History of ...

Tatting is believed to have evolved from an ancient type of decoration of clothing called knotting.  From the first mention of knotting in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (1387) and a poem published in 1707 by Sir Charles Sedley about Queen Mary "The Royal Tatter", little records exist. 

In 1850, Mademoiselle Eleonore Riego de la Branchardiere, regarded as the 'mother' of modern tatting appeared on the scene.  She published many books and evolved the core principals of tatting which we still use today.  Other notable names in the 1800's are:  Mrs. Pullman, Mrs. Beetonm Mlle Theresa de Dillmont, and Mrs. Louisa Walker.  In the 1900's names such as lady Katherine Hoare, Myrtle Hamiltonm Rachel Abraham, Bessie Attenborough, Elgiva Nicholls, Rhoda Auld, Irene Waller and Rebecca Jones helped continue the evolution of this wonderful art form.

- Reprinted from Tatting Workshop for the Beginning Tatting Student by Sadie Allison