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Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin. Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling. Don't let not having end caps to finish a project stop you.

Coiled Wire End Caps

by Judy Larson
  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Coiling
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Don't let not having end caps to finish a project stop you. Try making these versatile and easy to make end caps. They can be used in a variety of ways but these were made to go with a Viking Knit chain or a Kumihimo braid.

Materials

No materials listed

Tools

No tools listed
Instructions
Step 1
Read through the tutorial before starting the project.

Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the space you are working in.

Working from a 24 gauge wire spool or coil, make two coils 2¾" long each on a 1.5mm mandrel or a 000 knitting needle-used here.

Starting with a 1" wire tail held between the fingers keeps the wire coil stable when starting the coil.

Cut each coil 2½" long.

Tuck the cut wire ends into the coil so they can't catch on clothing.
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Starting with a 1 wire tail held
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Tuck the cut wire ends into the coil so they can't catch on clothing.
Step 2
For a tight fitting end cap, the mandrel chosen for the next step should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the piece being used on.

If an end cap is to be used on a Viking Knit chain, the mandrel should be a bit smaller than the smallest hole the chain was pulled through.

For instance, if the chain was drawn down to 13/64", the mandrel could be 3/16".

If the chain was drawn down to ¼", the mandrel could be 7/32".
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, coiled wire end caps
Step 3
Flush cut the end of the 20 gauge wire spool or coil.

Pull out and straighten about 12" of wire from the spool or coil but do not cut it off.

Slide a 2½" wire coil on the wire.

Make a spiral coil on the end of the wire that is the diameter of the chosen mandrel.
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Flush cut the end of the 20 gauge wire spool or coil.
Step 4
Still working from the wire spool or coil and holding the spiral on the mandrel, wind the 20 gauge wire around the mandrel four times, keeping the wraps as close together as possible.
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, keeping the wraps as close together as possible.
Step 5
At the end of the four wraps done in Step 4, it may be necessary to pull more wire from the spool or coil and straighten it.

Push the 2½" coil tightly against the mandrel and continue coiling, keeping the coiled wire wraps as close together as possible.
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, pull more wire from the spool or coil and straighten it.
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, keeping the coiled wire wraps as close together as possible.
Step 6
Flush cut the 20 gauge wire ¾" from the end of the wire coil.

Spiral the ¾" length of wire up tightly to the wire coil.
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Flush cut the 20 gauge wire from the end of the wire coil.
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, wire up tightly to the wire coil
Step 7
Push the end cap to the end of the mandrel.

Push the top end spiral down over the top of the mandrel.

It may be necessary to push the mandrel down on the table to get the coil to nestle inside the coil.
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Push the end cap to the end of the mandrel.
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Push the top end spiral down over the top of the mandrel.
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, coiled wire end caps
Step 8
Repeat for the other end cap.
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Repeat for the other end cap.
Step 9
Check the fit on the Viking Knit chain.

If it is too loose, slide the cap on a smaller mandrel and gently tighten the lower coiled section.
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Check the fit on the Viking Knit chain.
Step 10
You can leave the end caps plain or use your imagination and dress them up with beads.
Judy Larson's Coiled Wire End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, You can leave the end caps plain
Step 11
If you find that those little coils sitting flush with the Viking Knit catch on clothing, like loosely knit sweaters, tack them down to the chain with 26 or 28 gauge wire.

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