Byzantine chain and stitch necklace

You'll use both thread-and-needle bead stitching and Byzantine chain mail weave in this necklace project. For a more delicate version of this necklace, make just one beaded component, and use two jump rings to attach it to a 4-in. (10.2 cm) length of Byzantine chain. 

See the instructions for making the Byzantine chains below. For the complete step-by-step instructions, click here for the free project PDF. 

Materials

Necklace 17 in. (43.2 cm) with 3 1⁄2-in. (89 mm) pendant

• 576 18-gauge (SWG, 1.2 mm), 5⁄32-in. aluminum jump rings
• 12 8 mm crystal pearls (Swarovski, gray)
• 24 4 mm bicone crystals (Swarovski, crystal silver night)
• 36 3 mm crystal pearls (Swarovski, gray)
• 1 g 15/0 seed beads (Miyuki 194, palladium plated)
• 12 mm lobster claw clasp (stainless steel)
• Fireline, 6 lb. test
• 2 pairs of chainnose, flatnose, and/or bentnose pliers
• sharp scissors
• beading needle, #12 

Instructions

1. Count out 243 5⁄32-in. jump rings, and set the rest aside. Close three of the 243 rings, and open all the others.

2. Slide an open ring through the three closed rings, and close it. Double this ring. Arrange the rings in a 1+2+2 chain (a).

3. Slide an open ring through the last pair of rings in the chain, and close it. Double this ring.

4. Fold back the last pair of rings, one to each side, to expose the previous pair of rings in the chain (b).

5. Slide an open ring through the pair of rings just added, and close it. Double this ring. Repeat to add another pair of rings (e).

6. Work as in step 4. Not counting the singer starter ring, the first full Byzantine pattern is complete (f).

7. Repeat steps 5 and 4 in that order until you have used all 243 of the rings counted out in step 1.

8. Work as in steps 1–7 to make a second Byzantine chain.

To continue following the instructions, click here for the free project PDF.