Yes, thread size matters. Not as much in tatting for the mechanics. I do use a slightly different movement of my hands with larger threads. But, it’s a very slight difference. As a designer, if the pattern I’m cooking up doesn’t work as well in size 10 as it does in size 80, it needs tweaking. Thread size still matters in tatting when it comes to how the lace can be used. Below is a photo of the treble clef pattern by Beverly Hevener that won FirstPlace, Original Design in the IOLI Convention 2024 Lace Contest.
The article published in Piecework indicated size 20 thread. So, I worked it up in size 20 using a cheerful variegated. The EGA chapter I stitch with is working the Victorian Ticking project from the Fall 2021 Piecework issue. I decided the back of my little bag should be embellished with a treble clef. So, I found some size 80 thread and tatted up the lavender version. It will fit nicely! Now to choose the rest of the thread and the stitches to go on the stripes.
