Photo Tutorial Graduated Elfweave

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

Graduated Elfweave​

By using different sized jump rings of a similar aspect ratio, you can make a graduated weave. (Elf weave was originally created by Nadrendion).

For Elf Sheet, see the project for the Graduated Elf Sheet Cuff. For instructions, click here.

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Materials​

For a 20cm bracelet, you will need:

• 62 small champagne saw cut anodised aluminium jump rings, ID 3.6mm, WD 0.81mm - A
• 60 medium champagne saw cut anodised aluminium jump rings, ID 4.3mm, WD 1.00mm - B
• 47 large champagne saw cut anodised aluminium jump rings, ID 5mm, WD 1.2mm - C
• brass oxide small Anna's Tierracast toggle, 9.8x13mm

Tools:

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

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Instructions​

If this is the first time you have tried this weave and you are a beginner, you may find it easier to only use the largest ring to make a bracelet. It is always easiest to learn a new weave on larger less fiddly rings. For a bracelet using only id 5mm, 1.2mm, you will need approximately 160 rings.

1. Using small rings (A), make a 1-in-1 chain nineteen rings long. Add a second ring on the tenth ring of the chain.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Using two small rings (A), connect the toggle ring to the pair of tenth rings from step 1.
   
   
   
   
   
3. You will now continue making the 1-in-1 chain.
   
   
   • Add ten medium rings (B) to each end of the chain made in step 1.​
   • Add sixteen large rings (C) to each end of the chain.​
   • Add ten medium rings (B) to each end of the chain.​
   • Add nine small rings (A) to each end of the chain. You will add the toggle bar in step 7.​
   
   Your chain will be very long but this will shorten dramatically in the following steps.
   
   
   
   
   
4. The ring being added in this step is shown in red.
   
   Holding the toggle ring end of the chain between two fingers, position the third pair of rings (A) so that they are together with the following pair of rings positioned on the outside. Weave one small ring (A) through the intersection of the third and fourth pairs of rings.
   
   The lower picture shows the ring position from the side. Note how each of the following two pairs of champagne rings form a v-shape - this is helpful for getting the rings into the correct position before you link them.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Turn the chain over so that the ring you just added is at the bottom. The ring being added in this step is shown in black. The previously added ring is shown in red.
   
   As in step 4, position the next pair of rings so that they are together with the following pair of rings positioned on the outside. Weave one small ring (A) through the intersection of the next pairs of rings.
   
   The lower picture shows the ring position from the side.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Continue adding rings as in steps 4-5 for the length of the chain. The rings added are shown in red and black so that you can see that the rings are linked along the top and bottom of the chain. You may need to pat the top of the chain so that the rings fall into place. See step 7 for joining the chain when the ring size changes.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. When the ring size changes in the 1-in-1 chain, use the smaller size ring for step 4 and 5 (as shown by the red arrow).
   
   
   
   
   
8. When you have reached the end of the chain, link two small rings (A) through the last pair of small rings (A). Connect the toggle bar using two small rings (A).
   
   

Variations​

• Get a different effect by using another colour when you add rings from steps 4-6.
• You can also make an Elf Weave chain using just one ring size - (AR approx 4.2 to 4.4)
  
  
  • ID 6.8mm, 1.6mm for a chunky weave​
  • ID 5mm, 1.2mm a larger medium weave​
  • ID 4.3mm, 1.00mm for a medium weave​
  • ID 3.6mm, 0.81mm for a fine weave​

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