Amore d'Armor

March 16, 2010 7:33 PM

Recently started weaving chainmail in a search for a quiet crafty activity to do at my desk during downtime at work. Sunk ~$100 into getting a good mix of starting materials (anodized aluminum, brass, and a steel "coif kit" for when I get the hang of it.) Have so far learned basic 4-in-1 weave and made a bracelet and some earrings for my wife. (The latter turned out, the former is so-so.) What are some good resources for patterns, advice, other info?
posted by Scattercat to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (4 answers total)

You may get more luck if you avoid the term "chainmail" when searching online - that's a modern construction (thanks, D&D). The resources at the bottom of this page sound like a good place to start.
posted by Paragon at 7:55 PM on March 16, 2010

Best answer: The Maille Artisans International League site documents many weaves and seems to host a pretty good-sized community. This aspect ratio table has also proved useful, and there are lots of delicious bookmarkers who have used the tag chainmaille on that site. Happy weaving!
posted by zepheria at 9:19 PM on March 16, 2010

Response by poster: That Maille Artisans site is almost exactly what I'm looking for!

This hobby is going to be hell on my lack of spatial rotational abilities, I can see. I also had to read the "what is aspect ratio?" page three times before I figured out what they were talking about. I'm not sure if that's me or them.
posted by Scattercat at 11:16 PM on March 16, 2010

I just started doing chainmaille as well! I can't get euro 4-in-1 down, but full persian and spiral weave were easy for me with those videos.

Conversion Chart - I love this thing, especially since websites can't all agree to use fractions or millimeters when I go to buy rings.

http://cgmaille.com/index.shtml - Patterns/Weaves

if you wanted to take another shot at a bracelet for your wife, you could try Byzantine. It looks very pretty made into bracelets.
posted by royalsong at 6:12 AM on March 17, 2010