Tatting Day is an international holiday celebrated on April 1 every year. The art of knotting threads to make delicate lace is known as ‘tatting.’ It is one of the oldest lace-making techniques and was a part of the tradition. When tatting, tatters use some techniques to make graceful items like lace collars, lace edging, and other ornamental pieces, such as doilies. On Tatting Day, people all over the world celebrate it by engaging in lace tatting, sharing their hobby with family and friends, and consuming a fair amount of delicious chocolate.
History of International Tatting Day
Tatting began in the early 18th century. It was refined from an older craft form called ‘knotting.’ The origin of knotting can be traced to China and Ancient Egypt, where the Chinese and Egyptians both made use of knotting to decorate their clothing. The transition from knotting to tatting was said to begin in Italy, soon becoming popular all over Europe. People, however, were not so fast to catch the name ‘tatting’ and had still referred to samples of it as ‘knotting.’
In 1843, tatting was officially presented in a literary work. By 1851, a tatting craft book was published by a French woman named Eleonore Riego de la Branchardiere, demonstrating how to do different tatting patterns. She also developed using picots as the central motif. Thereafter, by the 19th century, many fashion magazines had published issues on tatting. In that era, women of all social classes tatted using shuttles, a major tool used for tatting, varying from cheap carved wood to ornately carved ivory and gemmed precious metal. Women would often make beautiful lace for themselves and their families. In some artworks, women could be seen gracefully holding a tatting shuttle or a tasteful tatted lace. Tatting was such a thing of pride.
The craft is so well revered that it has its unique name in over 70 languages. An international celebration of it started in the late 1990s, and ever since then April 1 has become a day to celebrate tatting and talented tatters around the world.
International Tatting Day timeline
Someone in Italy creates the tatting process while knotting.
A literary work recognizes tatting as an individual craft.
Fashion magazines release many articles on tatting.
People all around the world celebrate a special day for tatting.
International Tatting Day FAQs
Is tatting difficult?
Although it may seem difficult to learn, tatting requires just one type of stitch, the double stitch.
What was tatting used for?
In the early years, tatting was used to make tatted lacy material to decorate clothing.
Which is easier: shuttle tatting or needle tatting?
Needle tatting is normally considered to be the easiest technique to learn because it doesn’t require a tight grip as shuttle tatting.
International Tatting Day Activities
Get lace tatting
What better way to celebrate Tatting Day than to practice the craft itself? You could start by crafting small ribbons, all you need is a shuttle and some threads. You could also participate in tatting meetups and make new friends while at it.
Share on social media
The online communities of tatters worldwide would be showing their love for the craft by sharing their tatted laces. You can join in the fun and post a little something you made as well.
Eat some chocolate
No one knows how the tradition of eating chocolate while tatting on Tatting Day came about. However, it is a wonderful idea! Reward yourself with a delicious chocolate treat after all that handwork.
5 Interesting Facts About Tatting
Queen Victoria loved it
Queen Victoria of England was known to enjoy tatting.
Aristocrats used gold thread
In the past century, some aristocratic women used gold threads to make tatted laces.
Early tatting resembled threaded beads
Early tatted work resembled threaded beads because techniques involved successive knots.
Some shuttles were made from bones
Shuttles were ornate items made from many materials including bones.
Tatters make jewelry
Talented tatters make and sell tatted necklaces, tatted bracelets, tatted earrings, and other accessories.
Why We Love International Tatting Day
An opportunity to explore our creativity
Tatting Day provides the opportunity for us to explore our creative talents, from crafting flowers to thread or making simple jewelry. Every self-assigned task is delightful.
A chance to preserve an artform
Tatting is becoming a kind of lost art in modern times. This day is our opportunity to help keep it alive.
Have fun with friends and family
Participating in tatting meetups is a great way to socialize and be amongst people with similar interests. We love having such an opportunity.
International Tatting Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 1 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | April 1 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | April 1 | Thursday |
| 2028 | April 1 | Saturday |
| 2029 | April 1 | Sunday |
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