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Viking Wire Weaving: A comprehensive guide to Trichinopoly Chainwork
Viking Wire Weaving -- a complete how-to and project guideLearn the techniques of Trichinopoly chainwork (also called Viking Wire Weaving and Viking Wire Knit). - Convert simple wire into complex chains- Master multiple weaves and techniques- Employ the same steps to create gorgeous nets and gem encasements- Learn how to incorporate new materials into your workBring a Viking era craft to life and create stunning works in the process. This book will guide you through every step of the process, from the tools you'll need to the techniques you'll use.
- GenresArt
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2016
1 person is currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Ford
74 books124 followersRachel Ford lives in beautiful Central Wisconsin. She is a programmer, who works in everything from SQL to .NET to Cisco CVP and IVR. Her latest foray into new and exciting things has been developing custom Java plugins for CVP applications.
Rachel also enjoys recreating historically authentic jewelry, and mixing historical recreations with fantasy elements to create exciting new pieces.
When not designing jewelry or tinkering with computers, Rachel spends her time writing and reading science fiction and fantasy.
Rachel also enjoys recreating historically authentic jewelry, and mixing historical recreations with fantasy elements to create exciting new pieces.
When not designing jewelry or tinkering with computers, Rachel spends her time writing and reading science fiction and fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 16, 2025
Nice projects
Great pictures and step by step as you get started. Then, the later projects just have a text instruction as it assumes you have learned the basics.
Great pictures and step by step as you get started. Then, the later projects just have a text instruction as it assumes you have learned the basics.
March 27, 2018
Very clear and concise
I chose this book to learn the weave, and was pleasantly surprised.. I tried another book long ago and was confused by the directions. I work in wire so I had some understanding of wire and how it handles, but the instructions required a lot of trying to decipher the writers intention of the directions. Rachel has great pictures and is very clear about what is to be done. I was shocked at the difference it made! I started a bracelet and finished it the same afternoon, without problem. I highly recommend this book to anyone, even if you have never worked with wire before! You will have no trouble with this wonderful and beautiful weave. Kudos to Rachel for keeping it simple, with explanations for how and why when showing variations.
I chose this book to learn the weave, and was pleasantly surprised.. I tried another book long ago and was confused by the directions. I work in wire so I had some understanding of wire and how it handles, but the instructions required a lot of trying to decipher the writers intention of the directions. Rachel has great pictures and is very clear about what is to be done. I was shocked at the difference it made! I started a bracelet and finished it the same afternoon, without problem. I highly recommend this book to anyone, even if you have never worked with wire before! You will have no trouble with this wonderful and beautiful weave. Kudos to Rachel for keeping it simple, with explanations for how and why when showing variations.
January 14, 2018
Viking wire weaving
I would recommend this book for beginners pictures are clear with good descriptions some very good tutorials to try. Lots of useful information
I would recommend this book for beginners pictures are clear with good descriptions some very good tutorials to try. Lots of useful information
November 21, 2023
Author has Embarrassingly Poor Technique
First, this is barely a mediocre *superficial* coverage of the topic. It is 100% not comprehensive. That the author does not know this is an indication of what's to come.
In the introduction the author talks about materials and improvisation. She mentions a man from a local group who goes so far as to use an allen wrench as a mandrel - as if this is the far end of improvisiation rather than a decision based in logic and sense: as a six-sidwd, relatively small object, an allen wrench is a perfect guide allowing you to space your stitches with precision while enabling you to create a tight weave with small-gauge wire. Allen wrenches can be provlematic because they're metal and can hasten work-hardening of the wire, but other than that, they're actually a far-and-away better choice than the massive 3/4 or ridiculous 1" mandrels the author suggests.
The author does not talk about the material science of wire. Obviously, one doesn't need a treatise, but some mention about work-hardening - compression of molecules at the surface of the wire - and how wires become brittle should be included, and aren't here. When you're making something, ostensibly, for posterity, you want the materials to be in good condition when you're done. In a superficial coverage this could be forgiven, but again, the author claims this is a *comprehensive* guide.
From my own subjective perspective, the most damning part of the book is the extremely poor quality of the finished weaves in the book. Like, I would have corrected a brand new student in my class who produced weaves this bad. Part of the reason I condemn the author's suggestion of using a 3/4 to 1" mandrel, particularly if only using 6-8 stitches, is that this means the weave is totally composed of the draping wire between the loops. A truly comprehensive (and accurate) guide would explain how it is the expansion of the loops after drawing that comprises the main structure, strength, and beauty of the weave. You should use the smallest mandrel possible (1/4 for 4-6 loops of 28 gauge wire. Perhaps up to 1/2 inch for 8 loops of 24 gauge) to minimize the wire that drapes between loops. That said, I could understand using a giant mandrel for the sake of demonstration, but the quality of the author's finished products indicate that wasn't her purpose.
