How to Wire Crochet a Mask

Crocheting with wire adds interest to traditional crochet.

Jazz up traditional crochet by incorporating unique fibers, such as wire, into the design. Wire crochet masks are unusual and eye-catching. The use of wire to crochet doesn't require special skills, other than those used for traditional crochet. Crochet a wire mask for Mardi Gras, Halloween or any other costume event. Wire crochet is an inexpensive and simple way to create a unique accessory.

Things You'll Need

• 28-gauge wire
• Wire cutters
• Size D crochet hook
• Needle
• Thread (in a color that matches the wire as closely as possible)

Instructions

1. Make a slipknot in the end of the wire with a 2- to 3-inch length of wire hanging free and the other end attached to the spool of wire. Count each stitch in the chain as you crochet a chain of stitches as wide as the width of the top of the forehead of the mask.

2. Make a turning chain and crochet a second row of stitches that has the same number of stitches as the base chain. Add additional rows until the crochet is as long as the distance between the top of the crochet and the top of the eyes. Tie off the end of the wire and cut it using wire cutters so that a 4-inch tail remains. Set the forehead portion of the mask aside.

3. Make a slipknot in the end of the wire with a 2- to 3-inch length of wire hanging free and the other end attached to the spool of wire. Count each stitch in the chain as you crochet a chain of stitches as wide as the width of the top of the lower chin portion of the mask. Make a turning chain and crochet a second row of stitches that has the same number of stitches as the base chain. Add additional rows until the crochet is as long as the distance between the bottom of the mask and the bottom of the mouth of the mask. Tie off the end of the wire, leaving a 4-inch tail.

4. Make a slipknot in the end of the wire with a 2- to 3-inch length of wire hanging free and the other end attached to the spool of wire. Count each stitch in the chain as you crochet a chain of stitches as wide as the width of the middle of the mask. Make a turning chain and crochet a second row of stitches that has the same number of stitches as the base chain. Add additional rows until the crochet is as long as the distance between the bottom of the eyes and the top of the nostrils. Tie off the end of the wire, leaving a 4-inch tail. Repeat this process to crochet the area of the mask that will form the area between the bottom of the nostrils and the top of the mouth.

5. Place the four pieces of the mask on a work surface in the shape of the mask. Crochet the wire into a short row of stitches that is the width from the edge of the mask to the outer edge of the eyes. Count the number of stitches made and crochet the same umber of stitched on the outside of the other edge of the forehead portion of the mask. Crochet a short row of stitches in the center of the forehead portion of the mask that is the width of the area between the eyes. Count the number of stitches made and continue to add rows until the area between the eyes is as long as the distance between the top of the eyes and the top of the nose.

6. Use a whipstitch to sew the three sections of wire crochet created in Step 5 to the portion of the mask that lies across the nose and was crocheted in Step 4. Set the top of the mask on the work surface so that's in arranged in position with the rest of the pieces of the mask.

7. Pick up the crochet that was constructed in the prior step. Crochet the wire into a short chain of stitches on the bottom left side of the mask that is the same width as the distance between the edge of the mask and the outer edge of the left nostril. Count the number of stitches and crochet additional rows until the crochet is long enough to reach the top of the part of the mask under the nose. Crochet the same number of stitches and chains on the right side of the mask.

8. Use a whipstitch to sew the two sections of the mask created in the prior step to the area of the mask that covers the area above the mouth.

9. Pick up the wire crochet mask that has been constructed. Crochet a short chain of stitches on the bottom left side of the mask that is the same width as the distance between the left edge of the mask and the left side of the mouth. Crochet additional rows of stitches until this portion is long enough to reach the area underneath the mouth. Crochet the same number of stitches and rows on the other side of the mask. Use a whipstitch to attach these two sections to the lower chin portion of the mask.

10. Weave the loose tails of wire over and under the crochet loops so that the final loop points away from the face. Use wire cutters to trim the tails short.

11. Hold the finished wire crochet mask up to the face. Measure the distance from the left side of the mask and around the back of the head to the right side of the mask. Gently stretch out a piece of elastic and cut the stretched elastic to the length that was measured. Sew one end of the elastic to one side of the mask using a whipstitch. Attach the other end of the elastic to the mask using the same method.

References

• Online Wire Wrapping: Crocheting with Sterling Silver Wire
• Craft Yarn Council: Crochet Halloween Mask

Resources

• Craftstylish: How to Make Wire Crochet Jewelry
• Divine Caroline: How to Wire Crochet Tutorials