New to tatting... would love advice!

[azurerose.livejournal.com]

Hello! I've recently picked up a shuttle and am trying to teach myself to tat. So far, I'm familiarizing myself with how to hold the shuttle without jabbing myself with the pointy!, doing the basic knot, trying to maintain an even tension, and picots. So far, I've managed to come up with a bunch of rings, some with picots, some without, most a little warped.

I did buy a book, Tatting by Tatsy, but I'm having a hard time following it. I've also been poking around on YouTube, looking for videos.

If anyone has suggestions, links, advice, or maybe a simple pattern for me to try, I'd love to hear it! So far, everything I'm finding seems way too advanced for where I am right now. :)