White pine or any other easily whittled, straight-grained wood can be used. Take a stick of any length and from 1" to 2" square. If very small the whittling is more difficult.

Fig. 335.

Fig. 336.

Fig. 337.

Before beginning work read carefully Marking, Rule, Knife, in Part V.

Mark as shown (Fig. 335), and remove the wood at the corners, forming four rabbets, giving a section of the piece the shape of a Greek cross (Fig. 336). Next lay out the links, alternating as shown in Fig. 337, and allowing space enough so that they can have some play when cut. By notching in from the outside and finally cutting away the wood within the links, they can be separated. The whittling must be done carefully, of course, and wholly by cutting with a sharp knife. If you try to do it by prying or twisting with the blade, you will be likely to split the wood. Finally, round and smooth the links (Fig. 338), doing as much of this as you can before the links are separated. Use fine sandpaper (see Sandpaper}. Leave the chain in the natural wood or oil and shellac (see Finishing).

Fig. 338.