Month: October 2019

Posted on by — 4 Comments

Tricks tatting (cluny)

I called my post today, “Tricks tatting (cluny).” Why? Read to the end, please, and you will understand me. 🙂

In a previous post, I talked about additional tools that help me in tatting. https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/2019/10/22/additional-tools-for-tatting/
Thanks for the questions and comments. So, at the request of my reader, I return to this topic (very little!)
You asked me to show how I use a piece of thin wire. This is an indispensable helper for weaving cluny (leaves). You can find many articles and photos about the process of working on cluny on the Internet. But best of all, watch the video of the talented master tatting master Karen Cabrera. You will recognize her by long nails and a dazzling smile 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsm37KxFxjE

Pay attention to a piece of thin wire. This is exactly the tatting trick that I spoke about before.

For needle tatters, a link to a video about cluny. The author of this lesson is Geogria Seitz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_VVZBEq59g

And now it’s time to explain why I called this post: Tricks tatting (cluny).

Do you know that this technique is used in bobbin lace? I do not presume to say where this method originated earlier. An important fact is that all types of needlework are interconnected and complementary. Is not it?

I was struck by the extraordinary beauty of Elisa du Sud’s creations , in which cluny were used many, many, many times!

Of course, I was so inspired that I could not resist! These are my little tatting pieces ( based on Elisa du Sud’s patterns).

tatting, cluny

Subscribe to my blog. Comment and ask questions. I will be happy to help with tips!

Welcome to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ/videos?view_as=subscriber

And of course, do not forget to visit my store, welcome! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

Posted on by — 10 Comments

Front and back side tatting

Does front and back side tatting? Oh yes of course! Are you surprised? Often novice tatters do not pay attention to this nuance. However, following this rule will help you make your lace more neat and presentable. Want to test yourself? Look carefully at these photos. Which of these earrings do you think is right? You can write your option in the comments, please!

The correct earrings in photo 1 and 4. Let’s see what is wrong with earrings 2 and 3? All rings in earrings 2 and 3 are made wrong, unfortunately. Therefore, picots at the rings in these cases look messy. Compare lilac earrings with red earrings. The difference is obvious! Do you agree?

I do not get tired of repeating this rule to my students, and I always write this reminder in the instructions for my patterns:

When making the double stitches on the back side, make the second half of the second stitch fixture and the first half of the double stitch next

So, if you are not yet using this rule in your tatting, try it! I am sure you will like the new look of your lace. Such work requires more focus and attention, of course. But it’s worth it. Because the front and back side of your tatting will turn out perfect! But again, each tatter chooses a method that he likes best.

I want to draw your attention to the following fact. I did not come up with this method, of course. This method has existed for a long time. Not everyone pays attention to the differences as a result of the first and second method.
This is an excerpt from Book 6 “Tatting Talk: A Self-Improvement Guide for Tatters” Needle Tatting Basics Part 2 by Georgia Seitz revised 6-21-98:
Remember, if you prefer the all right side up look, just do the half stitches in reverse order.
And, of course, I suggest visiting the blog from Frivole: http://leblogdefrivole.blogspot.com/2016/02/reverse-stitches.html The article is very interesting and reveals deeper terminology (I did not try to make my post so professional).

Subscribe to my blog. Comment and ask questions. I will be happy to help with tips! And of course, do not forget to visit my store, welcome! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

And welcome to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wETpH0sP56o&list=UU3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ&index=1

Posted on by — 8 Comments

Additional tools for tatting

In a previous post, I told you about how to choose tools for tatting. I hope you made a choice, and my experience has helped you! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/2019/10/18/how-to-choose-tools-for-tatting/ Today we will continue this topic. So I promised to talk about additional tools that I use for tatting.

First, you will need scissors, be sure! Oh, how hard it is to control yourself! There are an infinite number of different scissors, and almost all of them are really beautiful. But believe me, it’s enough for you to buy one or two scissors, this is quite enough (you can three … ha ha!). And it is better to choose small scissors with short blades.

