I do what???? Trichinopoly. I admit it sounds like a board game or a disease, but it’s not. The ancient art of weaving a single thread or wire into a rounded chain on a dowel. This is what Viking knit is. Doing some research, since I wanted to know just how old this technique is, I came across a wonderful article that explained exactly that. Thousands of years old, this pattern has been found using textiles in ancient Egyptian tombs and no doubt goes back to the start of textile weaving. Different from a ring in chain method used to create chain, such as for a Pandora bracelet, rings squished to create the end result, Trichinopoly is the actual weaving on a dowel. Woohoo, that’s exactly what I do. Chain maille, so many patterns, such awesome results, also done for practical use such as armor, now for jewelry, creates lovely pieces for everyday wear, Renaissance faires, and more. Egyptian coil, swirls, this pattern was found in the tomb of an ancient princess, done in gold. Oh my! I may have been one of Pharaohs’ jewelers in a previous life. They did worship felines, smart people. Wire wrapping and weaving, so much to learn, and so accommodating to just about any design I would like to create. In the past year I’ve been able to concentrate on these techniques, my shop originally was exclusively strung, beaded on jewelry wire, a good starting point for me, but I always had in the back of my mind, there is the chance for breakage, no matter how well I’ve strung, crimped, or secured the wire. My answer was to go to wire linking, will take a mighty force to break those. I have decided to continue with this. I want to keep these ancient jewelry techniques alive and kicking, and now with so much great wire out there, in so many beautiful colors, I can give them an updated modern twist. Wish me luck on this journey, and keep an eye out for new listings, I’m enjoying making each and every one.
