Is a tatted lace supposed to feel floppy or am I using wrong thread?
I started needle tatting a week ago and I've finished a couple small beginner projects. I bought a set of tatting needles and some 20/3 cotton thread. I chose the 20 thread because the box of the needles said it would fit the size 5 or size 7 needles. When I laid out all my supplies I immediately noticed that the size 5 needles was quite a bit thicker than the thread I bought. So I went with the size 7 needles, but I think the stitches fit a bit loose around the thread after pulling the thread through. The bookmark I made is also very floppy and soft. I switched to the size 8 for the next project and the stitches seem to fit better on the thread and the finished project has a little more body to it, although it is still easily folded.
When I look at pictures online I get the impression that tatted work is more stiff? I've never actually handled tatted work made by other people before so I'm unsure what it's supposed to feel like.
Did I buy the wrong thread? The shop I bought it from also deals with bobbin lace supplies, so perhaps this thread is better suited for bobbin lace? Does the 20 number mean something else when it comes to bobbin lace thread vs. tatting lace thread?
Do people frequently starch their projects and is that what might give me the impression of a stiffer fabric in pictures?