Photo Tutorial Beaded Dragonsteps Cuff

Author's Note
Our projects were very popular during the lifetime of our business and we wanted to ensure they continued to provide inspiration for chain maillers whatever their experience. It's a pleasure to see they will live on with Chainmaillers.com
-Sarah Austin

Beaded Dragon Steps Cuff​

We have adapted the dragon steps weave by 925maille by using square profile rings and adding beads to make a solid cuff. The cuff uses faceted roller beads, also available in silver, gold and copper-lined, or you can use 6mm pony beads.

Make a matching necklace. For instructions, click here.



Materials
For an 18cm (7 1/4 inch) cuff, you will need:

• 36 large hole faceted roller beads - 5x4mm - 12 each of pink, purple and white-lined crystal
• 68 square profile silver anodised aluminium saw cut jump rings, ID 5mm, WD 1.2mm - A
• 36 large silver anodised aluminium saw cut jump rings, ID 8.3mm, WD 1.6mm - B
• 4 silver anodised aluminium saw cut jump rings, ID 3.8mm, WD 1.00mm - clasp rings
• silver plated 2-strand clasp - 16mm

Tools:

• two pairs of smooth jawed chain nose, flat nose, or bent nose pliers

Instructions

1. Open one large ring B and add one bead and two closed square rings A. Position the bead at nine o'clock and the square rings at twelve o'clock, as shown in the left hand picture. You may also wish to add a safety pin, paperclip or scrap wire to the first ring B so that you know which is the starting end of the chain.
   
   Open one large ring B, add one bead and close the jump ring. Place this beaded ring over the right hand square ring with the new bead at the 3 o'clock position (centre picture).
   
   Weave one large ring B through the two square rings, add one bead and close the ring. The new ring added lays on top of the previously added ring (right hand picture).
   
   
   
   
   
2. Steps 2 and 3 form the pattern for this weave.
   
   Weave one square ring A within the last large ring B added and through the top of the previous ring. The square ring is linked to only one ring. Make sure you keep the bead on the left hand side of the square ring. (left hand picture)
   
   Weave a second square ring A outside of the last large ring B and linked to the top of the previous ring above the bead (centre picture).
   
   Weave one large ring B through the two square rings just added so that it lays on top of the last ring B of the chain. Add one bead, placing it to the right, and close the ring (right hand picture).
   
   
   
   
   
3. Weave one square ring A within the last large ring B added and through the top of the previous ring. Make sure you keep the bead on the right hand side of the square ring. (left hand picture)
   
   Weave a second square ring A outside of the last large ring B and linked to the top of the previous ring above the bead (centre picture).
   
   Weave one large ring B through the two square rings just added so that it lays on top of the last ring B of the chain. Add one bead, placing it to the left, and close the ring (right hand picture).
   
   
   
   
   
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until your chain is the desired length, ending with step 2.
   
   TIP: When weaving, you will pick up the chain to close the rings and may place it back onto your mat upside down. To know which is the correct side up: you will always add the next ring B on top of the previous ring B.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Using one clasp ring each time, link the clasp loops to each corresponding ring B at the ends of the chain.
   
   

Variations​

• Use contrasting square profile rings rather than the same colour.
• Use black ice or black rings with the metallic lined roller beads.
• Use a single colour roller bead such as pink-lined with rose pink large rings B and ice pink square profile rings A.

If you found this tutorial helpful: Please let other users know, leave a rating.

©2021 Sarah Austin. All rights reserved.