1419 pattern

Copyright 2011 ABBY HOOK – www.abbyhook.co.uk Page: 1

Tutorial: 3 Wire Wrapped Bail Created by Abby Hook www.abbyhook.co.uk

This simple bail, formed from a single piece of

wire, is quick to make and very versatile.

It can be used for any top drilled stone, donut or

as the finishing touch for a pendant.

Due to the large loops this design is particularly

useful is you are using a chunky chain like Viking

knit, chain maille or a multi strand necklace, as

the bail allows free movement of the pendant.

The main tutorial teaches you how to make the

bail for a front, top drilled stone, also included are

2 variations, the first is for a side drilled or drop

stone and the second shows you how to wrap a

donut, including instructions on how to calculate

the length of wire required.

Materials:

8” 18 gauge soft, round wire

1 top drilled focal bead, drop, donut or

pendant

Tools:

Chain nose pliers

Round nose pliers

Wire cutters

Flat nose pliers

Nylon jaw pliers

8mm mandrel (wooden dowel, pen, knitting

needle or similar)

Tape measure

http://www.yourwebsite.com/


Step 1: Prepare the wire

Cut an 8” length of 18 gauge wire and straighten,

by grasping one end with the chain nose pliers

and pulling the length through the jaws of the

nylon jaw pliers a couple of times.

Step 2: Shape the first loop

Measure 2” from one end of the wire, hold this

point against the mandrel.

Ensure that the wire is at a 90° angle to the

mandrel and wrap long length of wire around the

mandrel, forming one complete circle.


Step 3: Shape the next 2 loops

Wrap the wire around the mandrel another 2

times, so that the straight wires either end cross

each other, forming a straight line. You now have

3 complete loops.

Step 4: Bend the wire

Check that the 2” length you started with is still

2” long and hasn’t got bent around the mandrel,

adjust if necessary.

Grasp the 2” length at the point it completes the

third loop with the flat nose pliers.

Bend upwards 90°, so that it is pointing straight

up from the mandrel.


Step 5: Form a loop

Measure 1/8” from the bend, grasp with the flat

nose pliers and bend outwards 45°, so that it is

pointing in the same direction as the bail.

Remove the wire carefully from the mandrel.

Grasp just after the bend with the round nose

pliers and form a large loop.

Tip: - Make sure that the loop is at least as big as

the gap between the hole in the stone and the

top of the stone.


Step 6: Attach the stone

Carefully open the loop slightly, by twisting it

open.

Tip: - Do not pull the loop apart, as this will

weaken the wire and cause the loop to become

misshapen.

Re-insert the mandrel so that you do not distort

the shape of the bail wire while you work.

Thread the bead onto the wire, so that the front

of the bead is facing the same direction as the

straight wires are pointing.

Close the loop again by pinching or twisting

closed with the chain nose pliers.


Step 7: Bend the wire

Remove the mandrel again. Grasp the straight

wire from the bottom loop, level with the 1/8”

straight wire, with the flat nose pliers and bend

upwards 90° so that they are parallel.

Trim the wire so that it touches the bottom of the

3 circles of the bail (1/8”).

Reinsert the mandrel

Step 8: Prepare to wrap the bail

Grasp the long straight wire with the flat nose

pliers and bend 90° to the left, so that it crosses

straight under the 3 loops of the bail.

Take care that the wire remains straight and the

3 loops do not become distorted, by holding them

in position against the mandrel.


Step 9: Wrap the bail

Grasp the end of the wire with the chain nose

pliers and carefully wrap the wire around the 2 x

1/8” straight wires, pulling them together, while

holding the 3 loops in position against the

mandrel with your less dominant hand.

Continue wrapping until you have 4 coils on the

front and 3 on the back.

Step 10: Trim the wire

Trim the wire on the side of the bail, so that it is

just past the wire from the bottom loop.


Carefully tuck the end in, by bending it round the

wire from the bottom loop with the chain nose

pliers.

Ensure all bindings are neat and straight.

Step 11: Final step

Remove the mandrel and carefully splay the

wires, by bending the outer one either side out a

fraction with your fingers.

You are done!

Step 12: Variation 1 – Side drilled/ Drop

Stone

Follow steps 1 to 4, forming the 3 bail loops and

bending the 2” wire upwards.


Measure 1/8” from the bend and make a 45°

bend to the side using the flat nose pliers.

Step 13: Attach the bead

Measure the distance between the hole and the

top of the bead, in this case ¼”.

Therefore measure ¼” (or whatever the distance

was) from the last bend and bend 135° inwards,

so that the wire draws a line under the bail.


Thread the bead onto the wire.

Step 14: Finish shaping the wire

Grasp the straight wire with the flat nose pliers,

just after the bead and bend 135° inwards,

forming a triangle.

Tip: - Leave a small gap in the wire just after the

bead, before you make the bend, to allow the

bead to move freely and stop the wire rubbing on

it.

Step 15: Finish the bail

Follow steps 7 to 11, bending the wire upwards,

trimming to 1/8”, wrapping closed and finally

splaying the bail wires.


Step 16: Variation 2 – The donut

For wrapping a donut, you first need to calculate

the length of wire required. Measure your donut

from the top to the hole, in this case ½”. So to

calculate the wire you require, add 2 x this

measurement to 8”, in this case 1” plus 8” gives

you a total length of 9”.

Cut a 9” length of 18 gauge wire (or your

required length) and follow steps 1 to 4, this time

measuring 3” from the end of the wire in step 2

instead of 2”.

Step 17: Prepare to attach the donut

Measure 1/8” from the bend and grasp with the

flat nose pliers, bend 20° backwards.


Measure ½” (or the measurement you made in

step 16) from this bend and bend 100° in the

opposite direction.

Step 18: Attach the donut

Thread the donut onto the wire, push the wire

against the stone with your thumb, so that the

donut is positioned directly beneath the bail.

Remove the donut, measure ¼” from the last

bend and bend the wire upwards 100° towards

the bail, forming a ‘U’ shape.


Thread the donut back onto the wire and bend

the wire over the top of the donut, so that it

points to the front.

Step 19: Wrap the bail

Follow steps 7 to 11, wrapping the bail closed,

trimming the wire and spaying the bail wires.

You have finished!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.

For comments or questions, please go to

www.abbyhook.co.uk

Please do not distribute, lend or copy.

Do not mass produce.

Please give credit to the Teacher. Use and view of

this content constitutes an agreement to Abby

Hook’s Terms of Use.

Copyrights 2011 Abby Hook

1419 pattern

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