How do I Make Fake Theatrical Chainmail?

Period theatrical shows usually require the use of period costumes. If knights in armor are featured, their costumes typically will incorporate chain mail. Actual chain mail is very heavy, and even if it is made of lightweight plastic instead of metal, it is incredibly labor intensive. An old theater trick is to modify a knitted garment. This doesn't look very realistic close up, but from a distance it works, and it is very time and cost effective. This trick is often used in films, including "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, for background characters.

Things You'll Need

• Rough-knitted sweater
• Silver spray paint
• Black paint
• Paintbrush
• Paper towels

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Spray paint the sweater silver. Depending on how absorbent the material is, you may need a few coats.

   • 2

     Wait while each coat dries before applying the next, and make sure the entire sweater is dry before moving on the the next step.

   • 3

     Drybrush some black onto the sweater in any areas you want the chainmail to look dull and scuffed. To do this, get some black paint onto the paintbrush, then brush most of it back off on a paper towel before painting the sweater.