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Posted on April 4, 2023April 4, 2023 by Elena — 2 Comments

Cro-tatting Lesson 3

Cro-tatting Lesson 3 , or why master the split ring.

Hello everyone! This article is a continuation of Lesson 2 . Please check the link: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/cro-tatting-lesson-2/

My regular readers know I’m lazy! Haha! Because I don’t like to hide the ends of the threads. Oh, it’s almost as terrible as unraveling the threads in a finished tatting. I’m sure a lot of tatters understand me. If you agree, please write in the comments. After all, each of your comments helps to make my blog more interesting and useful. In addition, in this way you will raise this article higher in the search and give more readers the opportunity to get acquainted with useful material. (Oh, I hope this is helpful!)

Why you need a split ring

Firstly, the use of a split ring helps us to move from one row to another WITHOUT cutting the thread. I like to use this trick. In this way, I get much less tails of threads, which have to be hidden with great pain. By the way, you can not hide polyester threads. You can cut them short and melt them with a lighter. But be careful, otherwise you can ruin the product!

Secondly, the split ring helps in creating very original patterns. By the way, the split rings bookmark looks pretty cute, doesn’t it!

Thirdly, the split ring can be made with a shuttle, needle or crochet. For all these three tatting tools, I have already published videos on my You Tube channel. Thank you in advance for all the likes, comments and subscriptions! Today I added a separate video for cro-tatting. I hope Cro-tatting Lesson 3 was interesting and useful for you. You can watch all the videos on Split Ring by clicking on the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM5ONjnKNOI&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

The topic of my next lesson is a split chain for cro-tatting. I’m sure you’ll like it! Also you will enjoy visiting my store, please check! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

Posted on March 31, 2023March 31, 2023 by Elena — 2 Comments

Work on bugs

Work on bugs, or never fall into despair.

Hello everyone! Today I want to thank everyone who thinks of me, prays for my country and supports us in this terrible time. So I just can’t imagine how one can cope with depression or despair alone.

Yesterday I had a psychologically very difficult day. 400th day of open occupation, bombing and destruction of my country. Yes, my nerves can not stand it, alas. Although I try to do my favorite thing – tatting. But this is impossible. After all, creativity requires a special state of mind. Do you agree?

Ah, I had to reach out to FB tatting group members for support and prayers. My dears! I am extremely touched by your words and prayers. Also I low bow to everyone for not letting me fall into despair!

Fixing the bug connecting picots

Unfortunately, circumstances do not always give me the opportunity to be an active participant in social networks. But I’m trying! Recently I saw a post with a photo of an error in the finished tatting product and the question is whether it can be fixed. Of cource, all needleworkers know how much time, work, focus and diligence we put into each of our handmade products. And then, finally, when you can with delight say “tadaaam!” , you discover an unfortunate mistake. Ah, I forgot to connect the two elements with picots according to the scheme. What to do? How to fix? Throw everything away and start over? Well, how can you not fall into despair.

But my article today is titled: Work on bugs, or never fall into despair. So, the main thing is not to succumb to negative emotions. As you know, there are two ways out of any situation, one of which is correct, ha ha! So what can we do? First, you can throw away this work and do it all over again. But that would be just the wrong way out. Therefore, I suggest taking a sewing needle and a thin thread of the same color as our product. This way you simply sew each missing picot to the ring (or chain, if it fits the pattern). Of course, it is difficult to explain this process in words. However, we have an assistant – YouTube channel! My new video on this topic is ready to watch, welcome! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2waGQ_elnk8&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

Please subscribe to my blog, comment and share on social networks. And also check my store: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

Thank you!

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Elena — Leave a comment

Cro-tatting lesson 2

Cro-tatting lesson 2, or how easy and simple it is to make a closed motive.

