tatting tutorial Archives

Posted on August 1, 2025August 20, 2025 by Elena — 4 Comments

Free Antique tatting lace

A fragment of tatting lace and machine embroidery - border on a handkerchief with a monogram.

Free Antique tatting lace, or let’s give new life to old patterns!

Hello, everyone! Recently, I was commissioned to create a charming collection of handkerchiefs with embroidery and tatted lace. 🪡✨
One of the patterns I used caught my heart immediately — I discovered it in an old booklet printed back in the 1930s! Isn’t that amazing?

So simple, yet so sweet — this little gem of a design was just asking to be shared. 💖
And how could I resist?

This blog post will be short 🍬 — just a few helpful notes to accompany the video tutorial.
As you probably know, I love adding videos to my posts, and I hope this one brings you both joy and practical tips!

🎥 Watch the tutorial here:
👉 https://youtu.be/-hhM84oTQ2E

📜 Pattern Diagram & Instructions

First of all, you can take a closer look at the diagram and written instructions right here — just scroll down. ⬇️
Or, if you prefer to keep this vintage treasure in your own collection, feel free to download the file using the link below:

📁https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I-wHpNrNnbFis7yyW3mGncmXkHncOGxT/view?usp=sharing

🔄 Starting from the Back? Yes, Please!

Did you notice that we start from the back side of the work? That’s a very important detail!
Why? Because it allows us to make all the Rings from the front side, which is so much more convenient — and prettier too! 💡✨

You probably also spotted the little “paperclip” icon on the diagram. 🤓
Now, let me share a secret with you:
Personally, when working with fine threads, I much prefer using a short piece of extra thread instead of an actual paperclip.
Why? Well, the clip can leave a rather noticeable hole, and as you may already know —
I’m all about that Perfect Tatting! 💖
(If you’ve read my previous blog posts, I’m sure you saw that coming. 😉)

🧵 A Tiny Twist for Perfect Rings!

Here’s something else to notice in the video:
I add an extra half of a double stitch at the end of each ring, and then pull the shuttle through the loop on my hand before forming the next one. 🔄✨

Now, don’t get me wrong — I’m not saying this is the only way to do it!
As we all know, tatting is not dogma — it’s an art! 🎨🪡

But… if you like your rings to look perfectly symmetrical and neat, this little touch might just become your new favorite trick! 😉

🪡 Needle Tatters, This One’s for You!

If you’re working with a needle instead of shuttles, I’ve got a little tip for you too! 🤫
I’ve actually shared a video about it earlier, but here’s the trick in short:

Before closing the ring, give the thread with the double stitches a single twist.
That’s it!

With this simple move, you won’t need to tie extra knots after each ring. 💡
It’s especially lovely when you make two or three rings in a row — the result looks smooth and seamless! ✨💕

🧵 Want to Add a Corner or a Curved Edge?
If you’d like to turn this lace into a corner or create a curved shape instead of a straight edge — you’ll find extra diagrams and tips in the full pattern available in my shop.
https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/antique-border-tatting-pattern/

💬 Let’s Keep in Touch!
If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment, ask questions, or share it with your tatting friends! 💌
And above all — happy tatting! 🧶✨

Posted on July 8, 2025August 18, 2025 by Elena — 8 Comments

How to Make Ring with Curled

How to Make Ring with Curled, or Two-Needle Tatting Tutorial

Hello, everyone! 👋

😕 Unfortunately, I received very few comments on my teaser video for the “How to Make a Curled Ring” tutorial. Honestly, I felt a bit confused and even a little shy. Is this topic not interesting for you? Or maybe my explanations weren’t clear enough? Perhaps social media users just skip the video descriptions? 😅
Or… did you miss my short call-to-action video on YouTube?

📣 If so, maybe it’s time to subscribe and become a little more active on my channel?
👉 youtube.com/@ElenaKozinenko

✨ But no worries! I’ve decided to treat my most loyal and curious followers. So today I present to you a detailed step-by-step tutorial and supporting video on how to make a Curled Ring using two-needle tatting technique!

