Posted on September 9, 2024August 16, 2025 by Elena — 2 Comments

Perfect tatting – part 6

Perfect tatting – part 6.

Hello everyone! This is sixth lesson in the series Perfect Tatting. You can read previous part here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/perfect-tatting-part-5/

Also my articles will be accompanied by video tutorials. I will add them to my YouTube channel.

Please write in the comments what subtleties you would like to know. Then it will be easier for me to make a lessons plan.

Today I show several graphic tatting designs and explain how to “read” them.

First, look at what shapes can be used to depict rings, chains, and picots. In fact, everything here depends on the creative imagination of the designer or the computer program used.

Rings can be drawn round, oval, teardrop-shaped. Next time I will tell you how to easily give ready-made rings different shapes.
And chains can be depicted as an arc with different bending amplitudes.
Well, Pico is usually depicted as a short straight segment. Sometimes designers draw a small oval. But it seems to me that such a depiction of Pico is not very logical. By the way, this is another of the following topics.

So, let’s see what kind of image options we can get.

In fact, these are variations of the graphic representation of the same pattern. This is what this pattern looks like in its finished form.

Where to put the numbers for the design perfect tatting

The standard tatting knot consists of two “legs” and one “cap” above them. The ABC website says the following:
“Cap: A cap is the bump above the legs of a double stitch. It is an easy term to remember as most people wear a cap on their head which is above their legs”. https://abctattingpatterns.com/terms/

Therefore, it seems quite logical to me to place the numbers above the caps.

But what to do in this case? There is no space for numbers around the Rings!

It’s very simple. We’ll put the numbers inside the ring. Especially since it doesn’t change the location of the caps and legs in the ring. I’m not considering options where the caps are inside the ring right now.

You can also simplify the pattern by writing one number in the ring. This is possible if all parts of the ring contain the same number of double stitches. For example, I took 5 ds.

With chains it’s more complicated. I think it’s best to put the numbers ABOVE the caps. That way the tatter can see the direction of the work right away. And this is especially important to determine where to turn the work.

So, I will show you two variations of the Ring – Chain – Ring pattern.

R: 15, sp, 5, tw;
C: 10, tw;
R: 5, jp to sp of PVR, 15.

R: 15, sp, 5;
C: 5, jp to sp of PVR, 5, sp, 5;
R: 5, jp to sp of PVC, 15.

Oh, thank you for your patience! You had to read for a long time. But I made a very short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtM9uDZ2dq0&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

Perfect Tatting – Part 6 is finished! Happy perfect tatting!
I hope my previous blog posts will also be useful and interesting: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/blog/

Posted on September 3, 2024August 20, 2025 by Elena — Leave a comment

Perfect tatting – part 5

Perfect tatting – part 5.

Hello everyone! This is fifth lesson in the series Perfect Tatting. You can read previous part here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/perfect-tatting-part-4/

Also my articles will be accompanied by video tutorials. I will add them to my YouTube channel.

Please write in the comments what subtleties you would like to know. Then it will be easier for me to make a lesson plan.

I’d like to thank Patrizia for her comment on one of the previous videos where she suggested we talk about hiding the threads at the beginning of two-color tatting. This is a really interesting topic. Sometimes we can leave the threads at the beginning of the work and tie them to the ends of the work, if it is a closed motif or earrings, for example. But it happens that it is a pattern for a bookmark or a strip of lace. Of course, you can hide all the “tails” after finishing the work. But I really don’t like leaving all these tails “for later”! Therefore, I suggest you look at how you can reliably and easily hide the threads at the beginning of a two-color work.

Today I made a video for two shuttles. We do not make a knot at the beginning of the work. This is especially important if you take two colors of thread. In this case, a two-color knot can look sloppy. But we are striving for the ideal, aren’t we?! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nze8b1Wy_KE&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

How to make the same perfect start for needle tatting, watch one of my previous videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVdn3qXlWFg&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ&index=11

Perfect Tatting – Part 5 is finished! Happy perfect tatting!
I hope my previous blog posts will also be useful and interesting: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/blog/

Posted on September 2, 2024August 16, 2025 by Elena — Leave a comment

Perfect tatting – part 4

Perfect tatting – part 4.

Hello everyone! This is fourth lesson in the series Perfect Tatting. You can read previous part here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/perfect-tatting-part-3/

Also my articles will be accompanied by video tutorials. I will add them to my YouTube channel.

Please write in the comments what subtleties you would like to know. Then it will be easier for me to make a lesson plan.

So, today we will talk about how to choose the shuttle size and needle thickness depending on the chosen thread.

