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Basic 2-in-1
NOTE: Additional 2-in-1 variant weaves found in the
Classic Chain Link collection.
The foundation for everything in chainmaille, this is the proverbial alphabet of chain making.
Every place two links connect there is a segment of 2-in-1 chain.
The intricacies and new weave patterns begin when these sections share other rings and interconnections.
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Basic 4-in-1
NOTE: Additional 4-in-1 variant weaves found in the
Classic Chain Link collection.
The foundation for almost everything in chainmaille. Every place two links interconnect on both sides of a fifth one,
there is a segment of 4-in-1 chain. This differs from the
European 4-in-1 version listed elsewhere.
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4-in-1 Spiral
This is two 2-in-1 chains woven into each other.
Likely one of the few unstable weaves tolerated by maillers and their clients, it often appears as
a random jumble of rings when hanging freely. However, when twisted proper it becomes
a beautiful DNA helix shape. The 4-in-1 version is the lowest count possible for this spiral weave family.
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Arkham
This weave adds depth to its puzzling array of interwoven rings. While the pattern is relatively
straightforward - after all, it is a 4-in-1 chain which is
about the simplest chain possible - it comes down to how the simplicity is made into
something that appears more complex than it actually is.
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Box Weave
Some have said this weave is like liquid silk.
This is an excellent choice for jewelry chains. The fact that it maintains such a
perfect shape is due to the design. It should be flexible,
airy, elegant for either sex, and have a nice rope or square profile.
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Byzantine
Another popular and ancient weave, this features link sections that
alternate between forward-facing and rear-facing parts.
Its building unit is similar to the Box Weave with the addition of connector units.
The contrast captivates your eyes.
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Candy Cane Cord
An intricate rope-like weave with a round profile, this is a 6-in-1 chain so each ring passes through six others.
With a slight modification of how the rings intertwine, there are two other variations that
are virtually indistinguishable. Each one is just as appealing as the next.
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Dragonscale
This is a dense weave that can be woven as a sheet or chain. Two different-sized rings are stacked on,
over, under, and around each other. Despite this, it can be remarkably flexible and leaves no doubt it is
kickass chainmail. It is truly awe-inspiring in micromaille.
For those into BDSM/BDLG and whatnot, this makes the ultimate collar!
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Elf Bridge
Another fantastic weave by maille master Joshua Diliberto, the example uses
two ring sizes. There are many variants of the Elf style including sheets and chains.
It has a rectangular cross-section, good visual density, and can be fine-tuned regarding its suppleness,
flexibility, and appearance by changing the ring sizes.
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European 4-in-1
Among the most common weaves for chainmail sheet, this family has many variations:
4-in-1, 6-in-1, 8-in-1,
etc. The first number indicates how many rings pass through a given ring and the second denotes how many rings
follow that path. Doubling up the rings would result in X-in-2 patterns. These should contour nicely
over any surface and either be quite dense or relatively airy. One ring size usually does it all.
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Full Persian 6-in-1
A beautiful chain all around, each ring is connected to six others.
Like the European X-in-1 patterns, this has a similar range of weaves.
The even-numbered versions have the same appearance from any direction. This generally
has a very luxurious feel as it conforms quite easily to whatever surface it touches.
Picture shows a lighter density, airier version.
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Half Persian 3-in-1
Another from the oodles of Persian weaves, the Half Persians tend to lay flatter and
depending on the aspect ratio of the rings, can vary quite a bit in their appearance and movement.
The odd-numbered ones may look different on front and back sides because they
can be woven with slight variations. Picture shows an airy weave of this pattern.
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Half Persian 4-in-1
The Half Persians tend to lay flatter and
depending on the aspect ratio of the rings, can vary quite a bit in their appearance and movement.
The normally woven even-numbered ones (4-in-1, 6-in-1) look the same from the front and back.
Picture shows a rather dense version, approaching the lower limit of what's possible before it becomes
too tight.
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Half Persian 5-in-1
The basic formula for weaving any Half Persian is pretty easy to understand.
This example is woven "up through two, down through three." With the higher numbers,
there are ways to balance the weaves and change or alternate the weaving pattern.
The picture shows a rather airy version, albeit with 1-1/8" I.D. rings!
* Balanced or symmetrical weave
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Half Persian 6-in-1
Like all Persians, this gets its name because each ring passes through six others.
This weave can be continued to any X-in-1 number.
Picture shows a medium-density version, fully flexible in nearly every direction.
This is a balanced, standard, and stable pattern (up through three, down through three).
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Half Persian 7-in-1
How about lucky number 7? Like all Persians, this gets its name
because each ring passes through seven others.
For this example, I wove it slightly different because instead of repeating the up-3/down-4, this was alternated
with an up-4/down-3 to give it a symmetrical appearance.
* Balanced or symmetrical weave
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Half Persian 8-in-1
It gets its name because each ring passes through eight others.
At eight rings per unit, one can get an appreciation for how this scales up.
