BYZANTINE CHAIN MAILLE

Byzantine is an ancient pattern for weaving chain and an excellent starting point for learning
chain maille. The finished chain features an intricate appearance and great flexibility.

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Watch our exclusive video How to Use the Jump Ring Linking Ring to Open Jump Rings to get
you started!

Step 1

Use two pairs of chain nose pliers to close four jump rings and open two jump rings. To
learn how to open and close the jump rings (See the Opening and Closing a Jump
Ring technique.)
Step 2

Slide four closed jump rings on to one open jump ring (shown in red). Close the jump ring.

Step 3

Add a second open jump ring through the same four closed jump rings and divide the jump
rings into pairs.
Step 4

Attach a paperclip or twist tie through the two end jump rings to make the chain easier to
pick up and hang onto. Rings are color coded to help show the pattern more clearly. Tip:
Prepping all of your jump rings by opening them will help make the chain maille go together
faster.

Step 5
Flip the two blue jump rings on the end back toward the starting end of the chain maille and
position them on either side of the first two jump rings so they sit in a sideways V.

Step 6

Push the last two red jump rings apart so they also form a sideways V.

Step 7

Attach a jump ring through the open space between the two previous jump rings, passing it
through both of the jump rings that were flipped backwards in step 5 (shown in blue). Close
the jump ring (shown in red). It may be helpful to insert an awl or piece of wire through the
opening to hold the blue jump rings in position while inserting the next jump ring.

Step 8

Add a second jump ring in the same position.

Step 9

Add an open jump ring (shown in blue) through both of the previous jump rings.
Step 10

Add a second jump ring in the same position.

Step 11

Attach two more jump rings (shown in red) through the previous two jump rings (shown in
blue).
Step 12

Flip the last two jump rings (shown in red) back toward the starting end of the chain maille.

Step 13

Slide an open jump ring (shown in red) through the flipped back jump rings.
Step 14

Slide a second jump ring into the same position.

Step 15

Add two jump rings through the previous two jump rings.
Step 16

Add two more jump rings through the previous two jump rings.

Step 17

Flip the previous two jump rings (shown in blue) back toward the beginning end of the chain
maille. Spread the two rings (shown in red) apart to form a reverse V.
Step 18

Repeat steps 7-17 to continue building the chain maille.

Step 19

Optional Clasp To add a clasp to the chain, open a jump ring and slide it through the two
jump rings on the end of the chain maille. Close the jump ring. The other half of the clasp
will attach through this ring.
Step 20

At the other end of the chain maille, slide one open jump ring through the two end jump
rings. Slide a lobster clasp on the jump ring and close the jump ring.

Step 21

Congratulations, you have mastered Byzantine chain maille!