This is a large A4 size paperbound book with 34 pages of gorgeous color. The tatted pieces are beautifully photographed. Although the instructions are printed in Spanish, the excellent full color diagrams make the patterns easy to follow. The double stitch counts are clearly marked on the diagrams.

These diagrams are special in regard to showing the joining picots. The joining picots are color coded so that you know instantly from which element they extend and to which element they are joined. For example, in the sample diagram below, note the bottom left hand corner. There is a pink chain and ring which attaches to a green chain. The joining picots are colored green which means that those picots were created on the chain. The pink ring then joined to those picots later. These also help to indicate the direction and the order in which the pieces are tatted. A very valuable tip.

The greatest attraction of the book to me is pictured on the back cover. Tatted gloves! I think that tatted gloves must be one of the most requested bridal items that I know about. These gloves are designed using a familiar block of two back to back rings followed by chains with a mirror image on the return pass. Elegantly simply and easily sized to fit any bride.

Counting the gloves, there are 12 patterns. Most of them use a basic round ring and chain repeating pattern for the central motif which is then made in multiples to be joined together. Other patterns added rows using standard edging patterns. The patterns overall are very traditional in construction and appearance. The diagrams are actually more colorful than the finished lace which is presented in white and ecru.

There is one pattern that is all one shuttle work. It is a classic wheel with a round center ring from which the tatter climbs out using a mock picot. Then a round of small rings joins to the center picots while alternating with larger rings separated by short spaces of carefully measured bare thread. The wheels are later joined together by means of a 4-ring motif. However, this extra motif may be eliminated by using the method for creating a ring on a ring. The last of a set of four wheels may join the four rings together in a swirl join. Or the floating rings on rings may be joined to each other as made. Very nicely done.


Note: I acquired this book for my personal tatting reference library. G. Seitz.