Viking Knit Tips

by Judy Larson
When I first started making Viking Knit, my wire pieces were around 8 feet long. As I became more comfortable with the process, I found I could use longer and longer pieces. Now, I generally work with 25 foot sections of wire when I make a Viking Knit chain for a bracelet because I do not want any spliced sections. This length of wire can pose some problems.
Instructions
Wire can easily become tangled and may take two hands to straighten the mess. I cut and sanded a piece of scrap 4x4 from my local lumberyard and then drilled a hole at an angle to fit my dowel. I can then slide the dowel in the hole and use two hands to shake the tangle out the straighten it. Yes, shaking the "mess" of wire works if the leading end of the wire has not been pulled so tight that the wire becomes knotted, not in loose coils as seen here.The block can also be used to hold the dowel to weave two-handed.
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Tips - , General Education, , viking knit tips
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Tips - , General Education, , viking knit tips
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Tips - , General Education, , viking knit tips
T-pins or the tip of a very thin awl, my favorite, can be used to lift up wire loops that are too tight for the lead wire to slide through. When it is difficult to pull the wire, it becomes work hardened faster and you run the risk of it breaking. I find it is easy to lift the knit on three ribs, then weave, lift three ribs, weave, etc. There is less breaking and less kinking when doing this.
As my projects became more complicated, I realized I needed to keep track of what I used and what I did to achieve the results. I keep a binder with photos and information on each project, but also keep a folder on my computer with photographs, including the information, and findings
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Tips - , General Education, , viking knit tips
My drawplate is another piece of scrap from the lumberyard. Several times I drew my chain down too far to fit my findings, so now I keep the end caps I plan on using on my work surface so I can continually check the chain fit. The Viking Knit, end caps and information sheet will go in a resealable plastic bag until I have time to finish the project.
Judy Larson's Viking Knit Tips - , General Education, , viking knit tips

Materials

24 Gauge Round Half Hard 1/10 Sterling Silver Filled Wire
H10-24H
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $1.47
  • Gold Club Price: $1.10
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Tools

Rosewood Handheld Draw Plate
G28-8
  • G28-8
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $17.97
  • Gold Club Price: $13.48
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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.97
  • Gold Club Price: $12.73
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  • Category: General Education
  • Technique(s): General Education