How to make chainmail - European 4-1

Recommended jewelry pliers for making chainmail: amzn.to/2SAOX33
This is a super detailed tutorial demonstrating the European 4-1 chainmail pattern. This weave is used in a number of my projects, but I wanted to make a separate video explaining this in much more detail so hopefully someone who has no prior experience with jewelry making can follow along and learn to make chainmail.

[@helianthustv1710]

I know this is an older video, but as someone new to the chainmail world, this was the BEST video I could have watched as a starting tutorial. You explain it wonderfully, and the two colored rings really helped. Thank you so much!

[@ltd4517]

The two colours used helped explain the difference between the inner and outer rings of a chain, and the patterns in which they would fold. Thumbs up from me.

[@Jkamarata]

I watched countless chainmail tutorials and couldn't grasp it until I watched your video. Thank you for breaking it down to something simple to understand

[@calamityjan_creations]

I want to thank you so much for making this video. I have struggled with this weave on and off for years. I would keep trying it following many tutorials whether it be online, printed, in books or videos and every time I would get so mad I couldn't understand it that I would give up. That changed today when I ran across your video that says it was made 5 years ago. I hesitated thinking it's too old its probably just the same thing I saw years ago when I tried last time but something said give it a chance and I'm so glad I did because I DID IT! You explained it and showed it in a way I've never understood. It just never clicked til I saw this! So thank you for teaching me!

[@reneegiobbi1850]

I was struggling a little with the European 4-1, watched several videos really really liked your explanation and tips ect. So very helpful. I finally was able to get the weave correct. Thank you!!!!

[@jeanwoolsey4223]

I think you are an excellent teacher. I feel confident in tackling a kit I bought some time ago. It seems a bit complicated but hopefully when I get started it will make sense.

[@LeahPetrosino]

Fantastic tutorial! I about DIED when I saw the stretchy rings! So much creative possibility!!!

[@chamomileharrison8043]

Thank you! I have watched several videos before this one, but you finally explained it in a way that makes sense!

[@modhshahzad3432]

mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox

[@moisesbobadilla5255]

P

[@catsmeWOWdesigns]

Thank you so much! Because of this video, I finally realized what I have been doing wrong! My husband wanted a costume with chainmail so I figured I would try to learn it but has been much more difficult then I thought until this video

[@lysandramoore4358]

Just started crafting chainmaille jewelry myself and was making that common mistake. This tutorial gave me great insight, as to how to fix that problem. Thank you!

[@alinasmith8676]

i've been wanting to make a chainmail dress for a while now but i was worried i wouldnt have the tools or skill to even start, much less complete anything- needless to say, this video has completely erased my doubts! thank you for this informative and helpful tutorial, i now feel up to the task!

[@timshaw8204]

So glad to have helped! I started the same way, when I was younger I wanted a chainmail vest and happened to come across a very helpful community that got me started. Good luck with your project :)

[@cyberspelunker1980]

BEST video on chain mail tutorial out there. Thank you so much!

[@DavidWilson-me6bs]

I am in the process of making a digital brush using the 4-1 chainmail. Having seen quite a few chainmail photos I was confident to make the brush. Having now watched your video a few times and actually seeing constructing the chainmail, I'm in a better position to make the digital brush. Many thanks for making and sharing this video. 👍👍👍

[@konakeiki9957]

Dude, you just cleared up about 30 minutes of frustration for me. I was trying to follow a vaguely written pattern. Thanks

[@toolzm256]

Have watched numerous other videos. Finally something I can understand! Thank you!

[@becher1380]

Finly I find a video that does help me real. Other videos are so bad. You explain it really good. I understand everything well. Thanks I give you a like and follow.

[@cindysinger8964]

Excellent tutorial, Tim. You showed great detail making it easy to understand ring placement, etc.

[@sebastianbielen5856]

this was very helpful with the differing colours too

[@basilabraxas3816]

I just wasn’t getting it from the book I just bought to learn from. This video finally made it click. Thanks!

[@littledaisiess]

this video aged well!! thank you for using the two colors it made it easier to understand!!

[@trustytrest]

Amazing introduction to making chainmail. Very easy to grasp and see how it's done.

[@hennynoirdesign]

the best way to do this I've seen so far. 👏👏🏻👏🏼👏🏽👏🏾👏🏿

[@carlygme7820]

Have tried this so many times and i could never get it, first time watching your video I got it, Thankyou so much !!!

