TITLE: Tatted & Crocheted Designs, Star Book 30
AUTHOR: American Thread Co., NY
FORMAT/DATE: Booklet:1944
PAGES: 31
PUBLISHER: American Thread Co., NY
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10 1/2" x 7 1/2";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: This was a republication of the Anna Valeire alphabet from a book she published in 1915, but was unattributed in this one. It is a little "fancier" with the "F" being the most changed - but essentially the same style. This was one of two monograms that got republished in several different places. I've included them all in this listing for the academics among us. It will be a recurring theme...
TITLE: Block Alphabets in Split Ring Tatting
AUTHOR: Karen Bovard
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:2015
PAGES: 42
PUBLISHER: Self, Omaha, NE
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2"
ISBN: 9780983544128;
NOTES: She provides no samples, but instructions are well labeled diagrams done in color so that you can determine where the rings split. It's a sturdy looking alphabet of rounded block letters and no picot frills. She does the alphabet in two sizes. This alphabet is seven(7) rings high by five(5) rings wide. She includes numbers and a variety of frames for putting initials or anniversary numbers in - a perfect touch.
TITLE: Block Alphabets in Split Ring Tatting
AUTHOR: Karen Bovard
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:2015
PAGES: 42
PUBLISHER: Self, Omaha, NE
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2"
ISBN: 9780983544128;
NOTES: She provides no samples, but instructions are well labeled diagrams done in color so that you can determine where the rings split. It's a sturdy looking alphabet of rounded block letters and no picot frills. She does the alphabet in two sizes. This alphabeth is ten(10) rings high by 8-10 rings wide. She includes numbers and a variety of frames for putting initials or anniversary numbers in - a perfect touch.
TITLE: Ginger Buchanan's ABC
AUTHOR: Ginger Buchanan
FORMAT/DATE: .GIF:2002
PAGES: N/A
PUBLISHER: Self
Letter Dimensions(HxW): 5cm height(size 20 thread)
ISBN: None;
NOTES: She provides a sample for all the letters and instructions in written notation. It's a sturdy looking alphabet with rounded block letters. She has strong ties to Ring of Tatters, UK, but so far as I know hasn't published any books of her patterns. The site is no longer being supported but was archived so using the wayback machine will still get you there...
Here's the website:
http://web.archive.org/web/20050209035619/http://www.craftsnlace.net/tatting/basic/index.html
TITLE: The Bulletin
AUTHOR: Unknown
FORMAT/DATE: Periodical:Sept. 1973
PAGES: 28
PUBLISHER: International Organization of Lace, Inc.
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2"
ISSN: None;
NOTES: There is usually a caption of some sort for all the photos that IOLI prints, but I couldn't find the attribution for this alphabet, printed on the back page of the September 1973 issue of "The Bulletin." I found nothing in any of the articles inside referring to it either. This is unusual for IOLI - they're usually pretty good about citing their sources. It's a sturdy block letter alphabet, with chains outlining both sides of the line of rings shaping the letters.
NOTE:(July 2018) I finally did figure out its origin - it was first published in "Needlecraft: Home Arts" (MAG:1937,April, May, Sept., Nov.) in four installments. It was designed by Hazel Stoner Mercier(see below). I've created a pdf file of the original pages of instructions:
"Monogram Set(Needlecraft,1937)"
TITLE: Tatting Designs
AUTHOR: Comfort Workers
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:1917
PAGES: 15??
PUBLISHER: W.H. Gannett, Publisher, Inc., Augusta, Maine
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10" x 7 1/2";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: They gave you only one sample letter as an "Example of how letters may be formed." Excerpts of this booklet have been reprinted by "Helping Hands Newsletter"(Vol. 11, Issue 1(Winter 2003)) published by Barbara Foster. I decided to include it here because of what looks like a split ring in the middle of each of the long legs of the "W". The instructions don't reflect that: "Clover leaves used have two rings 5 p., 1 ring 3 p. each, chains are 6 d. s., 5 p. rings." -And that's all the instruction you get for this monogram. They expected you to be clever enough to work the rest out for yourself. My best guess is what looks like a split ring to me is one of the "5 p. ring", and the chains are joined to the middle picot and it just isn't apparent in the photo. Still, the split ring had been published by now...
