Help with viking knit

cherie · #1 2007-09-19, 10:01am

Hi, I have tried and tried the viking knit, and I cant figure out what Im doing wrong. I am using a 3/8 dowel, I have tried both 24 and 26 gauge crafting wire. I didnt want to try the sterling silver afraid I would waste too much. Which Im glad I did now. The wire gets kinked, I have a hard time pulling it through the loops. I have tried shorter and longer pieces with no improvements. The finished piece looks extremely sloppy, not neat and pretty at all. I dont have copper wire so I just started with the silver wire. My piece looks Nothing like any of the pieces I have seen. I followed a turorial from here on LE and used the book "Great Wire Jewelry". Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could be doing wrong??

Just Nancy · #2 2007-09-19, 10:26am

I think there is a thread down in the tutorial section. http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=65280 Maybe it will help.

Karen Hardy · #3 2007-09-19, 10:33am

Have you pulled the finished piece through the holes yet?
If you're looking at the piece just after you made it, but before
it's squeezed down, then yeah - it should look like ick.

Post a picture so we have a better idea of how it looks.

I make Viking knit all the time, and I know you're gonna hate
me for saying this - but it's really easy to do once you get the
hang of it. I think you might be leaving out a step.

Just Nancy · #4 2007-09-19, 10:52am

I agree, I think it looks way different before the draw plate than after.

cherie · #5 2007-09-19, 2:16pm

Ok..here is my pathetic attempt at the knit..I know it looks loose and it seems all I need to do is make it tighter..but when I do..the wire just gets kinked even more and makes it harder to knit or weave it through..I dont know how much you can tell from this picture..Ill post more..I just figured out how to miminize the pic to post it..I am soo frustrated..I am open to any suggestions at the moment!

cherie · #6 2007-09-19, 2:41pm

I cant get any more images posted..I have no clue how to make the resolution smaller or pixels..or whatever..well..Im going to give it a shot again and wait to see if anyone replies because..as you can see...I need help..lol..

SadiesJewels · #7 2007-09-19, 4:42pm

I can see why you're frustrated ... Well ... here's my take on it ... for what it's worth!

1. You look as though you are using what to me is the wrong end of the loops - not that it won't work the way around you are doing, but I find it easier the end with the whole loops.

2. you haven't gone very far yet ... the first 3 rows are the hardest ... keep going

3. Work in lengths of no more than 3 ft to start. Try hard not to let the wire kink - the kink you have beginning there you can place a tool into the loop and gently twist it back to normal position before pulling it tighter.

4. try to keep your loops up against the dowel so that they are snug, and when you are pulling the wire through make sure that it is snug and firm ... no loose loops.

5. Try using a different color wire for your starting loops ... it may help?

If you lived nearby I'd show you ...

Karen Hardy · #8 2007-09-19, 6:06pm

Here's the link from that thread for the tutorial.
(It's on the same thread that Nancy gave you).
http://www.fineartbyrocio.com/vikingknitdirections.html

Okay - pretty much everything that Sadie said.
It looks like you're getting stuck on that FIRST couple of rows of
stitches. And those stitches are bitches

. Take a
good look at the pics in the tutorial and see if you can
get a better idea of how it's done (damn, I wish you lived
near Redondo beach - I'd show you how in a millisecond).

When you tape down the "daisy" pattern to the dowel, you should
have a long piece or wire left over from the top (that didn't get taped down).

Working to your left side, (clockwise) it comes up THROUGH the
center of the petal of the first daisy loop, and is pulled (gently)
tight. Not so tight that it distorts .

Then you bring it around and tread it into the next petal.

The first row of stitches, you only go through one of the loops,
and on the second time around - that's when you start going through
the tops of the two loops.

Sometimes, it's at least about 4 rows before it starts to look like anything,
so don't despair. If you're still having trouble with kinking wire, then the
best advice is to a) use shorter lengths of wire AND b) use a smaller gauge
(like try 26 or 2

. If you go smaller gauge, your first chain might look a little
skimpy, but it's ALL about learning the technique. Your next necklace can be thicker when you get it down.

cherie · #9 2007-09-19, 8:04pm

Thank You both very much for taking the time to type all of that..Im going to try again tonight and tommorrow when I lay my girls down for a nap so I wont get any distractions! I was following Rocio's directions, but I think part of my problem is that I am left handed..My Grandmother taught me to crotchet when I was about 8 and she had a hell of a time w/ me. I just recieved the wiring knit kit from Rocio and it is really great!

Dasi · #10 2007-09-19, 8:12pm

I think your problem may be the wire you have chosen to use as a substitute for silver wire. Some craft wire is too stiff to use for Viking knit. Try purchasing some 24 G copper wire.

Even copper is harder to use then silver wire. I am not saying switch to silver, just try another type of wire.

uneverknow · #11 2007-09-19, 8:32pm

I have to agree with the type of wire used to practice problem. I also tried using craft wire (silver-colored kind) like Darice or such to try it out. It was a total exercise in frustration. I dug out some copper wire and it worked way easier. Probably any of the colored craft wires would work for practicing, you can lose some of the color coating, but the idea is practicing the technique without wasting silver wire.

Theresa

debkauz · #12 2007-09-19, 8:39pm

I used 26 G craft wire and had no problem. You just have to be careful to not get the kinks. You work them out as you pull the wire through.

cherie · #13 2007-09-19, 9:07pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by debkauz

I used 26 G craft wire and had no problem. You just have to be careful to not get the kinks. You work them out as you pull the wire through.

Showoff

Ive tried 24 and 26 gauge..both turned out to be wire messes

Dasi · #14 2007-09-20, 5:54am

How stiff is your wire?
it needs to be soft.
Are you straightening out the wire with every pull?
Slide your fingers down the wire to the end each time you insert the wire behind the V. This way you have no kinks.....

DesertDreamer · #15 2007-09-20, 7:48am

I just had to chime in on the wire issue. That craft wire with the plasticy coating on it is for the birds! It's not all that stiff, exactly, but the plastic seems to make it bounce back. Feh. Go to Home Depot and get a small package of copper wire. You can get a few different gauges. It's a lot cheaper than anything you'll find in a crafting store. (Why is it that as soon as something is packaged for crafting, they jack the price way up????)

Karen Hardy · #16 2007-09-20, 8:57am

My favorite wire for viking knit (besides silver) is 24 gauge copper.
If I'm in a pinch - I can pick it up at Ralphs Supermarket.
It comes wound on a plastic hang card and there's even a
built in snipper!

Henrywashere · #17 2007-09-22, 10:58pm

Cherie - have you taped your first daisy or wire onto your piece of dowell. It doesnt look taped to me. If you tape it it will stay put and make it easier. Also you need to start off with the first "daisy" all the same length. I tape it so there is only about 8mm sticking out. You need to try and keep them all running down the dowell on the lines you have drawn. I must admit though looking at it on the dowell compared to 1 that has been finished is like looking at chalk and cheese it takes on a completely dimension once it has been "drawn" down. If you look on Rocio's site there are some great pics on the tutorial.