Present day wire knitting machines are used to make wire mesh used in the manufacture of filters for airbag assemblies, catalytic converter seals, mechanical dampers, and the like, but are unable to knit large diameter wire, especially wire having a diameter greater than 0.025 inches. Provided herein is a looped wire made by wrapping the wire around a mandrel in multiplie layers and then pressed to flatten the loops. Thereafter, the flattened loop is formed using the same processes suitable for forming wire mesh into such articles.