Tutorial on How to Wire Crochet Around Stones
Wrapped wire jewelry is a popular item in boutique stores and online auction sites, where it can retail for hundreds of dollars. For a different look, wires can be crocheted around decorative, precious or semi-precious stones to create one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces suitable for sale or gift giving as well as for expanding a personal jewelry wardrobe. Once completed, a stone set in crocheted wire can be used as a pendant with the addition of a jump ring and chain, or can be set into a ring or bracelet blank.
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Things You'll Need
- Jewelry wire, 28 to 34 gauge
- Aluminum or steel crochet hook
- Polished, unfaceted stone
- Needle-nose pliers
- Wire cutters
Instructions
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1
Create a slip knot with the wire and slide it onto your crochet hook. Do not pull tight; some slack is necessary when working with wire.
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2
Chain three stitches and join with a slip stitch to form a ring. Chain two stitches. Use the pliers to pull the initial slip knot tight and wrap the wire tightly around the first stitch until the tail is concealed.
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3
Place one end of your stone into the loop created by the initial joined chain. Snug the wire against the stone to fit. Chain four and double crochet into the next space in the starting chain. Continue to double crochet, adding chain stitches where needed between the double crochet stitches to fit the wire snugly against the stone. Join with a slip stitch to the second chain in the initial chain-four sequence at the start of the row.
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4
Continue in rows, increasing and decreasing stitches as needed until the stone is completely encased in the wire. Cut the wire with wire cutters to leave a 2-inch tail.
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5
Pull the tail of the wire through the last stitch and close snugly with the needle-nose pliers. Wrap the tail of the wire snugly around the last stitch until the tail is completely concealed.
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Tips & Warnings
Rock and gem trade shows are a great source for finding a wide variety of unfaceted and unset stones.
Working in a warm room will make jewelry wire more malleable and easier to crochet.
Work slowly to avoid errors; while stitches can be pulled out, doing this with wire may cause it to break.
Use a larger crochet hook to create a lacy, loopy look. Use a smaller hook for a more tailored and intricate piece.
Do not use bamboo or wooden crochet hooks when working with wire, as the wire can easily cause permanent damage to the hook.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Zedcor Wholly Owned/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
