Abstract: A tatting shuttle for holding multiple thread bobbins on the same shuttle to enable use of more than two colors or textures of thread while tatting. The shuttle uses multiple pairs of facing bobbin holders to hold each respective bobbin between planar shuttle members. The shuttle may include several pairs of bobbin holders. One end of the shuttle may form a point to facilitate tatting and the other end may be a joining member holding the two planar members together. A method for tatting is described in which the shuttle allows one to tat patterns of material in multiple colors or textures by selecting different colored or textured material from respective ones of the bobbins.

Abstract: A hand held tool for starting lace stitching or braiding, including a firm, stabilizing ridge about the perimeter with a relatively thin, flexible plastic panel within the perimeter. The panel includes a systematic scheme of holes that are interconnected by channels. The holes are sized and shaped to accommodate a particular lacing material and the holes are arranged to permit a particular design in the finished gimp. The tool is removed from the finished gimp with the exertion of a gentle separating force.

Abstract: A needle is disclosed for the making of lace by the method known as tatting, which needle has an end segment with inwardly converging side surfaces converging toward the needle end with an eye extending therebetween. The side surfaces are shaped to facilitate transfer of a series of knots formed on the needle shaft to a doubled carrying cord passed through the needle eye.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing lace-like handwork using thread and at least one hand-held shuttle carrying a supply of thread. The method comprises a knotless tatting technique involving a series of double stitches arranged along a single thread. Holding the work in one hand the shuttle in the other, the thread extending between the work and the shuttle is looped over the fingers of the one hand and the shuttle passed over the loop towards the one hand and returned through the loop and under the loose shuttle thread, pulling the shuttle back towards the other hand, tightening the thread and then slipping the loop under the top of the shuttle, and then sliding it into place against the work. The operation is repeated in the reverse order to complete the double stitch. Picots are formed by leaving spaces between double stitches and a series of double stitches may be formed into rings, the rings in turn, being joined with other rings and/or chains in various designs.