TATTING SHUTTLES

I took a photo of four different shuttles and four different balls. Although in fact the size of the shuttle does not matter at all when choosing the thickness of the thread. Because, it all depends on your personal preferences and your convenience. The more threads you need to wind, the larger the shuttle you will take. Of course, this is logical. The same applies to beading. You will just need more space to fit more beads on the shuttle.

But you can tat with any threads, using only one shuttle.

PERFECT TATTING NEEDLES

With needles, everything is completely different. Because here the thickness of the needle is extremely important. The accuracy and beauty of your work depends on it.

I found this table on Pinterest.

So, this table was compiled and published in the FB group “Sparkling Light Creation Studio – Fibre Art by Gloria Nelson”.

I also found a classification of tatting needles on the website Handy Hands: https://hhtatting.com/product-category/tatting-needles/

Tatting Needles

The Handy Hands metal tatting needles are specially made to our specifications. Unlike sewing needles, these tatting needles are blunt, have a smaller eye, and are not tapered. They are made of steel and are nickel plated.
1.Yarn Needle 0-0 (chunky weight yarns)
2.Yarn Needle 1-0 (worsted weight yarns)
3.Yarn Needle 2-0 (Speed Cro Sheen and most 100% cottons)
4.Tatting Needle 3-0 (crochet cotton size 10, Pearl Cotton 5 and 3, Knit Cro Sheen and smaller yarns)
5.Tatting Needle 5-0 (crochet cotton thread sizes: 10, 20, and Pearl Cotton 8 and 5)
6.Tatting Needle 7-Fine (crochet cotton thread sizes: 50, 40, 30, 20, and Pearl Cotton 12)
7.Tatting Needle 8-Extra Fine (crochet cotton thread sizes: 100, 80, 70, 60, 50)

But there is one obstacle – the thickness of threads is marked differently by different manufacturers. And then it is difficult for us to use these tables. In this case, I suggest you choose the needle for your thread yourself.

I prepared 4 different needles and mercerized threads Madame Tricot No. 10 for the video. Unfortunately, I could not form a ring using the thinnest needle. So I had to choose from the remaining three options. In my opinion, the middle ring looks perfect!

The video is already uploaded on my channel, welcome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIXGclqrCgI&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

Perfect Tatting – Part 4 is finished! Happy perfect tatting!
I hope my previous blog posts will also be useful and interesting: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/blog/

Posted on August 31, 2024August 20, 2025 by Elena — 2 Comments

Perfect tatting – part 3

Perfect tatting – part 3

Hello everyone! This is the third lesson in the series Perfect Tatting. You can read the second part here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/perfect-tatting-part-2/

My articles will be accompanied by video tutorials. I will add them to my YouTube channel.

Please write in the comments what subtleties you would like to know. Then it will be easier for me to make a lessons plan.

Today is a very short article and a short video. Just watch how to make a strong knot that is almost impossible to untie. Of course, if you want to, you can untie everything! LOL! But will the result be worth our efforts? This knot is useful when building up threads or at the end of work. Agree, this is very important. Imagine, knots untied after starching the work. Holes, holes, holes. This can break the heart of any needle crafters!

Surely many of you successfully use this knot in your work. And some of you, perhaps, should practice with me! Oh, I almost forgot to emphasize. No strong knot can cancel out hiding the tails of the threads! But more about that in the next lessons. The video is already uploaded on my channel, welcome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvIRiqEqOFE&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

Perfect Tatting – Part 3 is finished! Have a great weekend and happy perfect tatting!
I hope my previous blog posts will also be useful and interesting: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/blog/

Posted on August 30, 2024August 19, 2025 by Elena — 2 Comments

Perfect tatting – part 2.

Tatting round doily dark green and orange colors

Perfect tatting – part 2.

Hello everyone! This is the second lesson in the series Perfect Tatting. You can read the first part here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/perfect-tatting-part-1/

My articles will be accompanied by video tutorials. I will add them to my YouTube channel.

Please write in the comments what subtleties you would like to know. Then it will be easier for me to make a lesson plan.

Today I want to talk about joining picots. As an example, I took the pattern of the simplest flower made of five identical Rings.

You can choose any number of double stitches in the Ring, as you like. I took for the needle: 5, p, 5, p, 5, p, 5. And for the shuttle 3, p, 5, p, 5, p, 3.

I made a ring with three picots of the same size (picot length is about 4 mm).

But after the join picot with the second Ring, there is an extra loop. It looks sloppy.

However, there are patterns where such picots are exactly what is required by the drawing! Usually the designer specifies the length of the picots in such cases. In any case, I try to write in all instructions what length of picots should be made.

Perfect tatting – Small joining picot

In the graphic diagram you can see that the first and third picots of each Ring are joining ones. That’s why I made these picots very small. And as a result, my flower looks neat, doesn’t it? But if you make the joining picots about 8 mm long, you get a very interesting effect. Oh, sorry, I got distracted!