To get started, you’ll need just a few simple tools:
✨ thread,
✨ two tatting needles of the same size,
✨short pieces of contrasting thread, each about 10 cm (4 inches) long,
✨ and a small pair of scissors.

🔍 Important note: Make sure your thread thickness matches the size of your needles. I used #5 tatting needles and #10 mercerized cotton thread.

🧰 What You’ll Need for to Make Ring with Curled

But don’t worry — you can choose different needles and threads. In this case, it won’t affect the technique, only the final size of the curled ring. So feel free to experiment! 🎨😊

🔹 Step 1: Start with the First Needle

Take the first needle and make 3 double stitches.

✂️ The needle thread can be around 20–30 cm long — short enough to handle easily, but long enough so it doesn’t slip out of the needle. Just make sure it’s comfortable to work with!

🔹 Step 2: Work with the Second Needle

Now take the second needle and make 25 double stitches using the ball thread.

Here are two important tips to keep in mind:
1️⃣ Hold the needle backward, with the eye of the needle pointing forward.
2️⃣ Start your stitches right next to the ones made with the first needle. There should be no gap between them!

These small details make a big difference — so don’t skip them! 😉

🔹 Step 3: Measure and Cut the Ball Thread

Now that you have 25 double stitches on the second needle, it’s time to measure out 4.5 meters of the ball thread and cut it off.

✂️ This way, you’ll have a long enough thread to complete the entire curled ring without needing to add more thread later.

Plus, you’ll now have a free end of the ball thread that can easily be inserted into the eye of the second needle. Neat and practical! 😉

🔹How to Make Ring with Curled Step 4: Forming the First Chain

Insert the free end of long cut thread into the eye of the second needle.
Then gently pull the thread through the 25 double stitches, forming an Cain.

🚫 Don’t rush! Try not to tangle the long piece of thread.
But don’t worry — with every new Chain, the thread will become shorter, and pulling it through will get easier and easier. 😌

⚠️ Be very careful at this step!
Before tightening the arc completely, insert a helper thread into the loop at the base of the Chain.

✨ This little trick will do you a big favor:
✔️ it makes shaping the curl much easier,
✔️ it keeps the end of the Chain neat and strong,
✔️ and it helps you gently arrange the curled elements later.

You’ll thank yourself for taking this extra step! 💡🧶

🔹 Step 5: Tighten the Chain

Now tighten the chain well to create a nice, clean curl.

✨ And here’s what you should have — a beautiful, elegant swirl forming before your eyes!

🔹 Step 6: Continue Working with the First Needle

Pull the thread out of the second needle (you can set it aside for now) and use this long ball thread to make 8 double stitches on the first needle.

You’re now slowly building the total number of stitches needed to form the ring on the first needle.

🔁 Important: Do not pull the first needle through your work yet — keep it in place until it’s time to close the ring.

🔹 How to Make Ring with Curled Step 7: Repeat and Create the Full Pattern

Now bring the second needle back into action and repeat Steps 2 through 6.

That means you’ll be making 6 curled chains, with 8 double stitches in between them — all on the first needle.

⚠️ Attention!
At the very end, instead of 8 double stitches, make only 5 double stitches on the first needle.

🌀 This way, you’ll have 6 equal segments between the curls — nice, symmetrical, and perfectly balanced.

🔹 Step 8: Close the Ring and Finish Your Work How to Make Ring with Curled

Now pull the first needle through all the double stitches you’ve made on it and form the ring.

🎀 Tie a secure knot, hide the thread tails, and trim the excess.

And finally — the most satisfying part! — arrange all the curls nicely.

🌟 (Did you notice how helpful those extra helper threads were? They make it so much easier to shape the curls neatly!)

🔹 Finishing Touches – and a Video Tutorial, Too!

As the final step in your How to Make Ring with Curled project, carefully remove the helper threads, holding the curls gently in place as you do so.

💧 If needed, you can lightly apply a stiffening solution to the ring to keep its shape — then let it dry completely.

