How to Crochet With Wire and Beads

One of the fun things about crafting is combining tools and materials that would not normally go together. Crocheting with wire is not new in the general scheme of things, but if it's new to you it's definitely worth a try! Adding beads can turn a piece of wire mesh into some fantastic jewelry or art. Here are ways to crochet with the beads.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Crochet hooks, size F or G
• 22-gauge wire or smaller
• Beads
• Wire cutters
• Needle nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Jewelry findings (optional)

How to Do the Beaded Chain Stitch

1. 

   Make a loop the approximate size your stitches will be and wrap the tail around the wire. Insert your hook.

2. 

   Slide a bead (or several, depending on size) up to the loop and wrap the wire around the hook above the beads.

3. 

   Pull the wire through the loop, leaving the beads on the other side.

4. 

   Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until your chain is the length you want, make a plain chain stitch and pull the tail through to secure the end.

How to Do the Beaded Slip Stitch

5. 

   Chain (without beads) to the length (or width if you want to work wide) your project will be plus one. Wire doesn't bounce back the way yarn does so work slowly and deliberately to make each stitch the same size and to avoid kinks.

6. 

   Slide a bead (or two or three, depending on their size) up to the work.

7. 

   Insert the hook into the the second stitch down (the first one counts as your turning stitch) and then wrap the wire over the crochet hook.

8. 

   Pull the wire through the stitch, bringing the beads with you, and through the loop on the hook, completing the beaded slip stitch.

9. Continue in each stitch until you reach the end and repeat for subsequent rows until your project reaches the size you want.

10. Trim the wire to 1 inch with the wire cutters and pull the tail through the final loop with the needle nose pliers to secure the work.

How to Make a Bonus Pattern: Beaded Crochet Earrings

11. 

    Chain 9 stitches (as in Section 1) with 24-gauge wire and 3 10/0 beads per stitch.

12. 

    Slip stitch (as in Section 2) into every other stitch without pulling the beads (three per stitch) through with the loop. Snug up the stitches as you go, which will draw up the original chain into a half circle by the end of the chain. Do not work a turning chain stitch.

13. 

    Slip stitch, as before, into the center and last stitches of the second row. Do not work a turning chain stitch.

14. Slip stitch, as before, into the opposite end of the semi circle to close it up.

15. 

    Trim the wire to 1 inch, slip it through the last loop and pull tight.

16. Using the round nose pliers, make a wrapped loop.

17. 

    Attach your jewelry finding to the loop to complete the earring.

18. Repeat Steps 1 through 7 for the second earring.

Tips & Warnings

• Work with plastic coated wire if you can find it; it's easier on the hands and stands less chance of irritating the wearer's skin than uncoated wire.
• It's easier to clip off bad starts and begin again than trying to straighten previously crocheted wire.

Resources

• Plastic-coated Fun Wire (TM)