Spiral Chain Maille

by Natalie Patten

Category: Chain Maille
Technique(s): Chain Maille
Skill Level: Beginner

This easy to make spiral is great for beginners of chain maille. Using only jump rings (of any size) when linked together they create a twisted chain that looks beautiful as a necklace or bracelet.

Materials

4mm ID/6mm OD

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Sterling Silver Trigger Lobster 9mm - Pack of 2

K3-178

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.40
Gold Club Price: $1.80

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Choice of jump rings - number needed for length on chain

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Tools

Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Optional Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5

G15-20

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $170.72
Gold Club Price: $128.04

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Instructions

Step 1

Pro Tip: To open and close a jump ring correctly, use pliers which are flat on the inside to help grip and cover as much of the jump ring surface area as possible. Leave the opening seam of the jump ring in between both pairs of the pliers.

It is easiest to hold the jump ring steady with the pliers in your less dominant hand and do the 'twisting' action with your dominant hand. It is important that the jump ring is only opened or closed by twisting towards and away from yourself and not by pulling apart in an outwards direction as this will distort the shape of the ring and prevent it closing fully.

To open the jump ring, hold the pliers in your dominant hand so that you knuckles are facing upward and gripping the side of the jump ring with the pliers. Gently move your wrist so that your knuckles move slightly towards you.

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Step 2

To close, twist away from you, so that your knuckles are facing upward again, letting the ends of the jump ring meet closely next to each other.

Step 3

Sometime the ends of the jump ring will make a clicking sound when they are perfectly aligned.

To ensure it is securely closed, take one of the ends of the jump ring slightly past the closed point where the two ends meet and bring it back again allowing the natural spring of the metal to return the ends of the jump ring to a tightly closed position.

Step 4

For easy assembly, prepare your jump rings in advance by having a pile of widely open jump rings ready to pick up with your pliers.

Step 5

To make a spiral twist, start by attaching one open jump ring to one closed jump ring.

Step 6

Ensure that the jump rings are closed fully.

Step 7

Add a third jump ring, so that you have three rings linked together.

Step 8

Add a jump ring through the eye (highlighted by the arrow) created by ring two and three

Step 9

It may be easier to bring the jump ring through from the back, coming towards you.

Step 10

Position the new jump ring so that it sits on top of the previous one. The jump rings will overlap. This overlap is called an 'eye' and each jump ring added goes through this overlap to connect.

Step 11

Ensure that the jump ring is added through the eye that is created, so that it captures the last two jump rings.

Step 12

Each time a new jump ring is added through the last two jump rings, it will create a twist and start to form a spiral.

Step 13

Slightly twist the last jump ring or flip the ring in the correct direction, so that it sits into position to attach on the next jump ring.

The weave will untwist itself if the ends aren't connected or fixed to something to hold the tension of the spiral, therefore if it does become untwisted while weaving, simply twist it the correct way again to obtain the spiral.

Step 14

Continue adding the jump rings in this way, until you have the desired length. Remember to twist it so that you can see the true length of the chain.

Step 15

When you have the desired length required for your necklace or bracelet, add on your chosen clasp.

Step 16

The clasp can now be attached to the starting jump ring to close and keep the spiral weave in position.

Step 17

Reviews

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Natalie Patten

I'm Natalie Patten, I'm from Liverpool in the UK. I first discovered my love of wire work during lockdown and this hobby quickly spiralled into a huge passion and obsession, for wire wrapping crystal gemstones. So much so, that I changed my career working in education, to become a jewellery designer and set up my business Rock, Scissors, Paper specialising in wire wrapped, ethically sourced gemstone jewellery. I also secured my dream job designing and teaching for the UK's largest supplier of beads for jewellery making! I make lots of different jewellery designs with a variety of techniques but my absolute favourite is wire work and I feel absolutely blessed that I can spend my time creating, learning and sharing my passion with others!