The purpose of this document is to record weave/ring size/type combinations that I have successfully used in chainmail basket sides. Chainmail basketry is becoming increasingly popular, and some people have requested more specific information on good ring size/wire gauge/weave combinations for this application. I will be updating this document with each new basket I make.
The following chart outlines the weaves and the respected ring sizes used within the basket sides for each basket I have thus far constructed, as well as what techniques I used to make them take on their basketal state.
Note: * denotes the fact that stainless steel was used in this particular instance, and that the use of a different metal with less springback might make the weave not possible with the listed ring/wire size.
| Basket# | Weave | Ring size(s) | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | European 8 in 1 | 7/16", .080 | solid |
| 30 | European 8 in 1 | 7/16", .080 | solid, inner wall pulls the basket into curved state |
| 14, 17, 21, 23, 24 | European 8 in 1 | 11/32", .063 * | solid |
| 11 | European 8 in 1 | 7/32", .045 * | solid |
| 7, 8, 10 | European 8 in 1 | 5/16", .057 | solid |
| 31 | European 6 in 1 | 1/4", .063* | solid, moreso than basket 15 which used the same basket sides material, due to less rings per row |
| 13 | Japanese 8 in 2 Cube (2 rows thick) | 7/32", .063 * | solid, but somewhat wonky |
| 16 | Staggered Captive Inverted Round Sheet (C3) (3 captive rings per cell) | 3/8", .057 | very solid |
| 28 | European 8 in 1 | 7/16", .080 | trim and irregularly shaped bottom both pull weave in. still slightly flexible |
| 22 | European 8 in 1 | 11/32", .063 * | trim pulls top out and helps keep basket shape basket bottom is tight and pulls in sides basket is not completely solid |
| 15 | European 6 in 1 | 1/4", .063 * | tightening trim helped form lip basket bottom pulls in sides |
| 26 | Dragonscale | 7/32"SM, 11/32"LG, .063 | tightening trim helped keep weave straight basket bottom pulls in sides |
| 19 | Dragonscale | 7/32"SM, 11/32"LG, .063 | tightening trim helped form lip basket bottom pulls in sides both techniques contribute to curvature |
| 29 | Half Persian 3 Sheet 6 in 1 | 9/32", .063 stainless steel | used one row of 5/16", .080 at the top to pull it in a bit. |
| 32 | European 4 in 1 | 1/4", .078/.080 | used foldover method to solidify otherwise very floppy basket sides |
| 4 | European 4 in 1 (Snakeskin) | 3/16"SM, 5/16"LG, .063 | used foldover method, but basket sides are still rather floppy |
| 12 | European 6 in 1 | 5/16", .063 | used foldover method to solidify otherwise very floppy basket sides |
| 6 | European 6 in 1 | 7/32", .045 | used one row near top on outside to tighten |
| 1, 3, 5 | European 6 in 1 | 9/32", .063 | used tightening trim |
| 25 | European 8 in 1 | 17/64", .045 | basket bottom is very tight. trim only helps keep basket shape. sides are still quite loose. |
| 9 | Half Persian 3 Sheet 6 in 1 | 9/32", .057 | used tightening trim basket bottom invokes curvature & basket tightening |
| 18 | Three Quarters Persian | 5/16", .063 | used one tightening row at top of sides (9/32") basket bottom invokes curvature & basket tightening |
| 2 | Half Persian 3 Sheet 6 in 1 | 5/16", .063 | used tightening trim |
| 20 | Half Persian 3 Sheet 6 in 1 | 5/16", .063 | used tightening rows at top of basket sides (9/32" (x2), 1/4", 7/32 (.045)) basket bottom invokes curvature & basket tightening basket is still slightly loose |