By Rebeca Mojica
These simple and elegant earrings have always been among my top sellers. I'm excited to share the instructions so you can make them yourself. The Japanese weave earrings, which I've named Japanese Cross, come together quickly. A nodi zed rings work well in this design. Fvery few months, you can make a pair to match the hot colors of the season!
Once you learn the basic Japanese Cross pattern, you can create variations by using different ring sizes or adding beads. See my variation for a 3-D shape — polyhedron earrings — that look completely different, but are deceptively simple to make. Happy weaving!
Pre-close 10 of the 20 small jump rings. If you're using anodized rings, two of these rings can be a second color. If you'd like, pre-open four medium and four large rings.
Scoop up six small rings onto one medium ring, and close. If using a second color, scoop those two rings, plus four of the first color.
To make the next step easier, hold the piece as shown, so you're covering the medium ring, and pushing the smaller rings outward. The small rings should be firmly in place, not loose and floppy.
Go through all six small rings with a large ring, and close the large ring. Bring the medium and large rings together so they rest flush against one another.
Scoop up the remaining four small rings onto a new medium ring.
Weave the medium jump ring through two small rings from the group you've already assembled. If using 2 colors, these should be the second color. NOTE: There are also four hanging rings hidden under my thumb. When you pinch the medium and large rings, cover those rings so they don't get in the way when you weave the new ring through.
Before you add a new large ring, position the weave so the first large ring is on top of its companion medium ring. Add the new large ring through two rings.
Take it through the four small rings from the second medium ring. After closing, double-check to make sure both medium rings are on the same side of the weave.
¡apanese cross & polyhedron earrings
Separate the hanging rings into groups of two. The hanging small rings should form a diamond pattern around the center set of small rings.
Your next rings will join two groups of two. Weave the medium jump ring and close.
Before adding the large ring, once again check to make sure the other large rings are on the top of the weave. Add a new large ring and close.
Your final medium and large rings go through the remaining four small hanging rings. Add a medium ring and close.
Add a large ring and close, once again being sure to add this ring on the correct side of the weave. Your cross is now complete.
To connect to the earwire, add a single jump ring through the top two rings, and close. This ring can be the same size as the small jump rings, or even smaller if you prefer.
Add a final small jump ring through the one you just added, and slip on an earwire before closing. NOTE: Depending on the orientation of the loop on the ear-wire and/or how you prefer your earrings to face, you may omit this jump ring and add the earwire directly onto the ring from the last step. ^
TOOLS & SUPPLIES
SKILL LEVEL ©
polyhedron earrings
To make I his nifty variation, simply change the gauge of the medium size rings, and add a few more small rings. If you're using colors, note that the medium rings will be hidden inside the weave, and not as visible as the large and small rings.
• 2 pairs of pliers (preferably Hal nose)
NOTE: Gauges are base metal. SWG. Exact measurements: 18-gauge is 1.2mm. 16-gauge is 1.6mm. To make these ear rings in Sterling (AWG). you'll have to adjust two sizes as follov/s:
• 26 small jump rings 17-gauge "AW (4.4mm/G17)
Exact measurements of Sterling rings: 17-gauge is 1.15mm. 16-gauge is 1.29mm, and 14-gauge is 1.63mm.
Create a Japanese Cross in exactly the same manner, however — and this is very important — be sure to use medium rings of a thinner gauge. The cross will be looser, so make sure that as you weave, no medium overlaps another medium ring, nor should any large rings overlap one another. Begin to fold the cross in on itself, keeping the large rings on the outside.
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Bring the top completely down to touch the bottom set of rings. If you have difficulties, unfold and make sure the large rings are exactly flat, and not overlapping any part of another large ring. If there is an overlap, remove that ring and re-weave, being careful not to overlap. Check that the medium rings are also perfectly flat.
With one of the additional small rings, go through the top and bottom sets of rings (four rings total).
Close the ring. Add a second ring going through those same four rings, and close. Your shape is now complete. To attach the earwire, add a final small ring through any set of two rings. Before closing the ring, slip on the earwire. 9
Rebeca Mojica lias specialized in chain maille since 2002, working on projects as diverse as "micromanic" bracelets to curtains and maille sculpture«. A self-taught artist, she knows more than 50 weaves, including several of tier own creation. Students travel from several states in the Midwest to attend her classes. To contact Keheca, email rebecaiibluebuddhaboutique.com or visit www.BlueBuddhaBoutique.com.
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Double-ended head pins form a graceful necklace.
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