Dragon Scale Weave Tutorial
This Dragon Scale Weave Tutorial will explain to you how to do one of the more complicated weaves in chainmaille, but also one of the more intricately beautiful ones as well. Be warned though, this one will take some time and patience! The dragon scale weave is a flexible and ornate version of chainmaille. Similar to the European 4-in-1, but unique in its own right, this chainmaille pattern uses two different size jump rings, with the small jump rings fitting inside the larger ones. Try out this chainmaille design to make an intricate DIY bracelet or stunning necklace.
Project TypeMake a Project
Time to CompleteIn an evening
Bead Technique UsedChainmail/Wirework
Bead Project TypeBracelet, Earrings, Necklace
DID YOU KNOW?
Chainmaille is armor or jewelry made by connecting metal rings to one another. In fact, Chainmaille is one of the earliest forms of metal armor! The oldest piece of (accurately dated) maille armor was discovered in the graves of Celtic warriors and it is thought to be more than 2,700 years old. However, there are examples of Etruscan pattern mail dating from at least the 4th century BC.
It is difficult to trace the history of chainmaille jewelry, sometimes referred to as chainmail, or simply maille, because it was commonly used as armor and much of the evidence was destroyed during battle. Outside of the battlefield, chainmaille has been used for jewelry making by cultures as diverse as the Vikings and the ancient Egyptians.
The word maille derives from the French word maille (mesh), which comes from Latin macula (mesh of a net). To create something out of chainmaille involves wrapping metal wire around a rod to make a coil, then cutting the coil and creating individual "jump rings", and then, using pliers, linking the rings—one at a time—into a pattern. Often pre-made jump rings are used in jewelry making to make the process faster. There is an abundance of patterns made in this style; over 900 different weaves are documented.
Aside from jewelry making, chainmaille or maille continues to be used today as a component of stab-resistant body armor, cut-resistant gloves for butchers and woodworkers, shark-resistant wetsuits for defense against shark bites, and more. For artistic purposes, it has been used to create chessboards, baskets, belts, headdresses, and Christmas ornaments!