Secondly, knitting markers. You can use paper clips. I often take paper clips, they are thin and do not make large “holes” at lace.

Thirdly, a sewing needle is useful. It is better to choose a thin needle with a wide eye. Nobody likes to hide the ends of threads after weaving, but … we have to, right? I’m sure, if you have a “strong character” and you tightly tighten the double stitch , so you will need pliers ( very small !)! Check out my video on how to use pliers, welcome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKBg6xUGZL8&t=939s

Fourth, do not forget about the hooks! You may have chosen shuttle with hooks, or tatting needles. It is wonderful! But three or four crochet hooks are very useful. Take different sizes of hooks for different thicknesses of threads. Hooks will help when connecting weaving elements. Very good hook for working with beads. I bought the most thin that I found.

Fifth, stock up on needle threaders. You can take the simplest. With my poor eyesight, the needle threader is an indispensable helper.

Sixth, for beginner tatters (and for experienced ones too), a templates for picots is very necessary. You can take a “tatting needle and picot gauge”. But I do not like bulky tools. I use homemade cardboard templates. You can make them as many as you like, any width and length!

Seventh, I have another “magic” instrument – an ordinary very thin wire. With its help, the variant of leaves (cluny) is woven. And the wire can be used as a hairpin when stringing beads and beads on a thread.

I am sure that each craftswoman has her favorite additional tools for tatting. Tell us about it in the comments, please. Subscribe to my blog. Comment and ask questions. I will be happy to help with tips! And of course, do not forget to visit my store, welcome! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

Posted on by — 4 Comments

How to choose tools for tatting

How to choose tools for tatting? An important question, isn’t it? But first ask yourself what type of tatting you want to do. Choose shuttle tatting , needle tatting or cro-tatting. I wrote here details about the three types of tatting : https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/2019/09/20/three-types-of-tatting/ Now let’s talk in detail about each instrument.

If you chose to shuttle, buy 2 pieces to get you started. At first this will be enough for you. Which shuttle is better to choose? I do not know! Each tatters decides for herself what she likes best. But I will share my experience of weaving with different shuttles.

1.Tatting Shuttle

Tatting Shuttle with hook and bobbin is very attractive. They combine a hook and a shuttle. It’s comfortable. Because it takes less time to connect the elements. And you can easily thread wound on the bobbin. But the plastic bobbin break very soon and stop being fixed in the shuttle. The thread unwound and you need to fix the thread with your fingers when tying knots. And hook can break off, alas.

The most popular are plastic shuttles “with spout”. These are my favorite shuttles. They come in different sizes, different colors, different quality of plastic … The choice is diverse! But you must use a crochet hook if you want to achieve a very close connection between the elements. Because the “spout” can stretch a small picot.

Also it is good to use classic shuttles, but with the crochet hook too.

Wooden tatting shuttles. I have cherry wood and golden oak. Very beautiful, light, comfortable. You can buy shuttles from any tree, even exotic ones. Wooden shuttles are more expensive than plastic shuttles, of course. But they are worth it, believe me!

I do not recommend using metal shuttles. They are heavy, the hook is uncomfortable. Very quickly, the latch on the case broke. Not subject to repair. I had to throw it away. Maybe I’m just out of luck?

2. Tatting needle.

If you have chosen the type of tatting with a needle, pay attention to two attributes. First, the needle should not thicken at the end. This will help to make the weave more dense, not stretch the knots. Secondly, the needle should not be sharp so as not to puncture or scratch your fingers.

And in some cases you will have to use a crochet hook to make the perfect connection of the elements. I have never tried wooden needles. But I’ll think about buying them, maybe. And then I will share with you my experience.

3. Cro-tatting.

Tatting hooks are special. Do not try to use ordinary hooks for crocheting. Take a closer look, see the difference?

In my opinion, the most convenient hooks for tatting are Takashimabari hooks.

