FROM THREAD AND WIRE

Schiffer Publishing

Helga Becker

Schiffer Publishing recently sent me the book “from thread and wire” to review.  Over 60 jewelry projects using knitting and crocheting are explored. My interest as a jewelry designer has been textile techniques and metals, so this book was certainly right up my alley.

First of all, the publication is beautifully laid out; materials, tools and techniques are fully explained in an easy to follow format. The reader is introduced to the crocheting and knitting skills necessary to complete the various projects. They range from utilization of the standard crochet hook and knitting spools of both wooden and metal.  As a young child I use to wrap colorful yarn around the upright prongs of a “french dolly” and watch in amazement as a colorful snake emerged from the opening.

The wooden and metal spools which the author describes to make the assortment of jewelry pictured in this book are somewhat different from my little spool and the end product is quite different from my slithering woolen snake.

Each project in the book is classified according to its difficulty.  In many instances she incorporates beads and gemstones into the structures.  Many types of wire are knitted or crocheted and the finished structure can then be sized with a wooden drawplate.  This is an invaluable tool which metalsmiths use to draw down their round wire.

The netted necklace on pg. 74 had a lovely open quality. It encased pieces of fimo clay giving the jewelry an interesting addition. The closure was a decorative feat of engineering.

The Maiden jewelry projects appeared light and airy. The wide array of glass beads added a playful young look to the ensemble. Silver wire was crocheted to make the individual delicate strands.

I love the Tunnel necklace on p. 135. The 30 gauge silver wire is as thin as the strands of a spider web. Two attractive squared hinges were affixed as a pendant.

There were some fabricated structures added to the jewelry featured in this book. They could be used as a frame of reference for the creative innovative additions.

Even though there was not a resource section, all of the materials mentioned in “from thread and wire” are readily available. I’m looking forward to once again experimenting with my french dolly and recreating some of these snake-like gossamer jewelry creations.

Razine Wenneker