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Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, . You just made a Viking Knit Chain and are ready to make a bracelet.

Viking Knit Bracelet

by Judy Larson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Making Loops, General Education
  • Skill Level: Beginner
You just made a Viking Knit Chain and are ready to make a bracelet. Different Viking Knit bracelets are shown throughout the tutorial which will hopefully give you many ideas on making your own bracelet unique. Plain or embellished, like the two shown here, it will be a work of art you can be proud of.

Materials

20 Gauge Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-20H
  • Lesson Quantity: 8.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $0.50
  • Gold Club Price: $0.37
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end cones
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
Sterling Silver Swivel Lobster 19mm - Pack of 1
K3-152
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.30
  • Gold Club Price: $7.73
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20 Gauge Round Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-20H
  • Lesson Quantity: 8.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $3.39
  • Gold Club Price: $2.54
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Tools

Xuron Flush Cutter - Pack of 1
G2-504
  • G2-504
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
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Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Round Nose Wire Pliers
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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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.

Notes and Thoughts Before Starting: Remember, we all have different tastes and design accordingly. And isn't it nice that our tastes change and grow with us over time?! Adapt tutorials to suit your own likes and dislikes as well as skill level. When looking at tutorials as basic how-to guides, it becomes easier to put our own spin on things.

I happen to like making Viking Knit Chains with seven sections/ribs in 26 and 28 gauge Argentium wire, and every so often I make a few nine rib gold-filled chains with 30 and 32 gauge wire. All have been drawn down to my preferred sizes.

My double knit chains are usually drawn down to 7/32" and single knit chains, which I do not often make unless a very airy design calls for them, are drawn down to 15/64". These are the chain sizes I prefer the thickness of the best.

End caps can be made in many different sizes with silver tubing, but since I am lazy, I prefer to purchase them. However, that does limit what thickness the chains can be drawn down to.

If you make your own drawplate, it.is easier to "fine tune" the diameter of the chain as you be able to create more holes in different size than many purchased drawplates have.
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Step 2
Construct a length of Viking knit. Draw it down until it fits inside the chosen end cap. The Viking Knit chains shown in this tutorial were drawn down to 7/32" and 15/64". When a chain is drawn down to 7/32", it fits into an end cone with an interior diameter of 6mm. One drawn to 15/64" fits into an end cap with an interior diameter of 5mm. Both double and single knit chains are shown in the tutorial.

Assemble all your supplies.
When making more than one bracelet at a time, or when you need to step away from the project for a while, store all the parts needed and all pertinent information for one bracelet in one labeled bag. When picked up again to finish it, all the supplies needed are at your fingertips-no searching and wondering where something is.
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Step 3
You may be tempted to cut the chain to length right now. WAIT! The length needed for a bracelet is determined by wrist size and where on the wrist it will be worn, of course, but also by the thickness of the chain and any added embellishments. Bracelets made with stiffer chains may benefit from a bit of extra length. It is advisable to attach the largest part of the clasp with the end cap on the first end of the bracelet. Slide on all the embellishments desired, and then fit it around the wrist. It will then be easier to determine where to cut the extra Viking Knit chain off.

Refer to the following measurements for how much Viking Knit chain may be needed. These measurements are for reference only. The size and type of clasp, as well as beads added to end caps, will determine the final length of chain needed. A bracelet to fit at 6 ½" on the wrist was measured on a length a bracelet measuring cone. The bracelet was overlapped on then 6 ½" bracelet cone line to help determine where to cut the excess Viking Knit chain off. When laid flat next to a ruler, the same length measured 7-5/8".
You might want to make the bracelet a bit longer (between sizes) if your chain is larger than ¼". When you determine where to cut the chain, go one knit row beyond the length chosen, otherwise the wire loops you need to use will have been cut off and the length will be a bit shorter than desired.

Finished Bracelet Length (on a bracelet measuring cone)

X-Small 6½"

Small 7"

Medium 7½"

Large 8"

X-Large 8¾"
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Step 4
Use a heavy duty cutter to trim the end of the Viking Knit chain off. Remove all the small pieces of wire from the cut ends of the knit chain.
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Step 5
Using chain nose pliers or an awl, position as many of the knit loops as possible on the cut end of the chain directly in front of each other, creating a "channel through them. If the end loops are too long, they may show below the bottom edge of the end cap as well as possibly be a weak point in the bracelet. Pull a couple loops from below them to tighten them up.
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Step 6
Cut two 4" pieces of 20 gauge wire. Make a bend with flat nose pliers 1½" from the end of each wire. Slide the hook through the loop channel created in Step 10-both single and double knit are shown..
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Step 7
Grasp the hook with chain nose pliers just above the "V" bend. Wrap the short wire end tightly around the long wire, trying to stay as close to the knit as possible. Trim off the short wire tail.
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Step 8
Slide a cone or an end cap on the wire. Pull the wire while pushing the bead cap to seat the Viking Knit chain tightly within cone or end cap. Optional: Slide a 4mm bead on the wire.
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Step 9
Make a wire wrapped loop on the end of the wire. Only to make it easier to see process used to finish the wire wrapped loops, no clasp was added. However, the largest part of the clasp, either the lobster claw or the "O"-ring of a toggle, should be slipped onto the eye before the wire wrapping is completed.
A single layer of wire wraps was used on the single knit Viking Knit chain because it fit with the size of the top of the cone.
A double layer of wire wraps was used above this end cap. The wrap goes down from the loop, and then back up.
Once the wrap up to the loop is done, cut the wire tail off with the cut end centered across the width of the loop. Use chain nose pliers to tuck the cut end toward the bottom center of the loop.
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Step 10
Add all desired embellishments to the chain-first photo. Determine where on the wrist the outer end of the clasp overlaps the other end of the chain by either wrapping the bracelet around the wrist or over a bracelet sizer cone-second photo. Use a Sharpie to mark the chain at the outer end of the clasp-third photo. Either the length of the wire wrapped loop and bead-X on the photo-if a lobster claw clasp was used or the length of the wire wrapped loop PLUS the minimum amount of chain needed to attach the T-Bar of a toggle-X plus Y-must be removed from the chain-fourth photo. Mark the chain with the amount of chain that is to be removed-fifth photo.
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Step 11
After removing all the cut pieces of chain wire, the chain will become shorter than where it was marked. Therefore, following the directions in Step 4, cut the chain just to the outside of the mark (away from the bracelet end). Finish the chain following Steps 5-9. The bracelet is ready to wear! Hint: I switched out the toggle for a lobster claw and extender chain on the bracelet from Step 10. Because it then becomes multi-sized because of the extender chain, it can be given to just about anyone.
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Step 12
To patina or not-it is up to you. Silver plated copper craft wire cannot be patinated because it has a protective coating to prevent tarnish as well as protect added color from wearing off. Brass and Nickel Silver do not really take a patina. They might sometimes darken just a bit, but nothing like the beautiful patina that is achieved on Copper and Silver.
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Viking knit bracelet

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