Photo Tutorial Celtic Visions Chain

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

Celtic Visions Chain​

Make a chain using this easy helms-based weave.

Materials​

For a 19cm bracelet, you will need (each necklace repeat measures 2cm):

• 38 large copper jump rings ID 6.8mm, WD 1.29mm
• 19 bright aluminium jump rings, ID 6.9mm, WD 1.29mm
• 130 small copper jump rings, ID 4.1mm, WD 1.02mm
• copper plated medium wrapped Tierracast toggle

Tools:

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

Instructions​

1. Close 38 large copper rings (ID 6.8mm, WD 1.29mm) and open 19 bright aluminium (ID 6.9mm, WD 1.29mm) and 130 small copper rings (ID 4.1mm, WD 1.02mm).
   
   Link four closed large copper rings with one small copper ring. Link two of the large copper rings to the toggle ring using one small copper ring. Lay out as shown in the top chain.
   
   Weave one bright aluminium ring between the pairs of large copper rings so that you encircle the small copper ring. Fold back the end large copper rings so that you can close the bright aluminium ring as in the bottom chain. Return the folded back rings over the new bright aluminium inner ring.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Using one small copper ring, link two large copper rings to the end of the chain (top chain).
   
   Weave one bright aluminium ring between the last two pairs of large copper rings so that you encircle the last small copper ring added. Fold back the end large copper rings to close the bright aluminium ring and return the folded back rings (bottom chain). Repeat step 2 until your chain is the required length.
   
   
   
   
   
3. At the start of the chain, weave one small copper ring through the top overlapping gap made by the bright aluminium and two large copper rings. Close the ring. Repeat for each overlapping gap along the top and bottom of the chain.
   
   
   
   
   
4. At the start of the chain, weave one small copper ring through the first two small copper rings added in step 3 that are at the top of the chain. Close the ring. Repeat for each successive pair of small copper rings along the top and bottom of the chain. The rings added in this step always sit at the top and bottom of the bright aluminium inner ring.
   
   Link the toggle tail to the end of the chain using a 1-in-1 chain of three small copper rings.
   
   

Variations​

• You can make this chain using anodised aluminium jump rings - ID 6.7mm, WD 1.2mm and ID 4.3mm, WD 1.00mm.
• Mix anodised aluminium colours with copper, bronze, jewellers brass or stainless steel.
• Make a necklace length chain and hang drops or the beads of your choice from the lower small copper rings.

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©2021 Sarah Austin. All rights reserved.