Rose Quartz Earrings
These were based on the knitting pattern Rose Quartz Triangles by Rosemary (Romi) Hill. To make the outside frame, first I used 22 gauge wire, which was sturdy enough to keep its shape as the outer frame but let me thread my beads. The inner mesh was made by knitting with 32 gauge wire.
I didn’t follow the directions 100% either - they called for working until the piece was long enough in garter stitch, without decreasing at all for the top. About 5 rows from the top I decreased to 4 sts, and for the last 2 or 3 rows I decreased to 2 sts. After each row I pulled the work up toward the triangle’s top point, and pinched the mesh/working stitches between my fingers to flatten them - that allowed me to see how tall each row would be. Every 5 rows or so I stopped to block them. To shape each individual stitch I stuck one of my size 0 DPNs into each stitch and evened out the stitch shape.
I don’t have specialty wire pliers in my house, but these still turned out pretty well. I had to use large generic pliers that are used for household repair. You do need wire cutters though - the 18 or 22 gauge wire is too thick to cut without it, and both types of wire look better if cut with a clean edge. I had to reshape the outer frame a number of times, and the top coil isn’t quite as neat/secure as it would have been with better pliers - but I don’t think anyone will notice.