TITLE: Tatting ABC's & 123's
AUTHOR: Houstine Cooper, Barbara Foster
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:2008
PAGES: 32
PUBLISHER: Handy Hands, Inc., Paxton, IL
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: 1883432146;
NOTES: This particular monogram also included numbers. It works up pretty easily.
TITLE: Let's Tat
AUTHOR: Angeline Crichlow
FORMAT/DATE: HC:1981
PAGES: 353
PUBLISHER: Books Publication, Dayton, Ohio
Book Dimensions(HxW): 8 1/2" x 5";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: Mrs. Crichlow didn't give pattern instructions for any monograms, just the tantalizing examples in this one black-and-white photo.
TITLE: "Alphabets"
AUTHOR: Susan Diermyer
FORMAT/DATE: Newsletter:1990
PAGES: N/A
PUBLISHER: TATtle TALES Newsletter, Tacoma, Washington
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11"x8 1/2"
ISBN: None;
NOTES: The entire alphabet was serialized in Volume III of the newsletter over the course of the year(1990). Monogram sets were still relatively rare when this one was published. She uses split ring to keep her letters narrow and flourishes with smaller rings at the corners for decoration. The newsletter was published by Teri Dusenbury, and very rare because of its small circulation. You can see more of the alphabet on the cover of "TATtle TALES"(Vol. 4, issue 2) published by Teri Dusenbury. If you compare the sample I've given here to Vida Sunderman's "A", they look very close(just the size of the picots), but the rest of the letters have more differences, so this likeness is deceptive. Ms. Diermyer published five years sooner, but I didn't see Vida Sunderman's name on the subscriber list found on one of the back covers of the newsletter. I don't know if they were aware of each other, or who developed her monogram first...
TITLE: Butterfly Monogram
AUTHOR: Teri Dusenbury
FORMAT/DATE: .JPG:2011
PAGES: N/A
PUBLISHER: Self
Book Dimensions(HxW): N/A
ISBN: None;
NOTES: She only provides diagrams, and only for the numbers- though if you know the basics, you can work out the letters from the numbers diagrams. I thought it was a pretty monogram and different from any of the others. I was really pleased to run across it. She originally published the whole alphabet with instructions in an issue of her newsletter "TATtle TALES"(Vol. 4, issue #3(June 1992)), and the matching numbers in the following issue. I just wish she'd published it in a book - and that she'd made the pineapple patterns available in hard copy as well! She certainly has plenty of beautiful designs to fill several new books...
Here's the website:
http://picasaweb.google.com/aeonspider/tattingbracelets#
TITLE: Corticelli Lessons In Tatting, Book 3
AUTHOR: Nellie Ellison
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:1920
PAGES: 54
PUBLISHER: Corticelli Silk Mills, Florence, MA
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10" x 7 1/2";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: The Monogram was actually designed by Melvia M. Stoddard - roughly a quarter of the book were Ms. Stoddard's designs, despite her name not being on the cover of the book. Ironically, you only get instructions for the "C" and "M" of this alphabet - the author assured you could work the rest of the letters out for yourself without difficulty. I thought it was a neat design and different from any others I'd run across. So I've included it here for the more intrepid...
TITLE: Alphabets in Crochet & Tatting, Book No. B
AUTHOR: Emma Farnes
FORMAT/DATE: TBP:1915
PAGES: 15
PUBLISHER: E.C. Spuehler Co., St. Louis, MO
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10" x 7 1/2";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: The tatted monogram was provided to Ms. Farnes by Anna Valeire. It is identical to the one Ms. Valeire presented in her own book of the same year.
