Supplies for Chair Caning

Cane

• Chair caning requires two types of cane--weaving and binding cane. Weaving cane, used to make the chair seat, varies in thickness from 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 millimeters. The size and spacing of the holes that border the chair seat's frame determine the size of the weaving cane, according to the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. Weaving cane typically comes in 1,000-foot coils, called hanks, though some retailers offer partial hanks. Binding cane, which is stiffer and thicker than weaving cane, is sometimes called binder or border cane. Binding cane borders the woven chair seat and covers the holes around the edge of the seat frame. Binding cane sizes range from 4 to 6 millimeters. It's sold in full or 500-foot half hanks.

Pegs or Dowels

• Wooden pegs and pointed-end dowels have several uses in chair caning. When weaving a chair seat, you start by pushing strands of cane through the holes in the seat frame. Pegs or dowels hold the strands in place until they're knotted later in the weaving process. Pegs or dowels are also used to mark pairs of holes, particularly for diagonal weaving, according to Wayne Sharp's Minnesota State University tutorial. Chair caners sometimes use shaped and sized dowels to hold the binding cane in place on square chair seat corners.

Soaking Supplies

• You must soak cane in warm water for five to 20 minutes before weaving with it. Soaking makes it flexible, so you'll need a bucket or other soaking container. Include a sponge to moisten the cane if it dries while you're weaving. Sharp recommends coiling individual strands and securing them with clothespins. He also suggests adding glycerin to the water, so the cane slides easily during weaving.

Tools

• Basic chair-caning tools include an awl or ice pick, scissors or needle-nose side cutters, a knife and a straight edge. Use the awl or ice pick for cleaning debris from holes in the chair frame and for poking new cane through the holes. You'll need the scissors or needle-nose side cutters for cutting the new cane into strands and for clipping the excess from the chair. Use the knife for removing the old chair seat--a serrated blade works best. The straight edge makes it easier to identify which holes are pairs that keep your strands straight.