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Learn a Weave

JAPANESE 4-1 DIAMOND EARRINGS

This is a fairly simple weave but the small rings make it fiddly.

The project uses rings made with thin wire thus making it a fairly weak weave. However, as the finished piece is designed to dangle from an earwire, this does not matter.

For the earrings, you will need:

(A) - 114 bright aluminium jump rings 2.6mm ID, 0.81mm (rd1-32bral)
(B) - 72 black enamelled copper jump rings 3.2mm ID, 0.81mm (rd2-32cpr-blk)
One pair of earwires
tools: two pairs of smooth faced chain nose or flat nose pliers

These earrings have a 7.5cm drop from the earwire. If you prefer a less dangly earring, make the lengths of your chainlets shorter and make fewer chainlets. These earrings are 6x6 jump rings (B).
Before you begin joining the rings, close all the enamelled copper jump rings (B)

1. Place two enamelled copper jump rings (B) onto one open bright aluminium jump ring (A). Close the bright aluminium ring (A).
2. Open one bright aluminium jump ring (A) and link one enamelled copper ring (B) to one enamelled copper ring (B) from step one. Close the bright aluminium ring (A).
3. Repeat step 2 until you have a chainlet of six enamelled copper rings (B). Repeat steps 1-3 until you have 6 chainlets that are six enamelled copper rings long.
4. Lay two chainlets alongside each other. Make sure that the rings lay flat and that it is not twisted. Open one bright aluminium ring (A) and link the first enamelled copper rings (B) of each chainlet. Close the bright aluminium ring (A).
5. Each time you link the chainlets together you will need to make sure that the rings are lying flat. Open one bright aluminium ring (A) and link the second enamelled copper rings (B) of each chainlet. Close the bright aluminium ring (A).
6. Continue joining the chainlets in this manner until all six enamelled copper rings (B) are linked to corresponding rings (B) to form a thin rectangular strip.
7. Repeat steps 4-6 and join a third chainlet to the thin rectangular strip made in the previous step. Continue joining your chainlets in this manner until you have a square of six enamelled copper rings (B) by six enamelled copper rings.
8. Make a second square, following steps 1-7.
9. Link the corner of one square to your earwire using two bright aluminium rings (A). Repeat with the second square and earwire to complete your pair of earrings.

Suggested Variations:

Use different coloured rings around the edge of your square to provide a different coloured border.
Great for using all those spare different coloured rings. Use them randomly or design your square so that the colours change as you move up the diamond – for this you may find it easier to lay your rings out on paper in the desired pattern before you link them together.