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Maintaining wire tension The hardest thing about crocheting with wire! I wish I could give you simple instructions and you'd be off and running... but to be able to work the tension I work at means you have to condition your hands by practicing -- sort of like playing piano or anything along those lines. I’ve been training myself how to do this for 23 years and before that 5 years of metalworking so my hands have gradually become very strong... even with that I still can't crochet with wire constantly; it is a very tough on your digits! Still I don't want to discourage you so here are a few tips I’ve discovered along the way to get you started... Ø Tip #1 I work with metal hooks (plastic gives too much). You need to check for sharp edges as any of these will cut or scratch the wire you are working with. I use #7 and #8 metal hooks and have my best luck with older hooks from the company ”Boye". They seem to have nice smooth edges while newer hooks have definite sharp edges for the wire to get hung up on. As you get into the larger hooks they do become smoother so I would recommend starting to work with one of those like an E or an F. You can get some nice definition while starting to condition your hands. Ø Tip #2 I wear a golf glove on my tension hand (I’m a lefty so I wear a glove on my right) I cut the fingers out where I need to feel the wire and leave the rest to protect my fingers while working. I put tape (surgical tape-white) on my left thumb. This is where I guide stitches off as I’m crocheting so the tape forms a barrier to keep from wearing a groove in my fingernail. Ø Tip #3 Wire: all wires are not created equal... most wires with enamel coatings will not hold up under the stress of crocheting. For enameled (colored wire) I recommend Artistic Wire and Parawire. They seem to be the most durable under tension. All of the other craft wires can be used for wrapping and even knitting but when used for crocheting the "other" wires crack. Also malleability (softness) differs. The same gauge of wire is different from company to company. The same gauge of Parawire is slightly softer than the same gauge of Artistic Wire. So I recommend starting with Parawire. (Wires can be found under links on my web site) you could also use bare copper to practice with as it is not as expensive as the colored wire, but be aware that copper and other bare metal wires ( i.e. fine silver and gold-filled wires) have a "stick factor" ( they don't slide on the crochet hook ) which makes them harder to work with. I mainly use 28 and 26 gauges. I will do a chain of 26g. for strength and build off of that with a 28g. as it's easier to work with. Ø Tip #4 When crocheting with wire and your hands get tired -- stop -- and give them a break! Fresh hands hold tension better than tired ones... Ø Tip #5 As you crochet -your work will have a tendency to ball up... so as I’m working on a piece I "pull " the stitches out to give it shape and form... my favorite tool to use for this is a fairly substantial darning needle (the dull end keeps you from scratching your wire). Well, I think that should get you started... best of luck! If you have any questions E-mail me. Let me know how it works for you. Addicted to wire... Linda |