CGMaille.com - Joining Helm Chain

Joining Helm Chain into a loop can make very attractive pendants. However it might not be exactly clear how to go about joining the chain.

Aspect Ratio & Ring Sizes
Helm Chain requires two ring sizes. There are two requirements for choosing ring sizes: The first is that the outer diameter of the small ring must be smaller than the inner diameter of the large ring; the second is the inner diameter of the small ring must be at least 3 times the wire thickness of the large ring. This is so everything can fit as it should. Sizes that I like to work with are 16swg 5/16" & 18swg 3/16", 18swg 7/32" & 20awg 5/32", 20awg 3/16" & 20awg 1/8", and 22awg 1/8" & 24awg 5/64".

Metric sizes - approximately 1.6mm wire/8mm ID & 1.2mm wire/4.8mm ID; 1.2mm wire/5.5mm ID & 0.8mm wire/4mm ID; 0.8mm wire/4.8 & 3mm IDs; 0.64mm wire/3mm ID & 0.5mm wire/2mm ID.

Tutorial Color Scheme
Small rings are bronze and large rings are steel.

Step 1: Use the Helm Chain tutorial to make a chain long enough to form into a circle. The exact length of the chain will depend on what ring sizes are used and the desired size of the finished loop. Make sure the ends of the chain are as shown (i.e. finish with the one large ring and two small rings).

Step 2: Pass a large ring through the two small rings on either side.

Step 3: Flip the chain over.

Step 4: Pass a second large ring through the two small rings on either side.