Guild Program: Shawl Pins

I'm helping with programs for our fiberarts guild this year, and last month we made shawl pins.  We had a great time.  Using 12 gauge copper wire, we made shawl pins by using PVC pipe for mandrels and jewelry pliers to form the wire into pins.  We then hammered the pins to add strength to the wire and to hold the wire into place.  This tempers the wire, and you can add texture to the wire, too.

We made both a spiral shawl pin and a penannular pin.  The spiral pin holds a knitted, woven, or crocheted shawl together simply by the wearer rotating the pin into place.  It holds very well. 

                                                                        Spiral Pin

The penannular pin, or brooch, is a pin that was used long ago to hold clothing together from the Roman period.  It is also known as a Celtic brooch since it was used in Scotland and Ireland to hold cloaks and clothing together.  "Penannular" means incomplete circle.

                                                                       Penannular Pin
The ring is turned to hold the pin in place. 

This was a really fun program.