Summarize the following:
Pick out cotton crochet thread in a color you like to work with. Then, decide how fine you'd like the tatting work to be. If you're a beginner, you might want to use size 10 since it won't snag and its larger size will make it easier to see and unpick. For finer tatting, use size 50 or 80 cotton thread. If you're unsure which size you like to use, pick up size 10 and 20 thread. Once you've worked with both, you can determine which size you're more comfortable with using. Turn the shuttle on its side so you can see the hole in the center. Then, take the end of your thread and push it through the small hole so 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the thread extends from the side of the shuttle. Push the end of the thread against the shuttle so the thread doesn't slip out. Use your other hand to wrap the thread around the middle of the shuttle. You'll have to wrap tightly in order to catch the thread between each end of the shuttle. It doesn't matter which direction you wind the shuttle. Stop winding before the thread extends over the sides of the shuttle since this would make it difficult to tat. Try to wind the thread evenly around the center of the shuttle. Your shuttle shouldn't be connected to your ball of thread, so pull a long tail and use scissors to cut the thread. Don't wind the tail so you can begin tatting with it.

Summary:
Select tatting thread for your project. Insert the thread through the hole in the middle of the shuttle. Wrap the thread through each end of the shuttle. Keep wrapping the thread until it's at the edge of the shuttle. Leave a 2 feet (0.61 m) tail and cut the thread.