How to Weave With Chaining

Chain mail is created by weaving links of metal together.

A piece of armor woven from chain is called chain mail. It is created by winding metal around a mandrel to form rings which can be cut and then pieced together. You can also purchase pre-made rings if you don't want to cut your own. Look for rings in the size you want with as close to a flush cut as possible. How you join the rings together depends on what type of woven piece you need for your project.

Things You'll Need

• Pillow
• Safety pins
• Open rings
• Closed rings
• Needle nose pliers
• Smooth round nose pliers

Instructions

1. Pin two closed rings to a pillow with safety pins. The sides of the rings should touch together.

2. Slide two more closed rings under the first two rings until they overlap half way. You should see two top rings with a downward facing moon openings. The overlap of the bottom rings should create a football-shaped opening and the two bottom rings with upward facing moon openings.

3. Pick up an open ring using your needle nose pliers. Thread the end downward through the right side of the football-shaped opening and upward through the left side the same opening. Bring the ends of the link together using the pliers. This forms a complete four-in-one woven set.

4. Pick up a second open ring with your pliers. Place two closed rings on the open ring. Bring the end of the open ring up through the bottom left ring and down through the bottom right ring. Close the ends of the open link with your pliers. Repeat Step 4 to add to the length of your weaving.

5. Make your weaving wider than two links by weaving two pieces of equal length. Pin your lengths side by side so that the weaves line up and touch. Use an open link to join the top two links together and close the link. Use a second open link to join the second two links together. Repeat until you have a woven cloth four links wide. Use your smooth, round-nose pliers to correct the shape of any link as you work.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many weave patterns that you can learn and use to create exactly the look you want.

References

• Chain Mail Basket: How to Make Chainmaille
• Chain Mail Basket: European 4 in 1 Construction