CLASS DESCRIPTION

Viking knitting and chain maille - Medieval crafts for 21st century jewellery!

Join Aileen Gardner in this one day action packed workshop where you will learn both these wonderful techniques.

VIKING KNITTING is Scandinavian in origin and predates traditional knitting by centuries. In Viking knitting, soft wire is looped around a mandrel to produce a knitted tube, which is then pulled through a wooden draw plate to create a flexible ‘chain’.

CHAIN MAILLE is weaving with wire jump rings to create a ‘fabric’ of interlocking rings in a repeated decorative pattern. Simple Chain Maille weaves are Box chain, Byzantine or Bird Cage and European 4 in 1.

VIKING KNITTING and CHAIN MAILLE can be incorporated into your current jewellery designs to provide alternative linking structures and enhanced textural elements.

SKILL PREREQUISITE

No previous experience is required. Open to all.

ESSENTIAL TECHNIQUES COVERED

* setting up a VIKING KNIT mandrel

* joining wire to make longer chains

* finishing the knit in a professional manner

* drawing wire through the plate and attaching findings

* CHAIN MAILLE techniques covered include;

* jump ring selection

* opening and closing jump rings to weave them in place

* correct use of tools

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

* Tuition

* Comprehensive notes (soft copy)

* Loan of tool set if you do not have the tools required.

WHAT TO BRING AND MATERIAL FEE

MATERIALS FEE : A fee of $25 is payable directly to your teacher on the day. Please bring correct change, cash only.

Please BRING  (if you have them).

* 2 pair of chain nose pliers - smooth jaws, no ridges.

* Beading Awl ( or knitting needle)

* Wire cutters

GENERAL INFORMATION

For OH&S reasons, please wear CLOSED IN shoes, long hair should be tied back. If you wear contact lenses, we recommend wearing glasses, not lenses during classes. We recommend wearing minimal jewellery when working in the studio. THIS CLASS REQUIRES YOU TO WEAR SAFETY GLASSES.

PREVIOUS STUDENTS HAVE SAID

" Getting two skills in one day was sensational, I loved the chainmaille the best and will be doing more  comples classes in this cool technique." Maggie L.

"This class was a real eye opener, I was looking for new ideas to use to hang my glass pendants that I make. Viking knitting was perfect and being able to make small or larger knits is great. Might be old school techniques but they were new to me. Thanks for an enjoyable day." Jen Grier