Chainmaille Dice Pouch

This was another odds and ends project.  A few years back, I bought some chainmaille links on eBay to play around with and make some jewellery and such.  Well, I did make some lovely pieces, and found, once those were done, that I had some links left over.  But there weren't enough to make a necklace or bracelet or anything.

But there were enough to make a tiny bag.  And so I did.  I do not recall the guage or size of the rings, though 5/8 inch sounds right.  They are lightweight aluminum, and not my finest work, but not bad for something made at 2 am in a UConn dorm room with a couple of pairs of dollar store pliers.  I got some real pretty blisters with those babies.

General note of crafting advise - unless working with very delicate materials, for most projects that need pliers (ie jewelery), it is cheaper to get them from the hardware store or even a place like Target.  They are the same as the ones in the craft store, just not in frilly pink packaging.  If you need silicone tip pliers or something, you might have to suck it up and shop at the craft store, though.

Anyway, the weave I used is a European 6-1, with 9 rows, and then some connecting pieces at the bottom.  It was not a true circular bottom, by any means, but is tight and fairly neat.  If anyone is interested in learning chainmaille, it is really easier then it looks.  There are many excellent tutorials out there.  Perhaps when I get a bit of motivation I will post some directions and patterns for items myself. 

This pouch is only about 1.5 by 2 inches, and strung at the top with a scrap of fuzzy fabric that has held up surprisingly well.  I am (again) a huge dork, and use mine to carry dice for gaming.  Confession time: I had to go out and buy special tiny dice so the whole set would fit in the bag...and it was absolutely worth it. 

For the less D&D minded, it could potentially be strung on a necklace, or used to carry any small items - change, marbles, a spare key, I don't know, I'm just throwing things out there!

If you don't mind some hand cramps, this is a great little project.  The supplies may be a bit tough to get ahold of, though eBay and many websites have a wide selection of all shapes, sizes, colors, etc of maille rings.  Some craft store chains such as AC Moore are now carrying craft-weight rings as well, in many fun colors.  I do not personally find them a great deal, or a fantastic product.  They bend and scratch the color off VERY easily, as well as dent.  I am afraid they would not hold up well over time.  They do make great color accents for pieces, though!  For my money, I would say go with a reputable online retailer.