November 7, 2012

Learning Viking Knit

 
A friend sent me a lovely package the other day containing a Viking knit bracelet she made for me and a draw plate and dowel so that I could try Viking knit for myself (thank you, Star!).  I slapped the bracelet on my wrist, tore open the kit and took to knittin' LOL.  I managed to produce a tolerable first attempt within a couple of hours, but it definitely needed refinement.  My second attempt was a little better - more even.  Here's a peek at both of them - the one on the left is the first one.


I have to admit I'm hooked.  There is something absolutely fascinating in a technique where you can take this:


And make this:


Pull it through a hole in a paddle a few times and get this:


Want to see that again?  

I'm addicted.  If you want to give this a try, Star said she got the kit for under $10 at a craft store chain (or you can find them online).  You will also need some 24 or 26 gauge wire, a little 20 gauge wire, tape and a pair of snips to cut the wire.  The kit comes with some written instructions, but there are lots of tutorials online.  I watched a video on You Tube and used that to supplement the instructions in the packet (well, that and a little trial-and-error).  It's addicting, though.  Don't say I didn't warn you.

11 comments:

  1. Sherri, they both look great to me. This gives me the impetus to try the one I have...also gifted to me by a friend. Thanks. Are the caps ends easy enough to do?
    Jenni

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    Replies
    1. Beats me - that's my next project:) I've figured out what I want to do - now I just have to see if I can make it happen.

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    2. On the tutorial I posted below, I show how to do the ends. You just bring some 20 gauge wire through the end and wrap, pull the end cap over, and wrap and loop like you would a beaded link.

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    3. I did that with the ends - I'm thinking of making my own end cap.

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  2. Yay another addict! You can also check out my tutorial on Artisan Whimsy here: http://artisanwhimsy.ning.com/profiles/blogs/beginning-viking-knit-tutorial

    colored wires are fun, just pull through the draw plate (i have the same one) nice and slow as to not strip the color, or coat with some sort of wax.

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  3. I'm amazed by the process, too, but I sure wish I'd started with a finer gauge wire! And you should be glad your coach didn't make you pull that wire through one of the tinier holes! I decided you have to have a viking grip to do viking knit, but maybe I'll take it easier on the next round.....

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    Replies
    1. Maybe that's why I like it - I didn't have anybody telling me how to do it LOL. I just started with the first hole it would fit through and worked my way down until it's about 6mm.

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  4. I so want to try this, have been meaning to for ages. I need to find a cheap kit, all the ones I could find from a quick search were very expensive (I'm in the UK so no Michaels!!)

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  5. I have a Lazee Daizee Viking knit tool -- the queen of Viking knit, Stephanie Eddie (she won Bead and Button this year with Viking knit, I think. anyway her design was amazing!)invented it. I love it!! I made my first necklace for Beads of Courage with Viking knit, a butterfly that changes color :)

    Have fun, Sherri

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    Replies
    1. Oh, I've been looking at those longingly! They look like they would make it so much simpler and make sure the spacing is even. Maybe someday I'll get one!

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