Author's Note
I wanted to contribute my tutorials to Chainmaillers.com to help ensure that the entire chainmaille community has access to them. The tutorials are presented here with the same images and text from my old site CGMaille. I hope they continue to help inspire you to learn and create many amazing pieces!
-Phong
Weave Background
Interwoven 4-1 is an interesting weave, whose properties can be put to good use through the incorporation of neoprene rings. In order for the neoprene to be able to stretch, it has to form 'lines' of neoprene connected by alternate 'lines' of metal.
There are two ways to make Interwoven 4-1 sheet with neoprene.
Method I is to connect strips of Interwoven 4-1. This is a more straightforward approach, but it requires opening metal rings that are already in the weave.
Method II is to make a big ol' sheet of European 4-1 with the neoprene already incorporated, then weave the second layer through it. This doesn't involve opening rings multiple times, but it does require more advance planning.
I'd also recommend being familiar with constructing regular Interwoven 4-1 sheet before trying it with neoprene.
Aspect Ratio & Ring Sizes
Interwoven 4-1 Sheet requires rings with an aspect ratio of around 5.0. 16swg 5/16", 18swg 1/4" & 7/32" and 20awg 3/16" rings work.
Metric sizes - approximately 1.6mm wire/8mm ID; 1.2mm wire/6.4mm or 5.5mm ID; 0.8mm wire/4.8mm ID.
Tutorial Color Scheme
Silver rings are old metal rings, gold rings are metal rings added in the current step, black rings are old neoprene rings and blue rings are neoprene rings added in the current step.
Method I
Step 1: Start with 2 chains of I4-1. Put them side by side with their 'grains' going in the same direction. Make sure that the metal rings are on top in the middle.
Step 2: Add a neoprene ring to the two end metal rings. To do this you'll have to open both metal rings in turn and slip the neoprene ring inside. The neoprene ring should end up in between the two neo rings on either side.
Step 3: Add another neoprene ring. It should lay between the neoprene rings on either side.
Step 4: Continue to the end of the side.
Step 5: Flip it over and connect a metal ring to the four end neoprene rings. It should go between the metal rings on either side.
Step 6: Add another metal ring to the next 4 neoprene rings. Again, it should lay between the metal rings on either side.
Step 7: Continue to the end of the side.
Method II
Step 1: Make a sheet of E4-1 with alternating rows of metal/neoprene. Add a row of metal rings with attached neoprene rings. For a step-by-step description of this, look at the I4-1 with Neoprene tutorial.
Step 2: Add a row of metal rings to the neoprene row added in the previous step. They'll have to cross to the other side, so this might be tricky. Add neoprene rings to the metal rings on the other side.
Step 2a: This is what it should look like when you flip it over. See how the gold rings go through the weave? And there are the neoprene rings. They're so cute, aren't they?
Step 3: Add another row of metal rings, again going through the weave, and with neoprene rings.
Step 3a: This is what it should look like from the other side.
Step 4: Add the last row of metal rings. These don't need neoprene rings.
I wanted to contribute my tutorials to Chainmaillers.com to help ensure that the entire chainmaille community has access to them. The tutorials are presented here with the same images and text from my old site CGMaille. I hope they continue to help inspire you to learn and create many amazing pieces!
-Phong
Weave Background
Interwoven 4-1 is an interesting weave, whose properties can be put to good use through the incorporation of neoprene rings. In order for the neoprene to be able to stretch, it has to form 'lines' of neoprene connected by alternate 'lines' of metal.
There are two ways to make Interwoven 4-1 sheet with neoprene.
Method I is to connect strips of Interwoven 4-1. This is a more straightforward approach, but it requires opening metal rings that are already in the weave.
Method II is to make a big ol' sheet of European 4-1 with the neoprene already incorporated, then weave the second layer through it. This doesn't involve opening rings multiple times, but it does require more advance planning.
I'd also recommend being familiar with constructing regular Interwoven 4-1 sheet before trying it with neoprene.
Aspect Ratio & Ring Sizes
Interwoven 4-1 Sheet requires rings with an aspect ratio of around 5.0. 16swg 5/16", 18swg 1/4" & 7/32" and 20awg 3/16" rings work.
Metric sizes - approximately 1.6mm wire/8mm ID; 1.2mm wire/6.4mm or 5.5mm ID; 0.8mm wire/4.8mm ID.
Tutorial Color Scheme
Silver rings are old metal rings, gold rings are metal rings added in the current step, black rings are old neoprene rings and blue rings are neoprene rings added in the current step.
Method I
Step 1: Start with 2 chains of I4-1. Put them side by side with their 'grains' going in the same direction. Make sure that the metal rings are on top in the middle.
Step 2: Add a neoprene ring to the two end metal rings. To do this you'll have to open both metal rings in turn and slip the neoprene ring inside. The neoprene ring should end up in between the two neo rings on either side.
Step 3: Add another neoprene ring. It should lay between the neoprene rings on either side.
Step 4: Continue to the end of the side.
Step 5: Flip it over and connect a metal ring to the four end neoprene rings. It should go between the metal rings on either side.
Step 6: Add another metal ring to the next 4 neoprene rings. Again, it should lay between the metal rings on either side.
Step 7: Continue to the end of the side.
Method II
Step 1: Make a sheet of E4-1 with alternating rows of metal/neoprene. Add a row of metal rings with attached neoprene rings. For a step-by-step description of this, look at the I4-1 with Neoprene tutorial.
Step 2: Add a row of metal rings to the neoprene row added in the previous step. They'll have to cross to the other side, so this might be tricky. Add neoprene rings to the metal rings on the other side.
Step 2a: This is what it should look like when you flip it over. See how the gold rings go through the weave? And there are the neoprene rings. They're so cute, aren't they?
Step 3: Add another row of metal rings, again going through the weave, and with neoprene rings.
Step 3a: This is what it should look like from the other side.
Step 4: Add the last row of metal rings. These don't need neoprene rings.