[@astronikae2260]

This was very helpfull. You didn't go to fast and didn't overexplain. The two different colors of the rings were a great idea for visualising it. Also, I hope this doesn't sound crazy, but I think you have a voice that is very nice listening to as well and that helps me a lot personally... Thumbs up👍 Hat mir gefallen 😉

[@rica317]

Nicely done. Thank you, very helpful. It's great that you don't assume the viewer's knowledge on any particular aspect of the process.

[@denisevasecka7387]

Thanks Tim! I am making the tie you posted earlier and just totally forgot how to connect the two sections of 4 in 1. Your video is clear and and just what I needed!

[@Shiny_Dragonite]

I was looking at a chainmail tutorial and struggling. It was missing the "down down up up" portion for connecting the sections. This video had the missing information I needed and was immensely helpful. Thank you!

[@stitchwitch39]

I love this video. It was a huge help in learning this weave. Thank you!

[@NovaHalo]

Best tutorial I have seen on this yet- thanks!

[@Haerodiel]

Excellent tutorial! This was very helpful and easy to follow.

[@timshaw8204]

So glad! :)

[@jsauce01]

Awesome video! Def helped me alot trying to figure out why my rings kept getting twisted up...the 2 closed on 1 open really helped me. Thank you

[@kenzaroo4456]

You're so good af this please teach us to make diagonal edges I don't understand how to make patterns.

[@kimilini4814]

i learned a few other weaves fine, this one though, i couldnt get....till now, thank you!

[@mwilley011987]

The colors really helped.

[@summitwirkus8563]

This video is amazing! I am wanting to get into making chainmail but I'm struggling to find information on it and your video is really in-depth and completely helpful to understand.

[@UncleKaboom]

Thank man, really easy to follow I made a nice piece thanks to you. Just need to learn unusual shapes next.

[@cynthiapadget5770]

Wow! I am just getting into this artform. Your video was wonderful and helped me a lot. Thank you!

[@anodizedb]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! It was extremely clear and helpful

[@JohnDoe-on6ru]

The rubber rings are an incredible idea, I wonder if that would work to make chainmail bracers so you could slip it on like a bracelet almost.

[@vdtz6578]

Thank you so much for this video!! Because of it i can finally join my rows. Great job!

[@MoneyManMitch99]

Starting doing electrical work last year and learned about AWG (American wire Guage) basically the smaller the number, the bigger that wire is, like a fraction

[@planetjoycowboy]

4:46 blew my mind...bless u, my lord, many thanks

[@modhshahzad3432]

mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox

[@havokmusicinc]

Great video. Using neoprene to allow a little bit of give is a great idea.

[@trippfiske]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOUUUUU!!! Your video helped me so much!

[@osceolapowell9640]

easy to understand and appreciated.

[@DeliaNoemii]

Thank you, Tim, for this tutorial, I finally got it, thanks to your so detailed explanation!! Can you share a link of where do you buy those color jump rings?

[@rorii1865]

This is a great in depth explanation thank you!

[@lieyanafend6302]

Thank you so much! Your explanation is easy to understand and I managed to make one

[@anasthesie5517]

I know the video is old but it really helped me. Thank you so much. I've been struggling with making the right pattern and it turns out it was the rings facing wrong direction all the time xdd

[@marlsh4043]

Still hard to see how the elastic bands are added to the bracelet

[@KaptainKlein]

There aren't elastic bands, the last row of rings are stretchy rubber instead of metal

[@WvIENS]

been trying this for 6 fkin hrs no result

[@badpiggies4926]

What are you doing dude

[@WvIENS]

​@badpiggies4926 not what this guy did

[@elio397]

Me too I want to die

[@TheBigMclargehuge]

A European 4 in one video sounds like it should be in the back in the closet where the kids can't see

[@raysylrosa]

Perfect demo man. I appriciate it. Very good. Thx

[@Zarbonfan84]

Super helpful tutorial!

[@ALEXAWRIGHT]

This looks awesome! Thanks for the helpful video.

[@karrenb5094]

ugh u saved me so much time thank u!

[@teletsuo]

this is so helpful, thank you!!!!!!!

[@ItsMikky]

I’m trying to figure out on that 4-1 bracelet at the end what “rubber rings” you used and how you used them haha

[@af0ulwind115]

So it has been a long time since I last made any. Have you made any 8-1 of 10-1? I have found it to be much more durable and resilient with higher link counts... Also where joints are like elbows and shoulders reducing ring count for a row or more gives a wonderful flex

[@THEOTHERGUY4421]

Thank you!! This helps a lot!!

[@trinidadhuertamora9633]

GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR TUS CONOCIMIENTOS. DESDE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO

[@wii7cked]

This is so helpful !!!

