River of Maille Bracelet
Watch as Sue Ripsch explains how to make a river of maille chain pattern, using shower curtain rings so it’s easier to see how to connect jump rings to create this chainmaille weave.
Instructions
Step 1
Place two jump rings on a spare piece of wire then twist the ends of the wire together, securing the jump rings and creating a "handle".
Step 2
Pass one smaller ring through the previous two jump rings then close. Repeat to attach a second smaller jump ring creating a 2-2 chain. Attach a second set of small jump rings to the previous set, creating a 2-2-2 chain.
Step 3
Bring the last set of small rings down with one on either side of the previous smaller set, so the first small set is now on top. Turn the jump rings 90-degrees then spread the first set of small jump rings so the second set is visible in the center.
Pass one small twisted jump ring between the spread rings and through the two center jump rings then close. Repeat to attach a second twisted jump ring. This is the beginning of a Byzantine segment.
Step 4
Use double small smooth rings to create a 2-2-2 chain off of the twisted jump rings.
Bring the last set of small rings down with one on either side of the previous smaller set, so the first small set is now on top. Turn the jump rings 90-degrees then spread the first set of small jump rings so the second set is visible in the center. Attach double large jump rings between the spread rings and through the two center jump rings.
Step 5
Attach double twisted jump rings to the previous set of large jump rings.
Pass one large jump ring between the previous two large jump rings over the twisted jump rings. (This is called a floater ring because it goes between and around, but not through any other jump rings.)
Attach one large jump ring to the twisted rings on either side of the floater, creating a Celtic weave.
Step 6
Repeat Steps 2 - 4 to create a second Byzantine segment.
Step 7
Bring the ends of Byzantine, on either side of the floating ring in the center, around so they are parallel.
Pass one medium sized jump ring through the four of the small jump rings, two from each Byzantine segment, connecting the segments in the center then close.
Create a Celtic weave along the open side of the maille, creating a square.
Step 8
Continue the pattern in Steps 1 - 7 to create the desired length of river of maille weave.
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