, any extra techniques are explained in the instructions, mostly with the aid of some clear drawn diagrams. Apart from that, instructions are in written form along with a diagram showing what goes where and a full page photograph giving a suggestion as to use. Snowflakes are shown as jewelry, coasters, tree decorations, appliqués and more. At the beginning are helpful staged instructions showing folded and shuttle joins and how to use a picot gauge. A great wee book for all tatters that is sure to be a holiday favorite.