Wire is one of the most flexible and durable materials that can be used to make a variety of decorative items, jewelry, and gifts. Wire weaving can become a hobby for both women and men.
Types of wire and their application
If you decide to engage in wire weaving, then to create truly beautiful products, you need to have an idea of the types and uses of different types of this material.
- Tinned copper wire. It does not undergo oxidation and has a shine. This type of material should be used to make kitchen products.
- Enameled copper wire is distinguished by its versatility. It can be used to create any crafts. The coating has different shades.
- Silver-plated copper wire is good for making jewelry. In addition, this material has a variety of diameters, which will allow you to realize your most creative ideas.
- The easiest to work with is aluminum wire. This is due to the fact that it is very flexible and soft. The material has a dull gray-blue tint.
- Galvanized steel wire. It bends hard due to its hardness. However, this material also has its advantages - it does not rust. Due to this property, it is most often used for the manufacture of products that will be located outdoors. Steel wire can also have different diameters.
First of all, you need to acquire the necessary materials and tools. In addition to the wire, you will need: round nose pliers, wire cutters, pliers, tweezers and a flat needle file.
To avoid injury to your hands from the wire, do not forget to wear gloves while working.
To diversify your wire products, you can add various decorative elements to the base material: amber, wood, metal or bone. In addition, you can use various stones, beads, seed beads and other elements.
If you are new to wire weaving, it is better to use inexpensive material. Those who have been weaving for a long time use special artistic wire. Silver-plated and gold-plated wire may lose its original appearance over time; you need to remember this when making products. These recommendations will help you avoid some mistakes.
Wire basket weaving
A wire basket is ideal for use in the country. You can, for example, collect vegetables in it.
In order to make such a product, you will need: fine mesh wire mesh, wire cutters, gloves, a ruler, thin steel cable, galvanized steel wire (1.65 and 0.65 mm in diameter), pliers, permanent ink felt-tip pen, thin wire and a pen from a mop.
- Having prepared all the necessary materials, get to work. First, cut out a rectangle measuring 28cm x 88cm from the wire mesh. Use the resulting piece to form an oval. To do this, connect the short edges of the rectangle. Then you need to cut 95 cm of thin steel cable. Also make an oval out of it (it should fit easily into the wire mesh oval). Use galvanized wire (0.65 mm) to tie the ends of the cable.
- Now make the bottom of the basket. Count 10 grid cells from the bottom. Each of the cells in this area needs to be shaped into hearts. You need to make a hoop for the bottom of the basket. To do this, cut a piece of thin steel cable 70 cm long. As in the first case, bend the hoop into an oval. Take a wire with a diameter of 1.65 mm and cut two pieces of it 18 and 23 cm long. Screw them to the oval intended for the bottom. You should now have a lattice. Tie the wire at the intersection points. The edges of the future bottom must be pulled together and tied to each other using galvanized steel wire (0.65 mm). Then you need to put the manufactured frame on the bottom and tie it around the entire perimeter to the wire mesh.
- Place a large oval made of rope inside the basket 5 cm below the top. Bend the upper edge of the mesh inward. This way you can strengthen the top edge. Next, you need to mark a 55 cm long segment on the cable. It will become a handle. Attach the end of the piece to one side of the basket. At the marked point, the cable must be attached to the other side of the basket, bending it so that it takes the shape of a handle. Another piece of cable needs to be wrapped around the mop handle 10 times. This way you will get 10 loops. Tie the resulting loops to the handle along the edge of the basket. Bend the free end of the cable over the basket so that the handle becomes double. From the same rope you can bend a decorative element in the form of petals and tie it to the basket, then make another decoration by bending the free end of the rope along the handle. Bend the wire above the basket back in the form of a fourth arc of the handle. Make 10 more loops using a broom handle and tie them along the edge of the basket. Using galvanized steel wire (0.65 mm), wrap all 4 arcs of the handle. The ends of this wire must be tucked under the winding. Your basket is ready.
Thanks to the availability, strength and flexibility of the material, it is easy to make many different interesting and useful things from wire. These can be original home accessories, elegant jewelry, etc.
The well-known expression “No matter how much the rope twists..” can also have a positive meaning. Especially if experienced gardeners who are not limited in the choice of materials get down to business. If you don’t have enough small useful containers for the household at your dacha, I can suggest a way out - weave baskets. For example, I taught myself. It all started when a roll of soft plastic tube with a cross-section of three millimeters accidentally fell into my hands. For a whole week I thought about where I could use it. And then a small Soviet-era basket caught my eye. Having carefully examined it from all sides, I realized that I could weave the same one myself, but in the sizes I needed. All that remained was to find material for the bottom. I chose plywood. I cut out a circle using a jigsaw. Along the edge, stepping back half a centimeter from it, I drilled holes with a 0.4 mm drill at a distance of 2 cm from each other (Diagram 1).
