Yoola Design's Review and Giveaway of New Wire Crochet Chain Link Tool Set | Chain Mail Reimagined | Tips and Tricks

There are many designers who crochet wire into jewelry. What makes Israeli designer Yael Falk of Yoola Design different is that she uses 3D printed tools to assist in starting and making the work as neat as possible. They are novel tools and make wire crocheting so much easier. 

Over the years, I have reviewed many of her tools. Earlier this year, she launched something new, her wire crochet chain link making tool set. The chain mail reimagined set was inspired by her early exploration into the chain mail technique but with forged metal pieces not wire. She explained in her blog post she was quickly turned off with the crazy amount of work involved and switched to wire crochet!

She sent me an early set for review.  She has since changed the design slightly to overcome 3D printing challenges so they look like these now  One lucky winner of this giveaway will get a set. Yael is also a special 15% discount for readers for anything in her store!  Just use this discount code : BeadinggemYOOLA.

As you can see, there are 3 shapes - round, square and leaf. The latter two also come in two different sizes. The gap in the tools facilitate the addition of a completed link. A linked design can be joined in this way.

Just gorgeous results!

You can also crochet such that the shapes are not frames. The leaf shapes looks cool in different colors.

This was what I received for review - the early version of the squares and leaves. 

The new versions are 3D printed so the holes are situated in a vertical fashion. This does not matter as you can still do the same thing. I do not have the new tool but as you can see with her first round tool, all you have to do is make the foundation row loops large enough so there is space at the top to insert the hook.  

I use Parawire 28G  wire - this excellent craft wire is what I have on hand.  Yoola Design has many gorgeous wire colors to choose from! Yael also stocks precious metal wire for experienced wire crocheters.

I also crochet with 26G wire. This is stiffer to work with and I do not recommend it for newbies.  The result is firmer as you can see from the copper colored designs I made below. 

Yael also provides hook sizes 0.6 mm, 0.75 mm and 1 mm.  I generally use the 1 mm hook size because I now like to use 26G wire.  Two factors influence which hook size you use. 

Firstly, larger hook sizes allow easier catching of the wire, especially useful if you are new to the technique.  When I first started, I had to use a 1.5 mm hook and worked my way down with practice.  I can now use a 0.6 mm but still occasionally miss the wire. Secondly, a finer hook allows you more maneuverability when it is in the hole and you are moving it slightly around in the hooking action. This greater maneuverability leads to faster working times with practice.   

One important tip in wire crochet work is the use of your non-working hand.  I am right-handed so my left forefinger is used to trap the working wire behind the tool - this makes hooking successful each time. My left thumb is used to hold down the base of the first loop. An alternative is to wrap the wire end around the hole on the opposite side of the gap. 

What "sets" the wire loop in place and gives loops a near uniform shape is the poking action after a loop is pulled through the hole. 

After the poking action, I use my left thumb to press the wire loop so it sits flat along the same plane as the tool.

My left thumb continues to hold down the work in progress as I move along for the foundation row. 

Make the foundation row generously sized and in a different color from the main work. This foundation row is cut to release the finished work. 

Here the copper wire is my foundation row and the silver plated craft wire will be the main body of work.

There are decreasing steps - Yael explains it in the instructions. The useful thing with wire is that the loops can overlap and stay open unlike yarn crochet!

Fine wire does benefit from being work hardened! 

I chose not to make links out of the work. I adapted Yael's pattern to make more substantial frames for stud dangles! Notice I did not open up the outside loops with a thick needle. I like the funky edge shapes. 

I also wanted to make the designs uniquely my own so I raided my stash of beautiful TierraCast stud posts! 

Giveaway

If you'd like to win Yoola Design's Wire Crochet Chain Link Making Set,  please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.

Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.

Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)

It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, October 10, 2022. I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!

Photography

I used  my iPhone 8+ for final product photography in natural light. I also use different smartphone apps. The work in progress pictures were shot in natural light but with a makeshift studio while I was away from home and my normal equipment. Generally I use the Orangemonkie studio which comes equipped with LED lights - for artificial light photography in my windowless basement studio. The Foldio2 Plus is excellent . I use the Foldio3 because I need the room for tutorial photography. My online class Easy Guide to Smartphone Jewelry Photography is now available. Read more about it here.  

Disclosure 

This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation. 

 ______________________________ 

Original Post by THE BEADING GEM 

FREE NEWSLETTER

Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips  -Jewelry Business Tips  

EASY GUIDE TO SMARTPHONE JEWELRY PHOTOGRAPHY- Read more here