Forsh Chainmail Tutorial

Scales are a great way to make a decorative piece. The biggest trick is to not be set in the 4 in 1 standard for chainmail. Also, as I will say multiple times below. When attaching 2 scales, they always go back-to-back, never in the same direction (for this weave).

Recommended Ring: Large Aluminum Scale and Ring: Aluminum 16g 5/16" ID

Note: With most weaves in chainmail/scalemail there are a variety of ways to put the rings together. This is just how I find it easiest to create this weave. If you find a way that is more suited to you, or the size of the ring you are working with, do what you find is personally the best.

Step 1:

To start this weave, use 4 rings, and 4 scales.

Step 2:

Using 2 scales (Back-to-Back) and 1 open ring, create 1 two-block.

Step 3:

Using 1 scale and the 2 already connected (Back-to-Back) and 1 open ring, add 1 to one ring in the the two-block.

Step 4:

To connect a 4th scale, first add a ring on the inside of 1 of the outer scales.

Step 5:

Making sure the new scale is Back-to-Back to a previous scale, put it on the open ring.

Step 6:

Connecting the far left and far right scale Back-to-Back, it should complete the 4 block.

Step 7:

This is what 1 complete 4 block should look like when laid flat.

Step 8:

To connect 2 four-blocks put a ring thru the top ring in 1 four-block, place that scale thru the left(or right) scale of the other 4-block, making sure the connecting scales are back-to-back.

Step 9:

To finish the connection, connect the left scale of the right four-block with the bottom ring of the left four-block (and yes, they would be back to back)

Step 10:

Connect another four-block similar to steps 8-9.

Step 11:

Connect another four-block similar to steps 8-9.

Step 12:

Connect another four-block similar to steps 8-9.

Step 13:

3 connected four-blocks should lay flat like this.

Step 14:

This is where you should add a 4th four-block

Step 15:

The top scale of the new four-block should attach below the middle bottom scale, via the left and right bottom middle of the 3 four-block.

Step 16:

The top scale of the new four-block should attach below the middle bottom scale, via the left and right bottom middle of the 3 four-block.

Step 17:

The left scale of the new four-block should attach to the middle bottom left scale of the 3 four-block.

Step 18:

The right scale of the new four-block should attach to the middle bottom right scale of the 3 four-block.

Step 19:

This pattern can be done over and over. To fill in the spots to make even rows, individual scales can be added 1 at a time (just make sure they connect back-to-back to existing scales). As an additional note, in Figure 19, more even rows for the bottom of scales can be achieved by adding an extra ring in a traditional chainmail 4in1 pattern.

Step 20:

To connect scales to existing chainmail, I think it is easiest to add an new scale vai 2 rings to the chainmail as in this image.