Making a Chainmaille Bracelet

Making a Chainmaille Bracelet: The “Box Chain” Weave

Chainmaille (aka chainmail, chain maille, or maille) is an ancient technique of linking rings together to form woven sheets of metal to be used in the making of armor. The name comes from the French word maille meaning mesh and the Latin word macula, meaning mesh of a net. In this class you will learn how to make a bracelet using one of the wide variety of chainmaille weaves that exists today.

The Box Chain (aka Inca Puño and Queen’s Maille) is a rectangular-shaped chain created by weaving round jump rings. You will learn how to open, close, and weave jump rings together, using both a flat-nose and a bent-nose pliers. The box chain is the first step in making the Byzantine weave. I’ll begin the class by sharing information about the history of chainmaille; how jump rings are made; wire gauges and aspect ratio. I’ll show you the tools and components used to make chainmaille, and share various techniques I’ve learned over the years.

Registration Includes

All instructions and supplies (value: $10, which includes 150 jump rings, tool use, and printed materials). By the end of class, you will have learned the basics of chainmaille weaving and created a gold or silver Box Chain bracelet to take home. You’ll also take home a document listing several books and online resources to check out if you’d like to learn more about chainmaille and the various weaves!

You should bring…

You don’t need to bring anything, although some folks like to bring a notepad and something to write with.

Skill Level

No prior experience required. Requires enough hand strength and dexterity to hold and manipulate pliers.

Best for Ages…

18 and older.

Additional Purchases Available

The instructor will have additional supplies for sale after class.