I hope this post will make it easier for you to choose tools for tatting! Next time I will talk about additional tools that I use when weaving.
Subscribe to my blog to stay updated. https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/blog/
Share your experience in choosing tatting tools in the comments, please. It will be interesting. See what you can do with the right tatting tools: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

Join me on FB:https://www.facebook.com/kozinenkoelena

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Tatting little tricks

You already know that I like to use different little tricks for tatting. And today is another tatting little trick for you, my dear readers!

Nobody likes to hide threads after weaving. Is not it? I also do not like! Therefore, I try to leave as few trimmed threads as possible. For example, I made this doily WITHOUT CUTTING THREADS completely. In this case, I used split rings and split chains.

Do you think this is difficult? Not at all! Start by connecting the first and second rows of any doily. Often, patterns begin with one ring. For example, like here:

This is a fragment of the tatting pattern of the Japanese master Yusai Shokoin.

First, try not to cut the thread after the first row, use a split ring. And you can watch this process on my YouTube channel. By tradition, I am doing a video lesson for three types of tatting: tatting shuttle, tatting needle and cro-tatting. https://youtu.be/wETpH0sP56o
Maybe, you may not using split ring very well. In this case, a detailed video tutorial on this topic will come in handy, I think! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-asLG1i2pTQ&t=483s

Subscribe to my blog. Comment and ask questions. I will be happy to help with tips!

A variety tatting patterns you can buy in my store. Welcome! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product-category/patterns-tutorials/

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Special for needle tatters!

Special for needle tatters today I write continue of the previous post. https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/2019/10/08/free-tatting-pattern-earrings/

Last time I drew for you a pattern of simple, but graceful tatting earrings. And then you read the detailed instructions on how to do this (did you really read? I hop! ). But the last time we were carried away by the shuttle tatting only. So today I’m trying to fix this shortcoming.
So, special for the tatter needle!

I will not repeat the graphic pattern and the first version of weaving. Because the needle and shuttle methods in this case are nearly identical. But note that you need beginning tat from the back side. When making the double stitches on the back side, make the second half of the second stitch fixture and the first half of the double stitch next.

So let’s look at the second option right away.

Abbreviation:

R – ring; SR – split Ring; C – chain; p – picot; jp – join picot; tw – turn the work; numbers indicate the number of double stitches.

Beginning work – green circle. (We beginning tat from the back side, do you remember?) 1. R: 2, p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2, tw; 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14. C: 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2, tw; 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13. R: 2 , p , 2 , p , 2, jp to previous Ring (according to the diagram), 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2, tw; 15. R: 2 , p , 2 , p , 2, jp to previous Ring (according to the diagram), 2 , p , 2 , jp to R1 (according to the diagram), 2, p , 2 , p , 2 .  Do NOT CUT thread.

16. SR:  [ Tat of the ball thread: 2, p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 ], here we turn the work ( photo 1) and un-thread the needle, [tat next 8 double stitches using the needle thread, that was just un-threaded, passing the double stitches over the eye end of the needle ( photo 2 and 3): 2, p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 ], re-thread the needle (photo 4), and close the ring as usual (photo 5);

17. C: 2, p, 2, p, 2, p, 2, small picot for earrings hook, 2, p , 2, p, 2, p, 2; 18. R: 2, p, 2, p, 2, p , 2, ( joining to Element 1 according to the diagram), 2, p, 2, p, 2, p, 2, tie and cut.

Attach the hook for the earring. We make the second earring in the same way. And your earrings special for needle tatters ready!

Attention! SALE!

You can use the coupon code OFF10HAPPYPATTERN and guaranteed to get a 10% discount on the purchase of patterns in my store: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product-category/patterns-tutorials/patterns-and-tutorials/

Now you can use this way for tat doily “Diana”. The pattern is here, please: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/diana-square-doily-needle-tatting-pattern/

Subscribe to my blog. Comment and ask questions. I will be happy to help with tips! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/blog/

You can see three tatting methods on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U-z6wuzX08&list=UU3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLB

And of course, welcome to my store : https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

Posted on by — 6 Comments

Free tatting pattern earrings

Attention! SALE!