TITLE: TATTING 2000
AUTHOR: Ring of Tatters
FORMAT/DATE: Sprlbnd:2000
PAGES: 89
PUBLISHER: Ellesmere Press, Ltd., N. Yorkshire, UK
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11 3/4" x 8 1/4";
ISBN: 0953748103;
NOTES: Alphabet was designed by Gill Fisher in 1985/6. Tons of picots!
TITLE: First Tatting Lace- Motif, Doily, Edging, Etc.
AUTHOR: Sumi Fujishige
FORMAT/DATE: TBP:2008
PAGES: 90
PUBLISHER: Nihon Vogue, Japan
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10" x 7 1/2";
ISBN: 9784529045353;
NOTES: Ms. Fujishige only did numbers, and used them to decorate the face of a clock. She left bare thread where a chain would normally go, creating a very different look. Maybe she'll complete an alphabet in this style sometime in the future.
TITLE: Tatting Lace
AUTHOR: Teiko Fujito
FORMAT/DATE: TBP:1994
PAGES: 69
PUBLISHER: Nihon Vogue, Japan
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10" x 8 1/4";
ISBN: 4529025330;
NOTES: This is a playful monogram set small enough to be suitable for handkerchiefs and the like. The book is in Japanese, of course, but the patterns are diagrammed and Ms. Fujito sticks pretty closely to traditional tatting, so no one with the basics should have difficulty reading the diagrams.
MAGAZINE TITLE:
AUTHOR: Edda Guastalla
FORMAT/DATE: WEB:2004
PAGES: X
PUBLISHER: Designer has a website
Book Dimensions(HxW): Not Applicable;
ISSN: None;
NOTES: This monogram set makes up into a relatively dense fabric, and employs a square tiling motif as its building blocks.
Author has a website:
http://digilander.libero.it/chiacchierino/news/iniziali.html
MAGAZINE TITLE: CREATIVA: ago e navetta Chiacchierino
AUTHOR: Edda Guastalla
FORMAT/DATE: MAG:2015
PAGES: 66
PUBLISHER: Edizioni G.E.S., Milano, Italy
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/4";
ISSN: None;
NOTES: I think this is an awesome monogram set, and not difficult to do. Instructions are in Italian(it was in an Italian magazine), but there are great diagrams to go with each and every letter. My copyright date for the magazine is only approximate - they were careful not to put a date anywhere in the magazine that I could find. I was able to get the copyright date for this alphabet from a photo of it that Edda has up for her Etsy shop. This monogram set was designed for needle tatting, but would work up just fine with a shuttle.
BOOK TITLE: Rotunda...a chiacchierino!(Rotunda...in Tatting!)
AUTHOR: Edda Guastalla
FORMAT/DATE: PDF:2021
PAGES: 53
PUBLISHER: Self, Milano, Italy
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISSN: None;
NOTES: This is her third alphabet! And it is very different from the other two. She based it on an elegant script font called Rotunda, and it looks amazing. If you are looking for an impressive monogram script, I recommend this. Instructions are in Italian, but she provides very detailed diagrams that anyone who has some experience working from diagrams should be able to follow without difficulty.
Edda has an Etsy Shop where this can be purchased:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EddaGuastalla?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=958518948
TITLE: Stitch'n Sew
ARTICLE: "Shuttle Skill"
AUTHOR: Myrtle Hamilton
FORMAT/DATE:MAG:Jan/Feb. 1973
PAGES: 64
PUBLISHER: Tower Press/House of White Birches, Seabrook, NH
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISSN: None;
NOTES: According to her article, this monogram was provided after numerous requests. I assume it is Mrs. Hamilton's own design. It is the most minimalist of any of the monograms I've run across and she recommends it for stationery and hankies. If you don't know who Myrtle Hamilton is, please check out her personal bibliography page on this web site. She was a very interesting lady. I'll continue to add more to that page as I dig up more info about her and her hundreds of articles and patterns.
