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 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

Posted on February 27, 2024August 17, 2025 by Elena — 8 Comments

Vintage buttons

Vintage buttons. Tips for beginner tatters. Part 4 , or how to add a beautiful button to a tatting pattern. Part 3 of my articles for beginning tatters can be read here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/tips-for-needle-tatters/

Hello everyone! I’ve recently been organizing my craft supplies. Ah, I have to do this from time to time! To you too? And among the three kilograms of buttons, I found several pieces that interested me.

Often I have seen round buttons added to tatting patterns. I made such a heart (this was 12 years ago).

But these are rectangular buttons. Can they be used? Why not?

As usual, I didn’t stop at shuttles only. After all, for those who tat with a needle, it is also interesting to make a small brooches with a vintage buttons. Do you agree?
The pattern is very simple. Because the main thing in this pattern is the rectangular button!

Use a crochet hook when making connections. Choose a hook that will fit easily into the button hole.

I decided it wasn’t worth doing graphic design. Therefore, I simply put numbers indicating the number of double stitches directly on the photo. You can take a screenshot or download a PDF file from the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13Oct1mUyQuwGVzr2P08M3uobKR098UNH/view?usp=sharing

Educational video on my YouTube channel. Please take a look and come back! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldSiIp_3CeA&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

Some useful tips for tat with vintage buttons

Of course, if the buttons are dirty, they need to be washed and dried.

As you work, try to tighten the loops inside the button tightly. Otherwise, the button will not be firmly secured in the middle of the pattern. But we don’t want the buttons to “dangle or float” in space!

Another important point. Try to ensure that the threads on the button lie parallel and do not twist with each other. This will make your work look neater.

When watching a video please note that I respect the front and back sides when weaving. It seems to me that in this case the picots look more beautiful.

The two motifs are made with the same threads and the same pattern. But with the shuttle and needle ready, the motif turns out to be of different sizes.

Posted on February 6, 2024August 18, 2025 by Elena — 14 Comments

Tips for needle tatters. Part 3.

Tips for needle tatters, or how to make the three rings “without a hole”.

Hello everyone! This is the third part of my advice for beginner tatters. You can read previous parts here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/blog/

Today I want to answer one simple question. How to make three rings “without a hole” between them? I write “three rings” because I don’t know how this element is designated in different languages. In Ukrainian, for example, it is called a trefoil.

By the way, if your language is not in the list of built-in translators on my website, write to me in the comments. I will try to add the language you need. And I would also be very interested to know what country you live in when reading my blog. Can you write this in the comments please?

So, excuse the “lyrical digression”, I continue talking about the three rings. Although you can call this element Clover. On the ABC Tatting Patterns website there is a definition of Clover. I copied the paragraph, but you can follow the link and read it yourself. By the way, this is a wonderful resource not only for beginners, but also for experienced tatters. https://abctattingpatterns.com/terms/

Three rings, or Clover

Clover consists of three successive rings grouped together. The central ring may be larger than the side rings. It looks like a shamrock. However, the rings in a shamrock are the same size.

When working with shuttle tatting, this problem does not arise. Of course, if your knots are not “loose” , but neat. And when tatting with a needle, we can get such a picture. Do you see the hole?

Of course, I never tire of repeating that tatting is an art. Therefore, ABSOLUTELY ALL methods and techniques are acceptable. What the end result looks like is the master’s right to self-expression. Perhaps you have come up with a pattern that requires just such a Clover!

However, we are improving all the time, aren’t we? To do this, we must master new skills and techniques. The more “tools” we have in our arsenal, the more opportunities we get to implement our wildest projects! Oh, I just want to say: like it if you agree with me!

With and without rewerce of work

If you read my post about how many simple knots to make in work, you remember that there is a rule for ease of remembering. One knot means rewerce work, two knots means do not rewerce work. When we make three rings in a row, we make two knots after the first ring (do not rewerce work), then two knots after the second ring (do not rewerce work again). And after the third ring we have two pattern options. So, it depends on the design.

If we don’t rewerce work, we make two knots. But after the first knot, you need to pull the needle and thread into the base of the first ring and then make the second knot. If we need to rewerce work after Clover, then we make one knot. But (attention!) Before the knot, you need to pull the needle and thread into the base of the first ring.

Ta-daaa!!! Everything is simple and clear, I hope. But just in case, I made for clarity a short video Tips for needle tatters. Part 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn__9qv7zrU&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

I hope you found it useful and interesting to read and watch! Subscribe to my blog. Write in the comments what questions about tatting you would like answered. I will be happy to help with tips!

