What’s the best wire for Knitted Names and Shapes? (beginner’s guide)

Lucie
Jul 31
5 min read

Updated: Sep 2

If there's one question I get asked all the time on Instagram, it’s this:"What wire do you use?"

Choosing the right wire can make a huge difference in your final result. If it’s too soft, your shape might not hold. If it’s too stiff, it can be frustrating to work with. Even a wire that’s strong but too thin might poke through your i-cord or create an uneven finish. I’ve made all these mistakes myself over time, which is why I now help others figure out what works best for their style, tools, and project goals before they waste time or supplies.

So in this post, I’m breaking down the 4 types of wire, with real pros and cons, plus which ones I actually use for my products and why.

The 4 wires I use (and why I use them)

2mm Aluminum Wire (12 gauge)

The 2mm aluminum wire is super soft and flexible, making it ideal for beginners or kids. It’s honestly so easy to work with that you don’t even need pliers. I use it during workshops, especially with kids.

It’s great for personal projects, but I wouldn’t recommend it for selling products, as it’s not durable enough to hold its shape long term. Because it’s so soft, it can be bent or squashed really easily, even light pressure can change its form. So it’s best used for things like personal wall decor that won’t be touched much. I love to use it just as it, with no icord, to add small finishing touches to stronger wire designs, like for this bear face. I also love to use it to write names and add it to another shapes, like this cloud.

Pros:

Super flexible and soft: perfect for beginners and kids
No pliers needed: you can cut it with strong scissors
Great for workshops or quick beginners/ kids projects
Ideal for adding delicate details to other pieces

Cons:

Not strong, can lose shape super easily
Final piece can be bent or squashed with light pressure
Not suitable for items that will be handled often

Best for:

Wall decor that won’t be touched
Adding fine details to sturdier designs
Kids' craft projects or teaching sessions

-3mm Aluminum Wire (9 gauge)

The 3mm aluminum wire (which is about 9 gauge) is a great option! It’s still flexible and easy to bend, but much stronger than the 2mm version, so it holds its shape a lot better. I think of it as a nice balance between softness and structure. It’s ideal for names and shapes that need a bit more support, especially if you still want something that’s not too hard on the hands. 3mm aluminium is the most used wire for beginners! Most of the makers use it.

Pros:

Still flexible and easy to bend
Stronger than 2mm aluminum, holds its shape better
A nice balance between softness and structure

Cons:

Thicker, so it can be tricky for tight curves or tiny shapes

Best for:

Names and shapes that need a bit more support
Decorative pieces that won’t be handled too much
Makers who want flexibility without compromising too much on strength

-1.5mm Galvanised Steel Wire

The 1.5mm galvanized steel wire is a budget-friendly option that’s easy to find in most hardware stores. It holds its shape better than 2mm aluminum and bends quite easily (with pliers, though, not by hand). It’s great for small, delicate shapes or pieces that are just meant to be displayed. However, it’s not super strong and can lose its shape, especially in longer designs or anything that gets touched or moved around a lot. So I wouldn’t recommend it for functional items like keyrings. I personally only use it occasionally, and only for very lightweight designs or when I need something super fine that won’t be handled.

Pros:

Cheap and easy to find in hardware stores
Holds its shape better than 2mm aluminum
Easy to bend (with pliers)

Cons:

Not super strong: can bend under pressure or lose shape easily in longer designs
Will bend especially in longer names or anything that might get handled a lot.
Not ideal for anything that gets handled often (like keychains for example)

Best for:

Small, delicate shapes or display-only pieces
Fine details where a thicker wire would show too much
Not recommended for keyrings or anything functional.

-2mm Galvanised Steel Wire ← My personal favourite!

The 2mm galvanized steel wire is my absolute favourite! It’s super strong and durable, it holds its shape beautifully, which makes it perfect for names, keyrings, or really anything that needs to last. It’s also affordable and easy to find; in Australia, I grab mine from Bunnings, so there’s no need to wait or pay for shipping. The only downside is that it’s much stiffer than aluminum, so you’ll definitely need pliers and a bit of elbow grease to work with it. It can be a little tricky for beginners or for very detailed, intricate shapes. But honestly, I use it for everything! It’s my go-to wire when I need something sturdy and reliable, and I even use it for smaller pieces if I know they need to be tough, like keyrings.

Pros:

Super strong and durable, holds its shape beautifully
Perfect for names, keyrings, or anything that needs to last
Affordable and easy to find.

Cons:

Much stiffer than aluminum! pliers and elbow grease needed!
Can be tricky for beginners or very detailed designs

Best for:

Everything!

Why I use Steel more than Aluminum:

There is two reasons I prefer steel rather aluminium! First is that I live in Australia, and here, galvanised steel is way cheaper and easier to find than aluminium! I can just walk into Bunnings (local Hardware store) and grab a roll, no shipping delays or high costs. If you're outside Australia, it might be the opposite for you, so make sure to check what’s easily available in your country and test it out before buying in bulk!

Second reason and more importantly, I use it because I want my creations to last. My wire names are often made as keepsake gifts for babies or special decor pieces, and I care deeply about offering premium, durable quality. Aluminium is easier to work with but it's not as durable... I saw kids destroying some of my designs during markets in seconds, just because they didn't knnow how delicate it was... they just smatched some name just by holding them the wrong way... for me it's a no go.

You can find my full supply list with links on the Learn page , everything I personally use, tested and approved, so you don’t have to guess.

Watch My Video Comparison:

If you want to see how these wires behave, I made this video to compare them:

Summary:

If you're serious about quality and durability, I 100% recommend 2mm galvanised steel! It's my go-to. If you’re just starting and want something soft and easy, try 3mm aluminium to learn and practice. The rest? Depends on your projects! And now, you’ve got all the info to choose with confidence!

Got questions about wire or shaping? Drop them in the comments below or message me on Instagram, I always reply.

Need More Help?:

If you’re new to shaping knitted names or want extra support:

I’ve designed Printable Templates with a 3D wire view, to help you designing any names / words and shapes.
I offer DIY Kits and ready to use icord if you don’t want to knit your own cord
I wrote a Market Ebook will help you go from hobby to selling with confidence (order form included!)