Weaves List + ARs
Chainmail Weaves List
Weaves, AR, & Tutorials
There are many maille weaves out there: lots and growing. And with gradations of difficulty. It is difficulty to decide where to start, especially when you are a beginner chainmailler.
The following is but a short list which I will add to it over time. The list give a quick overview of (subjective) level of difficulty, the AR(s) required, and a quick peek of what the chainmail weave looks like. I have included links to tutorials that I found were clear and straightforward.
- Sort by clicking column title
- Thumbnails - click for larger image
- * means (personal) recommendation
| Thumbnail | Name | For | Category | AR Range | Min. AR | Preferred AR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Camelot | Beginner | 2 rings: 6.6 3.5 |
|||
 |
Byzantine | European | 3.32 - ∞ | 3.35-3.5 | ||
 |
CIR (Captive Inverted Roundmaille) | Beginner | ||||
 |
European 4-1 (Euro 4-1) | Beginner | European | 3.0-5.5 | 2.9 | 3.3 |
 |
HP 3-1 (Half Persian 3-1) | Beginner | Persian | 3.9-4.3 | ||
 |
Inverted Round | Beginner | European |
References
- Listing of weaves - a pretty comprehensive list at M.A.I.L (Maille Artisans International League) with links to multiple tutorials for each weave
- Chainmaille Tutorials from CGMaille - beautiful graphics, clear tutorials with indications of levels of difficulty
- Chainmaille Tutorials with clear instructions and pictures (CGI) - hosted at The Ring Lord
- Weaves, Variants, Constructs & Units - definitely worth a look. Weaves list with images and recommended ARs. From CMB (chainmailbasket)
- Jewelry Weaves pictures from zlosk
- Chain Maille Weave Patterns - listing with pictures and short description from Phoenix In Chains
Euro 4-1
European 4-1 Weave
European Chainmail Weave
The European 4-1 weave is sometimes shortened to Euro 4-1 or even E4-1. It is most famous for being the weave used in European knights' armor.
Weave family: European
Level: beginner
AR Notes
AR Range: 3.0-5.5 (anything above 5 will be tricky)
Preferred AR: 3.3
I recommend Tutorial from CGMaille and much as I would like to, I won't even try to produce yet another tutorial for Euro 4-1. However you might find the following notes helpful to you and can be used in conjunction with the tutorial.
Tips on Euro 4-1
1) Prepare a set of closed and unclosed rings to speed up your work. This image shows the basic Euro 4-1 weave. With reference to the image, the gray "center" row - are all open rings (i.e. you start with the jump ring open and then close it as you finish each weave linkage)
2) Apart from Step 1 which takes on 4 closed rings (left), every subsequent steps takes on 2 closed rings (blue) (right).
And instead of placing 2 closed rings on one open ring then try to weave onto main piece (as most of the tutorials will instruct), you can weave the gray/open ring onto the main piece, then put the blue/closed rings on, then close up the gray/open ring.
Samples of European 4-1 Weave
HP 3-1
Half Persian 3-1 Weave
HP 3-1 Chainmail Weave
The Half Persian 3-1 weave is sometimes shortened to HP 3-1. It is an easy weave to learn and is easier than the Half Persian 4-1 (HP 4-1). This chainmail weave is good for making delicate chains as in simple jewelry. But most interesting of all, HP3-1 is great for cabochon wraps.
Weave family: European
Level: beginner
AR Notes
AR Range: 3.9-4.3 (anything below 3.9 will be hard to work with)
Preferred AR:
I recommend Half Persian 3-1 Tutorial from The Ring Lord. The best tip I can give on this weave for beginners is that is you work with different colour rings (e.g. closed rings - one color; open rings - another color). It will save a lot of confusion in trying to identify which ring you are supposed to be working with.
I have a worked sample of the Half Persian 3-1 weave. It is slightly different as I used rings with large ARs and so the weave looks a bit different.