Posted on February 2, 2024August 17, 2025 by Elena — 62 Comments

Tips for beginner tatters. Part 2.

Tips for beginner tatters, or how to distinguish the front and back sides of tatting and is it worth paying attention to this.

Hello everyone! This is the second part of my advice for beginner tatters. You can read the first part here: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/tips-for-beginner-needle-tatters/

I admit, I’m a little discouraged. The previous article was read by 156 visitors (according to site statistics). And only ONE left a comment. Perhaps my article was not useful and interesting? Therefore, I doubt whether it is worth continuing this topic.

Or you don’t know how to leave a comment? It’s very simple! Scroll UP the screen. Click on the word “Comments” above the article title.

When you go down, you will see a window for your comment.

Believe me, your feedback is very important to me. Because it helps me make the site more interesting and useful. And also your comments will raise my site in the search rankings. This means that more beginner tatters will be able to find these articles. Sorry for going off topic and thanks in advance for your support!

Front and back sides of tatting

Have you noticed the placement of the “caps” above the double stitches? On the front and back sides their location does NOT match. Although from both sides it looks absolutely identical. I’m sure there are special terms in English for these “things”. But I don’t know them, sorry. I hope you understand what I mean.

Therefore, you can determine the side by picots. It’s very simple. Take a close look at how the two picots are located relative to the chain. The difference is very noticeable, isn’t it? On the left is the picot that is obtained on the front side. On the right is the picot, which is obtained on back side.

If you turn your work over and continue to do double stitches in the usual way, you will end up with a “picot mix.” In this case, it will be completely indifferent which side is which. This is probably not critical! But only as long as you weave with single-color threads.

Look what we get when working with threads of two colors. When two rows are joined on one side, small stitches of a different color are obtained. Imagine what your work will look like if small multi-colored stitches peek out from all sides. Again, this is not dogma, but creativity. And any of us can say: I am an artist, I see so! In any case, the choice is yours!

I’ll tell you how easy it is to switch to the front and back method. It’s sooooo simple. When you turn the work to the opposite side (we already know how to distinguish both sides!), you weave double stitches in the reverse order. That is, first you need to do the second half of the stitch, and then the first. As always, I made a short video demonstrating this technique. This video demonstrates the method for needle tatting. But for the shuttle the reception is absolutely identical. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGF8pzR3tJk&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ
Please don’t forget to come back after watching and leave a comment!

Posted on January 26, 2024August 18, 2025 by Elena — 12 Comments

Tips for beginner needle tatters. Part 1.

Tips for beginner needle tatters. Part 1, or simple and clear rule for when and how to reverse the work.

Hello everyone! The most frequently asked questions beginners:

to do or not to make a knot after a ring or chain?
how can I know whether to reverse or not reverse the work?
how can I find out the front and back side of the work?
why do my chains get twisted?

And of course, there are many other points that I will try to talk about in my blog. To achieve this, I plan to write several posts and make additional videos specifically for needle tatters. So subscribe to my YouTube channel and my blog to stay updated.
So today we will answer the first two questions.

To do or not to make a knot

Unlike the shuttle, tatting with a needle is not as tight. Therefore, after completing each ring or chain, the needle tatters make a knot that helps “keep the shape” of this element. In the post “Magic Simple Knot” I wrote about ball and shuttle threads (in this case it is more logical to call them ball and needle threads). The names may differ in different languages, but the meaning is the same. And in this post I call a simple knot a magic one because it helps us “solve a lot of problems”! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/magic-simple-knot/

So, we have decided. The answer to the first question is yes, you need to make a knot!

Reverse or not reverse

Typically, in the instructions for the pattern, designers write, RW or DNRW. Although I only write where I need to turn the work around. It is logical that if nothing is written, then there is no need to do anything. Do you agree? But if you only have a graphical diagram, you will have to decide for yourself where and how to flip, rotate, or expand the work. An impossible task, isn’t it? But we will return to this topic, I promise!

So, you know, the ball thread should ALWAYS be located to the left of the work. But this is only if you are right-handed. For “lefties” it’s the other way around!

If you make one simple knot, you will swap the ball and working threads. And thus the ball of thread will move to the right of the work. Therefore, the work needs to be turned over and each thread will take its place. And if you make two knots, the threads will remain in the same position and there is no need to turn the work over.

Tips for beginner needle tatters. Part 1.

So, the golden rule: one knot – turn, two knots – no turn! I find this very easy to remember.

To make it clearer, please watch my video, please. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC02Y0HEnHY&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

And if you are interested in the topic “Tips for beginner needle tatters”, write me your questions in the comments. I will try to answer them in the following articles.