How to Make the Open Round Jump Ring Chain

STEP 1: The Starter

The easiest way to assemble this chain is to make a starter. You need a dowel (3/16" diameter) a piece of masking tape and (3) 18ga 4.0mm ID Jump Rings.

Close the three jump rings.

STEP 2: Stick 'Em

Press the 3 closed jump rings into the sticky side of the masking tape. Make sure at least half of the jump ring is visible above the tape.

STEP 3: The Roll

Attach the dowel to the edge of the tape. Make the end of the dowel equal with the tape, and roll the dowel so that the tape and jump rings are packed inside.

STEP 4: Looks Like This...

Press the tape firmly against the dowel and jump rings to secure them. Your finished starter should allow you to add jump rings to the starter jump rings.

STEP 5: The Triangle

The jump rings on the starter should form a triangle. You will be adding new jump rings, one each, the the corners of the triangle where the jump rings meet.

STEP 6: Starter Complete

Optional: Hang the starter from your work lamp or third hand to give you access to the chain.

STEP 7: Pair #1 - first new ring

Locate the point where two rings on the starter are touching. Open a jump ring and attach it to that pair.

STEP 8: Pair #2 - second new ring

Rotate the work to the next point where two rings from the starter touch. Add a new jump ring.

STEP 9: Pair #3 - last new ring

Turn your work and find the point where the rings from the starter touch, and add a new jump ring.

Row Complete!

STEP 10: Add a new row - new ring #1

You are going to repeat the steps 7, 8 & 9. But lets continue following the chain to reinforce what it should look like

STEP 11: Then ring #2, then ring #3

Find the point the the rings touch and add a new ring. Each row requires 3 new rings.

Note: The first several rows can be tricky. Make sure that your new ring only connect two rings and does not grab the previous row.

STEP 12: Continue the Chain

As you chain progresses in length, it will stabilize and you will no longer need the dowel. I find it easier to keep track of the chain by making small piles of three rings.

STEP 13: Add the clasp

Adding the clasp is a little tricky in that you need to reduce the chain from three rings, to two, then to one. There will be a side of the chain that will be left out, but it should not be very visible.