Pop can tab chainmail

[jackrocks]

I'm wondering if anyone here has successfully made chainmail from pop can tabs. I see all kinds of tutorials (so has my son, and now he wants to be a knight!).

I see so many different ways to do it, I'm wondering which is the easiest, and which turned out the best. Also, I want to make sure he isn't getting scratched up.

So....how did you do it?

[PollyPoPo]

I have not made any myself, but have seen it done.  Looked good and very light weight.  Of course, it does not look like the real stuff.

Go for it.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

One of the Forum members makes pop top bodices and hats.   She has posted pictures of she and her mom wearing it.  She winds fabric between the rings.  I can't remember her name, but her work is quite good.  Polly Pro is correct.  It doesn't look anything like the real thing, but it is different and I think it's very creative.

[isabelladangelo]

How old is your son?  Although soda tabs might sound like a good idea - it is a LOT of work.  You need to collect all the tabs (you'll need upwards of a 1000 in case of mistakes, to cover everything, and for sleeves) and rework the tabs so they are ring shaped.   It's a lot of work before you can even start on the maille itself!   

For little ones, I would suggest just using something shiny (silver sequenced fabric or spray paint a loose knit sweater silver) and putting a tabard over it. 

For older ones, you can buy chainmaille without costing an arm and a leg that is already made.  However, you can just get a pair of plyers, a very big bag of jump rings, and braid the rings yourself.   It will take FOREVER but it can be done. 

[jackrocks]

My son, Brennan, is 11, and very petite.

I realize it doesn't look "real", but he thinks it looks cool, and it seems like a fun project we could do together. I try to let them lead with projects they are interested in.

We would just be doing the "shirt" part, I think, as I can crochet a pretty cool knight hat.

He has a bunch of cousins who are saving pop can and energy drink tabs for him. He's got a big coffee jar in the kitchen he's been filling up.

If we can't get it done before Halloween, we will just keep working at it and have it ready for Ren Faire next spring.

I have no idea what "jump rings" are.

[isabelladangelo]

Jump rings are what real chainmaille is made out of. 

You will have to refashion the soda tabs.  If you want to go with it, that's cool; but, at the same time, it is not an easy project and it can be considerably harder than just using jump rings in the same manner.  Be prepared.

[Sitara]

I've made some. Just make sure you use a pair of needle nose to bend over the sharp part left from removing them from the can. I do the woven on strips of old T-shirt method since the rows overlap, you do need a lot of tabs. Quite light, comfortable, and easy.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

My son, Brennan, is 11, and very petite.

I realize it doesn't look "real", but he thinks it looks cool, and it seems like a fun project we could do together. I try to let them lead with projects they are interested in.

We would just be doing the "shirt" part, I think, as I can crochet a pretty cool knight hat.

He has a bunch of cousins who are saving pop can and energy drink tabs for him. He's got a big coffee jar in the kitchen he's been filling up.

If we can't get it done before Halloween, we will just keep working at it and have it ready for Ren Faire next spring.

I have no idea what "jump rings" are.

Go for it!

I think this project sounds awesome!  How great it is that you and your son have a common interest, and that he is looking forward to making his own garb.   

[Rowan MacD]

  Could you take rings and perhaps weave silver ribbon through them?  I don't know how that would work for pop tabs.  I think it would be easier to do than pliers and rings for young fingers.
  Making maile is hard work.

[jackrocks]

I've made some. Just make sure you use a pair of needle nose to bend over the sharp part left from removing them from the can. I do the woven on strips of old T-shirt method since the rows overlap, you do need a lot of tabs. Quite light, comfortable, and easy.

could you explain this method? Or point me to a tutorial? I've seen tutorials for cutting and bending the tabs, and I've seen them for weaving with floral wire, but not tshirts....I like this idea! Sounds very cool!

[jackrocks]

  Could you take rings and perhaps weave silver ribbon through them?  I don't know how that would work for pop tabs.  I think it would be easier to do than pliers and rings for young fingers.
  Making maile is hard work.

It works....I've seen them! he likes the idea because it is unique.

[Sitara]

I've made some. Just make sure you use a pair of needle nose to bend over the sharp part left from removing them from the can. I do the woven on strips of old T-shirt method since the rows overlap, you do need a lot of tabs. Quite light, comfortable, and easy.

could you explain this method? Or point me to a tutorial? I've seen tutorials for cutting and bending the tabs, and I've seen them for weaving with floral wire, but not tshirts....I like this idea! Sounds very cool!

I am on my phone and don't have access to my computer at the moment, but will do so once I get home tonight.

[Rowan MacD]

  Could you take rings and perhaps weave silver ribbon through them?  I don't know how that would work for pop tabs.  I think it would be easier to do than pliers and rings for young fingers.
  Making maile is hard work.

It works....I've seen them! he likes the idea because it is unique.

http://www.ehow.com/info_8520692_homemade-crafts-pop-tabs.html   someplace to start....

[EltonJ]

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but can't you make scale armor out of pop can tabs as well?

[captmarga]

See, they are wiring it together.  With the old pull-rings, you had a self-joining piece.  LOL!

Marga