Your handy-dandy European 4-in-1 chainmail making guide
I apologise if the photos are blurry. My phone is old and my hands are shaky
European 4-in-1 chainmail is just a style of chainmail weaving. There are many different types and European 6-in-1 is what I have seen the most with costumes but 4-in-1 is easier and uses less rings. Plus, there are not many people who know enough about chainmail or pay enough attention to it to criticize you for having the incorrect weave on like, your Faramir cosplay, or whatever.
Instructions below
First, buy the rings.
I used Chainmail Joe 16AWG/18SWG 1/4" in silver. I got them on Amazon, here (link).
This is their size chart. You can see that my ring is on the spot that says 4:
Next, you take 1 ring (which you open) and 3 closed rings. You loop the closed rings through the opened ring
Then, close the opened ring. I like to use a knitting needle to hold the rings steady.
I get a second opened ring and loop two closed rings through.
And I attach it to the last set of rings.
Continue to do this until you reach your desired length.
To add on, begin your next "string" using the same method as above.
You take another open ring and loop it through two rings from the old string and two from the new one. You can see which rings to loop it through in the photo above.
Loop the open ring through those two rings like so
And then close that ring. It should look like this when you are done
You continue the second string, attaching it to the old string, and continue on. Remember to take it slow at first and pay attention to the pattern to make sure it is consistent, and look at my first picture as reference. The placement of the rings should look consistent across the chainmail.
Anyways, I hope my mini tutorial is useful, and you can always look at other tutorials and videos to get a better idea, although I have had little luck with such things because they add on 5 rings at a time while I add only 3 which I have found is faster and less confusing
Learn the art of chainmail with my DIY Scrubber Kit! The smaller project tutorial covers how to make the basic weave European 4 in 1, and the scrubber itself is perfect for cleaning cast iron pans!
Check them out here: https://www.streetmaille.etsy.com/listing/159766534
Good news! I just finished the Spiral Icicle Kits! They're available now at https://www.streetmaille.etsy.com/listing/785521693
Learn to craft your own Chainmail Icicle from a graduated double helix chain with my easy to follow tutorial and kit of supplies. Just bring your own pliers, otherwise the kits come with all the supplies you need to make one 7.5inch icicle. ❄️❄️❄️
They're not 4 months late for the holiday season, they're 8 months early! ☃️ But really, thanks for your patience on this tutorial! I really love the experience of taking an idea from my head, to a physical product. Adding that final sticker to the kit and holding the final product for the first time is something magical.
Welcome to Issue 4 of Digital Beading Magazine! We have an incredible line-up of jewellery artists in this issue of Digital Beading Magazine. Get your issue now - 160+ pages jam-packed with beautiful...
This issue contains my tutorial for the Pink Champagne Handflower
