Hey, friends! Remember Brianna, the second place winner from this year’s One Crafty Contest? She knows how to make a super-cool kind of jewelry I had never tried, so today she’s here to share it with all of us…enjoy!
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Hello! I’m Brianna, and I blog over at CraftandRepeat.
I’m so excited to be guest posting here today! Some of you may remember me from this year’s One Crafty Contest. I was the second place winner 🙂 I want to take this opportunity to personally thank all of you who followed along and voted! I never expected to make it so far and am thankful for the experience. I owe my biggest thanks to Amy! She works so hard and is the sweetest person ever, but you all probably know this already!
A little about me: I married my best friend almost 6 years ago.
(It was a little rainy and windy that day. Notice his hair…)
We have two little boys. I am a stay-at-home mom.
(ages 4 and 18 months)
I’m a lifetime crafter, but a newbie craft blogger. One of my absolute favorite crafty things to do is make wire jewelry. Today, I get to share a wire crocheting basics tutorial with all of you! Grab a beverage (I have a vanilla latte) and meet me back here! Ready? Here we go….
The Supplies
- 26 or 28 gauge jewelry wire in 1 or more colors
- metal crochet hook size F, G, or H
- flat or needle nose jewelry pliers
- side cutters or fingernail clippers
- jewelry clasp – any of the ones in the picture will work: magnetic tube clasp, toggle clasp, or jump ring with lobster clasp
- ruler
- beads (optional)
Some Tips for Selecting Your Supplies
- Jewelry wire is different from beading wire. You CAN crochet with beading wire, but for this tutorial I am using jewelry wire. Beading wire would require different tools and findings.
- Wire comes in different gauges. The higher the number, the thinner the wire. Sometimes they are represented by diameter instead of gauge. 26 gauge = .4mm and 28 gauge = .3mm.
- Colored wire tends to scratch easily. Use a quality brand. My favorite is Artistic Wire. I only have trouble with the color scratching when I’m pulling and scraping it against metal findings.
- Only use metal crochet hooks with wire. Stainless steel is best, but aluminum is ok too. Never use wood or bamboo hooks.
The Directions Step 1. Cast on (getting the wire started on the hook)
Experienced crocheters may have a favorite cast on method, but I suggest using this one. Most cast on methods require wrapping yarn around your fingers and/or hand. Trust me, you do NOT want to do this with wire. OUCH! This is a simple slip knot method, but without wrapping it around a finger to start. Unravel some of the wire from the spool. Pull it straight out. Don’t pull it over the top like a spring or you risk kinking the wire. Do not cut it. Start by making a loop. The short end should pass under the end attached to the spool.
Pinch the wires where they cross. Put the crochet hook through the loop from the top and grab the wire from underneath with the hook. (I’m using a size G)
Now pull the wire through the loop.
Grab the loop you just pulled through. Use the needle nose pliers to pull on the short end to knot the wire. Make sure you grab the wire as close to the end as you can with the pliers. Pliers can weaken the wire. This way if it breaks, you’ll still have a lot of the tail left to work with. Don’t try tightening it with your hands. Again, OUCH! Not a good idea!
Put the crochet hook through the loop you created. Pull on the long end of the wire to make the loop smaller.
A general rule throughout this whole project is to keep your loops just a little bit bigger than the shaft of the crochet hook. You can do this by holding the short end or completed loops and slightly pulling up on the hook. Wire doesn’t have any give the way yarn does. It doesn’t stretch. AT ALL. Leave that little bit of extra wiggle room. Wire crocheting feels a lot different than crocheting with yarn. You have to take extra care to not kink the wire.
Wrap the long end around the BACK and catch it in the hook as you wrap it forward.
Step 2: Stitching (making loops)
Pull the wire that is on the crochet hook through the loop. Twist the hook towards you as you pull to prevent the wire from falling off the hook.
Wrap the wire around the back and over the front of the hook again. It helps to press the current wire loop against the shaft of the crochet hook as you do this to keep everything in place. Again, pull the wire through. Continue doing this until you have the desired length of a bracelet. The average bracelet size is 7 inches. Make sure you take into account the size of your clasp.
Step 3: Making a beaded strand
There are many ways you can make this bracelet. It can be one strand or multiple strands. It can have beads on none, one, some, or all of the strands. To add beads to a strand you need to string them on your spool of wire first. For small and seed beads, you will need 1 bead per loop. String on more than you think you’ll need for good measure. For larger beads, you will need half that amount. This tutorial uses seed beads. A little further down, I will give you some tips for using larger beads.
