Which type of wire do you use for bead crochet?
by Katie Hacker
Sponsored by: Beadalon®
Wire crochet is a fun technique to learn, especially if you're already familiar with yarn crochet. Wire crochet just takes a few supplies to get started: wire, beads, a metal crochet hook, and wire cutters.
ColourCraft™ wire is measured in gauges. As the number gets bigger, the wire gauge gets smaller. For example, 26-gauge is thinner than 20-gauge. Wire size 28-gauge and above is typically used for knit and crochet projects because anything larger is stiff and difficult to work with the needles. Most people work with copper wire to perfect their skills before using sterling or gold-filled wire.
Since wire remembers the shape you give it, you have to wrap it around the crochet hook in just the right place. If you wrap too much around the hook, it will be too difficult to pull it through the next loop. If you wrap too little, the loop won't be large enough to make the next stitch.
Since you can't adjust the wire on the next stitch, you have to work slowly and methodically to prevent kinking or breaking the wire. This takes some practice but it can get really addictive!
When crocheting with wire, you have to block the stitches as you go along by pulling them lengthwise. To attach a clasp to your crochet design, you can either wire-wrap the work directly to the clasp or slip a jump ring or split ring onto each end and use the ring to connect the wirework to the clasp.
To add beads to wire crochet, you'll need to string all of the beads onto the wire before you begin. As you add stitches, make sure that the beads don't slip down into the stitch.
For more ideas and inspiration visit: www.katiehacker.com
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