With this add-on technique, extra Spokes made of twisted working wires are added in the middle of rows to make another axis that the next rows will wrap around. This is very useful for making flower parts that have lots of points along the edges. While it can be used in conjunction with many Base Techniques, I will demonstrate it used with the Basic Frame technique. Don’t confuse this technique with the Spoke Frame, which I will be teaching in a future lesson in my Advanced Course. 

Most designers have their own way to write patterns. Some use shorthand and some do not. But, no matter how the pattern is written, you should be able to pick out the same information. It should tell you what base technique you’re using, which row to put the spokes in, about how far up in the row to make the spokes, and how long to make the spokes. A pattern that uses Spokes will look something like this: 

13 row Basic Frame, 1″ (2.5 cm) BR, PB PT.

• Add one 1″ (2.5 cm) spoke each in rows 6 and 7 (2 spokes total), spacing them approximately 1/2″ (1.27 cm) from the bottom wire. 
• Wrap rows 8 & 9.
• Add one 1″ spoke each in rows 10 & 11 (2 spokes total), spacing them approximately 1″ (5 cm) from the top wire.
• Wrap rows 12 & 13. 
• Reduce to two bottom wires. 

Translation: Use the Basic Frame base technique. The Basic Row is 1 inch long, and there will be 13 total rows with a pointed bottom and pointed top. You will make four spokes total – two in rows 6 & 7 approximately 1/2″ from the bottom wire, and two in rows 10 & 11, approximately 1 inch (5 cm) from the top wire. Each spoke needs to be approximately 1 inch long. All of the rows after the spokes will wrap around each spoke at a 45 degree angle to make a point, just like wrapping at a top or bottom frame wire. After making the leaf, tie off the working wire and clip it close, leaving two bottom wires.