When joining through a picot, please use a crochet hook. Of course, using the “nose” of the shuttle is faster, I agree. But in this case, the small picot will stretch. And we strive for perfection! By the way, the request to use a hook also applies to needle tatters!

I hope you will enjoy watching the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlGFuxWyI1g&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

Perfect Tatting – Part 2 is finished! Thank you for your patience!
I hope my previous blog posts will also be useful and interesting: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/blog/

Posted on August 29, 2024August 20, 2025 by Elena — 2 Comments

Perfect tatting – part 1.

Perfect tatting – part 1.

Hello everyone! This article begins a series of lessons “Perfect Tatting”. Tricks, subtleties, error correction, new skills – I share my experience.

My articles will be accompanied by video tutorials. I will add them to my YouTube channel.

Please write in the comments what subtleties you would like to know. Then it will be easier for me to make a lesson plan.

Firstly, I want to emphasize that all the techniques that I will talk about are NOT MANDATORY to implement! Everyone has their own opinion and their own “handwriting”! But I will be glad if my experience is useful and interesting to you.

So, ideal tatting, part 1.

Recently I was asked an interesting question: is it necessary to tie the thread to the shuttle?
Look closely: there is almost always a small hole on the shuttle. What is it for?

I am amazed at the talent of the designer who invented such a shape of tatting shuttles. Everything is very logical, ergonomic and practical!

If you do not secure the thread to the shuttle, you will have to press the thread with your finger. No big deal – you will say! I agree. But I weave a lot and often use nylon and polyester threads in my work. They look so beautiful in jewelry…

If the thread rubs the skin on your finger all the time, you will get a cut and a scar. Believe me, I know. It is very painful. Take care of your hands!

No injuries, no trouble! I guess I should have called this article “Safe Tatting”! LOL
I often see on video when tatters hold the shuttle thread with their little finger. Try “freeing” your finger. The shuttle is designed to be moved freely, like a space shuttle! And hold the shuttle with only two fingers. It looks very elegant, by the way!

And for a good mood I added a knot on a thread for a tatting needle to the video. Of course you will smile! A spontaneous knot is too much! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS6yj9MYFUk

Perfect Tatting – Part 1 is finished! Thank you for your patience!
I hope my previous blog posts will also be useful and interesting: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/blog/

Posted on May 30, 2024August 20, 2025 by Elena — 4 Comments

Free tutorial tatting earrings Nancy

Free tutorial tatting earrings Nancy, or a continuation of my gratitude jewelry collection.

Hello everyone! I named these earrings after my dear friend, amazingly touching lady with a big heart. She lives in a nature reserve and cares deeply about animals and pets. I greatly appreciate our friendship and correspondence. Thank you for your support, sympathy, help and prayers, my dear Nancy!

You can follow my written instructions along with watching the video. The PDF file can be downloaded for free by following the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nm9DK5De9Yo66s9WUlfHvYY_OhullmKf/view?usp=sharing

I wrote a detailed list of the necessary materials and tools at the beginning of the video lesson. I used my favorite light purple color, of course! But you can take threads and beads of any color you like!

To perfectly connect the rows, I used an embroidery needle. You can watch a short video of how it works: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PzSGJ5vIBEY But you can make the Catherine Wheel Join, or another connection convenient for you. I just chose the fastest and easiest!

I also used a pearl knot to create a sharp angle at the top of the earrings. Video available, please: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z4e9CiW4uY&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ&index=54

So, watch the detailed video on my channel. I hope you enjoy making these earrings with me, welcome: https://youtu.be/unUGan77IaU

You can support my channel with likes, reposts and comments!
Thanks in advance to everyone who donates to my PayPal: fish20085@gmail.com
Thank you!

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 April 22, 2024August 17, 2025 by Elena — 2 Comments

11 ways add bead in tatting

Close-up side view of the Strong Ukraine bracelet in lace tatting technique. Blue and yellow beads form a layered stripe pattern, symbolizing sky and wheat.

11 ways add bead in tatting, or “maybe it would be easier to sew?”

Hello everyone! I’m sure many tatting masters have used beads at least once to decorate their products. Of course, this adds charm and shine to thread products. Do you agree? There are two directions of tatting, where beads and crystals are used in large quantities. These are Ankars and Beanile. Today I will not dwell on each of them in detail. Because the purpose of my article is different. I want to tell you how to correctly separate the beads between the shuttle and ball threads.

Sometimes people ask me: isn’t it easier to sew on beads? I answer – do as you like! And if we sew on a bead, then this is method 12, ha ha!

First, let’s remember what the threads in tatting are called. These are ball and shuttle threads. By the way, I again strongly advise you to use the link and read detailed information about the terminology on the ABS website. https://abctattingpatterns.com/terms/

In today’s video I use one shuttle and a ball. Therefore, I will not “wander into the thick forest” and talk about options with two shuttles. So, I’m starting!