Picture shows a medium-density version for its size, flexible in all directions.
This is a balanced, standard, and stable pattern (up through four, down through four).
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Helm
With a lineage attributed to Celtic lore, this is also called the Parallel Weave.
There is a colorful history with Celtic weaves.
Many people experiment by adding additional rings and whatnot.
There is a bit of flexibility with the two ring sizes required for this pattern but the small
ones need to keep the weave together and behaving nicely.
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Interwoven 4-in-1
It's hard to believe this is only a 4-in-1 chain!
But it is just a stacked version of European 4-in-1 with Persian weave undertones due to how the upper
layer connects to the lower. It has a thick profile shaped like an eye and plenty of rings
going this way and that to confound even the keenest eyes.
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Jens Pind Linkage 3 - JPL3
This weave is very popular for jewelry chains. The selling points
are its low profile, nice shape, rope-like consistency, and spiraling effect. It is exceptionally dense.
The aspect ratio is
unforgiving since the rings must be locked in place for stability.
Like all JPLs, there are right and left directions.
With three rings per repeating unit, each ring passes through four others.
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Jens Pind Linkage 5 - JPL5
JPL5 uses five rings in each repeating section making it an 8-in-1 chain, with a fantatic spiral
effect. IMHO, it is one of the nicest chains.
The aspect ratio is fussy in all JPLs. As the JPL series climbs, the
chains are rounder, sometimes less flexible, seemingly lighter than they appear,
and more challenging to weave. There are right and left directions like all of them.
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Jens Pind Linkage 7 - JPL7
Beginning a weave becomes increasingly harder as the JPLs climb higher. While ring density is
more pronounced visually, the chains have more airiness and less weight than expected.
Thus, a sturdy chain will tend to be a bit thicker and beefier.
There are right and left directions.
With seven rings per repeating unit, each ring passes through twelve others.
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Jens Pind Linkage 9 - JPL9
There are right and left directions and no speed weaving like all JPLs.
Shown in the picture is a monster in 15ga (1.4mm round wire) using 1/2" inner diameter rings,
so it's nearly 5/8" diameter!
The upper limit of the weave family is dictated by physics and the strength of the metal since
the ring sizes become unwieldly and spindly above a certain size.
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King's Weave
This weave is also called the Garter Belt, Kingsmaille, or Kingsscale.
It is ideal for collars, chokers, or other close-fitting
jewelry. Made with three different size interlocking
rings, this will definitely be the center of attention. There is some flexibility in the ring sizes so there
are lots of options for incredible visual pizzazz.
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Mobius
The basic premise behind the weave is a set of intertwined rings where every ring in the unit passes through
every other ring. The smallest unit is three rings and the largest is whatever works.
Sizes of rings can vary as well as how they are combined into pendants, bracelets, and more.
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Not Tao 4
The small ring that runs parallel with the weave has
no structural component to it but helps keep the weave together...and it jingles.
Like many similar patterns, the small ring should be small, no more than about 1/2 the size of the large one.
As long as three large rings can fit through it, leave a tiny bit of leeway to keep the chain flexible.
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Orbital Super Berus
One of the creator's (Joshua Diliberto) favorite chains, this shows how simple a weave can be as it consists of
a pair of parallel and
unattached 2-in-1 chains with larger rings binding them together. The alternating pattern within the
central part of this weave simulates a sine wave. It has great flexibility laterally and radially,
deceptively supple in all directions.
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Shenanigans
It is a simple looking pattern that is a bit tricky to get the hang of but it weaves fast
once a rhythm is established. This one uses two different ring sizes with a bit of leeway in their sizing.
As can be seen, the smaller ring must fully fit within the larger one with room to spare.
Therefore, it is best to have a marked difference between the two sizes so the pattern shows its full glory.
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Vertebrae
One of the simpler patterns that can really be learned visually, this has a nice attractiveness
due to its light and airy appearance. There is plenty of room for larger and thicker rings, however.
Three rings are required and they must match in a certain way. The small ring should stay small
because as it grows, the weave loses tightness and begins to look like a jumble of interlocked rings.
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Vipera Berus (A)
This is a particulary dense weave. It has a center section of
straight 2-in-1 chain with a layer of criss-crossing outer rings.
The rings are quite tight which makes the pattern
all the more mesmerizing. Whatever "snake-like" relevance it has is uncertain though
there are many chainmaille weaves in the viper family.
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Vipera Berus (B)
This differs from the (A) version by using a center section of European 4-in-1 instead of straight 2-in-1.
While the edges are the same, this makes a wider
and more symmetrical weave. It can be woven two ways: the edge rings can either be mirror image of each other (shown) or
lay parallel to each other. Its flat profile and ring density feel quite substantial.
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Viperscale
This one takes a bit of time to weave due to its large ring count per inch and overall complexity. The rings are
quite intertwined
and layered, producing a lustrous chain. The central part of the weave is thick and tapers to the edges, forming
a cross-section shaped like an eye.
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