kvinna Posted April 2, 2005 I have seen wire crochet jewelry and I am definitely interested in trying it out. I almost bought supplies the other day, but I was unsure about what kind of wire I should use. The wire I saw at Michael's went by a weight measurement - does this have to do with the thickness of the wire? Does it really matter if I go for the 26 instead of the 15? My friend wants me to make her a bracelet so I am going to add the beads and make a chain long enough to fit around her wrist. As for the clasps... Do I need wire cutters and all that? Any suggestions will be much appreciated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaclim Posted April 3, 2005 Here's a tutorial for wire crochet: http://www.seafore.com/wire/wire.html Hope this helps. good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Catana Posted April 3, 2005 That's something I want to do, too. The larger the number the thicker the wire, from what I remember. I think 22 is considered about the thickest you can work with without destroying your fingers. Do post a picture if you get the bracelet done. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aliassak Posted April 3, 2005 That's something I want to do, too. The larger the number the thicker the wire, from what I remember. I think 22 is considered about the thickest you can work with without destroying your fingers. Do post a picture if you get the bracelet done. No, the larger the guage the thinner the wire. It's backwards, I know, but what can you do? I've done some jewelry making with wire crochet, working with the thinner wire is best, and your fingers will hate you for a while. That wire can be hard on your digits! My advise would be to make sure you thread enough beads on your wire for your project, but that you measure the worked piece very well. It's easy to make something too long and you can't really frog it. I've had to cut each bead off a bracelet once because I didn't measure correctly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marymac Posted August 23, 2005 I've wanted to try wire crochet for a while, but it looks awkward. Let us know how this goes? Its always nice to hear about others' experience with something like this...the web sites I've seen certainly make it SEEM easy enough. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mamaoso Posted August 23, 2005 The lower the number the thicker the wire.. You would not be able the crochet with 15 gauge wire. I have a hard time shaping 14 gauge wire... To start out with I would use 22 or 24 gauge.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatsCradleCreations Posted August 23, 2005 I'm using 32 gauge for a beaded bracelet I'm working on. It's slow going because the wire gets twisted and kinked really easily and I have to put my work down to unkink it. I wouldn't recommend using anything larger than 26 gauge wire to crochet with~~and that's starting to get stiff due to its weight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RachelG Posted August 23, 2005 I'd love to try this...just need to get some wire. I'm thinking silver wire with pink rock chips...or something like that... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatsCradleCreations Posted August 23, 2005 Mine is in gold wire with emerald green seed beads. I'll be sure to post a pic when it's done. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RachelG Posted August 23, 2005 Sounds elegant! I like pink and silver, but green and gold would look fabulous on my red-headed sister. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
klouised Posted August 23, 2005 I've just recently started making crocheted wire necklaces and bracelets. Here's a link that tells you what gauge is good for what. http://www.beadaroo.com/library/tips/view.php?tip=wireuses It says that 28 and 30 are the better for crocheting. I prefer the 28. 30 and 32 break easier, too. Anything thicker is hard to run smoothly over the crochet hook. The wire works on your hook terribly, so you might want to use an older hook. Sterling silver is the best to work with. Anything else tarnishes, and it's hard to polish wire once it's crocheted. LOL. I tried it, and it made a mess. Also, use different sizes of beads. A great variety looks really nice. I use crystals, glass, cat eyes, seed beads, and drops. It's lots of fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moonrhythm Posted October 14, 2005 Here's a tutorial for wire crochet: http://www.seafore.com/wire/wire.html Hope this helps. good luck! thanks for sharing this one~* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaclim Posted October 14, 2005 I've just recently started making crocheted wire necklaces and bracelets. Here's a link that tells you what gauge is good for what. http://www.beadaroo.com/library/tips/view.php?tip=wireuses It says that 28 and 30 are the better for crocheting. I prefer the 28. 30 and 32 break easier, too. Anything thicker is hard to run smoothly over the crochet hook. The wire works on your hook terribly, so you might want to use an older hook. Sterling silver is the best to work with. Anything else tarnishes, and it's hard to polish wire once it's crocheted. LOL. I tried it, and it made a mess. Also, use different sizes of beads. A great variety looks really nice. I use crystals, glass, cat eyes, seed beads, and drops. It's lots of fun. Oh, Kristina! I would love to see pictures of your wire jewelry! