Bragging on Zach for a moment!

So, I'm not the only one in the family with a geeky, crafty hobby!  Zach has started learning chain mail!

He took a class back when he was a kid in Boy Scouts and had always been kinda interested in it.  So, in looking for something to keep himself busy and to learn something new, he decided to pick it up again.  There are TONS of good references online, lots of videos on YouTube and so forth.  He's been burying himself in the computer from time to time learning a new weave (I still call them "stitches") or browsing the galleries on some of the bigger sites looking at inspiration projects.  

And there are some absolutely lovely pieces!  People work more with jewelry-sized projects nowadays.  Smaller, more portable, less supply costs, and (let's face it) how many people wear chain mail shirts nowadays?  Still, there are some very impressive pieces, both in the costume category and in the jewelry one.

The best moment so far, though?  We were getting ready to wind down for the night, close up downstairs and head up to bed.  Zach says, "Just let my finish this row."  Both of us are quiet as it sinks in that he has just used one of the classic knitter's lines that he teases me about!  One of those, "who's going to mention it first?" sort of moments.  Classic :)

And in all this practice, he has finished his first project!  He's working on a shirt as a long-term project, but from time to time will put together swatches to play with other patterns.  He was learning a new weave and was realizing that it was almost as long as a bracelet for me.  So, he measured my wrist and worked a length long enough to fit me.  I got to choose out a clasp and a charm to make it more decorative.  I love it!  

 

For technical details, it's 17-gauge steel wire worked in 3-in-1 Half Persian Weave.  With a copper clasp and charm, it's a lovely contrast of metals.  I am quite fond :)