You should have a good sized pile of closed links before you begin. Start by opening one link by gripping each side of the link with the pliers and twisting such that the ends of the link are separated from one another enough to allow links to be placed onto it. Place four closed links onto this one link and close it. Then open another link and thread it through two of the links which you added to the first link. Add two more closed links to that and close it. Repeat until you have a 2-1-2-1-2 chain as long as you like (a 2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2 is shown in the animation).
Now comes the tricky part. Lay the chain out on a flat surface as shown in the first frame of the animation. Open a link and place it through the two lowermost, leftmost links. Add two closed links to the open link and close it, then lay your work out as shown in the last frame.
Open a link and insert it into the weave as shown. Then add a closed link to the open link, close it, and lay the work out.
The pattern should now be apparent - Add an open link, add a closed link to it, and close the open link.
Repeat until you get to the end of the row
Congrats! You've made Maille! You can now continue adding rows, until your piece is as big as you require. But, what, you ask, do you do if you need to expand your sheet of maille in the other direction? Well, turn your piece of maille 90 degrees and click here to learn the vertical construction of 4 in 1 european chainmail.