📽️ And as always, I’ve prepared a step-by-step video tutorial to accompany this written guide:
“How to Make Ring with Curled” — on my YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTYHweVcikw&list=PLmUVrN61lH3xQZumGGsR2DEL1BADRW6cV

🔹 Loved this technique? Try the next step! ❤️

If you’ve mastered the How to Make Ring with Curled method and feel inspired to try something a bit more advanced, why not create a whole Heart with Curls?

💖 This lovely heart combines the same swirling elements into a graceful, romantic shape — perfect for gifts, decor, or just pure tatting joy!

🎓 You’ll find the detailed PDF tutorial and a supporting video here:
👉 Heart Curls of Love Pattern

Take your tatting to the next level — and let your heart swirl with creativity! ✨🪡

Posted on May 23, 2025August 15, 2025 by Elena — Leave a comment

Just tie and cut

Just tie and cut — or is it really that simple? ✂️🧵

Hello, everyone! 👋

Have you ever come across the phrase “ tie and cut” in a tatting pattern? Of course you have — it’s in almost every single one! But wait… is it really that simple? 🤔

🎥 The video is already edited and available on my YouTube channel, so you can watch every detail step-by-step!

A mysterious instruction?
Well, maybe not mysterious, but certainly more interesting than it first appears! These few innocent words — “just tie and cut” — often hide a lot of nuance. And trust me, ignoring them can lead to some very disappointing results.

One day, I read a comment from a beginner in a tatting group. She wrote:

“I tied the knots very tightly, but after washing, my doily tore apart wherever I had finished the threads!”

💔 I could feel her frustration! Sadly, this kind of thing happens more often than you might think. Especially when you’re learning on your own, it’s easy to miss the fact that simply tying knots and trimming the threads is not enough. There’s a hidden art to it — and that’s exactly what we’re going to uncover today.

Just tie and cut. Close-up of hands holding a small pink tatted lace motif with rings and picots, made using shuttle tatting.

Never do this! ❌

It may look neat now, but disaster awaits! If you leave your ends like this, your tatting will unravel during washing or even gentle use. The knots will slip, and your beautiful piece will fall apart — with no way to save it. 😢

To achieve a flawless result, you need to add one simple step between “tie” and “cut.” First, make sure to tie a firm knot — a square knot works best. ✅

Then, carefully hide the loose thread ends inside the double stitches. Only after this should you trim the excess. ✂️

🔍 Pro tip: Always tuck the ends on the back side of your tatting. This way, the finish will remain invisible — and perfectly neat! 🌸

There are a few special tricks for each tatting method — shuttle, needle, or cro-tatting. We’ll get to that soon!

Shuttle tatting, tie and cut

To hide the thread tails, you’ll need a thin embroidery needle — preferably a blunt one. 🪡 If you use a regular sharp needle, you might accidentally pierce through the double stitches, which can damage the texture of the thread — something we definitely want to avoid. A thick needle is also not a good choice. First, it will be difficult to pass it through the stitches. And second, it can stretch the lace element where you’re trying to hide the threads. That doesn’t look neat or professional.

Just tie and cut. Close-up of hands holding a fine needle, preparing to hide the thread tail inside white tatting lace.

🧵Needle tatting

This method is a bit easier compared to shuttle tatting. In fact, you can use the very same needle you used to make your lace — how convenient is that? 😌

However, there’s one important thing to remember: when you finish a needle tatting project, both thread tails remain in the last element. To secure your work properly, you need to pass one of the threads through the starting point — in other words, join the first and last elements together. Only then should you tie a secure knot, hide the thread ends neatly, and trim the excess.

🪡 Cro-Tatting, tie and cut

Cro-tatting might not be the most popular tatting technique, but I truly enjoy it! 💖 Hiding thread ends is just as simple as with needle tatting — no stress at all.

Even better, you have options: you can use a fine embroidery needle or a special tatting needle if you have one on hand. Either tool will work beautifully to keep your lace looking clean and polished. ✨

👉 Curious to learn more?
If you’d like to dive deeper into the differences between the three main types of tatting — shuttle, needle, and cro-tatting — feel free to check out my detailed blog post:
🔗 https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/three-types-of-tatting/

It’s packed with helpful tips and clear comparisons to help you choose your favorite technique! ✨

🎥 Watch the Full Video on YouTube!

