Chain Maille Projects
Chain maille was originally used to protect warriors in combat. Many metal rings were painstakingly put together to create full-body suits of armor that would resist sword and arrow attacks. We can only imagine how heavy these must have been. However, they were undoubtedly a lot more flexible than armor made of solid metal plates, because combining rings creates a slinky, luxuriously-textured fabric that moves with the wearer.
Various areas of the world had their own styles of combining rings to create these garments. We have chain maille "weaves" that come from & are named for European & Japanese techniques, for example. They achieve a similar effect, but are based on different ring-combining concepts.
Now that we rarely engage in hand-to-hand combat, chain maille weaves have evolved into beautiful techniques for a wide range of jewelry pieces. I teach projects that use chain maille to make bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Almost any weave I teach as a bracelet can be expanded to necklace length.
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3-in-3 Chain MailleLearn the most basic chain maille pattern, which is the perfect beginning point for learning more complex weaves. You will also learn how to open and close jump rings and attach a toggle clasp. Project Number: 55 |
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Byzantine Chain Necklace or BraceletThis weave is a favorite with all chain-maillers. It looks complicated, but it's actually easy once you learn to make "the knot". I teach it with various sizes of rings and various looks - as a loose, lacy weave or a tight, well-defined weave. Project Number: 64 |
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Box ChainA beautiful variation of the Byzantine weave, it takes on a completely different, very solid look. Project Number: 102 |
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3-in-3 Chain Maille with Rubber O-RingsTakes the basic chain to a new level! Incorporate your choice of colored rubber rings into the basic jump ring pattern. Project Number: 199 |
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2-in-2 Chain Maille with Leather CordCreate a basic chain maille necklace or wrap bracelet and learn to weave it through with leather cord for a completely different look! Project Number: 172 |
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Orbital Chain Necklace or BraceletLooser rings orbit around a central chain maille core. Project Number: 65 |
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Parallel Chain Necklace or BraceletTwo layers of rings intersect to create a multi-level look. Project Number: 83
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Parallel Chain Triangular Pendant Necklace on Leather CordWork the basic parallel chain into a triangular pendant while learning to connect rows of chain maille to create various shapes. Project Number: 118
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Half Persian 3-in-1One of the most difficult weaves, the Half-Persian creates a beautiful, classic-looking chain. Project Number: 81
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Jump Ring and Seed Bead ChainA fun and youthful way to combine rings and beads. Project Number: 110
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Spiral ChainA loose-looking weave transforms into an unexpected tight spiral. Project Number: 82 |
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Japanese 8-in-4 Chain Maille Bracelet with Metal Jump RingsThe most basic use of Japanese-style chain maille, this is what you might intuitively expect to do with jump rings. You can use this weave to make all sorts of shapes. In this class, we practice the basic Japanese chain maille concept to make an elegant, slinky bracelet. Project Number: 92
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Japanese 8-in-4 Chain Maille Bracelet with Metal Jump Rings & Rubber O-RingsCombine the basic Japanese chain maille approach with rubber rings to create a solid, stylish bracelet. Project Number: 129
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Japanese Chain Maille with CrystalsCombine crystals or other round or bicone beads with jump rings to create a colorful, elegant bracelet. Project Number: 96
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Japanese Chain Maille Diamond-Shaped EarringsTake Japanese-style chain maille to the next level by creating this elegant diamond shape, and adding your choice of dangling beads. Project Number: 165 |
Japanese Chain Maille Bib NecklaceAnother level of Japanese chain maille: Combine jump rings and beads to create this trendy necklace. Project Number: 148
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Free-Form Japanese Chain Maille Necklace with Rubber O-RingsGet creative with many sizes of rubber rings, combined using the Japanese chain maille concept. Project Number: 139
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Japanese Chain Maille Flower-Shaped Earrings & BraceletCreate chain maille flowers to make this charming set of bracelet and earrings. Project Number: 91
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Japanese Chain Maille Necklace with Delicate PointsUse tiny jump rings to create this elegant and delicate necklace. Project Number: 123
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Triangle Chain Maille Bracelet with Enclosed BeadsA completely different way to put rings together, capturing beads inside triangular segments to create a combination of color and metal. Project Number: 184
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Byzantine Weave Chain Maille with Rubber O-RingsCombine the classic Byzantine weave with rubber rings for an updated, trendy look. Project Number: 198
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Single Row European 4-in-1 Necklace or BraceletIntroduction to the classic European 4-in-1 weave - one of the most popular and ubiquitous chain maille patterns. Project Number: 207
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European 4-in-1 Earrings with Small Hoops and Hanging BeadsLearn to increase and decrease in European 4-in-1 weave and make these stunning and slinky earrings. Add color with dangling beads. Project Number: 215
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Byzantine Chain Maille Earrings, with & without BeadsUse the Byzantine weave to create these stylish earrings. There are so many ways you can vary them with color and length. Project Number: 217
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Celtic Flower Chain Maille NecklaceCombine a few different sizes of jump rings to create this unusual pendant, with or without bead dangles. It could also be made into a pair of earrings. Project Number(s): 235
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Parallel Chain Maille Necklace with Triangle CenterpieceWork the basic parallel chain into a triangular pendant while learning to connect rows of chain maille to create various shapes. Add a long chain in Parallel weave to complete the necklace. Project Number(s): 242
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European 4-in-1 Diamond-Shaped Earrings, Various Sizes, Single or Multiple, with or without BeadsLearn to increase and decrease in European 4-in-1 weave and make these stunning, slinky earrings. Add bead dangles for color, or leave them plain for a simple and elegant style. Project Number: 245
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European 4-in-1 Multi-Row BraceletThis slinky bracelet is a stunner! Use a single color or combine colors as you practice using the well-known European 4-in-1 weave. Project Number: 246
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European 4-in-1 necklace with Beads or Charms & Chain ClosureCreate a basic European 4-in-1 strip necklace and adorn with with beads and/or charms. Project Number: 262
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Rubber O-Ring Bib NecklaceAnother trendy bib necklace - this time with rubber rings. Project Number: 268
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Captured Bead Triangular Chain Maille BraceletAnother completely different way to put rings together, capturing beads inside triangular segments to create a combination of color and metal. Project Number: 277
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Mobius Flower Chain MailleLearn to make these cute, little flowers and then link them together to make a bracelet or necklace. Project Number: 278
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Twisted Wire Jump Ring & Optional Rubber O-Rings ChainLearn to twist wire together, make jump rings and combine with optional rubber o-rings to make this chain necklace. Project number: 197 |