First way add a bead in tatting

This is the easiest way (like method 2). We simply insert the bead into the picot on the Ring. To do this, we place the bead from the SHUTTLE thread in the loop on the hand. Place the bead between your fingers so that it does not interfere with your double stitches.

Second way

Here we also insert a bead into a picot, but on a Chain. Please note that the bead is located on the Ball thread.

Third way to add a bead

This bead is placed on a picot between two Rings (or Chains, it makes no difference). This is where you need a little more skill! First, measure the bead and select a suitable picot meter. Make the first Ring (or Chain) with a picot of the required size (we did measure the required length of the picot, didn’t we?!). Then make part of the second Ring (or Chain) to next picot. This will be a join picot with the previous element. Place the bead on a thin crochet hook, pull the picot through the bead and make a join picot. I’m not sure if I’m explaining this clearly, but the video will help us!

Way four

Bead on the Cord Thread inside the Ring. The bead is located on the SHUTTLE thread. To add a bead in this case, you do not need to move the bead into the loop on your hand. You just need to move the bead to the work in the right place and continue double stitches.

Fifth way to insert a bead in tatting

This method is a variant of the previous one. But the bead is located at the base of the Ring. To do this, we need to move the bead from the SHUTTLE thread into the loop on the hand. And when we form the Ring, the bead will be exactly where we planned!

The sixth way

As in the two previous methods, we add a bead to Core Thread, but in the Chain. And pay attention, the bead is located on the SHUTTLE thread, from where we will move it to the place we need.

How to add a bead to tatting, method seventh

This method is convenient when we use one shuttle. Add a bead to the SHUTTLE tharsd BETWEEN the rings. In the photo you can see the ball thread under the bead too. But this is also a possible option!

Eighth method

Add a bead to the BALL thread BETWEEN the two CHAINS. Have you already guessed where this bead was located?

Attention! Aerobatics!

These two options will require your concentration and dexterity. We will add a bead to the center of the Ring and Split Ring! I won’t bore you with a description (thanks for your patience!). But it’s better to watch the video please.

11 way

Add a bead to the middle of the Ring using extra thread. It’s elementary! I like this method.

So, I talked about 11 ways add bead in tatting. I’m sure now you know where to place the beads before starting work, on the shuttle or on the ball! And you will use beads more often and more variably! Look what my new bracelet looks like. I used methods 4 and 8. However, there are also sewn ones! The pattern is available in my store, check: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/bracelet-merrilyn-tatting-pattern/

I almost forgot! Link to video in my channel YouTube I hope you will remember to subscribe, follow my blog and comment, thank you! ): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvmV5zLvNCI&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

I also added similar detailed video 11 ways add bead in tatting, specialty for needle tatting. I hope it will be useful and interesting: https://youtu.be/ZYxjRfrphOM

Posted on March 8, 2024August 16, 2025 by Elena — 10 Comments

Floating rings

Floating rings, or tatting poetry. Tips for beginner tatters. Part 5. Part 4 of my articles for beginning tatters can be read here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/vintage-buttons/

Hello everyone!

In this article I will try to tell in detail how to make Floating Rings. Oh, what a romantic name this element has! And although this verse is not about needlework, there is a mention of these rings here:
Friday Saturday rags of clouds
floating rings driven through the sky
and fluorescent halos
celestial laundry tossed.
Where did I find this? You will not believe! On Amazon, haha. This is a quote from the poetry textbook “Unlocking the poem” by Ottone M. Riccio and Ellen Beth Siegel. Yes, yes, don’t be surprised. Turns out there are textbooks for everything you want to learn. You just need to be able to “enter the correct search words.” That’s what my eldest son says. He is Principal Solutions Architect and Google Cloud Certified Fellow. Therefore you can believe him, I assure you!

So, from the novel, let’s move on to practice. Let’s make a little round motif. For clarity, I made a graphic diagram and filmed a video lesson. And of course, instructions with videos are made for shuttles and needles. That’s right, in plural. Because to perform such an element you will need two shuttles or two needles. By the way, please note that the needles must be the same thickness.

Pattern

You can download the PDF file by following the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kA3-0HMAX-AKjILwTQ5TNidQidNzaM5p/view?usp=sharing
Or just take a screenshot of the screen. But on the screen, the link to the video will be inactive. Oh, I forgot to say. My cat Phil tried very hard and helped me work on the video!

Video: https://youtu.be/76B3p2HPa_M

Please don’t forget to subscribe to my blog, comment and share on social media. Your help and support is very important to me.
I will also be grateful for any charitable contribution to my Paypal: fish20085@gmail.com