Now it’s time to see everything in action!
🎬 Click below to watch my step-by-step video:
🔗 https://youtu.be/Hi6nQ27Wtio

If you enjoy it, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel, give it a thumbs up, leave a friendly comment, and share the video or my blog with your crafty friends on social media! 💬💖
Your support means the world to me! 🌍✨

Happy tatting!

Posted on March 7, 2025August 16, 2025 by Elena — Leave a comment

How to adapt tatting pattern

How to adapt tatting pattern, or how to make a flat doily from a ball.

Hello everyone! Today’s article will be very useful not only for beginner tatterers, but also for experienced lace makers, I’m sure!
In a comment to one of my previous articles, Debra asked if it was possible to make a round Doily from Christmas Clover by Kendra Goodnow.

I found Kendra’s pattern on Handy Hands’ website. You can download this file by clicking on the link: https://hhtatting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Tatted-Christmas-CloverB.pdf

This is a wonderful decoration for your Christmas tree ball!

Debra, I apologize for my inattention! But I made an adaptive pattern for 15 cm in diameter (I forgot, you asked for 4 inches). But I hope this method will help you make any size yourself!

By the way, Kendra’s pattern is free, so we are not violating anyone’s copyright. So, we take the graphic diagram from the downloaded file. Using a computer program, I made a diagram measuring 15 cm in diameter. And now we need to print it out. By the way, if you are not sure about your computer program, you can check the size of the printed template with a ruler. Mine was exactly 15 cm!

And now we have some painstaking but very useful work ahead of us. This way you will avoid big mistakes in the finished product. We need to make test elements for all the Rings and Chains of the pattern. Of course, we do not take into account the repeating elements!

In the video you will see that the first row turned out to be unchangeable.

But in the second row we had to change some Rings and all the chains. Of course, because we need to get an even doily from the ball.

I changed the number of double stitches and added some picots.

As a result, I got this adapted scheme. You can download this file for free by following the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xexJNGF8tQWLt5UXAkGMwxJuUwQs-cLY/view?usp=sharing

I suggest you make a round doily size 15 cm in diameter, threads No. 20!

So now, when you are asked how to adapt tatting pattern, you can confidently answer: easy! And of course, you can watch a video illustrating the process described: https://youtu.be/k3l88qw_Yc4

You can read more articles on my blog, welcome: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/blog/

Thanks for your support, happy tatting!

Posted on March 5, 2025August 18, 2025 by Elena — 2 Comments

Some tricks for needle tatting

Some tricks for needle tatting, or whether it is necessary to strive for perfection.

Hello everyone! I love receiving comments, advice, requests and kind words from you! This article was the result of my new very pleasant online acquaintance with Luisa. Perhaps, we are kindred spirits! Because she is also a perfectionist and is always looking for new ways to improve the appearance of her work and bring it to perfection.

I have already made a video on the topic of Self-closing mock ring and floating ring . But today I decided to tell you more about working with a needle on this element. It was Luisa who inspired me to search for a new way. So, now I have 4 ways how you can make this interesting element with a needle. The link to the video, as usual, is at the end of the article.

Chains and Rings

This is the easiest method that even a beginner can use. The secret is that you do not make Floating Rings. We simply divide the Self-Closing Ring into Chains and alternate Rings and Chains as needed according to the pattern. The disadvantage of this method is that you do not get an even Ring on which the Floating Rings are located. You can make a turn of the loop before tightening the Ring, this will smooth out the silhouette a little (watch the video!).

Extra stitch

This method is similar to the previous one. But you don’t do any securing after the Ring. And also to align the Chains, make one “seam” with the needle into the second half of the last double stitch of the previous sector of the Chain. Cool, did I say? LOL! It’s actually easy to do, you’ll see after watching the video.

Back of the needle

This method is often used when making a Floating Ring. You will need a second needle. And you will also have to cut off the ball thread (and not just once!) during the process. Naturally, you then have to attach the ball thread. These are additional tails, pieces of thread… But this method looks perfect!

