Add a bead at a picot

I've seen this technique used extensively on items like Christmas ornaments. Put them on little Christmas trees and snowflakes for added interest.

Before beginning your tatting, add the number of beads you will need for your project onto the ball thread. You may want to add a few extra just to be sure. These beads will only be available for picots on chains.

When you reach the picot in your tatting that takes the bead, simply pull one of the beads up the working thread until it rests against your tatting. Continue tatting with the next double-stitch.

To add beads to picots on rings, thread the beads onto the shuttle thread. Until you're ready to make the ring with the beads on it, keep the beads far enough down the shuttle thread that you can wind them on the shuttle as well as having more thread wound on the shuttle on top of them. That way they stay out of your way while you work.

Before you pass the working thread around your hand to make a ring, pull the beads down that you need. Wrap the thread around your hand as usual, making sure that the beads are behind your hand. Then when it's time to add the bead to a picot on your ring, just pull it into place.