A contemporary fashion bracelet infused with Nature and Life, and adorned with gemstones and SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. How this wire crochet bracelet was made ..
Wire Crochet Bracelet (CC0159)
White washed pebbles, Cyclamen Opal flora, gemstone buds and leaves, and a happy dragonfly .. so are the summer joys combined.
This fashion bracelet produces memories of a fresh and refreshing walk along a pebbled path, filled with the joys of gentle flowers captured in sparkling Swarovski Cyclamen Opals, and gentle hues of green leaves from gemstone chips. And a focal dragonfly who visits the summer path.
Wire Crochet Bracelet (CC0159)
Following on from my “new” technique of wire working and wire crochet bracelet (“Riotous Garden” bracelet), this is a variation yielding a different look and feel.
Materials for Wire Crochet Bracelet
- silver plated barss wire: 0.25mm diameter/gauge (for button heads and main crochet)
- crochet hook: 0.7mm Clover
- Swarovski crystals: Cyclamen Opal (top-drilled bicones, bicones, and briolettes)
- seed beads: 6/0 frosted matt white
- gemstone chips
- Swarovski Crystal Pearls
- clasp: silver plated magnetic brass Slide Clasp
- dragon finding
Approximate finished length: 17cm
Dragonfly finding on wire crochet bracelet
How to Make Wire Crochet Bracelet
I have tried to set up the photo sequence below to illustrate the work sequence. Each wire component (flower with stalk, leaves with stalk, buds with stalk) is done separately.
When making each wire component, thread in the required components, straighten & spread the wire apart to achieve a neater twist. Start the twist as close to the component as possible. Do not over-twist otherwise you will twist off the whole wire!
Preparing Components for Wire Crochet Bracelet
Twist neatly all the way down the “stalk”. Cut off the ends of the twisted stalk neatly so that it is ready for an easier weave into the (crochet wire) bracelet base later on.
How to Make Wire Crochet Bracelet Base
I worked the crochet width-wise, not length-wise. It is easier to determine the length you are achieving as you work along, rather than estimating you will get the right length when you begin.
The length of your work will be dependant on:
- desired final length of bracelet
- amount of space your chosen clasp will take
- (then Final Length minus Clasp space) x2
because you will need twice the length as the crochet-wire base has to be folded over for a good, smooth, firm finish
Make the final length you end up crocheting a tat shorter than the calculations above. You will want to flatten out the crochet wire base (e.g. by rolling with a bottle) so that it gives you a smoother and more professional finish. This rolling will tend to lengthen your piece slightly, hence the reason why your crochet piece should be a bit short of the calculated length.
Once the wire base is ready, fold your wire base in half, length wise, to demarcate the front and back sections of your bracelet. Then attach your focal piece approximately in the middle of your front wire section – here being the dragonfly. Next weave in the rest of your wire components.
Attach focal piece for wire crochet bracelet
As you weave in each wire component, neaten off the ends of the twisted wire “stalks” on the back so that there are no sharp points that will stick out and catch.
Weave in components
When all of your wire components have been woven in and the ends of the “stalks” are tidied, then we can weave in the background beads (the frosted matt white beads). This process is more like sewing in the beads with wire.
Once all that is complete, fold the back section of the wire base over to cover the reverse section of the other half. This gives the bracelet cuff more strength and firmness. It also gives it a much better finish and is a layer of smooth protection from the woven wires.
Using the fine wire, sew the edges together neatly. You will also incorporate the clasp as you sew together the front and back section of the wire base.
When you sew on your clasp, make sure that the loops on the clasp are indented as much as possible on the underside of the bracelet. This means that there will be less of the loops showing on the front, and gives a much neater look overall.
As you can see, the folded over section gives it a good, professional, comfortable backing to your cuff fashion bracelet.
An wholla! your new fashion bracelet is complete and ready to face the world with a happy smile!
Finished “Along a Pebbled Path” Wire Crochet Bracelet (CC0159)
Originally published in Dec, 2010 under my former label “Clearly Chosen”.
