A Handbook of Tatting by Tina Frauberger. Tatting (Italian 'occhi' meaning 'eyes'), also known as shuttle work or frivolité, is a handcraft technique used to create lace using thread wound onto a shuttle. The individual elements of the lace resemble small eyes, which is why this technique is called "occhi." The shuttle is about the length of a thumb and consists of two oval, slightly curved plates with a spool in between. The narrow, slightly pointed ends of the ovals touch lightly, preventing the wound thread from unwinding by itself when the shuttle hangs from the thread. The technique consists entirely of knots that are strung onto a core thread. This core thread is then pulled together to form a ring, creating the so-called eyes. However, the typical lace is not only made from R.