I chose to make a beaded strand as the first strand of my bracelet. Follow step 1 to cast on. You will make loops the same way as step 2. The difference is, before you wrap the wire around the hook, slide a bead up the wire. It should be positioned like the picture above shows.
Pull the wire through. Keep adding beads for each stitch you make.
When you get to the end of a strand, make one extra non-beaded loop (do this for non-beaded strands too). This loop will disappear and become a knot.
Use the side cutters to cut the wire from the spool leaving a tail of several inches. Pull the cut end of the wire through the last loop you made my pulling straight up with the crochet hook.
Again, use the needle nose pliers to pull on the very end of the cut end. Firmly hold the strand by the last loop while you do this. If you pull on the cut end without holding the last loop, ALL of the completed loops will be pulled out of shape.
See?! That last loop disappeared and created a nice knot.
Step 4: Adding strands.
To add the next strand, cast on the same way as the first strand. If you are using a tube clasp, you will need to make one loop and then push the crochet hook through the second loop of the starting end of the first strand before continuing. If you are using any other type of clasp with only one opening, you will cast on and then put the crochet hook through the first loop of the starting end of the first strand. The pictures reflect what you would do when using a tube clasp. I’m using more than one color of wire for the sake of the tutorial. You can definitely use one color or plain silver or gold wire to make it more elegant. It’s easier to keep track of the loops when they are different colors.
Wrap the wire around the back of the crochet hook the same way you did for the first strand. This time you will pull the wire through 2 loops – the purple and green loops that are on the shaft of the crochet hook.
It should look like this.
Continue making a new strand by pulling the wire through each loop of the first strand.
The starting end should look like this with one set of unattached loops.
And the finishing end should look like this. Again, leave one loop unattached. Just like the first strand, make one extra loop for the knot. Cut the wire and tighten the knot the same way as the first strand. Continue adding strands to your bracelet – beaded or non-beaded – until you’re satisfied with how it looks.
To use larger beads, you start the same way. Cast on and slide one bead up the wire and make a loop. Next make a loop WITHOUT a bead. Continue doing that so every other loop has a bead. To add a second strand of beads right next to that strand, you will do the same thing, but start with a loop without a bead first. This way when they line up, the beads will be staggered and fit snugly next to each other. While adding a second strand, you will only put the crochet hook through the loops without the beads on the first strand and then make the loops without the beads on the second strand unattached. Keep the order of the beads in mind if they are different sizes. You might not want 2 large beads ending up next to each other. Remember, the last bead you string on, will be the first bead you use.
Step 5: Attaching the clasp.
Thread all of the wire ends through the tube clasp’s loops. Then just wrap each wire end around the clasp’s loops and back on itself several times. Cut it with the side cutters and use the needle nose pliers to squish in the cut end. You don’t want any sharp ends poking you when you wear it! If you’re using a clasp with one opening, simply braid or twist all the wires together, thread it through the clasp’s loop, and wrap each end of the wire back on itself near the end of the bracelet. Cut and squish the ends.
Turn it around and attach the other end of the clasp. Make sure you check that the ends line up the right way so your bracelet doesn’t end up twisted. This is the only part where I have trouble with the color scratching off the wire. It blends in with the clasp though, so no one will notice!
That’s it! Once you get the hang of it, you can use simple crochet patterns to make other types of wire crochet jewelry.
Thanks for reading. I hope I’ve inspired you to make some wire jewelry of your own! I have many other free tutorials on my blog. I tend to over explain, so they are easy to follow 🙂 You can also find me on Facebook and Pinterest. If you craft, cook, or DIY, I would love for you to share your links at my weekly link party, On Display Monday. I have several co-hosts who help me out, so it’s extra exposure for you!
I had fun sharing this tutorial with you. Thank you, Amy, for having me. ~Brianna~
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Isn’t that so fun looking? In fact, it inspired me to try wire crocheting for the first time; I gave it a go during commercials when we were watching So You Think You Can Dance this past Tuesday night! Anyway, in addition to sharing this great tutorial with us today, Brianna is also giving away some of her original wire wrapped jewelry {a pretty ring and pair of earrings} *and* a spool of 26 gauge artistic wire to a lucky One Artsy Mama reader!
Rafflecopter will walk you through the entry process; good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hugs & Glitter,
Marilyn Clark says
Thanks for the introduction, awesome tutorial, and amazing giveaway!
craftandrepeat says
Thank you for reading! 🙂
Brianna
Camp Cedar Crest Girls says
That looks easy for the first row. The second looks a little more difficult. Gonna try it though!
craftandrepeat says
Let me know how it goes. The second row really isn’t that hard. You’re just pulling the wire through one loop instead of two. If you have questions feel free to email me at [email protected]. I’m happy to help. 🙂
Thanks!