Hello everyone! This article is a continuation of Lesson 1. Please check the link: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/cro-tatting-lesson-1/

Today I want to show you how to make a simple closed motif. After all, tatters are constantly faced with such elements! Of course, you use flowers, medallions, rosettes, small squares or triangles in your work. I know it’s not always easy to connect the last element to the first one in such fragments. Especially often this question worries novice needleworkers. By the way, I advise you to start mastering the closed motif with a piece that contains at least 5-6 Rings. You ask why? Becouse in this case It is more convenient to rotate the finished part of the work for joining.

Of course, I made a short video. Although I made this video using a tatting hook, the principle of connecting the rings into a closed motif will be interesting and useful for lovers of the shuttle and the needle also. I’m sure words can’t explain everything. It’s good that there is an opportunity to find a video on YouTube that you will like and be useful to you! The Internet has brought into our lives the opportunity to learn whatever your heart desires. But be careful! I urge everyone not to get completely dependent on the World Wide Web! Haha! Sorry, I digress.

So, today I suggest you make a small motif of eight rings and eight chains. For beginners, I advise choosing high-quality #10 threads. And it is better if you take threads of light shades. Oh, believe me, dark threads (especially black ones) are very tiring for the eyes.

This is a graphic diagram and instructions. You can easily copy this picture (this is JPG file).

And I will be glad for your comments, wishes and subscriptions here and on my YouTube channel. You can watch the video Cro-tatting lesson 2 here, welcome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmClyW-P0gM&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

Posted on March 21, 2023March 26, 2023 by Elena — 6 Comments

Cro-tatting Lesson 1

Cro-tatting Lesson 1. A bit of history and also basic knots.

Hello everyone! My regular readers, you certainly know how much I love tatting. This is a hobby for me, a passion, an antidepressant and an opportunity to support my Ukraine in this difficult time. In addition, I try to popularize this amazing needlework technique. And today I’m starting a series of cro-tatting lessons.

What is cro-tatting

Crochet combines tatting needle with crochet. The cro-tatting tool is a needle with a hook on the end. I’m sure you can read the full article on tatting on wikipedia. Many people find cro-tatting more difficult than crocheting or tatting.

Some tatting instructors recommend using a tatting needle and a crochet hook. But I haven’t tried it. Perhaps because I have the perfect tool (in my opinion) – Toshiko Takashima hook.

Unfortunately, this type of tatting is quite rare. And completely undeserved, in my opinion. In addition, cro-tatting are easy to unravel if you make a mistake. You just need to pull the end of the thread, haha! I know, supporters of tatting by shuttle would certainly appreciate it!

Base knots

This photo shows that all the rings are made using the classic tatting technique. That is, the rings are made up of double stitches (ds). And the chains are crocheted and consist of air loops (al). Perhaps because of the intricacies of the translation, I again confuse the terminology. So write me in the comments, please, if I’m wrong (to do this, click on the Leave a comment button at the BEGINNING of the article).

For cro-tatting lesson 1, I made a video demonstrating the base knots. Of course, if you know how to tat with a needle, it will be very easy for you to make a double stitches. The main difficulty lies in the formation of the ring. But with just a little practice, you’ll get the hang of it. I decided to show you two ways to form a ring. Personally, I prefer the first way. Because this way the ring turns out to be more symmetrical (it seems to me).

In the recording, cro-tatting Ring looks the same as a shuttle or needle tatting. For example, R: 16.
English term for the chain is “single crochet” and in abbreviation “C: 7 sc”. Although in Ukrainian this term is called “air loop” and is denoted, for example, as C: 7al.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdd7EHAM9lI&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

Check my store please: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/shop/

And also subscribe to my YouTube channel and blog. I will try to make new video tutorials and detailed articles on the topic of cro-tatting in the near future. Thanks in advance for your comments, questions and suggestions!

Posted on March 7, 2023March 7, 2023 by Elena — Leave a comment

Tatting lace collars

Tatting lace collars, or 2023 fashion trends.

