How to Make a Wrapped Loop

The Wrapped Loop is a staple of wire working. It is useful to finish earrings, make links for a chain, or dangle a pendant from a necklace. In this example we will demonstrate how to make a link for a bracelet like the Swarovski Bracelet with Sterling Silver Cross found in our ideas section. To make a wrapped loop you will need wire cutters, round nose pliers and chain nose pliers.

Tools Used

Chain Nose Pliers (TOOL-106)
Round Nose Pliers (TOOL-108)

String your bead onto a headpin.

Make a 90-degree bend about an eighth of an inch above your bead.

Grip your head pin at the 90-degree bend with your round nose pliers. You will want the pliers facing vertically so that one barrel of the pliers is above the wire and the other barrel is below the wire.

With your finger, push the wire up and over the top barrel of your pliers so that the end of the wire is now pointing down.

Reposition your round nose pliers so that they are horizontal with one barrel in the loop and one barrel out of the loop.

With your free hand, continue to push the wire around your pliers until it sits horizontally.

Without moving your pliers, wrap the wire around the straight length of wire just below your loop approximately three times This can be done with your finger or with a pair of chain nose pliers.

Trim any excess wire with a pair of side cutters. Be sure to wear protective eye wear and to point the wire away from you. With a pair of chain nose pliers, tuck in the tail end of your wire.

Open the loop slightly with a pair of chain nose pliers and slide it onto your chain or finding; close the loop.

With a pair of chain nose pliers grasp the loop you made.

With a second pair of chain nose pliers, grasp the end of your wire and wrap it around the straight length of wire just below your loop approximately three times to create three tightly wound wraps.

Trim any excess wire. Tuck in the end of your wire using a pair of chain nose pliers.

To make a double wrapped loop link, first cut a length of wire approximately four times the length of the bead.

Be sure to wrap your loop onto any connecting component before finishing your wraps. Create a wrapped loop on one end of the wire.

String the bead onto the wire.