Brianna
craftandrepeat says
Oops, I meant two loops instead of one. Still trying to find my brain today! 😉
Cass says
Clearest wire crochet tutorial I’ve seen. Great job.
craftandrepeat says
Thank you!! Loved reading your comment!
Have a great weekend.
Brianna
Sarah says
I absolutely love this bracelet, but it looks so challenging to me!
craftandrepeat says
Thank you!! If you decide to give it a go, feel free to email me with questions at [email protected] 🙂
Brianna
Sara Howe says
Great job! I don’t have the patients to sit and do that sort of stuff, but I love the look of it!!! Sara @ http://sarahowe.blogspot.com
craftandrepeat says
Thanks so much! It’s not that hard. I promise! 😉
Have a happy day!
Brianna
lesleyana says
this is awesome! i am currently trying to teach myself to crochet AND i started a jewelry/accessory business late last year so this is perfect to try. thanks!
craftandrepeat says
That is wonderful! I would love to know how it goes for you! Good luck with your new business! 🙂
Brianna
Lorie Hagedorn says
Great tutorial! I might actually be able to try this!
Lorie Hagedorn says
Great tutorial! I might actually be able to try this!
craftandrepeat says
Thank you! Thanks for taking the time to read it. I’d love to know how it goes if you try.
HUGS
Brianna
Amy Bateman says
I’ve toyed with the idea of wire crochet, but I’ve never looked for a good tutorial. This one makes me think I could grasp the idea. Thanks for sharing!
craftandrepeat says
That means a lot to me. Thanks! I always try to over-inform in my tutorials, but if you have questions, you can always email me at [email protected].
Have a great weekend.
Brianna
Ellen says
Very cute and I have tried it with bigger beads…I love the smaller ones too!
craftandrepeat says
Thanks. I’ve always made it with the bigger beads too, but I decided to experiment a little this time. I like the smaller ones too! 🙂
Brianna
Michelle says
That looks SO cool! My daughter and I are going to make some next week. Gotta love summer break. 😉
craftandrepeat says
That’s great! I would love to know how they turn out! Anything to fill the extra time during summer break 😉
Thanks for your comment!
Brianna
Bernadette Callahan Powell says
Those are very cute! I just started knitting and crocheting so might have to give this a shot. GOOD LUCK everyone!
craftandrepeat says
Thank you. Wire crochet is how I first learned to crochet – minus finger crocheting as a kid. So you’ve got a head start by already knowing the basics! Have fun!
Brianna
Dawn Woolf says
Hey Brianna! This bracelet is adorable! I am not good with making jewelry but you make this look so easy. I think I will have to try!
Thanks for sharing!
craftandrepeat says
Thanks Dawn! I’m happy to learn I’ve inspired you. Let me know if you have any questions. [email protected] 🙂
Brianna
Photo Hunter says
Brianna, as an amateur photographer I am impressed with your photos. Your close-up shots are very crisp and clean. There is no background item fighting for the spotlight or background discord that blurs your objects. The details are easily seen. For a person following your descriptions, the photos supplement the tutorial wonderfully. Great job! ft
craftandrepeat says
Replied to you below… forget to click the reply button under your comment 🙂
craftandrepeat says
Thank you! I still have a lot to learn about photography. I just got a new camera too, so I’m still learning how to use that. The macro setting helps a lot, as well as using a Gorillapod. I can’t take pictures as well as you, though! Thanks, M! 🙂
Brianna
Just Another Day says
Thank you for the great tutorial.
craftandrepeat says
Thank YOU for reading! 🙂
Brianna
Crystal says
I love the bracelet! So cute!! Thank you for the great tutorial and great giveaway!!
craftandrepeat says
Thank you so much 🙂 Good luck!
Brianna
Niki says
I have been trying wire crocheting for a couple of weeks now! These were some great pointers and ideas!
craftandrepeat says
Thank you and thanks for taking the time to read it!
Brianna
penny says
Thanks so much for the opportunity to throw my hat in the ring for this awesome prize. I have so been wanting to learn how to crochet with wire and make jewelry at the same time…. love the post. It was so very clear and concise that I believe I can follow… Hope your 4th celebration was excellent.
craftandrepeat says
Thank you so much for your kind comment! Good luck! Just a few minutes until we have a winner!
Brianna
CocoFlower says
Very nice ! Lovely DIY ♥ ❤