Tatting History & Inspiration Archives

Posted on August 25, 2025August 25, 2025 by Elena — 5 Comments

Blue and Yellow Tatting Doilies

Blue and Yellow Tatting Doilies, or vintage shuttle and modern meaning.

Hello everyone!🌸
Do you enjoy receiving gifts? You’ll probably say it’s a silly question — because who doesn’t love presents? 🎁 Oh, I truly adore them!

✨ Look at this absolutely amazing tatting shuttle that my dear friend Edna sent me as a gift! 💌 It has the name James Lees & Sons engraved on it.

The James Lees and Sons Co. was an American textile manufacturer founded in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania. The company operated from the early 20th century and specialized in producing yarn, carpets, fabrics, and accessories for handicrafts. In 1956, it was even listed in the Fortune 500, ranking 409th with a revenue of $71.3 million and 3,500 employees. 🧵🏭

But whether these tatting shuttles were made in very small numbers, or whether it was just too long ago, I couldn’t find detailed information about mine. 🤔
👉 If you know anything about tatting shuttles produced by James Lees & Sons, please share in the comments!

Of course, I couldn’t resist trying this shuttle in action. ✨ It feels so light, comfortable, and pleasant to the touch. Working with beautiful tools is pure joy — it turns every process into true creativity! 🎨🧵

The name of these Blue and Yellow Tatting Doilies

By the way, at the request of my dear friend Edna, I made three doilies with blue and yellow threads. You know that these are the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Two doilies are made according to my own pattern. 🧵Guess what I called this pattern? Of cource, I named it after a wonderful talented lady with a big heart, who constantly helps and supports me and my country in these terrible times. 🌷

Finally, I invite you to watch a short video where I demonstrate this shuttle: 🎥🧵 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MbDO7qvsxB0

You can also purchase the Edna doily pattern and make not only Blue and Yellow Tatting Doilies, but also your own color version of this pattern! 🧶https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/doily-edna-tatting-pattern/

If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment, ask questions, or share it with your tatting friends! 💌
Happy tatting! 🧶✨

Posted on April 24, 2024August 20, 2025 by Elena — 4 Comments

Organization of space in the craft room

Organized craft room storage with shelves, boxes, and creative workspace

Organization of space in the craft room, or how to store thread supplies.

Hello everyone! Today I organized my polyester thread supplies. I do this periodically. For some reason my thread supply is not decreasing. I think it’s due to frequent visits to the craft store. Ah, my willpower does not work at all when I see beautiful threads, fabrics, beads, accessories… (the list goes on and on!). I’m not a shopaholic, I’m a collector!

Of course, like any master, while working in the studio I have “artistic chaos”! But after finishing the project, I return the tools and the remaining supplies to their places.

Organization of scissors in the craft room

These are not surgical instruments, these are my scissors! (the photo is old, so now there are a little more scissors).

I hung the most frequently used ones on the “scissor tree”! My handsome husband made this organizer for me. The rest of the scissors are in the box. On the shelves in boxes are accessories for jewelry, needle shuttles and hooks for tatting, and various small items.

Organization of threads in the craft room

Sewing threads are always in place. Two organizers for small and large spools were made for me… You already know who!

I store large balls of cotton thread in two wicker baskets. It’s better to put each ball in a plastic bag, so they don’t collect dust.

I always have a problem with polyester balls. These are the threads I use most often in my work. For example, I made this set of bookmarks from polyester threads in all the colors of the rainbow. https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/bookmarks-chakras-tatting-patterns/
At first I put the balls in a basket, then I decided to use a plastic container with a lid. But such storage is very inconvenient. And besides, the threads get tangled and intertwined unless I secure the tail of the thread with a piece of tape (and I sometimes forget to do this). It takes a lot of time and patience to unravel this mess!

While making my next thread purchase, I received two transparent thin plastic boxes from the store. They are not very convenient for storage because they are fragile and soft. But I have a large roll of cardboard and skillful hands! (Is it okay that I’m bragging, LOL!?)
I made four cardboard boxes. Each box holds 10 balls. And two plastic boxes magically became four lids. Now each ball lies in its own “nest”. I don’t have to search for a long time for a ball of the right color, because I can see everything through the transparent lid. But I still have some balls left in a white plastic box. I think I need to buy more thread with a clear box…

Do you also praise yourself when you organize your supplies? Or are your threads always in perfect storage? I will be very interested if you share in the comments how you organization of space in the craft room.

Join me on social networks and also subscribe to my YouTube channel, welcome: https://www.youtube.com/c/ElenaKozinenko

Posted on February 12, 2024August 22, 2025 by Elena — 2 Comments

More and more hearts

More and more hearts, or how to make a cute gift for Valentine’s Day.

Hello everyone! Valentine’s Day is literally around the corner! I want to congratulate everyone on this lovely holiday. Of course, not all countries celebrate this day. But it seems to me that this is a great opportunity to say words of love and gratitude to everyone who is dear to us!

If you allow, I will share my tricks on how to make a heart neat and symmetrical.

Of course, I made a short video illustrating my tips.
https://youtu.be/37JNFwIOTiE

Firstly, don’t make the double stitches very tight, this will make your task easier when tightening the ring.
Secondly, you can use the braiding method with a large loop in the middle of the Heart. This is especially useful if you are using thin threads.
Third, if you tat with a needle, make the heart in two parts. By the way, for connecting picot in this case it is better to use a hook rather than a needle.

When I made three versions of hearts, I got the idea to connect them together. I made a “braid” from the tails of the threads and got a “Three Leaf Clover” from the hearts. I hope you like this idea!

Of course, I couldn’t resist making new hearts pattern for Valentine’s Day. And this time I made More and More hearts – a whole fireworks of hearts! The pattern is available in my store. Check, please: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/pattern-edging-fireworks-of-hearts/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel, follow me on social networks. Support my blog by commenting, liking and sharing!
Happy Valentine’s Day!

Posted on January 10, 2024August 22, 2025 by Elena — 7 Comments

Mission impossible

Hearts from used men's ties in patchwork technique recycled

Mission impossible, or the suffering of a perfectionist.

Hello everyone! Today I want to tell you how I created a small heart with great love. Because for painstaking work, you really need to love your craft, the people for whom you create your products and nature, if we want to save our Earth.

So, I once again decided to “recycle” at least part of my supplies. Because I realized that my craft supplies are filling up faster than I’m using them. I’m sure many craftswomen will understand me! Now it’s the turn of old men’s ties. Oh, I have a collection of about 50 pieces! And I decided to sew small hearts. I counted four reasons to do this. Firstly, it will free up space in my workshop. Secondly, I will give a second life to things (recycling helps us conserve natural resources). Thirdly, no one will wear these ties because they are out of fashion. And fourthly, it’s just beautiful! Oh yes, there is a fifth reason. I don’t like doing the same thing over and over again. So I decided to turn on my imagination 200%! After all, I can change color combinations, finishing stitches, and patchwork patterns as I please.

And then I realized how difficult it is to work with thin small pieces of silk. The edges of the patches literally form a fringe. The fabric “flows” between the fingers. The texture of each tie differs in the interweaving of fibers and density. In other words, “mission impossible”? It looks terrible. Calm down, don’t panic! By the way, I watched all 5 films with Tom Cruise and came to the right conclusions, LOL

Through trial and error, I found an algorithm of actions that led to an almost ideal result.

FIRST STEP

Open and iron ties.

SECOND STEP

This is the most pleasant and at the same time the most crucial moment. You need to select the necessary components. Three ties and a piece of matching felt, polyester thread for embroidery, cotton thread for sewing and thread No. 10 for knitting. If all this does not combine well, the result will not please us.

THIRD STEP

Embroider words on felt. I liked “From Ukraine with Love”. It sounds beautiful and conveys my feelings.

FOURTH STEP

Cut the ties into strips and assemble the patterns.

FIFTH STEP

Sew all seams. I used a special clear sewing foot to ensure that the seams ran parallel to the pattern on the pieces of fabric. By the way, in order not to “sew on my fingers,” I use a wonderful tool – a thimble (I don’t know what it’s called correctly). Very convenient and safe!

SIXTH STEP

For the hearts, I made a transparent template from plastic. I cut out the hearts and felt according to the shape of the template with an allowance of about 1 cm on all sides. I glued an embroidery stabilizer to the reverse side of the silk piece with an iron. Alas, it later turned out that this was not enough! So I first applied double sided fabric tape around the edges and then added embroidery stabilizer.

