Viking Knit is a technique for making wire wrap jewelry that is reminiscent of chainmail. Chainmail was a type of protective clothing worn by soldiers in battle in the Middle Ages. It consisted of metal links which formed shirts, hoods, and leggings. This type of armour protected the soldier from cuts although not so much from crushing blows. The earliest known chainmail was worn by Persian soldiers in the 4th Century B.C. Later the ancient Celts used it extensively. The Romans learned about it from the Celts when they fought wars with the Celts in the early centuries A.D. Other European people, including the Vikings, soon adopted it. It remained popular in Europe throughout the Middle Ages until more advanced weapons made it less useful. In recent years jewelry artists adapted the method of attaching links together in making wire wrap jewelry and named this technique Viking Knit.
Examples of handcrafted Viking Knit wire wrap bracelets can be seen at Viking Knit Gallery
The Beadshaper teaches classes on how to make Bead Crochet jewelry. See Beadshaper Classes for details.
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