In the end, I blame the source of the author's information. She does add some interesting applications of viking weave in the text. I am just deeply saddened that it's completely overshadowed by her complete ignorance of sound technique.
First, this is barely a mediocre *superficial* coverage of the topic. It is 100% not comprehensive. That the author does not know this is an indication of what's to come.
In the introduction the author talks about materials and improvisation. She mentions a man from a local group who goes so far as to use an allen wrench as a mandrel - as if this is the far end of improvisiation rather than a decision based in logic and sense: as a six-sidwd, relatively small object, an allen wrench is a perfect guide allowing you to space your stitches with precision while enabling you to create a tight weave with small-gauge wire. Allen wrenches can be provlematic because they're metal and can hasten work-hardening of the wire, but other than that, they're actually a far-and-away better choice than the massive 3/4 or ridiculous 1" mandrels the author suggests.
The author does not talk about the material science of wire. Obviously, one doesn't need a treatise, but some mention about work-hardening - compression of molecules at the surface of the wire - and how wires become brittle should be included, and aren't here. When you're making something, ostensibly, for posterity, you want the materials to be in good condition when you're done. In a superficial coverage this could be forgiven, but again, the author claims this is a *comprehensive* guide.
From my own subjective perspective, the most damning part of the book is the extremely poor quality of the finished weaves in the book. Like, I would have corrected a brand new student in my class who produced weaves this bad. Part of the reason I condemn the author's suggestion of using a 3/4 to 1" mandrel, particularly if only using 6-8 stitches, is that this means the weave is totally composed of the draping wire between the loops. A truly comprehensive (and accurate) guide would explain how it is the expansion of the loops after drawing that comprises the main structure, strength, and beauty of the weave. You should use the smallest mandrel possible (1/4 for 4-6 loops of 28 gauge wire. Perhaps up to 1/2 inch for 8 loops of 24 gauge) to minimize the wire that drapes between loops. That said, I could understand using a giant mandrel for the sake of demonstration, but the quality of the author's finished products indicate that wasn't her purpose.
In the end, I blame the source of the author's information. She does add some interesting applications of viking weave in the text. I am just deeply saddened that it's completely overshadowed by her complete ignorance of sound technique.
November 17, 2019
Wonderful new skill
This is one of the best tutorial type books I’ve read in a LONG time! Having a good teacher makes it SOOOO much easier to stick with an exercise like this. I picked up the skill quickly so I find it fun rather than tedious. That is truly due to the authors skill in teaching.
This is one of the best tutorial type books I’ve read in a LONG time! Having a good teacher makes it SOOOO much easier to stick with an exercise like this. I picked up the skill quickly so I find it fun rather than tedious. That is truly due to the authors skill in teaching.
April 4, 2025
Good introduction to basic steps
Clearly defined instruction with crisp photos providing basic Viking wire weaving steps. The projects could use some more variation and originality when using the technique, especially when calling itself a "comprehensive guide to Trichinopoly Chainwork," but enough range for a beginner.
Clearly defined instruction with crisp photos providing basic Viking wire weaving steps. The projects could use some more variation and originality when using the technique, especially when calling itself a "comprehensive guide to Trichinopoly Chainwork," but enough range for a beginner.
April 28, 2021
Not bad
It’s not bad. The pictures and instructions are easy to follow and understand. I gave it 4 stars because it’s not what I was looking for but I’m glad I read through it. Interesting techniques.
It’s not bad. The pictures and instructions are easy to follow and understand. I gave it 4 stars because it’s not what I was looking for but I’m glad I read through it. Interesting techniques.
January 16, 2023
A great book for anyone who is interested in Viking knit, I love the explanations and the different variations on who to start. Great tips. Definitely helped me.
June 17, 2020
Ok for Beginners
I love Viking Knit it’s something you can pick up and put down and not worry about losing your place. The best information I got from this tutorial book was starting the knit from a circle on a dowel. I have specialty tools but haven’t enjoyed using them BUT the circle/dowel method .. I love. I’ve used it on several different dowel rods and always keep one going in my night stand—you never know when you might need a chain for a pendant or bracelet.
CON
This book tutorial didn’t address how to ‘true’ up your rows so your knit comes out even. The Viking Knit presented looks messy, in my opinion, and doesn’t represent what beautiful chains the technique makes.
I love Viking Knit it’s something you can pick up and put down and not worry about losing your place. The best information I got from this tutorial book was starting the knit from a circle on a dowel. I have specialty tools but haven’t enjoyed using them BUT the circle/dowel method .. I love. I’ve used it on several different dowel rods and always keep one going in my night stand—you never know when you might need a chain for a pendant or bracelet.
CON
This book tutorial didn’t address how to ‘true’ up your rows so your knit comes out even. The Viking Knit presented looks messy, in my opinion, and doesn’t represent what beautiful chains the technique makes.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews