Learning to Tat

I’m learning how to tat today
They say I’ll be just fine.
All you need’s a bit of patience
A shuttle and some twine.
They say use twine to start with –
Nice and big and thick,
So I can see the stitches
And I’ll know where to unpick.

Now, under, over under,
And pull the cotton tight.
But before you do make sure it’s loose
Or it won’t come out right!
I can see I’ve got a knot there
It’s as plain as plain can be
But they tell me it’s the wrong stitch
It should be upside down you see.

Under, over, under –
Loose, tight, what a laugh!
This time they say it’s perfect
Now try the other half!
Over now and under
Loose, tight, and pull away.
But still they tell me once again
It should go the other way!

Start again with patience,
Under, over, under, it will come.
Then over under – or under over?
My fingers seem all thumb.
Try another, and another,
Hang on, that stitch just flipped!
Whoopee, I know now what I’m doing
I’m tatting, I’ve got it whipped!!!