Vanilla
Overview
Recently, while searching M.A.I.L. for new weaves to try, I found Vanilla by Corvus. This weave is from the European and Rhino weave families. It was derived from the Charm Linkage and Charmed weaves, and visually resembles the Orchid weave; personally, it reminds me of a sideways version of Rhinos Snorting Drano. If you want to make this yourself, I recommend this tutorial by Flutter.
Materials
For the sample piece showcased in this post, I made the rings myself. I used 16 SWG Bright Aluminum wire from The Ring Lord coiled around a 5mm mandrel (for an approximate ID of 5mm) for an AR of 3.1.
Notes
Vanilla is a weave that is not difficult to understand, but I found it somewhat complex to create, primarily due to working with small, low AR rings. A prominent feature of the weave is its center line, formed by the eye-orbiting and unit-joining rings. Maintaining alignment along this center line can be tricky, and when misaligned, the weave tends to look messy. However, when the center line is consistent, the weave looks quite aesthetically pleasing. Due to its thickness and flat-sided design, this chain weave is particularly well-suited for chokers, bracelets, necklaces, or cords. To help maintain alignment, I recommend keeping a toothpick, cue card, or other thin tool on hand to nudge rings back into place when needed. Additionally, moving the side-facing wings away from a bad joint can make it easier to correct. The weave is named for its connection to the Orchid weave, likely because vanilla comes from a subset of orchid species. While Vanilla can look good, the difficulty in creating and maintaining its best appearance means I only recommend it if you have the time and patience to adjust the center line regularly or are willing to experiment with different ring sizes or orientations to lock the structure in place.
Pictures
Flat
Flat: Angled
Flat: Profile
Vertical
Vertical: Profile
In Process