Extra thread

This method is for very diligent and demanding tutters. You will need a second needle (take a needle slightly thinner than the main one) with a small piece of thread. Inside the Chain for the Self-closing Ring you will have two threads. And you will make Floating Rings with the thread from the ball with the main needle, like regular Rings. It looks beautiful! Thanks to the double inner thread, the fake ring turns out dense. But are you ready to hide the tails of the extra thread in each Self-closing Ring?

I hope you enjoyed Some tricks for needle tatting. After all, we are engaged in creativity and self-development, right? More knowledge – more opportunities! The link to today’s video is here, you are welcome: https://youtu.be/CnUjY08HJF8

Please write comments on the blog and on YouTube, support me by subscribing, liking and sharing. In my blog you will find interesting articles about tatting: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/blog/

Thank you!

Posted on March 4, 2025August 20, 2025 by Elena — 2 Comments

Tatting Join Picot and More, part 2

Tatting Join Picot and More, part 2, or continuation of the topic how many types of tatting connections do you know.

Hello everyone! This is second part of seventeenth lesson in the series “Perfect Tatting”. You can read first part here:
https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/join-picot-and-more/

My articles are also accompanied by video tutorials. Along with the article, I add them to my YouTube channel. ( Link to the video at the end of the article)

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

Alligator Join

This is a very interesting and simple connection. I like the name (although there is another one) because your knot is like “capturing the element in the mouth of an alligator”! By the way, please write another name for this element in the comments to the post.

Folded join

Oh, I’ve already made several videos and written detailed posts about this. So I’ll save my time (and yours, too, of course!) and not go into detail about it. But just in case, here’s the link to the article: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/closed-tatting-motif/

Lark’s Head Join

This method allows us to make an invisible connection, imitating a double stitch. You will certainly agree with me that this is especially useful when connecting different colors. In the video you will find two ways to tat this join.

Tapestry needle instead of shuttle

This is the easiest way to “knotless” connection. But you will be limited in the length of the thread. We can’t work with a free thread 3 meters long, for example. Although, who knows! LOL

Joining to twisted picots

It’s hardly a separate method. After all, here we use a regular connecting picot. But I still decided to add this type of connection. There is no such thing as too much knowledge, right?

Joining with Curled Ring

The Curled Ring is a very interesting element. I suggest you use it as a connection between rows. You will get beautiful volumetric elements.

Reverce join

You will be surprised how easy it is to change the direction of the Chain with this join.

Lock Join Plus

This technique is best used to change the color of the threads. And also with this knot you can simply swap the shuttle and ball threads. You can read about several ways of this join in Muskaan’s blog. I really like her blog. There are so many new ideas, different useful techniques and interesting patterns! https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2020/07/lock-join-plus.html

Tatting Loop Join

Again, I need your comments because I don’t know if this knot has a name. I like to use this knot over at the beginning of the next row. And depending on which side you insert the hook into the join picot, you’ll get a “cap” on the front or back.

I think I’ve listed all the join methods I know. Thanks for reading to the end “Tatting Join Picot and More, part 2”! I hope you have the strength to watch the additional video to this article: https://youtu.be/E6WlFUGnj2g

Support my blog and my YouTube channel with your likes, comments and shares, please! Thank you!

Posted on February 27, 2025August 20, 2025 by Elena — Leave a comment

Join Picot and More, part 1

Very easy pattern. Round white tatting doily

Join Picot and More, part 1, or how many types of tatting connections do you know.

Hello everyone! This is the seventeenth lesson in the series “Perfect Tatting”. You can read the previous part here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/why-are-split-chains-needed/

My articles are also accompanied by video tutorials. Along with the article, I add them to my YouTube channel. ( Link to the video at the end of the article)

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

I called our lesson today: Join Picot and More, part 1. You’re probably wondering: what else can be used besides the connecting picot? You’d be surprised, but you actually use at least 10 or 12 different methods. I’m sure! You probably know more. For example, I know 20 different methods. But to avoid an endlessly long article, today we’ll look at the first ten ways. Some of them we use constantly, and some rarely. But this fact does not affect the usefulness of each method!