There must be an odd number of holes, and the bottoms can be made oval or rectangular, but with rounded edges. It all depends on your imagination.
The racks that will have to be intertwined must be rigid, so I took a single insulated aluminum electrical wire. After several rehearsals, I realized what size the stands should be: first I measure the wire according to the selected height of the basket, then I add 4 cm to secure the edge, increase the resulting length just once and cut it off.
Now I bend the wire in half and insert it into two holes at once. At the same time, I make four racks twice as long as the others - for the handles. I attach them to opposite ends of the circle.
And I begin to weave. Even my son can easily cope with this (photo 1). I determine the height of the basket and select the slope of the posts: the greater it is, the wider the “braid” will be (photo 2). When there is 4 cm left to the top of the post, I bend the end of the wire like this (Diagram 2) and attach this hook to the adjacent post.
And so on all around, except for four long racks. I weave the handles using the macrame method: a double flat knot. And if you use a single flat knot, you get twisted handles.
To weave baskets, some craftsmen successfully use... newspapers. To do this, you need to roll the sheets into long narrow strips and soak them (to give them hardness) with varnish - even floor varnish will do. And then paint the finished products with stain in any chosen color.
The baskets come out the same type, so to decorate them I take bottoms from colored bottles, boxes from Kinder surprises, colored lids from mayonnaise jars (photo 3). Since this plastic does not take any glue, I attach the trinkets from it with thin copper wire.
I have woven a lot of baskets. I use them as flower pots, as containers for harvesting, and simply for decorating a country house. Try it, you will definitely succeed, and the material for weaving can be either thick twine or ordinary rope.
I wove such a beauty for a large family. They go to church on Easter with Easter cakes and colored eggs.
Size of this basket:
- maximum length - 45 cm;
- maximum width - 33 cm;
- bottom - 42 × 30 (cm);
- top - 43 × 33 (cm);
- height without handle - 22 cm;
- height with handle - 42 cm.
To work you will need:
You can see how to twist the tubes.
Stages of work:
Oval bottom
Take a sheet of paper, circle the bottom of the mold, determine the middle and the vertical distance to the middle (photo 1).
We measure horizontally from the edges to the middle the distance that we got in photo 1 (photo 2).
We draw the middle into strips approximately 1.5 cm wide, shown in red in photo 3. 1.5 cm - this will be the distance between the posts.
Now we use the wire. If the tubes are wound onto a 2 mm knitting needle, then you can try to insert the wire into the finished tube stand. Or twist the tube already on the wire. We connect two tubes on each piece of wire. We place these racks along the edges of the middle of the bottom and in the center (photo 5). It is better to place the sheet on cardboard and secure the racks with clothespins.
Photo 6 shows these racks closer.
Then we apply the remaining racks exactly along the lines (photo 7, green).
Let's start weaving. We take two working tubes. We place one under the first rack, and place the second on top (photo 8).
We weave with a “straight rope” (photo 9). More details about the rope in photos 24-26.
Since I need white racks, I extend the working tubes on both sides with white rack tubes (photo 10).
We also weave with a “straight rope” in a circle (photo 12). We braid the side posts in the first row with double ones.
On the second row, we separate the side posts and braid each one separately (photo 13).
We weave another circle of the third row and add two additional posts to each side post, on the left and on the right (photo 14).
In the fourth row, we separate one stand at a time (blue color), we braid the other two together (photo 15).
5th row: we separate one stand, we braid two together. In photo 17 I marked the bent racks in blue.
We will distribute the detachable racks along the oval, approximately along the marked lines, so that there is a distance of 1.5 - 2 cm between them (photo 18).
The fifth row is woven, add a stand to the first separated stand, as in photo 19 (we do everything symmetrically with respect to the other stands). And we add a third one to the paired racks (photo 20).
Next, I add one tube at a time and separate it from the triple racks. A couple more times I add additional racks to the already separated racks; you can see this in photo 22. In the end, I hit rock bottom.
Walls
As soon as our woven bottom coincides with the dimensions of the bottom of the form (or better yet, weave a row more), we raise the racks up, insert the form and weave about 10 rows with a “straight rope” (photo 23).
We take the working tube, bend it, apply it to the beginning of our rise (photo 25) and weave it with a “straight rope” until the end of the rise.
Now we turn around, as shown in photos 26-28, and weave with a “reverse rope” (photo 29), here the front tube goes behind the adjacent post under the rear tube (in a straight rope it goes behind the adjacent stand above the rear tube, this is the difference).
We're almost back to the beginning. In photo 30 you can see that we unfold the weaving in front of the loop, which was the beginning of the rise.
We switch to weaving in the opposite direction (photo 31, 32), in this direction we will get a “straight rope”.
