Japanese 12-in-2 Chain Maille Bracelet
During my trip to Gladwin a few weeks ago, I found myself making a chain maille bracelet because I forgot to bring the materials for my current project. I haven't made any chain maille since my freshman year of high school, but it's like riding a bicycle; once you learn, you never forget. So today I'm sharing a tutorial showing how to make this bracelet. While taking these pictures, I've realized that I need a camera,
BAD. Please excuse the horrible lighting and focus, I'm using a cell phone camera!
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Japanese 12-in-2 Chain Maille |
Time and Materials
For a 7 1/4 in bracelet:
Project Time: 1-2 hours
Tools & Materials:
- Jump ring opener (optional)
- Needle nose pliers
- 211 4mm jump rings
- 113 5mm jump rings
- Lobster Claw
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I use the jump ring opener to save time, energy, and nails. |
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Just hold one side with pliers, slip in in a notch, and twist open. |
Making the basic form
Step 1- Open a large ring, thread 12 small rings on it, then close. Open a second large ring, and thread it through the same 12 small rings on the first large ring. Close the second large ring.
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The second large ring should lay on top on the first large ring. |
Step 2 - Thread a third large ring through 2 small rings from step 1.
Step 3 - Thread 4 small rings on to the large ring from step 2 and close the large ring. Thread a forth large ring through the same path as the 3rd large ring.
Step 4 - Thread a 5th large ring through the next 2 small rings from step 1, and 2 of the small rings added in step 3. Add 2 more small rings, close. Thread a 6th large ring through the same path as the 5th.
Step 5 - Thread a 7th large ring through the next 2 small rings from step 1, add 4 small rings and close. Thread an 8th large ring through the same path as the 7th.
Step 6 - Thread a 9th large ring through the next 2 rings from step 1, the 2 closest rings from step 5 (leaving 2 rings empty), and add 2 more rings. Thread a 10th ring through the same path as the 9th. Repeat step 4. Thread the last 2 large rings through the last 2 rings from step 1, the 2 rings left over from step 3, and the rings added to the 11th and 12 large ring. Add 2 more small rings before closing and threading the last large ring through.
Adding more "flowers"
Step 7 - Thread another large ring through the 2 empty small rings left over in step 6. Add 6 small rings, close, and thread another large ring. Thread 2 more large rings through the 2 middle empty rings, adding 10 more before closing. Now you can finish the second flower.
*Make sure to leave 2 empty small rings on the petal directly across from the previous connecting petal.*
Continue adding flowers until you get the length that you want. I make 8 flowers to get a 7 1/4 in. bracelet. Add a large ring to the last 2 empty small rings on one end of the bracelet, and a lobster claw the other.
There you have it!
I hope you enjoyed my tutorial! I'm still getting the hang of it!
Check out these other awesome chainmaille designs!
*Linking up to these parties!*