Join picot

The first two methods are our favorites and we constantly use join picots. But there is a nuance! I will not stop now and describe each method in detail. I am sure that you know everything about it. And the name is “talking”: Up Join and Down Join.

Lock Join

Two next connections is Lock Join (or Shuttle Join ). We use this method when we attach the end of the Chain to the previous row or element. I guess you can also split this method into two. It all depends on where you insert the hook into the picot, from Up or Down. But in the end, I don’t see much of a difference.

I suggest you try Lock Join, but with a thread from the ball. With this junction you get an interesting perpendicular position of the next row. This is a very useful trick if you are making a small box or a tatting cup, for example. I won’t repeat that you can also use Up and Dow join. LOL But I repeated it!

Blipless Join

The next joining method I want to talk about is the Blipless Join. In my opinion, this is the absolute perfect way if you need to join two different colored elements together without “getting noticed.” I found three ways to do this trick online. I’m pretty sure each method is named after the talented tatting artist who came up with it: Ninetta Caruso’s Method, Jane Eborall’s Method, and Frivola’s Method. You can see in the photo how the usual join differs from Blipless Join.

Catherine Wheel Join

If you haven’t mastered the Catherine Wheel Join yet, give it a try! It’s an absolutely essential way to join. You use it when doing an Onion Ring, for example, and you’ll get perfect results!

Oh, I’m tired already. And you? You still have a video to watch. So I’m ending today’s article. But be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow my blog. Because we have 10 more ways to make different tatting joins!

https://youtu.be/WPzV9dJYDrM

Thanks and happy tatting!

Posted on February 14, 2025August 20, 2025 by Elena — 8 Comments

Why are Split Chains needed

Why are Split Chains needed, or a must have for lazy tatters!

Hello everyone, Happy Valentine’s Day!

This is the sixteenth lesson in the series “Perfect Tatting”. You can read the previous part here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/closed-tatting-motif/

My articles are also accompanied by video tutorials. Along with the article, I add them to my YouTube channel.

Please write in the comments what subtleties you would like to learn. Then it will be easier for me to make a lessons plan. Recently Sandy suggested that I make a video tutorial on Split Chain. This is a great idea. After all, this technique is a “must have” for any tatting artist, experienced or beginner.

You have probably already guessed I have added a new free pattern to today’s lesson. This is my gift to all my friends, subscribers and just readers. And also this day reminds us all: only love and kindness will save the world, but in no case cruelty, lies and stupidity.

Why do you need Split Chains?

They are so complicated, confusing and completely useless. I hear this a lot from beginner tatters. But I have said it many times, the more we know and can do, the more opportunities we have. It is a rule of life, isn’t it? Of course, you can laugh at me, but I learned this trick because of my own laziness, LOL! I hate hiding the tails of the threads after the work is finished!

So I try to hide these tails right away during weaving wherever possible. By the way, yesterday I made a video in which you can see how I hide both colored tails at the beginning of the work WITHOUT a knot! If you are interested, you can watch this video on my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z94kIeQDbn8&t=9s

Saving threads

In addition, Split Chains help us save threads. Yes, yes, do not be surprised! You wind the threads on the shuttle ONCE and weave until the end of the pattern, without cutting or throwing away the rest.

And finally, this is a cool skill! Do you agree?

You can make such a coaster, making each row separately.
But I created this pattern specifically for mastering the Split Chain.

The whole pattern is done WITHOUT cutting the thread. That’s why I called it “NON-STOP MOVEMENT”.

Please follow the link and watch the detailed video. In this video, I show in detail how to make a Split Chain, as well as several nuances of joining and turning the work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwBv8eCocLE&list=PLmUVrN61lH3yT7k0vrL0PosljWkYTjM3a&index=16

You can also download a free PDF file with a graphic diagram of this pattern here, welcome: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OrlHNMMFP36-xPwmI6skjLyYEUBWrox9/view?usp=sharing

So, I hope my lesson Why are Split Chains needed helped you. Those who have already used this technique, probably praised themselves for being “cool”! And those who decided to learn, welcome to our “Perfect Tatting Club”!