Hello everyone! Today I found an interesting article about collars on Wikipedia. And I want to share with you for sure! So:

In clothing, a collar is the part of a shirt, dress, coat or blouse that fastens around or frames the neck.
A collar may be permanently attaced to the main body of the garment (e.g. by stitching) or detachable. Oh, I love detachable collars! Because by changing the collars, you can get several different outfits from one dress!

Collars shapes

I also found a table on Wikipedia with the names and descriptions of 66 types of collars, wow! For example, a Peter Pan collar. But I’m sure you all know that collars name. Or, zero collar. This is neckline of shirt without band and collar. Or, zero collar. This is neckline of shirt without band and collar. By the way, it is on such a zero neckline that detachable collars look best.

By the way, you can use a brooch to fasten the collar around the neck. This will add even more chic and elegance to your image.

There is also a type of collar worn as part of clerical clothing called Clerical collar. I may be wrong, but it seems to me that the shape of chokers is very similar to this type of collar.

Also I find collar Pussy Bow very interesting and unusually feminine. This collar tied in a large bow under the wearer’s chin. Particularly associated with Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. I was very surprised to learn this fact today. Because about 10 years ago I created a little collar with a little bow and named it Pussycat! Haha!

Collars material

I’m afraid you won’t have the patience to read a list of all the materials from which the collars were made.

These are the golden collars-necklaces of the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.

Or the finest handmade lace in the collars of French kings. It’s a Medici collar.

Also a combination of silk fabric and the finest lace is used.
Nowadays, cotton, denim, guipure, leather various threads are used for collars. Add embroidery, embossing, beads. Of course, the list is far from complete!

In 2023, lace is back in fashion. Probably, not all ladies will want to wear a lace dress. But everyone wants to be at the peak of fashion, I’m sure! So be sure to add some lace collars to your wardrobe. Including tatting collars. It is for the manufacture of tatting or bobbin lace that threads are used. Because they are light and extremely chic.

You can buy ready-made collars for every taste or make your own according to my master classes. Welcome to my store: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/?s=collar&post_type=product

Please write your wishes, feedback and comments in the comments. To do this, go to the BEGINNING of the article and click the “Leave a comment” button.

I hope you enjoy my video on YouTube. Like and subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbPXyJwRHFw&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ&index=45

And in conclusion, a small gift – a tatting collar pattern from Project Gutenberg’s Beeton’s Book of Needlework, by Isabella Beeton.

Posted on February 14, 2023February 14, 2023 by Elena — 14 Comments

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day, or why I love doing custom orders.

Hello everyone! Today, on Valentine’s Day, I couldn’t ignore the topic of hearts, of course! We all know that the image of a heart is a symbol of love. This is explained by the fact that love serves as a connecting element in the world. Therefore, by creating a mirror image of the deuce, they get what is considered a symbol of love. The heart is the perfect image of love as the force that binds the world. That is why they speak of two halves of the heart.

I really enjoy making lacy hearts. By the way, my patterns are not always symmetrical. But I think it gives a special charm to the hearts.

I also enjoy weaving hearts according to the patterns of other masters. For example, a simple but very cute heart pattern from Handy Hands.

I especially like to weave lace for custom orders. Because when I create a product for a certain client, I think about this customer all the time. I imagine how happy my customer will be when he opens the box with the order. Oh, I always try to please and surprise my customers.

https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/12-red-tatting-hearts/

Today I finished solving another problem (ha-ha! not mathematical!).
Given: one pattern and two balls of pink and light green thread, shuttles and scissors.
Required: Make 12 different hearts in the same pattern.
Rate how I coped with this task! Yes, I got 12 different hearts. In addition, I can make 12 more options !

I will be grateful to you for comments and remarks. This will help me make my blog more interesting and useful. You can write comments by returning to the BEGINNING of the post and clicking on the word COMMENTS.

Happy Valentine’s Day! I wish you happiness, love and peace, my dear readers. And also I invite you to watch the video clip on my YouTube channel, welcome! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFztNo5OwL4&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ&index=11

Posted on December 28, 2022 by Elena — 18 Comments

New free pattern

New free pattern, the results of the outgoing year and my gift for you!