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bubblefizz Posted October 15, 2005 is the wire "beading" wire? as i bought some in a silver colour size 28 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piggy Posted October 16, 2005 I have been crocheting with wire. I use patterns like granny square or anythng I think would look good. Do mostlly earrings. I found if you make a mistake just go on. Alomost impossible to rip out. Also you can not hold the wire like you do your thread or yarn. I have made several pairs of earrings. I also aldd beads to some of them. I know not crocheting but I also knit with wire. It is also very interesting. One more thiing on crocheting with wire . The simpler the pattern the better. I have also taken the snowflake patterns and used them. I found if you use your imagination and experimnent with the wire you can learn alot. I am self taught in this. I have learned alot by trial and error. But very much enjoy worrking with wire. Rosemary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quirkyvirgo Posted October 28, 2005 I recently bought Crochet With Wire and it has been helpful but I've learned most of what I need to know on line. Where do you guys get the wire? I've heard a lot about Artistic Wire but can't find it in any generic craft stores. Do I need to look at a bead store? My HL and Michaels have very little selection of higher gauge wires in anything other than brass and gold colors. Any advice as to where to get sterling silver wire? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cuddlefish Posted November 10, 2005 Oooh. I even have some cheap wire lying around. Must try! And that tutorial was fun to read. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuzyM Posted November 10, 2005 Hi, I just googled into this thread and I thought I would let you know a few places to purchase wire for crocheting. Santa Fe Jewelers is a good place to buy in bulk http://www.sfjssantafe.com/ WigJig is a good place for hard to find shapes and sizes http://www.wigjig.net/store/index.htm Wire Sculpter is a place for medium orders of wire http://wire-sculpture.com/wholesalecloseouts.php?type=main&cat=Wire MonsterSlayer has the very thin wires at good prices the first link is for copper and brass wire the second is for the sterling silver wire. I use that to practice with. When I have the technique down pat then I use the sterling silver wire. http://www.monsterslayer.com/miscpages/Cop&BrasS&W.htm http://www.monsterslayer.com/MiscPages/SilverBG.htm I hope this has helped Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuzyM Posted November 18, 2005 Hi, another thing to know is if you are going to crochet with silver wire, it is best to do it with Fine Silver wire. This is .999 percent pure silver. It will tarnish much slower than .925 (sterling silver) and is much easier to work with. I use a steel crochet hook #5 to crochet with and find it the easiest. I have also used a steet #8 and gone as large as an aluminum E hook. The best way to poslish crochet silver is to tumble the piece in a tumbler for about an hour. It won't hurt the beads you use either, unless they are amber or another very soft bead. If you are not sure, just tumble one bead in with something else you are tumbling and then you will know if it is OK to do a whole piece with the bead in it . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jpr54_ Posted December 2, 2005 I recently bought Crochet With Wire and it has been helpful but I've learned most of what I need to know on line.Where do you guys get the wire? I've heard a lot about Artistic Wire but can't find it in any generic craft stores. Do I need to look at a bead store? My HL and Michaels have very little selection of higher gauge wires in anything other than brass and gold colors. Any advice as to where to get sterling silver wire? i just got the book from my library-Ii bookmarked all the sites for wire and i am planning to read them tonite and tomorrow the stores are located on their website- only 2 in nyc area Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yasmin Posted December 27, 2005 Hi ! I was reading this post the other day and wanted to give a try to wire crochet. Ofcourse , I'm not as lucky as you all to get the supplies required...I just made use of some copper wire lying around ( I use for stocking flowers) and added on some seed beads in different clolours. Voila...I had a necklace ready in no time and I was surprised at how easy it turned out to be. I'll try to post the pictures as soon as I can get off here and take pictures .Lol ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yasmin Posted December 28, 2005 I posted the picture of me necklace in the show n tell follow the link below http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?p=257034#post257034 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crochetbabe Posted March 6, 2006 i might have to try wire crochet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brittolicious Posted March 25, 2006 If you really want to get started Fire Mountain Gems sells wire by the ounce http://www.firemountaingems.com/shopping.asp?skw=KWCORDSSWIREDEADSOFT&Shop_Page=2 for us knit and crochet girls at the best price I have found and then you can get enough for your whole project with out haveing to join wire (pain) I make wire jewelry but I have never crochetedwith wire I really want to try I have bought the wire but haven't tried anything yet. so good luck ;-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuzyM Posted July 10, 2006 If you look at post #18 you will see the links for Wig Jig, Santa Fe Jewelers and Monsterslayer. They are a little less expensive than FMG for wire. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites