Timeless round maille bracelet
This stunning bracelet gives an introduction to the round maille techniques.
By Tania McLean
Tania teaches at ‘In the Studio’, a small jewellery school based in Derbyshire. Check the website for the new class in chains, clasps and wire. Gold fill is used for this project but this piece is equally beautiful when using Sterling silver.
designer tips
You can use larger rings (20g/4.5mm) and thread beads into the hollow tube this weave creates
Use a variety of different coloured metal jumprings for an alternative lookTeflon jaw pliers will prevent marks on your silver jumprings
Tools & Materials
- 195 19g/3.5mm rings
- 1 x medium toggle clasp and clasp rings
- 2 pairs of pliers (2 x flat nose or 1 x flat nose and 1 x bent chain nose)
- Soft working mat
Step 1
Close six of your rings and open the rest. Pick up an open ring and scoop onto it four closed rings (Fig 1). Close this open ring. Arrange the rings as a 2-1-2 chain and temporarily add a tie (or scrap piece of wire) to two of the rings (Fig 2). Pick up another open ring and scoop onto it two closed rings (Fig 3). Link this open ring through the two closed rings at one end of your 2-1-2 chain from the previous step (Fig 4) and close this ring. This is now a 2-1-2-1-2 chain (Fig 5).
Step 2
Pick up an open ring and close the chain into a circle removing the temporary tie.
Step 3
This picture shows how the rings sit together three pairs of two, joined by single rings.
Step 4
You now need to separate the pairs of rings from each other as in the picture. Three rings going to the left and three rings to the right. Place a tie through the three rings on the left. This has created a tube.
Step 5
Note how to hold the tube between the thumb and first two fingers. Take your time to get this right as it will help you as you proceed.
Step 6
The arrows in this picture show the path for the next three rings to be added. Pick up another open ring and add this ring to the end of the tube by going in through one ring and out through the ring next to it.
Step 7
This picture shows the placement of the first ring.
Step 8
The second and third rings have been added. Repeat these last two steps until you have reached the desired length.
Step 9
This image shows how the weave develops. To attach the clasp you need to reduce the bracelet from three rings around to two. Attach two rings to each end following the previous pattern. Now add a clasp ring to two rings on one end of your bracelet and add one side of your toggle clasp. Repeat for the other side.
Alternative Colours
Make this bracelet in a mix of rose and yellow gold jumprings for a rich elegant combination or mix yellow gold with silver for a more casual design
Resources
Kits for this project are available from the Maille Queen: www.maillequeen.co.uk