5.) The basic unit
After you have made a sufficient number of open links, you should now be prepared to start knitting them into maille.
The first thing you will want to do is create a bunch of basic units. The basic unit is the smallest portion of any maille project that still retains the style being used to create the piece. For the purposes of this primer, I will show the most common basic unit, the European 4-in-1 style. Later instructions will show other, more complicated and esoteric styles.
Begin by using the channel-lock and needle nose pliers to bend the (slightly bent) cut links straight and closed.
After you've made four of these closed links, take a cut link and bend it slightly open. Slide the four closed links into the one open one.