TITLE: Old Time Crochet: "Tatting Techniques"
AUTHOR: Becky Hollenbaugh
FORMAT/DATE: MAG:Summer 1997
PAGES: 64
PUBLISHER: House of White Birches, Inc., Seabrook, NH
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: 1095-2013;
NOTES: This alphabet was a reprint from "Plain and Fancy Needlework"(1917). I love it when an author attributes reprints - and I admire Ms. Hollenbaugh's articles in "Old-Time Crochet" very much. She had tough shoes to fill following so closely on Myrtle Hamilton's long-running articles. I think she did an admirable job. I don't own the original publication this alphabet came from, so I was extremely pleased that Ms. Hollenbaugh found and republished it in her column(and told us where she got it). It uses a padded technique where the core thread is much thicker than the stitches covering it. Makes a really elegant effect. The design is similar to the Priscilla monogram, but not identical. I'm sorry my scan didn't come out very clearly - Tower Press used the cheapest possible newsprint to publish their magazines on, and my copy of this issue is rather pounded and yellowed on top of that. I still think it is one of the lovelier monograms I've run across - well worth hunting down.
TITLE: Tatting Book, No. 2
AUTHOR: House of White Birches
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:1980
PAGES: 48
PUBLISHER: House of White Birches, Seabrook, NH
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: Reprint of older books, but not credited except for a reference to Priscilla Book, No. 1. This alphabet actually comes from Priscilla Book No. 2. Dover also reprinted it under the name of the editor, Julia A. Sanders, so you'll see the same design in a couple of places in this bibliography. I'm listing and cross-referencing multiple publications for the sake of completeness and to show how the designs got passed around through the decades. It should also help those hunting down new and different monograms.
TITLE: The Complete Book of Tatting
AUTHOR: Rebecca Jones
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:1985
PAGES: 112
PUBLISHER: Lacis Publications, Berkeley, CA
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: 0916896390;
NOTES: This book is a must have in any tatting library for a number of reasons. See my review. The alphabet here looks remarkably like one published in "Workbasket"(April,1963)(only this one is a little fancier). It's unattributed in "Workbasket", so I don't know where it was originally published. Ms. Jones makes reference to Julia Sanders' book published by Dover - "The alphabet given here is not as elaborate as that one, as sometimes you need only a plain initial to put on your tatted notepaper or in the corner of a hankie." This one has the added virtue of including numbers.
TITLE: LACEWORK: Tatting Lace 100 Motifs
AUTHOR: Emiko Kitao
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:2012
PAGES: 80
PUBLISHER: Asahi Original, Japan
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: 9784021905117;
NOTES: The next two monograms are Ms. Kitao's as well - each one uniquely different from anything else published thus far. Her motifs in general are very elegant and crisp. I really can't rave enough about this designer.
TITLE: Lacework: Tatting Lace
AUTHOR: Emiko Kitao
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:2012
PAGES: 64
PUBLISHER: Asahi Original, Japan
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: 9784021905506;
NOTES: She used a different color (pastel)thread as a highlighter in her chains that is very effective. It doesn't show up well on the "A", unfortunately, and I did my best to stick to one letter for comparisons for purposes of the review, so I'm giving you a written description as well. It reminds me most of ribbon hardcandy you find at Christmas.
TITLE: Lacework: Tatting Lace Accessories
AUTHOR: Emiko Kitao
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:2014
PAGES: 64
PUBLISHER: Asahi Original, Japan
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10" x 8 1/4";
ISBN: 9784021905841;
NOTES: This monogram reminds me of marque lights. It's hard to see from my scan, but there are beads separating the inner and outer walls of each letter. She used silver beads, which spark light. It's a really nifty looking monogram.
TITLE: Lacework: Tatting Lace Flower Accessories
AUTHOR: Emiko Kitao
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:2016
PAGES: 64
PUBLISHER: Asahi Original, Japan
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10" x 8 1/4";
ISBN: 9784021906831;
NOTES: This monogram is a simple chained letter with a lovely trellised heart to encapsulate the letters. I love the three dimensional quality of this one - once again, Ms. Kitao has outdone herself!
