10/01 Hollow Knit: Tools & Techniques

Sunday, October 1, 2023
2:00 - 5:00 pm PDT

Instructor: Julia Lowther

 Achieve the lightweight effects of lace in metal by using the hollow knit technique. You will learn how to knit fine gauge wire using a pegged spool and a steel crochet hook. Julia will teach you how to create a variety of pegged spool looms from wood and metal, that will give you different knitted effects. We recommend that students practice with copper, before moving on to fine silver or gold. Finishing options include filling your hollow knit tube with pearls or beads, adding both color and structure. Once you've made your spools, you can take your hollow knitting with you anywhere!

Intermediate Levels

This class includes the video recording, which you will have access to for 30 days after the class (we've got your back if you can't attend the live class in person!).

Zoom link and instructions for joining the call will be emailed 1 day prior to class.

Check the SUPPLY LIST below. It will contain links to buy the supplies you need.

Supply List for Students

Links below take you to RioGrande.com. To see prices for precious metal items, you need a free Rio Grande account. Registered Little Metal Foxes students can access the Rio for Schools program for significant savings (discounts and flat-rate shipping). This site may contain Amazon and other affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases.

Suggested tools for hollow knitting:

• Stainless steel crochet hook US size 3-9 (2.1mm-1.25mm)
 You only need one hook. This package has several sizes that should work for 24ga or 26ga wire
• OR  Scriber You'll need one that tapers gradually to a sharp point (NOTE: the scriber works best with a metal loom and does not work as well with the wooden looms)
• Wooden drawplate (20 holes, 0.4 mm dif between holes)
• OR Plastic draw plate set (33 holes, 0.5mm dif. between holes) - BEADSMITH/AMAZON
• OR wood drawplate (12 holes, 1mm difference between hole sizes) - 112702 

Suggested tools and materials for making pegged spool looms:

• Wood Spool Looms:
• Wooden spool ~2" tall, ~1.5" diam. If the spool has a 3/8" hole or slightly larger, great! Otherwise you'll need to drill out the hole to make it bigger.
• OR  ~2" length of 1.25" diameter wooden dowel (i.e. broom handle), 3/8" drill bit, and drill.
• Wire brads - size 7/8 x 17
• Hammer

• Metal Spool Looms:
• Artist Tape - 1/2 wide
• Permanent marker - ultra fine point
• 12" Ruler
• Drafting triangle or small T-square
• 2" long section copper plumbing pipe - 3/8", 1/2", or 3/4" in diameter. I would recommend starting with the smallest diameter as fewer pegs will mean less time to knit up a sample.
• 18ga brass round wire - about 1 foot length (you can also use sterling silver)
• 1mm Krause burs
• Superglue (this is a key material! Don't skip this!)
• 26ga stainless steel binding wire
• Solder 3” Med - 101703
• Bifluoride-free Paste Flux - Grifflux #1 Flux Paste
  (Ottoflux, Superior #6, Grifflux #1, and Dandix are all bifluoride-free paste fluxes, so any of those is fine!)
  
• Parallel jaw pliers

Suggested materials for hollow knitting:

• 24ga copper round wire - 132455 (for starting chain and practicing)
• 1/2 troy oz - 24ga fine silver round wire - 105324 - ½ troy ounce is ~25 feet of wire, and will make roughly 9" of hollow knit on a 5-peg loom with a 3/8" hole

Recommended Basic Bench Tools:

• Torch, fuel, & spark 
  (both these torches use disposable 1lb propane tanks, most insurance allows this size inside the home)
• Bernzomatic Propane Torch - HOME DEPOT (includes built-in lighter)
  
• OR Orca EZ Torch - OTTO FREI 114.250 (for DISPOSABLE tanks)
• Torch lighter - OTTO FREI 114.205
• Solderite pad 6”x6” - 502064
  OR other fireproof soldering surface (fire brick, or scrap of cement board i.e.  hardiebacker tile board)
• Pickle - 5010233
  OR sodium bisulfate for pools from a hardware store
• Pickle pot - 501021
  OR small crockpot; OR glass jar + PLASTIC lid + mug warmer 
• Copper tongs - 501017
• Flux brush - 115141
  OR small cheap paintbrush with natural bristles (size 4 is good)
• solder pick = length of wire coat hanger (point on one end + flat spiral handle)
• Soldering tripod with medium-mesh screen - 502087
• 6” Lazy susan turntable (all metal) (Amazon)
• Tweezers (for solder placement) - 115018
• Jewelers saw frame (2.25” throat) -110039
• 4/0 jewelers saw blades (pkg/12) - 110304
• Bench pin & anvil - 110014
• Cross-lock tweezers - 115051
• Finger gauge set - 116021
• Dividers - 116224
• Brass sliding gauge - 116075
• Pin vise - 113146
• Center punch - 118117
• Chasing hammer - 112225
  OR small ball pein hammer - 119333
• Flat/half round forming pliers - 111180
• Chain-nose pliers - 111911
• Flat-nose pliers - 111912
• Round-nose pliers - 111913
• Side cutters - 111931
• Ring mandrel - 112575
• Nylon mallet - 112013
• Metal ruler - 116493
• Flat hand file (#2 cut is good, get a handle as well) - 114925
• Half-round hand file (#2 cut is good, get a handle as well) - 114931
• Set 6 needle files (cut #4) - 114796
• Joyce Chen shears (Amazon)
• Emery board or sapphire nail file (Amazon)
• Sandpaper (800, 600, 400, 220 grits) + popsicle sticks + masking tape
• Patina - Liver of Sulfur gel - 331033
• Polishing cloth - 337039