Viking-Inspired Wire Brooch with Copper Wire and Amethyst Accent

Cut:

• One 60-inch length of 26-gauge natural copper round Zebra Wire™
• Three 8-inch lengths of scrap wire
• One 10-inch length of 14-gauge silver-plated round copper ParaWire™
• Two 5-inch lengths of 24-gauge natural copper round Zebra Wire
• One 5-inch length of 14-gauge natural copper round Zebra Wire

Using nylon-jaw pliers, straighten the 60-inch length of 26-gauge Zebra Wire.

Assemble the Viking knit tool according to the manufacturer's instructions, inserting the Lazee Daizee™ into the top of the rod if it is not already in place.

Insert one end of the wire into the diagonal anchor hole in the rod. Pass enough wire through the hole so it exits the other side, leaving a 1-2 inch tail.

Pass the working end of the wire through the hole of the Daizee located directly above the diagonal hole in the rod.

• Using your non-dominant hand, anchor the Daizee with your forefinger and hold the wire tail with your ring finger.
• Using your dominant hand, gently pull the working wire through the Daizee.
• Cross the working wire over the wire between the Daizee and the rod.
• Pass the wire through the next hole in the Daizee.

Continue working around the Daizee until six loops are completed (or the number desired for the weave). Maintain equal-sized loops using the indentation on the rod as a guide.

Tip: Do not pull the previous loop tighter as you work. Consistent tension establishes the pattern for the weave.

Pass the working wire from right to left under the first loop.

• Pull the wire gently all the way through.
• Pass the working wire to the right over the previously placed wire.
• Pass the end of the wire from right to left under the next loop.

Tip: If passing the wire under the loop is difficult, use the tip of a pushpin to gently lift the loop away from the rod.

Continue weaving around the rod for 3 to 5 rows, maintaining consistent loop size.

Pull the anchor tail out of the diagonal hole and trim it close to the weave so it is hidden.

Repeat Step 4 until you run out of wire or reach the desired length.

To Add New Wire

• Straighten a new length of wire as in Step 1.
• Remove the Daizee and slide the weave up the rod until the last loop sits above the diagonal anchor hole.
• Insert the end of the new wire through the last loop and down through the diagonal hole, leaving a 1-2 inch tail.
• Anchor the tail and weave the new wire for five loops.
• Remove the knit from the rod and twist the new tail together with the previous tail.
• Return the knit to the rod and continue weaving.

When weaving past the join:

• Pass the working wire under the twisted tails for three rows to secure the connection.
• Remove the weave from the rod and trim the tails close to the weave.

Continue weaving until the desired length is reached.

When the weave reaches approximately 4 inches, remove the Daizee and the woven tube from the rod.

Using wire cutters, cut the tops of the loops along the Daizee. Remove the woven section and discard any loose scrap wires.

Insert the three 8-inch scrap wires into the woven tube:

• Pass one wire through a loop on row 2 of the weave.
• Bring the wire across the opening of the tube and through the loop on the opposite side.
• Repeat with the remaining two wires so they crisscross across the tube opening.

Bring the six wire ends together above the tube and twist them together.

Roll the woven tube in a conditioning cloth to smooth and even the weave.

Insert the twisted scrap wires into the largest opening of a draw plate.

• Pull the woven tube through progressively smaller holes.
• Pass the tube through each hole 2-3 times.
• Continue until reaching the 3/16-inch hole.

Continue drawing until the tube passes smoothly and forms at least 5 inches of Viking knit chain.

Cut and remove the scrap wires.

Use an awl to gently open the ends of the Viking knit chain.

Create the brooch center:

• Using round-nose pliers, form a two-revolution spiral near the base of the pliers on one end of the 10-inch 14-gauge ParaWire.
• Thread a 16x10mm antique silver-plated cone onto the wire so the small end rests against the spiral.
• Pass the wire through the Viking knit chain.
• Thread a second cone onto the wire with the large end covering the chain end.

Push both cones firmly over the ends of the Viking knit.

Form a second spiral at the opposite end of the wire so the spirals mirror each other and face outward from the center.

Decorate the spirals:

• Wrap the end of one 24-gauge copper wire around the inside edge of a spiral near the cone.
• Thread on one 8mm amethyst hand-cut faceted nugget.
• Wrap the wire around the opposite side of the spiral.

Trim and tuck the tail on the back.

Repeat for the spiral on the opposite side.

Create the brooch pin:

• Use a Jooltool™ sharpening and polishing system to taper one end of the 5-inch 14-gauge copper wire to a point.
• Lightly blunt the tip for safety.
• Use medium-grit sandpaper to brush the wire with long strokes for a satin finish.

Create the clasp hook:

• Using the base of round-nose pliers, form a C-shaped hook at the pointed end of the wire.
• Place the hook loosely over the Viking knit chain on the right side above the cone.
• Adjust the size so the hook fits around the chain.

Remove the wire and continue forming the loop until the opening equals the diameter of the Viking knit chain.

Place the loop back over the chain.

• Grip the side of the loop with flat-nose pliers.
• Use your fingers to push the tail of the wire around the base of the loop.
• Continue until the wire completes two revolutions, forming a secure brooch pin.