This method of beginning a Puncetto motif is suitable for circular motifs and for “ladders,” another method for starting a square or rectangle. (Ladders will be described in the next lesson).
1. Wrap the thread around the first three fingers of your left hand, with the tail hanging down towards your palm. (If you’re a tatter, wind the thread around your fingers as though you are about to begin a ring.) Make sure there is some tension so that the loop doesn’t flop off your fingers while you’re trying to form the first stitch.
2. Pinch the tail and the thread loop together to keep them steady, and insert the needle into the loop.
3. Wrap the thread around the needle to form the first stitch.
4. Tighten the stitch. Now the loop is established. You can tighten it later by pulling the tail of the thread.
5. Insert the needle into the loop again, wrap the thread around the needle, and form the second stitch, about 1/8 inch to the right of the first stitch.
6. Continue until you have enough stitches for the base of your round motif.
If you are starting a ladder, you only need 3 stitches (= 2 loops, one between each stitch).