Byzantine Chainmail Pattern |
Jewelry Making Instructions

Use easy step by step Byzantine chainmail pattern instructions to make beaded jewelry.

The magic number for the Byzantine weave is three - as in three pairs of jump rings.

You will begin the weave with a 2-2-2 starter chain. Once you have completed one weave you will end with a pair of dangling jump rings.

To these you will add one pair of jump rings and to these you will add another pair of jump rings. You end up with a 2-2-2 chain sequence to make another Byzantine weave.

Here, we'll make Byzantine chainmail earrings.

Jewelry Making Supplies

• forty four 18 gauge 3.5mm ID (inside diameter) unsoldered jump rings
• one glass drop bead
• one earwire
• two pair chain nose pliers
• one twist tie

Byzantine Chain Maille Pattern Jewelry Making Instructions

Before you begin the weave, use the two pairs of chain nose pliers to open (How to Open and Close Jump Rings) most of the jump rings.

1. Make a 2-2-2 starter chain.

To make the chain easier to handle, thread the twist tie through one pair of jump rings (gold color) on one end of the chain and twist it to secure it.

2. Grasp the starter chain by holding the first pair of jump rings (the ones with the twist tie in them) between your thumb and forefinger.

Fold each jump ring of the third pair (amber color) of jump rings down on each side of the second pair (brown color) of jump rings.

3. Let the third pair of jump rings fall all the way down the sides of the second pair of jump rings. Now, pinch this pair of jump rings between you thumb and index finger. This pushes the second pair of jump rings upward somewhat.

4. Spread open the second pair of jump rings. This creates an opening to add another pair of jump rings, which become the new number one jump ring pair.

Byzantine Chainmail Pattern Continued

5. Pickup an open jump ring. Slide it into the opening just created, catching the two exposed closed jump rings.

6. Close the jump ring.

7. Add a second open jump ring into the opening as done in Step 5. Close the jump ring.

You have now finished one complete Byzantine weave.

Byzantine Chainmail Pattern Continued

8. Add two open jump rings the two just added. Add them one at a time and close each jump ring after you add it.

After you add the second pair of jump rings you will end up with a 2-2-2 sequence of jump rings. Just like when you started the chain.

9. Let the third pair of jump rings fall all the way down the sides of the second pair of jump rings.

10. Spread open the second pair of jump rings. This creates an opening to add another pair of jump rings, which become the new number one jump ring pair.

11. Pickup an open jump ring. Slide it into the opening just created, catching the two exposed closed jump rings.

Close the jump ring.

Add a second open jump ring into the opening as done in Step 5.

Close the jump ring.

You have now completed another Byzantine weave. Always end the Byzantine weave with two dangling jump rings.

Use other jump rings or clasps to attach to these two dangling jump rings to finish a bracelet or necklace.

12. Repeat Steps 8 through 11 until the chain is your desired length (or within one inch (2.5 cm) of your desired length if you plan to add a clasp).

13. Remove the twist tie. Use an open jump ring and attach a bead to one pair of end jump rings. Close the jump ring.

Use a second open jump ring and attach an earwire to the pair of jump rings on the other end of the chain. Close the jump ring.

You're done...Your Byzantine chainmail pattern earrings are complete!

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