Saturday, November 1, 2008

Viking Knit Endings


Every now and then someone contacts me concerning how I end my Viking Knit pieces. I try to remember to send them this photo but sometimes I forget. So for anyone wondering how to do that I'm posting it here.

I have done it several different ways. One way is that I make my own end caps out of silver tubing that fits. I measure the end of the knit with a set of calipers (we all know how I love those) and then order tubing with an inside diameter that will fit the bracelet. I then cut off lengths for the ends/ solder them to plate and hand finish them.

Sometimes you just have to do things the hard way!

More often than not though I order end caps. The caps shown in the photo are from Heather Ferman. She has these in many different types of metal and they are a fantastic fit for the ends of the knit.

You take and run a wire through some of the loops and secure it tightly. It doesn't have to be perfect or really pretty (you're going to cover it). I generally use 22 gauge half hard wire for this. Once it's secured I pull the cap over it and make my ending loop. To this I add jump rings and a clasp and it's all done. Happy Knitting.

3 comments:

rosebud101 said...

Thanks, Sharon! You always have some great ideas to share! Thanks!

angelinabeadalina said...

I love that pic for illustrating your point-- got all three steps in there. Since I'm not a jewelry putter-togetherer, pics like that really help me "see" how things are done. Besides, I just love the look of the silver in that closeup, too :)

foreverfleurs said...

I am not sure how to secure the end loop after I bend the wire. Is it pushed back into the end of the cap? I have made two viking chains and want them securely finished.