You can use the coupon code OFF10HAPPYPATTERN and guaranteed to get a 10% discount on the purchase of patterns in my store: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product-category/patterns-tutorials/patterns-and-tutorials/

Very easy free tatting pattern earrings for tatters! Want to make these earrings yourself? These lace earrings are very simple but spectacular. So for you master class .

tatting pattern earrings, free pattern, tutorial, master class

I offer two ways of tatting, choose what you personally like!

Abbreviation:

R – ring; SR – split Ring; C – chain; p – picot; jp – join picot; 1S – shuttle; TS – shuttle and bow ( or two shuttles for way 2); tw – turn the work; numbers indicate the number of double stitches.

The first way:

This is very simple, for beginners tatters. Therefore, you should be able only to Ring and Chain. You will need cotton threads №10, one shuttle, scissors, crochet hook and two earrings hooks.

Take the shuttle, wind the thread on the shuttle ( 2 – 2,5 m ), do not cut the thread.

We do it according to the scheme. The scheme consists of two elements: A ( pink color on the diagram) and B (brown color on the diagram).

Element A:

Beginning element – green circle. 1S – 1. R: 2, p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2, tw; TS – 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14. C: 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2, tw; 1S – 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13. R: 2 , p , 2 , p , 2, jp to previous Ring (according to the diagram), 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2, t 1S – 15. R: 2 , p , 2 , p , 2, jp to previous Ring (according to the diagram), 2 , p , 2 , jp to R1 (according to the diagram), 2, p , 2 , p , 2 . Tie and cut.

Element B:

Beginning element – blue circle.

1S – 1. R: 2, p, 2, p, 2, p , 2 ( joining with hook to Element 1 according to the diagram) , 2, p, 2, p, 2, p, 2, tw; TS – 2. C: 2, p, 2, p, 2, p, 2, attach to earrings hook, 2, p , 2, p, 2, p, 2, tw; 1S – 3. R: 2, p, 2, p, 2, p , 2, ( joining with hook to Element 1 according to the diagram), 2, p, 2, p, 2, p, 2, tie and cut.

Second Earring tatted similarly.

The second way:

The second way is more complicated. Therefore, you should be able to Ring, Chain and Split Ring. You will need cotton threads №10, two shuttles, scissors, crochet hook and two earrings hooks.

Take two shuttles, wind the thread on the shuttle ( about 4 m), do not cut the thread between shuttles.

Rings and Chains 1 – 15 are done similarly to Method 1, but after Ring 15 DO NOT CUT the thread!

TS – 16. SR: [ 2, p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 ], [ 2, p , 2 , p , 2 , p , 2 ], tw; TS – 17. C: 2, p, 2, p, 2, p, 2, attach to earrings hook, 2, p , 2, p, 2, p, 2, tw; 1S – 18. R: 2, p, 2, p, 2, p , 2, ( joining with hook to Element 1 according to the diagram), 2, p, 2, p, 2, p, 2, tie and cut.

Congratulations! Your earrings ready!

In the next article I will describe in detail how to make these earrings with a tatting needle using method 2. If you are interested, subscribe to my blog. Comment and ask questions. I will be happy to help with tips! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/blog/

You can see three tatting methods on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U-z6wuzX08&list=UU3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLB

And of course, welcome to my store : https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

Posted on by — 16 Comments

How to reduce the pattern tatting.

How to reduce the pattern tatting. Very often on the Internet you are see tatting pattern that very much likes you! Whether a doily or earrings, a bracelet or a tablecloth … But for some reason the size of a lace decoration, indicated in the instruction, does not fit for You. How to reduce the size of the finished product? I have three ways. Each ways has its own advantages and disadvantages. Hopefully, my tips will be useful to you!

Way 1 how to reduce the pattern tatting.

Take a little thinner threads, as indicated in the instruction. And weave according to the pattern, not changing anything! Look at the difference between the earrings I made from Threads # 10 and # 20.

