A unitary tatting shuttle has an elongated body portion with laterally-extending thread guards at each end providing means for storage of a large quantity of thread wound around the periphery of the body. An axially-extending pin projecting from one end of the shuttle has a hook on its distal end for manipulating thread. A resilient sleeve can be telescopingly received on the thread supply wound on the shuttle to protect the thread against soil and to prevent windings of thread from being cast off the end of the shuttle during handling in the production of tatting.