TITLE: Tatting Pattern: "Rose Garden Alphabet"
AUTHOR: Elena Kozinenko
FORMAT/DATE: PDF:2019?
PAGES: ??
PUBLISHER: FairyLace(self)
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: *** She gives diagrams, symbolic notation instructions, and video tutorials - I don't think you can get any better than that to overcome any potential language barriers. Her patterns can be bought through Paypal on her website at
https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product-category/patterns-tutorials/patterns-and-tutorials/
TITLE: Tatting Pattern: "Funny Alphabet"
AUTHOR: Elena Kozinenko
FORMAT/DATE: PDF:2020
PAGES: 55
PUBLISHER: FairyLace(self)
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: This monogram relies on split rings and onion rings as its main components. She gives diagrams, symbolic notation instructions, and video tutorials - I don't think you can get any better than that to overcome any potential language barriers. Her patterns can be bought through Paypal on her website at
https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product-category/patterns-tutorials/patterns-and-tutorials/
TITLE: The Joy of Split Ring Tatting
AUTHOR: Mary Sue Kuhn
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:1984
PAGES: 16
PUBLISHER: Self, Des Moines, Iowa
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: She used two different color threads for the split rings so that each letter is very boldly outlined as opposed to the more delicate highlighting in Ms. Kitao's second monogram set.
TITLE: Celtic Tatting: A Design Journey on an Ancient Theme
AUTHOR: Rozella Linden (aka Ruth Perry)
FORMAT/DATE: Sprlbnd:2006
PAGES: 61
PUBLISHER: Linden Publishing, Lebanon, OH
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: I was really blown away by this celtic alphabet - but I was also a little annoyed that she didn't provide photos of samples of all the letters - only 9 of them, in fact. She is a design genius - I always automatically buy all of her books now. I already know I'll love it. But I think she rushes too fast to print at times.
TITLE: Tatted Garden Alphabet: Letters from an Irish Country Cottage Garden
AUTHOR: Rozella Linden (aka Ruth Perry)
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:2009
PAGES: 69
PUBLISHER: Linden Publishing, Charleston, SC
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: 9781492391487;
NOTES: This is her second alphabet - and again, genius. You have to know how to do Cluny leaves to get the full effect of this one - though I've seen the lettering done without the curling vine and it still looks great. Letters come out really big and bold. A member of my guild did a terrific table banner using this alphabet for when we are at fiber fairs and such to demo.
TITLE: Needlecraft: Home Arts
DESIGNER: Hazel Stoner Mercier
FORMAT/DATE: MAG:1937- April, May, Sept. Nov.
PUBLISHER:
Mag. Dimensions(HxW): "Life" magazine sized;
ISSN: None;
NOTES: This monogram set was published in 4 installments in 1937. I've made a pdf with all four installments and included it here: "Needlecraft: Home Arts(1937,April,May,Sept.,Nov.)", Monogram Set by Hazel Stoner Mercier. "Needlecraft: Home Arts" published many a gorgeous pattern.
TITLE: Tatting Lace Lesson 1 2 3
EDITOR: Tomoko Morimoto
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:2012
PAGES: 80
PUBLISHER: NihonVogue, Japan
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10" x 8 1/4";
ISBN: 9784529053259;
NOTES: I was surprised by this monogram and its bridging traditional with a modern esthetic. The "A" didn't share the same ring/chain to elegant chain transition so I chose the next letter in order to show off this inspired design. There is so much great work coming out of Japan in the last decade, and Ms. Morimoto has begun adding her own flair for design with grace to the growing mountain.
TITLE: TATTING
AUTHOR: Elgiva Nicholls
FORMAT/DATE: HC:1962
PAGES: 128
PUBLISHER: Taplinger Publishing Co., NY
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10" x 7 1/2";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: Elgiva Nicholls states firmly that tatting isn't really suitable for monograms - then proceeds to show several examples of it being done fairly well. She doesn't say where she took her examples from, only that Figure 81(the "S" "X" and "A") was based on a 'very old' alphabet. I don't recognize any of the monograms! If you happen to know where any of them were taken from, I'd love to know the source.