The advantage of this way is its ease.
But there are disadvantages: you can not know for sure what size of the finished product you will get 🙂 . And when changing the thread size the pattern works perfectly not always.

Way 1 how to reduce the pattern tatting.


Remove the last Row from the Pattern. For example:
In this Doily there were 4 rows and a size 10,6 inches in diameter.

Remove off the last, fourth row. And in the third row add the picot for a more logical pattern completion.

Way 3 how to reduce the pattern tatting.


Remove some middle rows from the pattern. For example:
This pattern has 8 rows, the finished doily size is about 9 inches. I want to exclude 5 and 6 rows.

Tat 1 – 4 rows.

Divide the finished piece into 4 parts mentally. (If the finished piece is very large, it can be divided into 8 or 12 parts for easy drawing).

Draw the border of the fourth row (one quarter. In order not to use the large size of the paper page).

Draw the fifth row similar to the seventh (graphic diagram). There will be fewer repetitions of elements in this row, of course (we are reducing the pattern. Do you remember ? ☺ ) Now we can weave a “new” fifth row. The size of the tatted elements should match the drawn elements. Record the appropriate number of double stitches in rings and chains. ( R: 5, p, 5, p, 5; C: 8, jp, 8 )

We continue to the end of the row. That’s what will get.

Draw the sixth row (this will be the last row in the pattern). You can copy a pattern from a graphic diagram or be creative and add something new. I changed the design slightly. And again: the size of the tatted elements should match the drawn elements. Record the appropriate number of double stitches in rings and chains.

The finished doily is approximately 6 inches in diameter. This size corresponds to the drawn pattern.

If you liked the third way, you can use this to create your own designs!

Thanks for reading!

Subscribe to my blog. https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/blog/

You can buy tatting patterns in my store: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product-category/patterns-tutorials/

Comment and ask questions. I will be happy to help with tips!

Join me on FB: https://www.facebook.com/kozinenkoelena

Posted on by — 4 Comments

Cute tatting ring, final.

I shared a master class how to make a cute tatting ring in a previous post https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/2019/09/27/free-tatting-pattern-how-to-make-cute-tatting-ring/
and thank you, dear friends, for comments, subscriptions and suggestions. Your support helps me improve my blog and store!
So subscribe to my blog. Comment and ask questions. I will be happy to help with tips!

At your request, today I will tell you in detail how to stabilize the lace ring. This is my personal experience, and you can use other methods.

So our ring is woven.

Then prepare a fixing solution. It can be a mixture of PVA glue and water, a sugar solution or gelatin. I do not recommend using sugar. Products impregnated with sugar solution look attractive, of course! But these products cannot be washed – sugar is absorbed into fibers and threads can crumble from water. Believe me, I saw it with my eyes!
I do machine embroidery, so I have a lot scraps of soluble stabilizer. I take several pieces of the stabilizer, dip them in a glass bowl and pour warm water on it. The solution is ready!

After that measure the thickness of your finger ( my finger in thickness 5,5 cm). Find a template of the appropriate size. You can use the ring sizer. But I found a plastic pipe with a diameter of 5,5cm (in garage of my husband! ) . This is what I need!

Next put the ring on the pipe. Use a sponge or a piece of cotton wool to apply the solution to the threads, giving the ring a pipe shape. Soak the threads well, pat the excess solution with a dry cloth.

Leave to dry. If you need fast, use a hairdryer!

After complete drying, the ring can be removed from the pipe. Be careful, not pull the ring so as not to deform the shape. Holding the ring with your right hand, rotate the pipe. Your lace ring is ready!

And finally one more trick! You can wash the ring by putting it on this pipe. First, soak the ring with soap and water using a sponge, and then rinse the soap with warm water. You do not have to straighten out each picot, sponge and pipe will do it!

Welcome in section Patterns of my store: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product-category/patterns-tutorials/

And, of course, I will be glad to meet on my YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U-z6wuzX08&list=UU3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