Double Spiral Chainmail Weave Earrings

First Valentine Together

Designed by Marilyn Gardiner © 2014

Skill Level: All

Materials

  • (28) 18 gauge round sterling silver wire, 1.0 mm diameter jump rings. (I.D) of the rings is 5 mm
  • (2) 18 gauge wire with 1.0 mm, I.D. of 3 mm.
  • (3)1 1/2 inch silver head pins
  • 1 pair of earring findings
  • french wire
  • post
  • lever-back
  • clip on

Tools

Instructions

  1. Overview: This weave is part of the spiral family of chainmail weaves. The Double Spiral chainmail weave has each pair of rings placed through the previous 2 pairs. Notice the third pair of rings from the beginning. This pair passes through the first and second pairs of rings.
    First Valentine TogetherLine Break
  2. The First 4 Rings: Close 2 rings (JR-1&2) and open several more. Put an open ring (JR-3) through the 2 closed rings & close it. Put another open ring (JR-4) through the first 2 rings, and close it too. Put a twist tie or piece of wire through the first two rings so you have a "handle" to hold onto.Your rings should look like this photo.
    First Valentine Together
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  3. Find the Hole: Hold the twist tie & the edges of JR-1&2. Flip JR-3&4 upwards, and notice the hole, marked with an X, where the two pairs overlap. See the photo
    Double Spiral Chainmail Weave Earrings
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  4. Add Ring 5 Insert JR-5 into that "hole". See the photo. Tip: Be sure to open the rings wide enough so that you can maneuver them into place easily.

    Double Spiral Chainmail Weave Earrings
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  5. Arrange Ring 5. Close the ring. Let it flop downwards so it's out of the way. See the photo.
    Double Spiral Chainmail Weave EarringsLine Break
  6. Add Ring 6. Insert JR-6 into the same "hole", just above JR-5. See the photo.Close the ring. Tip: Be careful not to go through JR-5 by accident.

    Double Spiral Chainmail Weave Earrings
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  7. Observe Rings 5 & 6. Notice in this photo that JR-5&6 go through the previous two pairs of rings.
    Double Spiral Chainmail Weave EarringsLine Break
  8. Find the Hole & Add Ring 7. Push JR-5&6 upwards against JR 3&4.You will see the hole through the center of these four rings. Insert JR-7 into this opening. See the photo. Close the ring.

    Double Spiral Chainmail Weave EarringsLine Break
  9. Add Ring 8. Insert JR-8 in the same hole, just above JR-7.See the photo.Double Spiral Chainmail Weave EarringsLine Break
  10. Observe the Pattern. This photo shows the first 4 pairs of rings.You can see the spiral pattern developing.
    Double Spiral Chainmail Weave EarringsLine Break
  11. Continue the Pattern. This photo shows the first 5 pairs of rings. To keep the spiral pattern, always push the most recent pair upwards to expose the hole for the next 2 jump rings.
    Tip:     The word "upwards" makes sense if the twist tie is in your left hand and the chain is horizontal. If you hold the chain and let it dangle, then you will be pushing the last pair of rings "to the right" or "clockwise" Continue this pattern, always adding 2 rings through the previous 2 pairs. Stop when you have a total of 7 pairs. This is the first earring. Make a second earring identical to the first.
    Double Spiral Chainmail Weave EarringsLine Break
  12. Add the Ear Wires: Use an 18 gauge, 3 mm jump ring to connect each earring to an earring finding.Double Spiral Chainmail Weave EarringsLine BreakDouble Spiral Chainmail Weave Earrings

    Congratulations! You've made your first Double Spiral Chainmail Weave Earrings.

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