Wire Weaving

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There are as many different ways to weave wire as is capable in your imagination. But there are a few basic weaves that you will see the most and use the most. One strand of wire just being wrapped with another thinner wire, two strands being wrapped with a thinner wire, but this time incorporating a design with the thinner wire One you learn the basics of these, you can add more strands of the thicker wire to make bracelets, or rings.

The one strand being wrapped with the thinner wire is used for many different projects such as

The two wires being wrapped lends itself to many different projects. the basic two strand wrap is double wrap around one wire then across to the next wire and double wrap around that , then back to the first wire.

This is a great example of single strand wrap and double strand wrap.

Weave On

another example of two strands being wrapped , this actually is a one strand that is doubled on itself and wrapped for strength and beauty.

This is an example of three base wires woven together. You can see the possibilities with the different designs.

Crochet With Wire

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The most popular question any person who sees a design made using beads crocheted on either wire or fiber is: How did you get the bead in the stitch?

The second most popular question is: How do I take what I learned from my mom (or my grandmother) and translate it into crocheted wire jewelry?


If your plan is to work with a favorite bead, then wire and hook will be chosen with the bead(s) in mind. Choose any type–glass, stone, crystal or pearl. Choose any shape–smooth and round or textured and misshapen. All that counts is that the bead sits in or on the wire stitch.

Hook Size

Determine the size of your stitch with the hook size. For example, an aluminum ”F” hook gives you a stitch that approximates a 6mm opening. So a 6mm bead will sit on and take up much of the wire stitch. If you are working with a 9mm potato pearl (freshwater) you might want to work with a ”G” or an ”H” aluminum hook. These will create a larger stitch to house the bead within it. Nuggets and chips look great clinging to their little wire nests which are worked with smaller steel hooks that are labeled by number rather than letters.

The type of wire and gauge of wire are important in two ways. The type of wire you choose should be soft and malleable to form in the hook yet strong enough to carry the bead. The wire should also be firm enough not to stretch out.

Ideal wires are fine silver and colored copper. They meet the need to stay malleable and are not work-hardened by the metal hook. Sterling silver, gold-filled and niobium wires can be crocheted also, but are not as malleable because they are alloyed with other metals and can work-harden, giving you less control over how you form the stitch(es).

And, oh yes, how DO you get the bead in each stitch? Well, you just string all the beads onto the wire before you begin stitching with the hook and then you work them into each stitch as it is being formed. Now, who would have thought of that?

Viking Knit

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“Viking Knitting” refers to an ancient technique of circular wire weaving that forms a loop and then is stretched. It’s not knitting the way we usually think of it (using two needles) but actually entails weaving sculptural chains from fine-gauge metal wire. Similar to French knitting this is a surprisingly easy way to make woven wire cord for bracelets and necklaces!.

Tools:

  • Mandrel
    • Something tubular and sturdy to weave around.
Viking Knit: Or How I Learned to Love Wire Jewelry | Interweave

Pulling board

  • This is a board with sequentially smaller holes drilled through.
Viking Knit Draw Plate Rosewood drawplate tool for wire | Etsy

Wire

Viking Knit Unraveled and Revealed – Ornamento
  • The weave in the front picture uses 20Ga.
  • For a first go try copper wire as it’s often inexpensive.
  • Silver and gold coated copper provide an excellent combination of looks, bendyness and price.
  • Jump rings Can be made with the same wire as the weave
  • Clasps 

This is a fun and easy way to make some very unique jewelry for yourself and friends.