Chainmail!

I have learned how to chainmail over the summer

This is a basic weave, historically for making shirts that deflect overhand sword and axe blows. Puncturing weapons such as arrows and pikes can penetrate if they find a lucky spot in between the links. Generally, weapon edges were smeared with poop so even the smallest cut could be fatal. I also picked up some nasty history during the lesson!

Steelmaiden taught me at this year’s Herstmonceux medieval festival. A very skilled and patient person with heaps of metalwork knowledge and experience. They are available for workshops too!

We started out with a very simple bracelet. Steelmaiden kindly supplied me further linkage to blow the sides of it out, so I turned it into more of a gauntlet.

At this point I had gotten the hang of this weave.

Now that I had the knowledge, I brought one side of the chainmail over my hand into a hathphool-inspired triangle, linked to a ring.

Related;

Other jewellery (but crochet).

Wearable art through Depop.

About kellymarietheartist

Visual artist originally from Australia, travelling the world creating crocheted wearable art and functional textile pieces. Sustainable art and slow fashion made from recycled fabrics, wools and metal. Colourful. Psychedelic. Unique.
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