Japanese Takara Chain Maille Necklace

by Marilyn Gardiner

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

This chain mail necklace is composed of 5 triangular segments that are linked together with extra-large rings to form the centre focus. Then we add 2 side chains and connect them with a clasp. Each triangular segment has 12 large rings two layers of 6 rings. Every large ring is joined to each of its neighbours with 2 small rings.

Materials

Sterling Silver Jump Ring Open (.040) 18ga. 5mm Heavy - Pack of 10

K11-34

Lesson Quantity: 120.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 12.00 pieces
Price: $4.24
Gold Club Price: $3.18

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20 gauge 2.75mm sterling jump rings

Lesson Quantity: 179.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

16 gauge 7mm sterling jump rings

Lesson Quantity: 7.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

16 gauge 6mm sterling jump rings

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Silver Filled Headpins 22GA 2 inch - Pack of 10

S8-14

Lesson Quantity: 5.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Price: $2.91
Gold Club Price: $2.18

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Sterling Silver Bead Fancy Garlic 10mm - Pack of 1

K9-123

Lesson Quantity: 5.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 5.00 each
Price: $4.97
Gold Club Price: $3.73

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Sterling Silver Lobster w/ Ring 10x4mm - Pack of 2

K3-110

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.86
Gold Club Price: $2.15

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Tools

90 Degree Bent Nose Pliers

G2-66

G2-66
Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.97
Gold Club Price: $5.98

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5 inch Plato Slim Flush Cutters for Wire Working or Beading - Pack of 1

G35-3

G35-3
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $11.95
Gold Club Price: $8.96

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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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Instructions

Step 1:

Build the Triangle Segments

Row 1: Close 22 small rings and open 12 large rings. Hold large ring #1 with your pliers and add 6 small closed rings. Close the ring.

Pro Tip: It is helpful to tie a piece of wire around Ring #1 to mark the top left side of the triangle. This will show you how to orient your work after each large ring is added.

Marilyn Gardiner's Japanese Takara Chain Maille Necklace - Build the Triangle Segments, Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Add 6 small rings to a large ring.

Step 2

Hold large ring #2 with your pliers. Add 6 small rings, and 2 small rings from Ring #1. Close the ring. Lay the rings down with #1 on the left.

Marilyn Gardiner's Japanese Takara Chain Maille Necklace - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Add 6 small rings and 2 from the previous large ring

Step 3

Hold large ring #3 with your pliers. Add 4 small rings, and 2 small rings from ring #2. Lay the rings down with ring #1 on the left. This is row 1 completed.

Marilyn Gardiner's Japanese Takara Chain Maille Necklace - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Add 4 small rings and 2 small rings

Step 4

Row 2: Hold large ring #4 with your pliers. Add 4 small rings, and 2 small rings from ring #1, and 2 small rings from ring #2. Set the rings down with #1 on the left. Notice the loose rings on rings #1 & 2 that hang on each side at the top of ring #4

Step 5

Hold large ring #5 with your pliers. Add 2 small rings and 2 small rings from ring #4, 2 small rings from ring #2 and 2 small rings from ring #3. Lay the rings down with #1 on the left. This is row 2 completed.

Marilyn Gardiner's Japanese Takara Chain Maille Necklace - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Add 2 small rings and 2 small rings

Step 6

Row 3: Hold large ring #6 with your pliers. Add 2 small rings from ring #4 and 2 small rings from ring #5. Lay the rings down with #1 on the left. This is row 3 the bottom of the triangle.

Marilyn Gardiner's Japanese Takara Chain Maille Necklace - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , add 2 small rings from ring 4

Step 7

Add the Second Layer: Insert one large ring on top of each of the large rings in the first layer, starting at the top left. Maneuver each ring carefully so that you pass through all of the small rings.

Step 8

Repeat the Steps 1-7 to make a total of 5 triangle segments.

Step 9:

Join the Triangles

Open 4 extra large rings. There are 2 loose rings at the top edges of each triangle. Use the extra large rings to join 2 segments by picking up a pair of small rings from each segment. Join all 5 segments. See the necklace photo.

Step 10:

Make the Side Chains

The side chains will be built on both sides of the center section just completed.
The project makes a 17” necklace: 7” for the front, 1” for the clasp, and 9” for the sides (4.5” each side). Each side has 15 pairs of large rings. You can make it shorter or longer by trying it on a few times as you near completion—just be sure you make the side chains equal in length.
Close a supply of small rings. Open a supply of large rings. Open 2 extra-large rings.
1. Insert an extra large ring through the 2 small end rings of the center section, add 2 more small rings and close the ring.
2. Hold a large ring with your pliers, add the 2 small rings from the previous step, and add 2 more small rings. Close the ring.
Repeat Step 2 until you’ve used 15 large rings (or fewer if you want a shorter necklace. When you have the length you want, go back and add the second layer of large rings—just as you did when you made the triangles. Repeat steps 1-2 to make the other side chain
.

Step 11:

Attach the Clasp

A lobster clasp comes with a ring through it—open that ring, add the 2 small rings at the end of a side chain, and close the ring.
Open the 6 mm ring and add it to the end of the other side chain.

Step 12:

Add the Beads

Set out your beads and headpins. I used sterling Bali beads. Place each bead on a headpin and use your round nose pliers to make a wrapped loop.
(If you need a refresher, see the Big Bad Pearl Necklace pattern for instructions.)
Use a small jump ring to attach the headpin loop to the bottom pair of rings of each triangle. Your necklace is complete!

Pro Tip: Remember that you can add or lengthen the side chains to adjust the length of the necklace.

Reviews

Marilyn Gardiner

I am a teacher who worked for many years as a teacher librarian and educational computer consultant. As part of my job I taught teachers and principals how to use computers in the classroom and I developed curriculum modules.I love jewelry, color, pattern, and design. It is thrilling to create something new that others love too. And I truly enjoy breaking down something complex into an easy-to-learn sequence that I can share with others, whether in print or in a classroom.

During the past 10 years I have energetically and enthusiastically developed my beading and chain mail skills and used my teaching background with adults to develop bead work and chain mail kits with step-by-step instructions that really work. I know that the kits have good quality instructions because of the positive feedback from students I teach and from customers who buy the kits at shows and from my online store.I regularly teach classes locally in Toronto ON, as well as occasionally in Mississauga, Barrie, Temple TX and San Antonio TX.I have been a vendor at bead shows in Toronto ON, Guelph ON, Montreal QC, Ottawa ON, Calgary AB, Halifax NS, Milwaukee WI, and Tucson AZ - and I teach a full slate of classes at these shows. My website has details.

In 2007 I was "Folk Artist in Residence - Beadwork" at the Joseph Schneider Haus in Kitchener ON. This involved setting up a series of lectures, seminars, and demonstrations throughout the year. There was also a good-sized gallery exhibit of beadwork that featured my work and included the contemporary and historical work of many others. The residency resulted in several articles in the local media.

I later completed a bead work commission for the museum, and some of my work is sold in the museum gift shop.I have published projects available online at Beading Times, Bead Bugle, All Free Jewelry, and The Beading Gem's Journal. Some of my kits are sold online through Beadfx. Kalmbach Publishing published my first book, Modern Chain Mail Jewelry, in 2015.Most of my time at present is directed to creating new chain mail projects.

I am currently working on several new designs that will be ready as kits and for teaching this fall. Each of these will have an Argentium sterling and a copper or Jeweler's Bronze version, and a couple will be silver filled 925/10. This will bring my chain mail kit total to more than 150. (My husband makes all our jump rings and packages the kits. Good man!)

Website: www.marilyngardiner.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/GardinerDesign