Create A Perfectly Sized Rainbow Rubber Barrel Bracelet

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I Did The Work So You Don’t Have To :)

Rubr-barrel-ring-countsI recently sent a care package to a friend and wanted to include something for her 4-year-old daughter. Upon discovering that she likes “all the colors” I was like, heck yeah, I can do ALL the colors! I decided to go with the Rubber Barrel weave because I didn’t want the piece to use a clasp, and I wanted there to be a little wiggle room size-wise since I didn’t know her exact wrist length. Stretchy rubber would be perfect.

Once I made the piece, I decided to do some calculations that might be useful for other weavers looking to create a seamless rainbow bracelet.

If you’re keen to tackle your own rubber barrel, you can purchase rubber rainbow kits and the Rubber Barrel tutorial in the B3 Etsy shop (each kit is enough for 2-3 bracelets).

Rainbow Barrel Measurements

In the images and chart below, 1 unit of Rainbow Barrel consists of 3 metal rings + 2 rubber rings of the same color. Additionally, there is 1 connector ring (in grey) per unit.

Ring size is L16 – 16 SWG (1.6 mm) 1/4″ (6.4 mm) AR approx 4.2

rubr-rainbow-1-unitFor a super small bracelet, you’ll need 12 units. One option is to use 6 colors and repeat each color twice:

RUBR-rainbow-toddler

For a small size bracelet, you’ll need 16 units. One option is to use 8 colors, and repeat each color twice.

RUBR-rainbow-small

Here is a complete chart for bracelets from toddler size (4.5″) all the way up to an anklet (10″). The chart includes units that are divisible by at least 2.

Remember that rubber stretches. If you’re trying to fit a 6″ wrist, you can opt for 15 units for a snug fit, or 16—or more!—units for a loose fit.

SIZING TIP: If you determine that the perfect number of units is not on this chart, feel free to adjust the number of colors to create your own pattern. For example, if you’d like 17 units, you could repeat 6 colors twice, and then omit one of those colors on the final rep (6 + 6+ 5 = 17). Or you could use 8 colors followed by 9 colors (8 + 9 = 17). Both of those options will give you 17 units while still maintaining the rainbow illusion—trust me, most people will not notice the missing color in the one rep, especially since when the bracelet is worn, only half of the piece is visible, and the other half is typically “hidden” on the other side of your wrist.

rubber-barrel-ring-counts

The Rubber Rainbow kits in the B3 Etsy shop have 8 colors of coordinating rubber and anodized aluminum jump rings, allowing you to create any of the rainbow patterns outlined in the chart above.

Be sure to check out the other posts in this series, all of which use the same ring size:
Rubber Half Persian 3-in-1
Rubber European 4-in-1

Happy weaving!

 

 

 

 

Color + Chainmaille Webinar Now Available

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Join Rebeca Mojica On A Color Journey!

sunset-longIf you missed my virtual classs at the Chain Link Up Conference 2021, you’ll be happy to know I’ve re-recorded the videos, updated the PDFs, and bundled everything together as a webinar. Once you purchase the class, you’ll have access to the videos on Vimeo and can watch them right away, or download them to view later, even if you’re offline.

You’ll receive 5 PDFs:
1 – Interactive PDF with a link and password to the full video workshop (4 jam-packed videos, totaling about 60 minutes in length), plus additional resources for color inspiration
2 – Lecture notes and images
3 – Materials comparison chart
4 – Color palettes to inspire
5 – Coloring paper for a few basic chainmaille weaves

cover-for-listingBuyNow

 

 

 

Just One Ring JPL – Updated for 2021

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Necklace & Earrings Set in Aluminum + 2 Colors

Along with the stainless square-wire Just One Ring bracelets, the original Just One Ring JPL kit has been updated for 2021. I’ve adjusted a few ring sizes, but the project is essentially the same as the prior kit release. If you know how to weave Jens Pind, you should be able to complete these projects by following the diagrams below.

J1RJPL-diagramthumbnailDownload a PDF with the earring and necklace diagrams conveniently shown on a single page.

Then grab your J1R JPL necklace & earring kits in the B3 Etsy shop. I’ll be putting together another colorway for this project at some point, so if you have any requests, please let me know. (It’s a bit tricky doing colors in this piece, due to needing to match dye lots across so many different sizes and limited color options for the largest rings … but there are still several beautiful color possibilities.)

 

TIP: Weave about an inch of standard Jens Pind 3 in 16 SWG, and then transition to Just One Ring. Working from a starter makes it easy to add the larger Just 1 Ring links in the proper spots.

Just1RingJPL-earring-diagram

 

diagram-J1RJPL-necklace copy

 

 

 

 

Jens Pind Variations in Stainless Steel

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Just One Ring JPL

One of the classic chainmaille weaves, Jens Pind Linkage is also known as JPL or JPL3; the 3 indicates how many planes of rings there are. (More difficult variations of Jens Pind are JPL5 and JPL7.)

If you’re ready to level up your JPL3, try these variations, known as Just One Ring JPL. The versions shown here use square wire stainless steel links. To create Just One Ring, weave exactly as you would Jens Pind. However, use fluctuating ring sizes to give the pattern an entirely new look. See the project diagrams below to see what I mean.

Purchase stainless steel J1R JPL or anodized aluminum J1R JPL bracelet kits in the B3 Etsy shop, and be sure to check out the necklace project, too.

 

diagram-J1RJPL-SQSSTL-Brac-standard

 

diagram-J1RJPL-SQSSTL-Brac-ripplev2

 

 

 

 

We Have A Winner!

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Plus, Check Out These Puzzle Companies & Your Favorite Colors

puzzle-collageThank you to everyone who entered the puzzle giveaway. Congrats to Larisa B of California for winning the puzzle; I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

I had a great time reading everyone’s survey comments. First off, thank you so much for all the well wishes. I am very touched by your thoughtfulness and kindness. My mom and I are doing well, staying safe and keeping our spirits up.

I loved hearing about all the cat “helpers” you have, and the kids/parents/in-laws in your life who are always eager to snag your chainmaille as soon as you’re finished weaving it. Thanks for sharing your stories!

I wanted to give a few shout-outs to these companies and apps, all of which were mentioned by multiple people:

I Love Hue

ilovehue

Jidigi

jidigi
  • Jigsaw Planet
  • jigsawplanet
  • Magic Puzzle Company
magic-puzzle

It looks like I’ll have plenty to keep me occupied until the world opens up again. Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions!

So … You Like Puzzles & The Color Blue

One of the survey questions asked how much you liked puzzles. I figured the responses would be weighted toward yes, since, you know, it’s a puzzle giveaway after all. And, yep, that checks out:

Screen Shot 2021-01-21 at 10.54.20 AM

Finally, I asked what your favorite color were. Based on kit purchases, I had an inkling about the results, but didn’t expect SUCH a heavy weighting toward one color in particular. In this word cloud, you can see the colors mentioned; the larger the font size, the more times it was mentioned.

Favorite ColorsI guess I’m glad our shop name is the Blue Buddha Boutique and not Brown Buddha Boutique? 😂

Thanks again for your responses. I look forward to doing another giveaway soon!