Botswana Agate Half Byzantine Chain Maille Necklace

Begin with a piece of wire about 2.75" (7cm) long and flush cut both ends. The length you need will vary slightly depending on the size of your double loops and the length of your beads. With round nose pliers make a double loop at one end. The size of this loop should be slightly smaller than one of the small 1/8" rings. Marking the spot on your pliers will save you a lot of time. Place the bead on the wire and wrap a 2nd double loop. For my loops I had them going in opposite directions, I think this makes the bead look more balanced than if the loops both go to the same side. Keep the end of the wire on the same side as in the first double loop so the 2 ends will be at the back of the necklace. Trim the ends if needed and use sandpaper or a fine file to smooth the ends of the wire so the necklace will feel nice and smooth when worn.

Using the small rings attach a 2-2-2 chain to each end of the beads. To do this take an open 1/8" ring and go through one of the double loops. Attach another small ring in the same place. Attach 2 small rings to the 2 you just added. Then attach another 2 rings to the 2 you just added. Do the same to both ends of the beads. If you do this for all of the beads they will be ready to form the chain maille pattern.

Starting on the left hand side of one of the small chains take the rings from the 3rd link and rotate them 180 degrees so they are folded back towards the bead, one on each side. Take an open large ring and part the 2 rings that are from the 2nd or middle link that are now at the front of the chain and in this space go through the 2 folded back rings. Close the large ring.

On the right hand side chain continue with the exact same process of folding the 2 rings from the 3rd link back, one on each side. Part the rings from the 2nd link and take an open large ring and go through the 2 folded back rings. Before you close the large ring take another bead and fold back the rings from the 3rd link of the left hand side chain into the byzantine pattern, part the rings from the 2nd link and take the still open large ring through the 2 folded back rings. Close the ring. If you feel that you don't have enough hands when joining the 2 half byzantine patterns with the large ring, try using a piece of wire to hold the chain maille pattern in place while you attach the larger ring.

Continue this process until all of the beads have been added. As you make the last half byzantine weave place the clasp on a 1/8" ring, close the ring, and attach this to the large ring before you close it.