Chain mail

**ccga3359** · 28th February 07, 07:36 PM

I have been considering chain mail, would love a kilt in leather and maile. Should have started that 20 years ago then Maybe I'd be finished in couple of years. Found this site.

**auld argonian** · 28th February 07, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by Splash_4

That sounds painfiul> Where would one wear crocheted copper?

What do you mean? You wear the crocheted copper bonnet because it grounds out the signal and the secret CIA mind reading satellites can't get into your brain! It's a big step up from the football helmet lined with tinfoil.

Best

AA

**ccga3359** · 28th February 07, 08:10 PM

Actually they say chainmail makeas a good Faraday cage.

**Dreadbelly** · 28th February 07, 08:38 PM

Actually, there are suits of armor made from crocheted wire. Stuff looks like chainmail, but is quite different, and has a great deal more protection and strength.

The Celts did amazing crocheted wire work. Not only armor, but jewelry and decorative stuff. I've even seen examples of knitted wire work and knitted fine wire mesh.

Sadly, most people look at it and think it is chainmail.

Those people have no appreciation of fine knotwork! Bastages!

**cwr89** · 28th February 07, 08:59 PM

if it is tutorials that you are looking for M.A.I.L. is great.

I find http://derakon.chainmailstore.com/inst.html to be some of the best though.

any questions on weave don't hesitate... I've woven over 60lbs of over 25 different weaves in stainless steel, mild steel, copper, titanium, sterling silver, 14K gold, bright aluminum, anodized (colored) aluminum, and noubium(sp?) in the last 3 years. I might be able to get you out of a tight spot! ;)

~Casey

**cwr89** · 28th February 07, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Dreadbelly

Actually, there are suits of armor made from crocheted wire. Stuff looks like chainmail, but is quite different, and has a great deal more protection and strength.

The Celts did amazing crocheted wire work. Not only armor, but jewelry and decorative stuff. I've even seen examples of knitted wire work and knitted fine wire mesh.

Sadly, most people look at it and think it is chainmail.

Those people have no appreciation of fine knotwork! Bastages!

*this has been noted*

wire work in the way of crocheting... thats lots of time. but I would not say that it is much different from maille, it was created for the same purpose. the shirt I am currently making I have been working on for almost 2 years. and not all maille is for armour.

for example (and unfortunately a theft of thread):

made that for an english teacher

glass broke, salvaged and saved the fountain.

a girl commissioned it.

my dog's collar.

christmas gifts

the use of maille is not just for armour. I have actually seen pieces of maille in the very very expensive jewelry catalogs that look very very similar to the fine piece that BLAZN has started.

don't get me wrong, I think that knitting wire is crazy hard and beautiful, but I don't think that mistaking it for chainmaille should upset you. It would be like some common person asking you why you wear a skirt.

on the other hand,
if you like knots in wire, I might recommend www.goldenknots.com he is a great artist and a really nice guy.

I tend to stick with the maille because I don't really know how to sew/knit so it makes it a bit challenging.

I hope that I haven't started any anger, I just wanted to point out that maille can be used (as can crocheted wire) for more than just armour.

feel free to PM me if you wish to further discuss this, I think I have taken BLAZN's post for long enough.
~Casey

**Dreadbelly** · 28th February 07, 09:22 PM

Oh, me, I am just angry because nobody has heard of crocheted mail. And from the looks of it, people can't tell the difference.

Like in this library book, the writer went in to detail about this old coat of chainmail, saying how nice it was, and there were these pictures of a closeup of the mail. And I'll be damned, it was crocheted. And yet the writer went in to detail about how chain mail is made link by link, but this was clearly not made link by link. It was made knot by knot, a fine crocheted mesh armor.

The writer clearly had no clue. Since then, I have inspected all pictures of mail closer, and have found on a few occasions that chain mail wasn't actually chain mail.

Nobody seems to know beans about crocheted and knitted wire. People have never heard of it.

Having tried a few strands of copper wire on the end of my crochet hooks, all I can say is those guys that made armor must have been masters of their craft. It is so much harder to do than links.

**ccga3359** · 28th February 07, 09:45 PM

Is crocheted wire flexible like chainmail? As for my experiences I've been jonesing a gold turk'shead ring would go nicely with my shackle earring. cwr89 is right we've hijacked this thread long enough let's give it back to BLAZN, he's earned it with his wonderful work. Sorry BLAZN.

**Caradoc** · 28th February 07, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by RK-REX

You may have a good way to make some extra kilt cash there. I know lots of folks that frequent the Renaissance (sp?) fests are into their costumes like we are our kilts and chainmail goes for big bucks.

I gave up trying to make money knitting mail a loooong time ago.

That hauberk you see at the RenFaire for $500 was likely made in India or Pakistan, the guy running the booth paid $80 for it and $20 in shipping.

If I sold a hauberk that I'd made for $500, I'd be making less than $6 an hour.

**Caradoc** · 28th February 07, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by Dreadbelly

Like in this library book, the writer went in to detail about this old coat of chainmail, saying how nice it was, and there were these pictures of a closeup of the mail. And I'll be damned, it was crocheted.

Details, please. The closest I've seen to what you're describing is a Roman-era lorica that didn't have "links" - the wire was woven up and down through alternating rows to make a fabric not unlike a fireplace curtain.