Byzantine Chainmaille Tutorial

The goal of this tutorial is to explain how to make the byzantine chainmaille weave.

 

1. Required Tools and Materials

For this tutorial you will need:

  • rings with an aspect ratio (AR = inner diameter – ID divided by the wire diameter – WD) of ~3,5 and up
  • two pairs of pliers without teeth

I used rings with a wire diameter of 1 mm and an inner diameter of 3,6 mm.

2. Step by Step Process

Pass an opened ring through 4 closed rings:

Close it and repeat the step, adding another ring near the previous one:

Now unfold them into a 2-2-2 chain:

Unfold the last 2 rings and pass a ring through them, between the middle ones. For a better understanding you have 2 pictures from the both sides:

                          

Repeat the step, adding another ring near the previous one:

Pass 2 rings through the last ones and close them:

Repeat the step:

Now you have another 2-2-2 chain formed. Again unfold the last 2 rings and pass a ring through them, between the middle ones. To better exemplify the process, the images are places in two rows:

                          

 

Repeat the step, adding another ring near the last one:

                          

 

Remember, every time you have a 2-2-2 piece chain you repeat the unfold rings step, followed always by the adding 4 rings step. Continue.

3. Conclusion

Here is a fine silver byzantine bracelet:

                           

 

For the full piece, you can check out my Etsy store.