Learn How to Do CroTatting with these Free Patterns

Cro-tatting Basics

Georgia Seitz has shared vintage cro-tatting instructions including helpful drawings to assist people in understanding the basics of the craft. The instructions come from a 19th-century book. There aren't enough details here to really help you learn the craft but taking a look at these early instructions can give you a terrific foundation for moving forward to learn cro-tatting.

Learn How to Cro-tat from Rainbow Valley

One of the best online resources for learning cro-tatting is Enfys of Rainbow Valley. Begin with the free download guide to the craft, which shows you how to add and remove stitches from the hook to create designs, as well as how to make cro-tatted strings, beaded cro-tatting, and how to work with multiple colors. This designer also offers some cro-tatting video instruction.

If you find that the instructions from Rainbow Valley work well for you, this website also offers a number of different cro-tatting patterns for sale. After learning the basics from the free guide, use the patterns to expand on your knowledge of the craft and make items including coasters, bridal jewelry, stoles, and more.

Simple Cro-tat Square Motif

Designer Simone Roeder actually learned how to cro-tat from Rainbow Valley's resources but then branched out to making her own cro-tatting patterns. These patterns are a great resource for anyone interested in the craft.

This one, in particular, is a favorite among crocheters since it offers something of a cro-tatting alternative to the classic granny square. As with crochet squares, the motifs can be joined into a range of different items.

Little Cro-tatted Doily

 Crotatting is perfect for lace-like items such as doilies. This is a free pattern offered in both French and English to create a detailed lavender doily. The pattern uses chains, slip stitches and single crochet for the crochet portion. For the cro-tatting, it uses double knots and picots. There is a link to some basic cro-tatting instructions for beginners.

French-speakers can also see a more detailed instructional video. Designer Vivianne Deroover also has a cro-tatting book in French.

Rose Doily

This doily pattern combines the popularity of square motifs with lace and flowers to create a vintage-inspired doily. This is a perfect project for someone who wants to practice cro-tatting. Use the finished item to dress up your house during springtime. A set of these will also make a great housewarming gift.

Bullion Center Cro-tat Snowflake

There is a collection of free cro-tatting patterns by Mary M that includes a series of snowflakes. This one is an intricate design with bullions at the center. Whereas most crochet bullions begin with a "wrap around" of somewhere between 5 and 9 "yarn overs," the bullions in this project begin with 20 "yarn overs!" This project is not for the faint of heart but if you're seeking a winter cro-tatting pattern that is challenging and interesting then this is worth taking a look at. Additional patterns can be found at Tatting Pattern Central.

Vintage Cro-tatting Collar

AllCrafts also has a terrific collection of free cro-tatting patterns. Many of them link to archived items online, and they are best tackled by people who have already learned cro-tatting and can read cro-tat patterns. This collar is an example of an inspiring project on the site, one that you can use to create a vintage-inspired accessory that will really add pizazz to any modern outfit.

Taking it Further with Online Instruction

Udemy offers an interesting online class that teaches several niches of crochet including cro-tatting. If you are a crocheter who just wants to learn something new but you aren't sure that cro-tatting is it, this class gives you the chance to try it alongside Tunisian crochet and filet crochet to see where you'd like to go next. This course isn't free, but it is affordable, and it can be an inspiriting next step for explorative crocheters.