Photo 33 – the outer lift stand is marked in green. We make the 3rd turn before the previous loops. The 4th and 5th are before the previous turns and through two posts (they are marked in blue). On the 5th spread, we cut off the ends and glue them.
We also raise the opposite side. And then we weave four rows in a circle with a “straight rope”.
Then I raise the middle a little more. I begin to weave, as in photo 34 - before the 4th spread. Yours may not be exactly the same; be guided by the desired shape, determine by eye how much to raise the side and when to make turns. It all also depends on the size of your basket. And with my example it will be easier to understand how this is done in general (photo 35).
We weave the opposite side in the same way.
Now the walls of the basket diverge from the bottom, but I need to round them off. To make it easier to do this, I cut out an oval from cardboard the size of the bottom (it can be smaller or larger, it all depends on how far the walls diverge to the sides). I place this oval evenly at the height I want for the basket and press it down with a weight. Now, during the weaving process, I will gradually round the stands to the edges of the oval (photo 36).
We continue to weave. I did not cut off the last ends of the working tubes. I add a third tube to them (photo 37).
We weave a row with a “rope of three tubes”, as in photo 38 (you can see how to weave this rope, photo 13).
Here we take a little break from the pen. Insert the cable between the central posts with the wire inside (photo 39).
We connect the racks themselves to the opposite ones using the same wire (as in photos 13, 14).
I fix the cable with the stands using clothespins (photo 40).
IMPORTANT: We will braid the handle stands and the cable as one stand (photo 41).
We will raise subsequent rows, leaving a distance of about 0.5 cm (photo 42).
But not around the entire circumference. Photos 43, 44 show where I left the distance between the rows.
Before the last two rows, let's return to the handle again.
Along the entire length of the handle, add three tubes at the top and three at the bottom, coating them well with glue and securing them with clothespins (photo 45-48).
We weave the last two rows, but without gaps.
What I did can be seen in photos 49, 50.
Bending
We bend the racks, as in photo 51 (in front of the adjacent rack and back). And then we coat this bend well with glue.
Then we add paired worker tubes for bending. We add to the racks, but one at a time (photo 52).
We also add tubes to the handle on both sides (photo 53).
We weave a “rod” bend, only not on three posts, but on two, and we have them in pairs (this bend is described in detail. We need to bend the posts, as in photo 50, and then move on to photo 52, but we do not put the tube in front of the two posts , and before one for the second).
The bend passes in front of the handles (photo 54).
We cut off the ends of the white posts; the glue on them has already dried well. Next to each post we insert a working tube for internal bending (photo 55).
We weave a bend like in photo 56 (in front of the two behind the third). Then coat the bend with glue, and after drying, cut off the ends.
Scythe
Decorate the basket with a scythe.
We take tubes of two colors. I have here white tubes from 1/3 sheet of A4 office paper. We bend the tube in half and insert it between the posts from the inside with the ends out (photo 57). I inserted the tubes about 3 cm below the first row of three tubes.
It looks like this inside (photo 58).
We bend the paired tubes under the two paired ones upward (photo 59).
And then behind two and down, as shown in photo 60. When finished, coat the braid with glue, let it dry and cut off the protruding ends deeper.
Pen
We take five tubes and insert them deeper near the beginning of the handle (photo 61). We begin to wrap the handle, leaving space for the tubes that will go from the back side (photo 62). From the other end of the handle we also insert five tubes (photo 63) and begin to wrap in the opposite direction, trying to fit them evenly into the remaining gaps (photo 64). If there is not enough space, you can move the tubes so that everything lies evenly.
It will be easier if you use clothespins (photo 65).
The ends should remain decently long. We push them into the wall. The order of which tube to start with is shown in photo 66. We pass between the rows from the bottom up, the first tube passes under the fifth row, counting the fold.
In the end it looks like this (photo 67).
Now we design the front side (photo 68-71).
We fill the ends, as in photos 72, 73. Coat them well with glue, let them dry and then cut them off.
Coating
We prime the product (PVA glue + water 1:1), after drying we coat it with varnish 2-3 times, let each layer dry well.
Can be coated with patina (white paint using a sponge). Then we do this before applying the varnish.
That's it, the beauty is ready. Now you can go out with it and catch admiring glances, or you can use it at home; it will transform the interior of your home and make it more comfortable.
Anastasia Yata
Handicraft is a unique way to create beautiful things and objects with your own hands. For example, wire weaving, which will be discussed further, allows you to create beautiful jewelry, decorative items, and makes it possible to decorate your clothes, accessories, home and garden. What can be made from a material such as wire? Where is the best place for beginners to start?
