How to Crochet Wire Bracelets

A beautiful and unusual way to create bracelets and other accessories is to weave them from craft wire using a technique based on crochet. The following technique for creating crocheted wire bracelets can be adapted and modified in countless ways and patterns, and can be combined with beads, charms and other craft supplies to create eye-catching and unique items that accent any outfit.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Thin craft wire, ideally 24-28 gauge, such as colored copper wire or silver beading wire (wire sold on a spool or in loops works best)
• A bracelet clasp (either a clasp and loop, or a clasp that hooks onto a loop that you will make with wire)
• Beads (optional)
• Scissors or wire cutters
• Needle nose pliers

Crochet a Wire Bracelet

1. 
   Some different clasps you can use for this project

   Select the type of closure you intend to use. Some different closure types are shown here. If you selected a closure that has two near-identical sides, choose one side to go at the top of the bracelet. If you selected a closure that uses a clasp and a loop, discard the loop and set the clasp aside. If you selected a closure that uses a clasp and a special fitting, separate them and set the clasp aside.

2. Choose the wire you will use for this bracelet. In our example photos, we will be using 26-gauge copper core green wire, along with silver-plated 26-gauge copper core wire. This will be a four-strand bracelet that will consist of one wire of each color, doubled so you end up with four wires. For each strand, you'll need a length of between three and four times the final bracelet length, then double it---so measure out a single wire about seven to eight times the bracelet length for each color.

3. Put both wires together so the ends are even with each other. If the closure you have chosen has two parts, select the clasp half and string both wires through it.

4. Gently fold the wires in half, creating a rounded fold. If you have a closure piece on the wire, fold them with the closure piece in the middle.

5. 
   Bracelet start with and without closure piece

   Create the end of the bracelet by holding the wire at the fold and carefully twisting several times. If you are using a one-piece closure and you've discarded the loop piece, you will need to make sure your twists leave enough of a loop to accommodate the clasp. If you are using a two-piece closure, twist the wires much closer to the closure. Both options are shown here.

6. Choose which color(s) of wire will make up the bracelet center, and push the other two wires up and out of your way. For our example, we'll use the silver wire for the center of the bracelet.

7. 
   First right loop, with dark wire used for visibility

   Create the first center loops. One of the reasons spools of wire work well for this project is that they are naturally given to curving, and it is important to work with the curve of the wire, not against it.
   
   To start, take the right wire and loop it so it goes down, around, and then crosses near the center.

8. 
   First left and right loops, dark wire used for visibility (Violet Mabe)

   Do the same with the second (left) wire on the other side, so that your bracelet looks like the image here.

9. 
   Second loop on the right loops through the first (Violet Mabe)

   Create the next loop on the right the same way, but before crossing the wire over in the center, run it through the previous loop from front to back, so the two sets of loops interlock, as shown. You can strengthen the bracelet by alternating going over and under the wires, similar to weaving. Do the same on the left. Try to make the loops on both left and right the same size, and don't worry if the loops seem to collapse into each other a bit. You will fix that in a couple of steps.

10. Continue looping the wire in this fashion until you have a length of loops just slightly shorter than you want the finished bracelet to be.

11. Grasp the ends of the bracelet carefully, holding the bracelet in the center, and gently pull on both ends to round the loops and make the criss-cross pattern in the center more squared. You can also manipulate individual loops to make them more even and round. Be sure to leave the ends of the wire just as they are, and do not trim them. You'll need them later.

12. Pull down the left wire of the two wires you haven't used yet (the green wires in our example). We will use this wire to create a border around the center section. Start by making a loop that goes through, front to back, the first of the center loops. Unlike the center loops, where the loops started and ended in the center, the outer loops face the center of the bracelet and start and end on the outside.

13. 
    Bracelet with right side outer loops completed

    Create a second loop in the same fashion, but go through the loop you just created as well as the loop from the bracelet's center. Note that because these outer loops are smaller than the center loops, you sometimes will need to make two outer loops that go through the same inner loop, especially in the first few outer loops. It may be helpful to curve the end of the wire slightly to make going through the loops easier.

14. 
    Bracelet with both sides outer loops completed

    Continue in this fashion until you have created outer loops along the full length of the bracelet, and then do the same on the other side.

15. 
    Steps for adding the closure

    Add the clasp or closure. To do this, first twist together the two wires that make up the center loops with three or four tight twists. Then, carefully bring in the two outer wires and twist them together with the inner wires, so you have a single twisted strand. If your closure has a very small, narrow attachment or loop, you will want to twist the outer wires to the inner ones a few times and then cut them, so the closure is only strung on the twisted inner wires. Otherwise, string your closure on the single twisted strand and fold it over, then twist it on itself as shown in the images here. Make sure that your closure is oriented correctly to comfortably and naturally meet the loop or closure on the other end.

16. Cut the extra wire from the end, making sure you have enough twists to hold the clasp or closure firmly. If you have sharp ends, use needle nose pliers to firmly clamp them and curve them so they won't cut your wrist when you wear it.

17. 
    Bracelet with silver 28-gauge wire and faux pearls

    You can adapt this pattern with beads and more rows of loops. Experiment and play with it, and find a pattern that is all your own. Here is just one example of an adaptation of this design using very fine silver wire and faux pearls.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan on doing this at least once just to get the hang of it, and don't be hard on yourself if you make mistakes. If you want to do this for practice, you can leave the clasps/closures out of it and use the finished product as a bookmark. Use the loop you create at the beginning to attach a tassel. You can use recycled, reclaimed or found wire for these types of bracelets to add a unique and environmentally aware effect to your creations.