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Japanese Origami Bracelet

By on March 2, 2016
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by Judy Ellis, Wirejewelry.com

Wire Jewelry Free Pattern for March 2nd 2016

Japanese Origami Bracelet

by Marilyn Gardiner

Today we share a great chain mail pattern that is perfect for the beginner – the Japanese Origami Bracelet.

Introduction

The Origami weave is a variant of the Japanese 6 in 1 pattern created by FrostMage (Greg Gervais). He named it Origami because the chain is folded over on itself.

origami1

Skill Level: Beginner

Materials:

There are sufficient rings to make a 9″ bracelet, including the toggle.

Tools:

Strategy:

  • Make 2 lengths of chain
  • Adjust the chain lengths to fit.
  • Join the 2 chains.
  • Fold and connect the 2 chains.
  • Add the clasp.

Instructions:

  1. Make 2 Lengths of Chain:
    Close some large rings and open a number of small rings.
    Scoop up 2 large rings with a small ring and close it.
    Open up the pair of large rings.
    origami bracelet
    Continue the chain: pick up a small open ring and use it to add another large closed ring to the chain. Continue the chain until it has about 12 large rings.
    Start a new chain and use about 13 large rings.
    Lay them out one above the other.
    origami bracelet
    Line Break
  2. Adjust the Chain Lengths to Fit:
    Measure your wrist and decide on a finished bracelet length.
    Subtract 1″ for the clasp.
    The length of the longer chain should equal this length.
    Adding one large ring will increase the bracelet length by 1/4″.
    The two lengths of chain can have an equal number of large rings, or one can be a ring shorter than the other.
    Line Break
  3. Join the 2 Chains:
    The photos show a close-up shot and a look at the whole chain.
    Notice that the large rings of the top chain sit in between the large rings of the bottom chain.
    You will use 2 small rings to connect each pair of large rings in the top row to a large ring in the second row. See the red dots.Each large ring (except at the ends) will have 4 small rings connecting it to the rings that surround it.
    origami bracelet
    origami bracelet
    Line Break
  4. Fold and Connect the 2 Chains:
    This is the fun Origami folding step!
    Fold the top chain over top of the bottom one. It will look like the photo.
    (Now is the time to make any final adjustments in length.)
    origami bracelet
    Now, connect them together at the bottom edge. See the red dots in the photos below that show where to place the first two small rings.origami bracelet
    Continue adding small rings that join the edges until you reach the other end.
    origami braceletLine Break
  5. Add the Toggle Clasp (Ring and Bar):
    At one end of the chain put a 3 mm jump ring through the end ring and through the loop on the back of the ring-part of the toggle clasp.
    origami bracelet
    The bar-part of the toggle needs a shank so that it can fold sideways to pass through the ring-part. You’ll use about 4 or 5 small rings and link them together into a mini chain like the photo.Start by putting one small ring through the end ring of the bracelet. One-by-one, link a couple more rings onto that one, and then connect the final ring to the bar-part of the toggle.
    origami bracelet
    origami bracelet
    Congratulations! Your bracelet is ready to wear and admire!

If this is your first chain mail pattern and you need a great tutorial on opening and closing jump rings – Marilyn gives us a wonderful tutorial on how she does it – easily and cleanly! CLICK HERE TO READ IT!

Happy Wrapping!

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6 Comments

  1. avatar

    Linda Barton

    March 2, 2016 at 11:40 am

    Great looking bracelet! IF you hit the “Print” page at the top be aware that the Materials list is not included. You’ll have to make a note or attachment.

  2. avatar

    Judy Ellis

    March 3, 2016 at 10:25 am

    Marlene, Our customer service will be sending you a copy of the pattern. Sorry that you’ve had some issues with the printing.

  3. avatar

    Dana

    March 10, 2016 at 10:01 am

    When I click on “print” I only get the first page, no instructions.

    • avatar

      Judy Ellis

      March 10, 2016 at 10:15 am

      Dana, We are sorry that you are having trouble printing. Here are a couple of suggestions: Reduce your print size, perhaps that will help. Also, check the paper orientation (landscape vs portrait) that might also help. You can also try printing it to a PDF then printing the PDF. We’ve printed the pattern here at the office several times with no issue using the print function, so there may just be a printer function that needs to be adjusted. If you continue to have difficulty, feel free to contact our customer service department and they can help you.

  4. avatar

    Helen Lovelace

    March 19, 2016 at 7:18 am

    Absolutely delightful Thank you.

  5. avatar

    Kat

    April 3, 2016 at 5:09 pm

    “You Definitely KNOW HOW TO Explain & SHOW EXAMPLES”. Thank You & Please Never Change.