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 Opening and Closing Chainmail Loops
By Maryilyn Gardiner
“The goal is to have the two ends lined up exactly with no space between them”
- To open a ring, use 2 pairs of pliers to hold the sides of a jump ring with the opening at the top (12 o’clock).
- Hold the ring steady with your non-dominant hand while you rotate the wrist of your dominant (writing) hand, twisting the pliers’ tip away from you (photo).
- Never open the loop by pulling it out sideways; you won’t be able to get it back into a true circle.
- To close a ring, use 2 pairs of pliers to hold the sides of a jump ring with the opening at the top (12 o’clock).
- Pull the ring ends back together by rotating your wrists toward and away from yourself and exerting a bit of inward pressure. You may hear a click as the ends meet.
- The goal is to have the two ends lined up exactly with no space between them. Move the ends back and forth by small amounts to adjust the fit. If you go a bit past where they are even, they will spring back and match exactly. Spend the
 time to close each ring carefully. This is the mark of a professional finish.
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