TITLE: Ring of Tatters Newsletter(Nos. 54-56)
DESIGNER: Mary Parrott
FORMAT/DATE: PER:2007
PAGES: 44
PUBLISHER: Ring of Tatters, UK
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11 3/4" x 8 1/4";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: This monogram and number(1-10) set was published over the course of three newsletters - and I'm missing issue 56. It has a very clean look with curves and corners right where you expect them. I really like this one, so now I've got to find more back issues of this newsletter!
TITLE: FRIVOLITÉ: dentelle aux navettes
DESIGNER: Pascale Provost
FORMAT/DATE: HC:2009
PAGES: 72(pages 56-60)
PUBLISHER: L'Inédite, Paris, France
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11 3/4" x 9 1/4";
ISBN: 9782350321653;
NOTES: This monogram is large enough to make signs with, or anything where visible from a distance is an advantage. It's way too big for smaller things like Handkerchiefs or napkins. It has a bit of personality, as you can see by the little flourish at the end of the right leg of the "A". This set is given as diagrams, so not knowing French is not an impediment for utilizing this set.
TITLE: Priscilla Tatting Book, No. 2
EDITOR: Julia E. Sanders
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:1915
PAGES: 48
PUBLISHER: The Priscilla Publishing Co., Boston, MA
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10 1/2" x 7 3/4";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: This will look familiar because you saw it as the alphabet republished by House of White Birches. You'll see it a third time in a Dover publication under the name of the Priscilla book's editor, Julia E. Sanders.
TITLE: Tatting Patterns
EDITOR: Julia E. Sanders
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:1977
PAGES: 48
PUBLISHER: Dover Publications, Inc., NY
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: 0486235548;
NOTES: This is a republication of Priscilla Tatting Book, No. 2 - only with a more colorful cover.
TITLE: Button Abecedarius
AUTHOR: Karey Solomon
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:2012
PAGES: 26
PUBLISHER: Continuing Threads Publications, Hector, NY
Book Dimensions(HxW): 8 1/2" x 5 1/2";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: Karey's books are always fun, and this one's no different. I wish she'd take more care blocking her samples, but that is a minor quibble. This alphabet was a unique addition to the collection - the only one that incorporates small men's shirt buttons for decoration AND provides a lower case set of letters! Ms. Solomon always seems to go that extra mile with her instructions as well.
TITLE: "Alphabet Soup" in Tatting Times Newsletter
AUTHOR: Karey Solomon
FORMAT/DATE: PER:Feb., May, Aug. 2015
PAGES: 27
PUBLISHER: Continuing Threads Publications, Hector, NY
Book Dimensions(HxW): 5 1/2" 4 1/4";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: Karey has finally done a second alphabet! This one incorporates pearl tatting and decorative knotted chains.
TITLE: Tatting Lace II
AUTHOR: Hisayo Sugita
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:2016
PAGES: 80
PUBLISHER: ???, Japan
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11 3/4" 8 1/4";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: This is a set of the Hiragana alphabet for Japanese! It's the first I've seen in a foreign alphabet, though surely there are others. Tatting is popular enough I'd think there'd be at least one in Cyrillic. Hiragana is the most common alphabet for Japanese used today. The Katakana character set is reserved for words borrowed from foreign languages(like "Tatting Lace"!). You would need to know both character sets and about 500 Kanji(pictographs borrowed from the Chinese written language) in order to read the average Japanese newspaper. This set doesn't capture the elegant brush strokes characteristic of the Japanese written language, but you can easily identify the letters.
