Graceful chain earrings

To create supple, tapered earrings that drape like fabric, you’ll weave fine-gauge jump rings in the European 4-in-1 chain mail pattern. You can change the length of the earrings by adding or removing five-ring rows. For an alternate look, try adding a top-drilled bead on the bottom jump ring.  

SUPPLIES

Earrings 1 1⁄2 in. (3.8 cm) or 2 in. (5 cm) 

• 140 or 190 22-gauge jump rings, 2.4 mm inside diameter 
• 2 top-drilled beads (optional)
• pair of earring wires
• 2 pairs of chainnose, bentnose, or flatnose pliers
• tumbler, stainless steel shot, and burnishing compound

INSTRUCTIONS

To make it easier for you to understand the pattern, the photos show colored jump rings that are larger than the size you’ll actually use. For the actual earrings, you’ll likely want to use jump rings in all one color.

1. Open 138 or 188 jump rings and close the remaining two. (For a pair of 1 1⁄2-in./3.8 cm earrings, you’ll use 140 jump rings. For 2-in./5 cm earrings, you’ll use 190 jump rings.) Set aside one closed jump ring and half of the open jump rings for the second earring.

2. String a closed (blue) jump ring on a scrap piece of wire or paper clip; you can hold onto this as you work.

3. Close two (red) rings around the first (blue) ring. (PHOTO A)

4. Working the third row of rings from left to right, thread a (blue) ring through the first (red) ring on the left and close the (blue) ring. (PHOTO B)

Thread a (blue) ring through the first and second (red) rings, and close the ring. The new ring should overlap the (blue) ring previously added. (PHOTO C)

For complete project instructions, click here to download & print this PDF