Hello everyone! And so another year comes to an end. It was a very difficult and terrible year for me, my family and my Ukraine. But even in such conditions, Ukrainian masters continue to live, work and create beauty, supporting their army and their country. So, my results.

First of all

This is the most important and most valuable thing – my family and I are alive, our house is intact, my Ukraine continues to fight the enemy for independence and freedom!

Secondly

I made 153 sales on Etsy and 304 sales on my WordPress store. This is a small part of the packages that I sent to my dear customers.

Thirdly

I transferred UAH 23,750 to the Ukrainian Army Fund. And this became possible only thanks to you, who made purchases in my stores or transferred funds to my personal PayPal.

Fourth

I have 1006 subscribers on my YouTube chan nel. Visit and subscribe to my channel, I plan many new and useful videos, welcome: https://www.youtube.com/@ElenaKozinenko

Fifth

I created 25 new patterns. Alas, it is very little. But I didn’t have the opportunity or the inspiration to do more. Often you have to make lace without electric lighting. But I have a battery operated headlamp. I look fantastic, don’t I?!

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has been with me during this difficult year. Your prayers, kind words of support and sympathy, your help and support are infinitely valuable to me. I have cried many times from overflowing feelings of gratitude to you, my dears! What a pity that I cannot write ALL your names here. Oh, that would be a very long post! But I keep in my heart the memory of each of you, believe me!

And I decided today to give you a new pattern. You can see in the previous photo how I make this snowflake, haha. Therefore, perhaps the photos in the master class are not of very high quality.

You can download the PDF file new free pattern from the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fOMcCDLqk2xuWGwch0Nw8ETNn-YvcioF/view?usp=share_link

I sincerely hope for your help and support in the future.
God bless you all,
Glory to Ukraine!
Thousand hugs, Elena https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Elena — 4 Comments

Virtual cloud

Virtual cloud, or how modern technologies save old needlework.

Hello everybody! My shop is open again!

After the terrible bombings, we have very limited electricity in our country. Therefore, there are problems with the Internet and communication. But I found a way to keep working! I added all my patterns to a virtual cloud. I can now send you a link to any purchased pattern via the email you provided when you made the purchase.
All finished products are sold and delivered as before. However, there may be delays in delivery of up to 3-4 weeks.

But I haven’t been idle for the past three weeks, of course. I have finished a new bracelet.
See how the complex and intricate process takes on its final form!

I’m also currently working on creating a collection of bookmarks.

Thank you all for supporting me and my store! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

And also thanks to everyone who supports me on FB: https://www.facebook.com/kozinenkoelena

Posted on November 11, 2022November 11, 2022 by Elena — 4 Comments

Tatting Josephine knot

Tatting Josephine knot, or laziness is the engine of progress.

Hello, everyone! Let’s talk about laziness. Is it really true to say that laziness is the engine of progress? But what about creative impulses or bouts of vanity? As an unselfish desire to benefit humanity or a thirst for enrichment? Yes, no one has canceled human passions! But let’s briefly “go over” the history.

Once upon a time, primitive people climbed tall trees to pick fruits. But one “lazy person” did not want to climb up the hard bark. He picked up a stick, threw it up and – ta-daaaam! – knocked down a juicy sweet fruit. So the ancient man learned to use a stick as the first tool.

Years passed, humanity developed. Cities were built, trade arose. Oh, how difficult it is to deliver goods on your own shoulders. And again, some “lazy person” decided to attach round supports to the box and forced the donkey to drag this improvised cart. I imagine what a sensation this procession made at the old fair!

Well, I hope you get my point! And of course, they appreciated the sense of humor! Now I’m smoothly moving on to my own laziness, ha ha! My regular readers know that I really like to “complicate” my work. I’m too lazy to wind the thread on a small shuttle, so I try to take larger shuttles. By the way, this makes it possible not to increase the thread during operation. And this is my main goal, because I hate to hide the ends of the threads. I am horrified at the mere thought that by the end of the last knot I will have to hide 50 (or 150) tails of threads! This is especially true for multi-row patterns.