Posted on January 14, 2025August 18, 2025 by Elena — Leave a comment

Closed Tatting Motif

Closed Tatting Motif, or how to make the last join.

Hello everyone! This is the fifteenth lesson in the series “Perfect Tatting”. You can read the previous part here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/beginning-of-work-in-graphical-diagram/

My articles are also accompanied by video tutorials. Along with the article, I add them to my YouTube channel.

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

Today I wrote a very short article. Because there is no point in describing what is better to watch! Do you agree?

In the video I showed 4 ways to connect the last and first rings in the motif. So let me say a few words about each method.

Method 1 is good because when connecting you can use up join or down join (as you like).

The second method is called folded join (if I’m wrong, please write to me in the comments).

Method 3 I saw in Marilee Rockley’s video. She uses this method of joining because it is convenient for her. By the way, you can come up with and use your own method. And this proves once again that tatting is not a dogma, but an art!

Ah, I would like to name the fourth method after myself (LOL). Because I came up with it myself. And I watched a lot of videos on the Internet, but I did not find such a way of connecting. Maybe I did not search well? But I like this method. For me it is the most understandable and easy. And also when doing it you can use up join or down join.

You can watch the video “Closed Tatting Motif” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwwl9NK33i8&list=PLmUVrN61lH3yT7k0vrL0PosljWkYTjM3a&index=15

Don’t forget to comment, like and share my videos and articles on social media, please! Also I thank all my friends, subscribers and followers for their support! Happy tatting!

Posted on December 27, 2024August 17, 2025 by Elena — Leave a comment

Beginning of work in graphical diagram

Hexagonal tatting doily made of white and red threads

How to find the beginning of work in graphical diagram, or continue learning how to read a tatting pattern.

Hello everyone! This is the fourteenth lesson in the series “Perfect Tatting”. You can read the previous part here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/perfect-tatting-part-13/

My articles are also accompanied by video tutorials. Along with the article, I add them to my YouTube channel.

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

You can also read the article (and download the pattern for free) on the topic How to read tatting patterns, where I talk about different options for instructions for tatting patterns. https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/how-to-read-tatting-patterns/

But today I would like to show you a graphic diagram and tell you about a little trick. I am sure it will be especially useful and interesting for beginners.

Often beginners ask the question: where to find the beginning of the work on the graphic diagram?

You will be surprised, but you can start anywhere! Although usually designers indicate where the beginning of the work is. For example, I put a small red circle on the drawing to indicate the start.

Option 1 beginning of work in graphical diagram

Beginning of work in graphical diagram-1

Most often we start working with the Ring. Look at this pattern. We start working with the first of three rings in the trefoil. In the video, you can see that I used one shuttle and a ball. Therefore, I had to make one simple knot in places where it was necessary to swap the shuttle and ball threads. The link to the video is at the end of the article.

Beginning of work in graphical diagram-2

And so we make 6 identical elements: trefoil, chain, ring, chain. We attach each first ring to the third ring of the previous trefoil. And we attach the seventh trefoil to the previous and first trefoil. What do we get? We already have a closed motif. But we need to complete the seventh time Chain – Ring – Chain. And since my motto is “nothing is impossible”, I showed on video how it works. This is the motif I got.

Option 2 beginning of work in graphical diagram

But let’s change the picture just a little bit. Look, I moved the beginning of the work, and now our pattern starts with the combination Chain – Ring – Chain. You will see in the video, I used a paper clip to start. But you can take a short thick thread, for example.

Oh, how I love this way of finishing the work! I attached the last chain to the first one, removing the paper clip. And I just have to make the last trefoil. Believe me, this option is much more convenient. Voila, it’s done!

By the way, this pattern can be made with a needle too. And use this option to start the work. I’m sure you’ll like it!

You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sukHCw-IyCI&list=PLmUVrN61lH3yT7k0vrL0PosljWkYTjM3a&index=14

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!