SEVENTH STEP

the mission is possible with the right tools

Now you need to make finishing seams at all joints. It’s so good that my wonderful Bernina performs 1131 decorative stitches! But at the same time it makes it difficult to choose, haha! By the way, I used a special foot to help me stitch exactly into the seam.

EIGHTH STEP

Now you can finally connect the silk piece with the felt lining.

NINTH STEP

This stage consists of several operations. First you need to trim off the excess fabric and felt very close to the stitching. Then sew a medium-density overcast stitch along the edges. If the result is not very good (and I am almost always unhappy!), use a lighter to burn the edge. Here you need to act very carefully so as not to spoil the main fabric and threads. I also had to make sure that my assistant didn’t burn his paws with a hot lighter!

TENTH STEP

Sew an overlock stitch along the edge one more time. But this time the seam must be very tight to get a perfect edge.

ELEVENTH STEP

All that remains is to crochet the cord, tie a bow and sew it to the heart. Of course, you could just take a satin ribbon. But I think a handmade knitted bow gives the composition a special “cuties”!

I liked the first result so much that I decided to make several options. I’m sure no one will say that this “mission impossible”! I hope you like my idea. Ready-made hearts are available in my store: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/from-ukraine-with-love/

Posted on November 30, 2023August 22, 2025 by Elena — 4 Comments

Variations musical and more

Handmade Christmas garland made of tatting snowflake lace

Variations musical and more, or how music inspired me.

Hello everyone! Do you love classical music? Even if you prefer modern popular music, you have heard the name Beethoven anyway. I’m not talking about the famous St. Bernard dog, LOL, but about the great German composer Ludwig van Beethoven. In any case, in the old days, many people had the ringtone “Fur Elise” by Beethoven on their phones. And all beginning pianists try to learn at least the beginning of the “Moonlight Sonata”. The first part of the sonata (Adagio sostenuto) was called “lunar” by the music critic Ludwig Rellstab in 1832 ? By the way, this happened already 5 years after the author’s death – he compared this work to “moonlight over Lake Firwaldstät.” This sonata has No. 14 and is dedicated to Giulietta Guicciardi. Oh, what a sad love story!

Amazing Variations musical in Sonata 32

Beethoven created 32 piano sonatas. I assure you, EVERYTHING is there! You hear the influence of the Viennese classics in the first sonatas. Then you are amazed at the drama and tragedy conveyed by the composer. But the last sonatas are something incredible (in my opinion)! Oh, I’m just in love with Beethoven’s last sonata. Because we hear many unexpected solutions in it. And I love non-standard and fantasy!

First, this sonata is in two movements, a rare exception in classical sonata form. Secondly, listen to how the definition of tempo sounds: Adagio molto semplice e cantabile. That is, very calm, simple and melodious. Thirdly, Beethoven wrote this sonata in 1821-1822, being already ABSOLUTELY deaf. This is incredible! And fourthly ( icing on the cake! ) – for the second movement Beethoven used a theme with five variations and a coda , ta-daaa! Although, I am sure, the complexity of the form is compensated by the “simplicity” of C major. What am I saying? Romanticism, jazz, swing – everything is here! Or is it just me? Hear for yourself how it sounds! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccyHT1sFmsg

And I also learned an interesting fact. In Thomas Mann’s novel Doctor Faustus, in one of the scenes the hero performs Beethoven’s 32nd Sonata. And then the hero delivers a big monologue about the hidden meaning of this music.

“Variations” garland

Now I’m sure you will understand my delight and inspiration! I called my new project Variations. Of course, I’m not as talented as Beethoven. But I tried to implement non-standard and original techniques and forms in small snowflakes. Did I succeed? What do you think? Write to me in the comments please. And also write, are you interested in learning new things not only about tatting? But also about variations musical and more, and more, and more…

The “Variations” garland pattern is available in my store, please check: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/garland-variations-tatting-pattern/

Posted on October 13, 2023August 22, 2025 by Elena — 2 Comments

What is cro-tatting

Yellow jewelry set of earrings and bracelet in the Cro-tatting technique

What is cro-tatting, or do tatting masters deserve poems?