Of course, I didn’t “invent the wheel” when I started using false picot, split ring and split chain to go to the next row without cutting the thread. My subscribers must have watched the video tutorials on my YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

But while creating a new snowflake, I thought, why not make the same transition using a combined ring of Josephine knots? This snowflake is part of a Christmas garland. https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/pattern-easy-twist/

I couldn’t find any links on the internet for this. Maybe I was looking bad, what do you think? It is also possible that this technique has the correct name. Write in the comments please. After all, the terminology in different languages has certain differences. Subscribe to my blog! And also watch the video of Josephine split ring, welcome:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXjpLw9d4C4&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ&index=1

Posted on November 9, 2022November 9, 2022 by Elena — 8 Comments

Ukrainian artist Svitlana Kochetova

Ukrainian artist Svitlana Kochetova. Or my reflections on my personal mission.

Hello, everyone! Today I want to start a series of stories about my talented compatriots, Ukrainian handmade masters. I really like to communicate with different people around the world. After all, thanks to the Internet, it has become absolutely accessible.

And recently I had a short interview with a wonderful beading master, Ukrainian artist Svetlana Kochetova.

Svitlana was born in Zaporozhye. After 4 years, the family moved to Vinnitsa. In this beautiful, cozy city, she grew up and developed her creative talents. Svitlana recalls with incredible warmth her grandmother, who sang Ukrainian songs to her grandchildren and instilled in them a love for Ukrainian culture. By the way, it’s not for nothing that they say that a talented person is talented in everything! Svitlana sings beautifully, knits and knits, embroiders, sews, draws.

Beading

Oh, how many hardships befell this fragile girl! In the “dashing 90s”, when there was no work, the country’s economy was in decline, banditry flourished, Svitlana was forced to leave Ukraine for Italy. Of course, it was very difficult. Hard work, loneliness, disorder … But creativity supported the girl in these difficult times. How many tears were shed, how much grief experienced. But, finally, happiness smiled! Now Svitlana has a home, a family, a caring husband and loving children. As well as cute pets that help her in her work! And now she can devote more time to her “passion” – beading.

In 2016, she saw several works of famous designers, beading masters. Surprise and admiration, as well as a great desire to do even better! And Svetlana started to create the first beaded necklace. Of course, free lessons on the Internet helped. Look, this is her first job. Incredible, right?

There are no boundaries for perfection. A true talent knows how important it is to develop and improve. Therefore Svitlana continued to study new methods and new techniques of beading. In 2021, at the Creativemente competition, the work of Svitlana “The Mistress of the Copper Mountain” received the First Prize!

Also then there were diplomas at other international competitions.

Battle of the Beadsmith

So, this year Svitlana decided to take part in the international competition Battle of the Beadsmith and act as a participant from Ukraine. This is how the master comments on his motivation:

It is my mission to my native country to be its voice in the world. At first, I wanted to make a necklace from two halves – blue-yellow and red-black. Blue and yellow are the colors of our national flag, and black and red are the blood, pain and aftermath of bombing fires. But in the process of creating a sketch, I decided to make Berehynia. This is the image of the Mother of Ukraine, who covers and protects her children, patriots of Ukraine, with her own hands. And let there be no blood and horror in this work, but let there be hope and faith in our victory and our happy and peaceful future! With thoughts about this and a burning desire for peace, I created this image. Therefore, I really hope that viewers will feel how many emotions and hopes are invested in this image.

I ask you to support Svitlana with your comments, share her work and wish her good luck in the contest! https://www.facebook.com/groups/909085782545395/?multi_permalinks=5543179712469289&ref=share

The conversation with Svetlana also made me think. What is my mission? I try to tell the whole world about Ukraine, about its heroes, about its talents, about our struggle for freedom and faith in victory!