Wire Crochet and Spool Knitting
Use Unusual Techniques to Bring Something Different to your Jewelry
May 28, 2007
When making wire jewelry, different effects can be achieved by introducing new and unusual wire working techniques. If you are used to wire wrapping or other wire jewelry making skills, why not consider taking a look at crafts traditionally more thought of as textile crafts, for instance crochet and spool knitting.
Whilst crochet is an old and traditional craft, and has long been used to create beaded jewelry, accessories and other adornments in thread and silk, it is currently becoming more popular as a wire jewelry making technique. Beads can also be crocheted into the wire work, simply thread the beads onto the wire before starting and drop them into place as required.
Spool knitting is another interesting technique to explore. You may remember as a child working with a ‘Knitting Nancy’ or perhaps a wooden cotton reel with a few pins knocked into the top. By working the wire around the pins a long tube is formed. This can then be drawn through a draw plate to pull the braid into shape and to even it out. Different effects can be achieved by working on all or just some of the pegs. If a peg is left free then a ‘ladder’ is formed and this can be used to weave material through or can be pulled into different shapes. When spool knitting with wire, it is best to start with waste yarn, work a few inches of tube and then join in the wire.
The tube can be used in different ways – the photographs below shows a tube that has been threaded with a thick ribbon for a dramatic effect, and the second shows a wire tube which is has been filled with beads. The color of the beads shines through the wire mesh.
An extremely old form of wire knitting is Viking Knitting which, of course, would have been originally used by Viking to make jewelry and other adornments. This can work extremely well when the wire is oxidized. The finished tube is again pulled through a draw plate and this will extend the length of the tube. Step by step instructions including how to make a silver bracelet are available on the DIY Network.
Tips:
- If you are not a crocheter, then two good stitches to learn are the chain stitch and single crochet (in the UK and other countries this is known as double crochet). Most other crochet stitches are a variation on single crochet and this is an excellent stitch to practice with. The Internet presents an extensive resource to find free online lessons and instructions.
- Wires between AWG 32 (.2mm) & AWG 24 (.5mm) work well. If you find using thicker wires hard work, use two thinner strands worked together.
- Use old equipment when working with wire. The wear and tear is greater with wire than with yarn.
- Craft wire is good to practice with before moving onto precious metal wires such as silver.
- Work should be hardened once completed. This means tapping it lightly with a hide mallet, or in the case of spool and Viking knitting pulling through a draw plate. This strengthens the work and helps it to keep its shape.
If this has whetted your appetite and you would like to have a go at crocheting with wire, take a look at our crochet ring project.
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