In this blog, I will look at popular styles, preparing the cane to use, maintaining your cane chair, materials needed, and other seat options. Van Dyke’s Restorers is one of the country’s leading suppliers of cane products and I will introduce you to some of the products we offer.

Note: this is not intended as a How To on chair caning. There are many free videos and patterns available on line.

Sizes of Cane:

Before beginning your chair caning project, it is necessary to determine the size of caning material you will need based on hole size and distance between holes. Here is a helpful sizing chart.

Common – Approximate size of 5/16″ drilled holes. Distance apart 3/4″ to 7/8″ center to center.

Medium – Approximate size of 1/4″‚ drilled holes. Distance apart 5/8″ to 3/4″ center to center.

Fine – Approximate size of 3/16″ drilled holes. Distance apart 1/2″ to 9/16″ center to center.

Super Fine – Approximate size of 3/16″ drilled holes. Distance apart 7/16″ to 1/2″ center to center.

The 7-Step Method

Hole-to-hole stand or hand caning uses long strands of spline that can be woven to create beautiful and strong designs. The octagon (8-sided) pattern is the most common pattern in traditional seat weaving. Often referred to as the 7-Step Method, it is quite laborious and time consuming, but makes a strong a durable seat when completed.

The 7 steps are:

Step 1 – 1st Vertical Strands – Back to FrontChair Caning Weave

Step 2 – 1st Horizontal Strands – Side to Side

Step 3 – 2nd Vertical Strands

Step 4 – 2nd Horizontal Strands

Step 5 – 1st Diagonal Cane Strands (Upper Back Right to Lower Front Left)

Step 6 – 2nd Diagonal Cane Strand (Upper Back Left to Lower Front Right)

Step 7 – Border – Weaving the Cane Binder Cord Strand

As noted in the introduction, there are a number of YouTube videos that demonstrate this method and many other patterns. Other popular patterns include Spider Web, Daisy and Button, Shaker, Wicker, Danish Cord, and Diamond.

Preparing Natural Weaving Cane

Natural cane is frequently quite dry and brittle before soaking. For best results handle with care to avoid spitting and cracking.

Pull one of the strands of cane from the looped end of the hank, near where it is tied.

As you pull, shake the hank so that the cane will not tangle or tear. Roll the strand, right side out, to fit in a 5 or 6 inch bowl. Fasten the ends with a clamp clothes pin. Fill the bowl with a 10% solution of glycerin, about 1 1/2 tablespoons of glycerin to 1 cup of water. Soak the roll of cane in the solution. Warm water hastens the process. This solution helps to prevent the cane from drying out.

Let the cane soak for about 20 minutes or until it is soft and pliable. Take from the bowl and wipe off excess water with your fingers or a cloth. Put another strand into soak while you work. Please Note, these preparation guidelines DO NOT apply to any artificial fiber or plastic weaving materials which should NOT be wet.

Cane Finishing and Care

Cane, as used in chair seats today, is Chair Weave Designa natural product stripped from the outer bark of the rattan palm and requires periodic care to maintain its durability and appearance. To prevent it from becoming dry and brittle, cane should never be placed in direct sunlight or subjected to extreme heat sources or areas with low humidity. Cane seats, if not too badly stretched, may be tightened by lightly misting with water both from the top and the bottom and allowed to dry slowly overnight.

Although cane will naturally darken slightly with age, some people prefer to hasten the process or change the color entirely. Deeper colors may be obtained by using aniline dyes. Traditionally, cane seats are left unfinished to allow the cane to absorb moisture and remain flexible. Should you choose to apply finish to your seats however, we recommend a well-thinned coat of polyurethane or shellac.

Rush is a man-made product that requires somewhat different care. After installation, it should never come in contact with water or other liquids. It is a good idea to seal Rush with a light coat of thinned varnish, shellac or polyurethane. Stains or dyes may be added to the finish coat if a different color is desired.

Cane Webbing Kit

In addition to various styles of spline and seating, Van Dyke’s Restorers offers a Cane Webbing Kit that contains an 18-in. x 20-in. piece of 1/2-inch cane webbing, 3 sizes of spline, wood wedges, and instruction book.

The kit is ideal for those trying chair caning for the first time or for seasoned caners.

Pressed caning, on the other hand, where pre-woven cane is pressed into a groove in the chair, is faster and simpler and gives DIY’ers and first-time caners professional results in a little over an hour.

Other Seat Options

Van Dyke’s also offers a great selection of leather and fiber chair seats in classic patterns.

Choose from Basketweave, Grape, Circular, Star, Dove, and Scroll patterns.

Van Dyke’s also has tools needed for caning including a Tightener Tool, Awl, Caning Needle, Groove Cleaner, and Wetting and Softening Agent.