TITLE: Dictionary of Abbreviations Tatting Terms and a Tatted Alphabet
AUTHOR: Vida Sunderman
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:1995
PAGES: 63
PUBLISHER: Self, Norfolk, NE
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: This set is made with split ring. If you compare the sample I've given here to Susan Diermyer's "A", they look very close(Mrs. Sunderman was a lot more generous with her picots), but the rest of the letters have more differences, so this likeness is deceptive. Ms. Diermyer published five years sooner, but I didn't see Vida Sunderman's name on the subscriber list found on one of the back covers of the newsletter. I don't know if they were aware of each other, or who developed her monogram first. My bet is that they had a similar idea and developed them separately. Mrs. Sunderman recommends size 20 thread and says they come out about 2" x 1 1/2" in dimension.
TITLE: Lisa Trumble's ABC
AUTHOR: Lisa Trumble
FORMAT/DATE: .JPG:2010
PAGES: N/A
PUBLISHER: Self
Book Dimensions(HxW): N/A
ISBN: None;
NOTES: She provides diagrams but only provides samples for about half the alphabet. Here's another alphabet made primarily of chains with heavily picoted rings as flourishes at ends and key spots.
Here's the website:
http://www.thisntat.com/patterns.html
TITLE: Tatting Craft: My Book No. 3
AUTHOR: Anna Valeire
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:1915
PAGES: 15
PUBLISHER: E.C. Spuehler, St. Louis, MO
Book Dimensions(HxW): 10 3/4" x 7 3/4";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: This was the original publication for this alphabet. It was later republished by American Thread Co.(Star Book 30), in "Workbasket"(Sept. 1949) and yet again by Rita Weiss as a Dover Publication. It was published the same year this came out in her friend Emma Farnes' book as one of the token tatting patterns there.
TITLE: Traditional Tatting Patterns
EDITOR: Rita Weiss
FORMAT/DATE: TPB:1986
PAGES: 48
PUBLISHER: Dover Publications, Inc., NY
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: 0486250660;
NOTES: This was a republication of Anna Valeire's slightly altered alphabet used in "Tatted & Crocheted Designs, Star Book 30"(American Thread Co.) originally published in 1915. The "F" is the most changed, but the alphabet is essentially the Valeire monogram.
TITLE: Woman's Day
AUTHOR: Not Given
FORMAT/DATE: MAG:Dec. 1948
PAGES: 120
PUBLISHER: Stores Publishing Co., NY
Book Dimensions(HxW): Not Given
ISBN: None, at the time;
NOTES: I think of "Woman's Day" magazine as primarily ads, with ads disguised as fashion tips, a handful of recipes I won't have the time or money to make, some fiction, and more ads. I tend to ignore magazines that are more than 50% ads, and that you have to flip more than a page to get to the Table of Contents. But I ran across mention of a tatting article in this issue and saw a copy of it come up for auction and on a whim bought it. The designer isn't given. It's just enough different from the other chained alphabets to be worth tracking down the issue if you have an interest in tatted monograms.
TITLE: WORKBASKET, "A B C's"
AUTHOR: Not attributed in the article, but it is Anna Valeire's
FORMAT/DATE: MAG:Sept. 1949
PAGES: 32
PUBLISHER: KC Publishing Inc., Kansas City, MO
Book Dimensions(HxW): 8 1/2" x 5 1/2";
ISSN: 0162-9123;
NOTES: This alphabet has been republished in several different places. The alphabet was retatted for the sample photo in "Workbasket" but it is exactly the same altered alphabet used in "Tatted & Crocheted Designs, Star Book 30"(American Thread Co.) from Anna Valeire's 1915 design.
TITLE: Workbasket: "Tatted Initials for Stationery"
AUTHOR: Unattributed
FORMAT/DATE: MAG:April 1963
PAGES: 64
PUBLISHER:
Book Dimensions(HxW): 11" x 8 1/2";
ISBN: None;
NOTES: This one looks very similar to the one found in Rebecca Jones' wonderful book(1985), but not quite. The theme is certainly the same even if there are slight differences. This one is just a little plainer, and does not include the numbers found with Ms. Jones' alphabet. The alphabet is unattributed here.