[@elliottlouisehart8720]

Thanks so much! Very helpful :)

[@jaxgreenwald3185]

awesome video!!

[@dadygee]

opening and closing harden the materials a bit.. makes them less likely to opening up when you not want them to :)

[@donna57]

Thank you, love your tutorials,

[@timshaw8204]

No problem! Thanks for watching.

[@girrrllllll]

Could you link where to get the neoprene rings?

[@Fearl3ss234]

Great video, but I'm pretty sure I'm making my chain right, but it isn't laying down straight. Meaning when I set the chain on the table parts of it "bends upward" not sure why

[@benshiffman7765]

Michael Dorsey I’m having the same problem, I’ll be doing it all correctly and then randomly one middle chain won’t be correct but it doesn’t make sense because it was correct before so they are somehow twisting weird

[@korennai]

I'm also having this problem, did you figure it out ?

[@Fearl3ss234]

Nope. :( Ben??

[@w.reidripley1968]

I'd have to see it to sort it, personally. Never heard of this. I'd expect to find a link not woven in right. You may be able to escape that by doing all your work flat on the table, sliding the links you're weaving up to the edge you're working on. Picking your piece up to get the link in lets links at the edges flop around unstably.

[@hanamalavet4017]

Thank you💕🌛

[@TheOriginalKidCoyote]

thanks, great tutorial

[@matthewthurner8063]

Nice, thanks for the add

[@timshaw8204]

No problem!

[@geninewilliams3879]

hi, Tim thank you so much for these tutorials im new to trying chain maille .. question will any of these beautiful designs that you are showing us to make will they rust if they get wet or is there something on the rings that prevents them from getting rusted?

[@7SonsofFeanor]

Rusting depends entirely on the composition of the rings. Carbon steel rings will rust (because iron rusts). You must care for carbon steel to prevent rusting. Stainless steel (with chromium) and galvanized steel (zinc coated) were invented to decrease the chance of steel rusting. Aluminum rings will not rust (because aluminum does not rust). Aluminum oxidizes the outer layer, and then halts. Working with aluminum rings, you will get aluminum dust all over your hands. It will rub off if placed directly on the skin, leaving your skin grey where the chainmail was. Anodized aluminum rings are pretty colors...and will also not rust. But being anodized, they are much less likely to leave that dust behind, and so are 'cleaner' to work with. Hope that helps!

[@georgegiagozoglou2225]

Thanks man

[@sylviodante619]

Brilliant

[@bobbiebrian6927]

is it possible for you to do a video tutorial on how to decrease and increase in European 4 in 1?

[@Marper8]

If you check out lindybeige here on youtube he has a tutorial on that :)

[@c0d380]

where did you buy the neoprene rings from? I wanna use it in a design!

[@jennglow4647]

Cool 😀

[@Hartofilax]

how do you cut the rings so the cut is flat?

[@organicartbylea300]

l love this l was able to make the chain mail tie but l just cant seem to attach the rings in the center well l ended up leaving a gap so of course its not tight enough is there a trick to joining the rows together

[@w.reidripley1968]

Yes, there is. With your pliers jaws holding the link at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock and the cut at 12 o'clock position, twist the cut's ends together so they grind. Then twist a little more and twist them back so they grind again. You can push the cut ends together as you grind to help this. Eliminates that gapping; always work it by twisting those pliers. The manner of the cut affects this also. With the typical wire cutter >< sort of cut, nudge things so they don't butt point to point like >

[@w.reidripley1968]

And yes there is for zipping e ntire rows together. Joining two ribbons together with just a single row of links being the zipper requires the ribbon edges you wish to join to show the same slant, or link-lie... all links, both sides, leaning the same direction. The links you use to join them have the opposite slant, or link-lie. Connects nicely. This is what he's doing with two ribbons in the last minutes of the video.

[@melodydenkins4326]

The jump rings that you use for the Tie, do you know what millimeter they are ? Where I buy jump rings they come 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, I would really like to try to make this for my sons.

[@MsSqueza]

I allso would like to know the mm if you could help me there 🙂

[@Tfichtenbaum]

Hi Tim , I line up my links but in the end I just have a ball of links what am I doing wrong

[@solleanos7488]

Hola! What size in millimeters do you use ?

[@dreysantillan]

These are butted chainmail to those who may be interested what these rings are specifically Butted chainmail are weaker and heavier than riveted but it was still used regardless

[@cindysinger8964]

Tim, you indicated that the other items you showed in the video were 5/16. Which gauge did you use for the triangle shaped key ring?

[@timshaw8204]

Thanks Cindy! I just had a closer look and realized the keychain is in fact made from 2 sizes of rings, bright aluminum 1/4" 18 gauge and green neoprene (rubber) rings 5/16" and 17ish gauge

[@cindysinger8964]

Thanks so much, Tim. I appreciate the reply. I hope you come back with more new designs soon.

[@daylightliving8929]

neoprene rubber rings ,,,,whats that???

[@cindysinger8964]

Hello! Tim used some neoprene rings in the video when he made the bracelet. Here is the web site he suggested to buy rings: metaldesignz.com They sell the neoprene rings and lots of other jump rings. Neoprene rings are used if you want to give your jewelry a different look, and they also stretch, so if you want to make a bracelet without a clasp, a stretch bracelet is a good option so it fits over the wrist.

[@w.reidripley1968]

@@daylightliving8929 I hope you've found out they are O-rings in the intervening years.

[@iankuhl8492]

Thanks so much let's help me get it

[@heatherdrinane2894]

Where do you purchase the neoprene rings?

[@deadbeat5165]

whats the name of the pin looking clasp that u used in this chainmail 0:54 please help!

[@w.reidripley1968]

Toggle fastener.

[@ragnareck6]

One ring to rule them all...

[@w.reidripley1968]

...and thirty thousand to cover 'em.

[@DePeaceHunter]

laying it on table bothers me,u can see it makes thing harders. theres got to be a way to hang it and set it up in such a way that makes connecting the chains easier and faster

[@timshaw8204]

I only worked with it on the table to make it clear to see the positioning of the rings for filming this video. Once you understand the pattern it's much easier to pick it up when you add rings.

[@w.reidripley1968]

It's also easier working it on the table. Slide the links up to the mail, weave in without picking it up, and close. Keep the links' cuts pointing upwards for convenience as you twist them closed with your pliers.

[@marialanzone]

Bonjour, c'est dommage que votre vidéo va beaucoup trop vite. Je n'arrive a comprendre la fermeture du bracelet.

[@Chahaohsha1013]

Do you have any suggestions for where to get the rings from?

[@petajaksik8900]

Either try the ring lord, or other

[@mistresspain4782]

are your rings in SWG or AWG?

[@zzathros]

like ur vids but at the end u went too fast . you were using rubber rings from the get-go???? you didn't say that so got confused at the end.

[@user-dm1zs3xr5u]

He used metal rings all the way up until the end. Them he used rubber O rings. I wanted to see how he attached those though :l

[@diligentsun1154]

where does one acquire the material needed, to make it?

[@w.reidripley1968]

Hardware store for ordinary wires like galvanized or black annealed tie wire. Marine supplies places for stainless wire to make your fantasy Dwarf-mail, which per Tolkien's canon, "rusts not."

[@billieb]

to make 4 in 1 do you always do rows and then add together?

[@w.reidripley1968]

Pretty much. You can build rows in the direction he shows, or perpendicular to that. I like to cast links on two at a time, filling 2 linkrows at once. I wouldn't keep picking your mail-unit up. I leave it on my worksurface and slide links up to the edge and close 'em. This way the links at the edges of the mailpatch don't get flopped over.

[@Tfichtenbaum]

My links when I pull them still continue to pull into a chain ....I don't get what I am doing wrong here :(

[@w.reidripley1968]

Take advantage of this with a different chain of alternating double and single links: 2, 1, 2, 1 for as long as you want. Lay the chain on your table, and smooth it down flat so THE DOUBLED RINGS LEAN ONE WAY AND THE SINGLE RI GS THE OPPOSITE WAY. Then you can add on links to whichever edge is convenient. Slide 'em across the table to the edge, weave them in without picking the mail up, and close.

[@spo7970]

thank you very much .. can I know from where can I have those rings please .!?

[@Antonio-mx2kk]

Omair Trraisi .

[@timshaw8204]

hey no problem... they're from metaldesignz.com

[@spo7970]

Tim Shaw thanks for reply

[@sk8erfreak540]

Where do I buy this chainmail?

[@PAXthe4Th]

i try this with key rings this is the 100th time i watch this and he changing the orientation makes me angry. good video by the way stay with cut rings

[@modhshahzad3432]

mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox

[@Arzada]

Where/how do you get the quantities of rings that you need to make these pieces? Everywhere I found so far just don’t provide the sizes needed, it’s frustrating hahaha

[@madeline3868]

you can make them youself by buying a spool of wire. I just wrap the whole thing around a wooden dowl of my preferred size and then slide the wire off, cut the loops into rings and then do as the tutorial says

[@w.reidripley1968]

Use a steel rod, though. Get it from a hardware store; ask for round stock/rod stock.