Tatting is a technique for handcrafting a particularly durable
lace from a series of
knots and
loops. Tatting can be used to make lace edging as well as
doilies,
collars, accesories such as earrings and necklaces, and other decorative pieces. The lace is formed by a pattern of rings and chains formed from a series of
cow hitch or
half-hitch knots, called
double stitches, over a core
thread. Gaps can be left between the stitches to form
picots, which are used for practical construction as well as decorative effect.