Love Knot Ring - Tutorial Part 1

Just in time for Valentine's Day here is my February tutorial (yes, I am trying to keep my resolutions). This ring is basic but fun when you add the cluster of beads to it (tomorrow's post). Have fun, this tutorial is in 2 parts. Part 1 is the standard love knot and Part 2 is the cluster.

Please excuse my dry cracked hands and fingers, hazards of working with wire. I was going to put some hand cream on but it is hard to work with wire when your hands are slippery.

The following ring design can be made in copper, silver or brass, but I would suggest making it in copper as that metal is cheaper until you get the hang of it.

Supplies Needed:

• Flush cutters
• Flat nose pliers (no ridges)
• Round nose pliers
• Polishing pad or cloth
• Diamond metal file (I found mine at Harbor Freight)
• 14 gauge wire
• Ruler
• Ring Mandrel or a wood dowel the size of ring you want to make.

Steps:
1. Gather supplies
2. Measure 6” (will make a 7.5 ring) cut a longer piece of wire if you want your ring larger
3. Center the wire on the mandrel or dowel
4. Wrap both sides of the wire around
5. Continue wrapping the wire until the open ends are at the back (or in this case the front now.
6. Take ring off mandrel
7. Cross or twist one wire over the other with the round nose pliers
8. Cross the final wire over the previous wire
9. Both ends of the wire should be on opposite sides of the ring facing downward
10. Tuck the ends up under the ring tightly (this may mar the surface of your ring as you are using your flat nose pliers, but those marks are easily removed.
11. File under the ring ends until they are no longer sharp then polish with cloth, under and on top.
12. Finished ring

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post where we will build upon this principal and add the cluster of beads.