A little history about wire weaving
Wire products are valuable accessories and items that have always been very popular among both traders and the fair sex. This is confirmed by artifacts found by archaeologists and lovers of antiquities during excavations on ancient Russian burial mounds. In particular, the following decorations and objects were found from wire products:
- chain mail;
- bracelets;
- rings;
- pendants;
- chains;
- temporal rings.
It is interesting that each of the finds had its own individual wire weaving, which made the exhibit stand out among other household items and other utensils. Among the above-mentioned items, some were found that were made of thick forged wire.
Let us remember that the production of such material was previously considered a very complex and lengthy process. That is why the value of such items was equal to the price of products made from cast precious metals.
In the process of creating accessories, for example, one ring for a chain, blacksmiths first forged a kind of metal rope, then beat it with a hammer until it took the shape of a cylinder. Accordingly, to create a complete chain it was necessary to make many such rings and only then weave with wire. Today, the process of making products has been greatly simplified, so with sufficient skills and some help, any Internet user can make a beautiful ring or earrings.
What tools are needed for the job?
If you decide to make any product from wire, pay attention to the standard set of auxiliary tools required for the job. So, you will need:
- pliers;
- wire cutters;
- round nose pliers;
- metal file;
- hand or bench vise;
- portable anvil.
What types of weaving are there?
Currently, there are several weaving techniques that are used by craftsmen all over the world. For example, one of the most popular is the Wire Wrap technique. It helps to beautifully weave a variety of beads, stones, accessories, and create original earrings, cuffs, brooches, earrings and other jewelry. There is also a weaving technique that visually resembles similar handicrafts made from ordinary yarn and threads. The simplest technique is considered to be the “chain mail” technique, as well as Viking Knit. What kind of wire weaving is suitable for beginners?
How to choose a weaving technique?
It is very difficult to be a beginner in any field of activity, including needlework and hobbies. There is always a risk of making the wrong choice, jumping to conclusions or making the wrong decision. Therefore, it is best to start with the simplest and easiest to understand technique for a beginner. Let's do this together.
Making a Viking Knit Bracelet: Tools
"Viking Knit" is a simple wire weaving that does not require soldering each link individually and involves working with a large piece of wire. In this case, each link is artificially “increased” until the entire chain is closed. For this we will need the following materials and tools:
- thin copper wire;
- a simple pencil;
- scissors;
- ruler (preferably metal).
We create the basis for the product
Before you start weaving with wire (diagrams and photos can be found in our article), you need to prepare a base. To do this, take a ruler, cut a wire 40 cm long and wrap it around your ruler exactly 6 times. Next, remove the resulting loops and secure them using the free end of the wire. Then move part of the fastening down a little, and make a flower from the freed loops.
Loop by loop: let's start weaving
At the next stage, we take a pencil, put it on top (on the unsharpened side), cut off more wire with a length of about 70 cm, insert its free end into one of the first “petals” of our “flower”. Next we move to another “petal” and make the second, third and fourth loop. We move to the second row, now clinging to the received loops of the previous one. We do this for a few more rows until the length of your working wire is reduced to 10-12 cm. This is exactly how weaving wire with your own hands is done.
We build up the wire and move on
To prolong the weaving, it is necessary to artificially increase the wire. To do this, we screw a new “working thread” to the small tip of the previous one, and hide its end under other links and loops. We cut off the excess and continue to create new rows and loops.
Once you feel that the resulting loops are sufficient, remove the weave from the pencil and gently stretch it. It turns out to be a whole bracelet. Next, disconnect the excess, cut and fix. This product can be complemented with beads and a clasp. The bracelet is ready. You can also make this kind of weaving from colored wire.
How to make a bracelet using colored wire?
In addition to jewelry, you can make beautiful bracelets from colored wire. For this you will need:
- scissors;
- pen rod;
- two- or four-color wire with a polymer layer;
- large and small beads.
Making the base for the bracelet
Take a small piece of wire (about 15-20 cm) and bend it so that you get a kind of cross. Next, take a new piece of wire and begin wrapping it in a zigzag motion. After 1-2 rows have been “knitted”, transfer the resulting workpiece to the handle shaft (fasten it to the back of it). Start weaving the new wire step by step, making loops as in the first example.
Once your bracelet is the right length, you can remove it from the bar, fasten it, trim off the excess, and add beads and a clasp for added beauty. The bracelet is ready. The main thing is that it is easy and quick to make, and also has a bright color, so even children will like it.
Wire weaving (bracelets): what to consider when working?
When working with wire, you must follow safety precautions. For this purpose, it is best to wear gloves on your hands and protect your eyes with glasses. When calculating the length of the product, remember that with tight weaving, the figure will double if the wire is removed from the frame.
You should work with scissors, pliers and side cutters carefully, as there is a possibility of injury.
In a word, when working with wire, do not rush anywhere. Do everything without rushing. And then you will get the most beautiful wire products.