Hello everyone! I want to say Wow! No not like this. Wow Wow wow! This is my cry of joy and pride. And we especially need these positive emotions in this terrible time.

I want to thank the editor of Simply Crochet magazine Alison Maney ( link to the magazine website: https://www.gathered.how/magazines-simply-crochet/ ) and blogger Rebecca Parker ( https://beccaparker.journoportfolio.com/ )for their support and help in popularizing cro-tatting. Of course, it was very difficult for me to talk about such a rare, but very interesting type of tatting in a short interview. Because I am equally passionate about three types of tatting and am ready to talk about them for a Thousand and One Days (almost like Scheherazade!). Besides, I always forget that brevity is the sister of talent, LOL!

By the way, the article is called Crochet’s Quirky Cousins. You can read about Tunisian, Bosnian crochet and cro-tatting in this article. And also look at photos of the works of talented masters of their craft. You’ll understand why I’m proud. After all, it is a very honor to be in the company of such talents! Also I hope my subscribers recognize photos of my work!

Magazine pages with my cro-tatting works

I am also glad for this publication because cro-tatting is undeservedly deprived of attention from tatting and crochet masters. So, how can I briefly say what cro-tatting is? This is a symbiosis of crocheting and needle tatting. And it would be fair to put this type of lace making on a par with the rest of its sisters! Do you agree?

And not just publications in magazines. But also poems should be written about tatting! Agree, the lines from Guido Gezelle’s ode to a lacemaker sound very beautiful. “I love to watch you making lace…” I was very interested to learn about the work of this unusual author, a monk who wrote poetry in the Flemish language. And then I thought, maybe there is a poet who will glorify the masters of the shuttle, needle and hook? Alas, I do not have such talent. But for now I can shoot a video where you will see the beauty and grace of this wonderful type of needlework! https://www.youtube.com/c/ElenaKozinenko

I always welcome your comments. Follow me on social networks. And don’t forget to check my store, welcome! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

Posted on July 29, 2023August 22, 2025 by Elena — 6 Comments

Why you need Tatting Split Ring

Why do you need Tatting Split Ring, or how laziness becomes the engine of progress.

Hello everyone! Sometimes I hear bewildered questions from beginner tatters: why should I learn Split Ring? It’s complicated, troublesome and not useful to me. I can list several reasons why you need this. So, first, the Split Ring is cool! Secondly, you can make the Ring two-tone. Thirdly, a lot of modern tatting patterns often use this method (for example, my Celtic bracelets).

Little trick with Split Ring

But the most important thing for me is the ability not to cut the threads between the rows using the Split Ring. I have already said many times how much I sooooo hate to hide the threads after the end of the work. So, I guess I’m a classic lazybones! Because I’m trying to come up with a new way to “make my life easier.” This is how new useful devices are born. I am deeply convinced that the remote control was invented by a classic lazy person. Just him did not want to get up from a warm chair to change TV channels! Haha, I’d be a millionaire if I came up with something like that!

I don’t even know which tatting master first came up with the idea of using the Split Ring to move to the next row. Alas, not all patterns can use this trick. But that would be perfect, mind you. Because I don’t need to cut and hide the threads in the middle of the work several times. As a result, I hide only two (or sometimes even one) threads at the end of the work ALWAYS! But so far this is unrealistic.

In the end, I liked this trick so much that I decided to create a doily pattern, where all 5 rows are weaved without breaking the thread. This is doily Azure Sky. https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/doily-azure-sky-tatting-pattern/

So, in conclusion of the post, I want to offer you a video. You will see how to use the split ring to move to the next row of a round doily without cutting the thread. Please support my blog and my YouTube channel with likes, subscriptions and comments! Thanks! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wETpH0sP56o&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ&index=50

Posted on July 24, 2023August 22, 2025 by Elena — 2 Comments

DIY fabric

DIY fabric, or creating a unique pattern from pieces of fabric.

Hello everyone! I am very pleased to read your comments and feedback on my new work. Thank you so much to everyone who supports me during this difficult time!
You know that my first and main hobby is tatting. But there are still many types of needlework that I can do well (as it seems to me!).

