The Hooked Tatting Shuttle: A Spring Hook in One End, a Spool in the Barrel

"The spool D, which carries the thread, is retained upon a spindle, F, which is journaled in the end caps, and is prevented from running too freely by the spring F′, which sets in a cavity in the cap C, impinges against the end of the spool, and holds it against the end of the cap B." "The usual practice is to keep a crochet-hook or a pin with which to pick out the stitch in the same manner which is familiar to those who are versed in the art, but by my improvement the needed facility is always in readiness, and is concealed when not required for use."

**Barrel.** Cut 7 cm of aluminium tube about 12 mm across. Print two pointed end caps that plug its ends, one with a slot through its point for the hook and the other with a hole for the thread. **Spool and spindle.** Print a spool that turns inside the barrel on a steel wire spindle held in the two caps, and put a small compression spring in a cavity in one cap against the spool's end as the brake F′. **Hook.** File a small hook on the end of a short length of steel wire as the tatting hook, fix it to a slider in the pointed cap, and put a spring behind it so it projects. Bend a catch of spring strip that holds it in when pushed back, released by a small stud. **Test.** Wind cotton thread on the spool and tat a ring of double stitches with a picot, using the hook to pick out and join. Then sheath the hook and carry the shuttle in a pocket.

**Joel Sylvester Warner** of Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, New York, received US 50,970, dated 14 November 1865. His barrel A had end caps B and C; the hook G was on a frame H pushed out by the spring I and retained by the spring catch K, released by pressing the stud L. His claim is the tatting shuttle as described, an article of manufacture. **Honest limits.** Aluminium tube and printed caps and spool stand in for his made parts. The notebook's thread length is an idealised packing; its sizes are examples. Your tatted ring is the result.