Hi everyone , nope.... I havent changed my favorite wire work technique ...
but as I have been asked more then once recently about the difference between the ISK wire crochet technique and Viking knitting, I felt it deserved a post of its own , to which you are welcome to add your comments .
People tend to confuse the 2 techniques because they both are made of wire & produce knitted tubes which means the work is done in the round, but I think that other than that , there is no resemblance.
While I am an expert when it goes to ISK wire crochet technique, my viking knitting knowledge and experty is rather limited, I got acquaintance with both techniques at the same time, one has captured my heart and with the other I made only one necklace and one bracelet .....
For those of you that know nothing about viking knitting , I would describe it as a wire work technique in which you string long wires onto a rod to create loops, the movements resemble the making of baskets and it evolves relatively wide hand gestures. The longer the wires, the fewer times you would need to change wires , and changing wires isn't that fun ;-) so you stick to the longest you can without making a mess.
In viking knitting you work with heavier wires than in The ISK , 25 or even 22 gauge, as a consequence the knitted tubes would be heavier and harder than the equivalent in ISK .
Because the wires are relatively thick the knitted tubes would look more solid and less airy than ISK.
another thing, because the knitted work is harder, it is less flexible when it comes to variations and more complex shapes.
Here is a video from jewelrysupply.com :
and one of my own showing the Cleopatra Ring creation :
now that I have presented both It's easier to explain why I chose ISK as my favorite...
I love being able to take the work with me and to be able to do it anywhere, without elbowing my neighbors .... (if I'm on a train)
I love the softness that enables me to flatten / fold / deform the tubes,
I love the flexibility of the technique that enables me to make other forms,
& I simply I Love It !
how about you ?
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Just happened to stumble upon this post and want to start learning wire crochet in the ISK technique ? check the kits section : wire crochet kits section
or drop me a line ...
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