One of my favorites is patchwork. I’m sure you’ve heard of the pizza technique. Oh, it’s not about the food! Although I heard Italian housewives say: “I put everything I have left after dinner on pizza for breakfast in the morning!” Very economical and creative, in my opinion. So why not use practical advice in needlework ?! So, we use everything that remains from previous projects. And I used not only pieces of fabric, but also pieces of lace.

So, step by step we go to the ideal result. And I hope our pizza turns out “delicious” enough!

Step one

First determine the size of the placemat you need. I made 24×36 cm. Cut out a rectangle from the main fabric (I have it red-orange), adding 4 cm to the size of the placemat on each side. We also need rectangles of synthetic winterizer and adhesive double-sided interlining 24X36 cm. But you can make a non-woven rectangle 4 cm smaller. Also prepare a piece of 20X 32 cm from nylon, or mesh, or organza. It can be any fairly transparent fabric.

Ah, I almost forgot the most important thing! Prepare ANY pieces of fabric.

Step two

This step is the most exciting, I think. Here you can show all your imagination. Place fabric pieces on the non-woven rectangle as you like. No restrictions, no canons! You create a new fabric yourself. Remember you, I’m a fan of tatting? In the center I added a sample of one of my little lace projects. 🙂

Step three

Now gently “glue” the pieces of fabric to the interlining and synthetic winterizer with an iron.

Step four

Cover the resulting sample with a transparent cloth rectangle and secure with pins.

Step five

Put together all the layers of the prepared rectangles and quilt with a pattern that you like. It can be squares, circles, leaves, flowers. I chose a pattern that some craftsmen call “brains”. With the BSR foot, stitching becomes an absolute pleasure!

Step six

Forming the corners and borders. I plan to make a video on how to do it quickly, neatly and easily. So don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for updates. https://www.youtube.com/c/ElenaKozinenko

Step seven

Iron the finished placemats. And delight your family with a new dinner decor from the new DIY fabric! This way, your meals will be much tastier!

A set of such placemats can be bought in my store, welcome: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/four-patchwork-placemats-surprise/?removed_item=1

Posted on July 17, 2023August 22, 2025 by Elena — 6 Comments

How to use fabric scraps

How to use fabric scraps, or what I can do.

Hello everyone! If you follow me on social networks, you have seen my new work tatting. These are the seven bookmarks of the Chakras. Ah, making two orders in two weeks was not easy! Eyes and hands are a little tired. So I decided to take a break from lace and clean up my craftroom.

https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/bookmarks-chakras-tatting-patterns/

I’m sure many of my subscribers own several types of needlework. Therefore, you know that it is impossible to put things in order in the workshop without destroying the “stocks”. But throwing away even a small piece of fabric is IMPOSSIBLE! Do you agree? So, I started with a big box of scraps. I had an idea and it took two days to implement it.

First, I ironed all the pieces of fabric. Moreover, I did not select fabrics by texture or color, so as not to waste time.

Then I cut a lot of squares and rectangles. To speed up and facilitate the process, I used a patchwork ruler as a template. And I got the same width of all the pieces – 2.5 inches. By the way, the roller knife helped me to cope with this work wonderfully!

Then I sewed small pieces into long strips. Of course, all the seams must be ironed out. I thought that the connection of small pieces would be too colorful, so I prepared long strips of “zebra” fabric.

Now the fun begins! I sewed all the strips diagonally onto a base of light dense fabric and synthetic winterizer. I also stitched each strip, pinning the layers together. To adjust the fabric while sewing, I use an interstitial fixture. If you liked my special “thimble”, write in the comments!

And at the end of the work, I sewed strips of black dense fabric along the edges of the “variegated disgrace”. The result of my cleaning in the workshop: minus two bags of fabric scraps, minus two sheets of PVC, minus one old tablecloth, minus a bag of sintepon scraps and plus two empty boxes. You see the result in the photo!

So, I showed how to use fabric scraps. In addition to tatting and sewing, I own many other types of needlework. What kind of needlework do you do? Write about it in the comments, I’m very interested. Support my blog, subscribe and share on social networks, thanks!

Also visit my YouTube channel. Subscribe, comments and likes are welcome! https://www.youtube.com/c/ElenaKozinenko

Posted on December 28, 2022August 23, 2025 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/