Six Way Caning
First I start by finding the centre hole in the front/back. I then visually plan how the caning will run, however this will probably change as I continue as caning often becomes visually aesthetic rather than set in formality. Not all seats are symmetrical so if the piece has more holes on the front rail, than the back rail then this will necessitate cane being run to a hole in the side rail with the cane being aligned parallel with a vertical cane next to it. Next I decide on the cane to be used, a good reference is the cane you removed however this may have been re-caned at some point so I currently use 2mm for verticals and horizontals and 3mm for the diagonals, however on the blind caning I have utilised 2mm for all, again visual thing and as its a back strength was not a requirement. I've also found giving the cane a 4 minute dunk in a bowl of water makes it less brittle whilst handling, however the professionals use it dry, maybe one day.
Step 1.
Having assessed the seat I begin in the back rail in the hole next to the top left or centre hole, either way I peg it in place before I feed cane down its corresponding hole in bottom rail, again a 2nd peg to hold tension. Cane is now brought up through next hole in front rail and a 3rd peg put in hole holding tension. Cane then goes over frame and down through next hole, take out 2nd peg to hold tension. Pegs 2 and 3 are moved along unless they hold a loose end. Complete the run to other side, usually it will take more than 1 cane to complete the run and if starting in centre then you will complete half so will need to run again going left.
Step 2.
Using the same principles I run the cane from side to side as in Step 1 over the cane previously laid, again leaving the corner holes as before as these will be used for the diagonals in Step 5 and Step 6.
Step 3.
The second vertical cane is run on top of the first vertical and horizontal cane. Again I begin as in Step 1 but keeping the second vertical cane on top of and to the right of, the first vertical cane. If you come to a peg that is holding an end, temporarily remove it to insert cane and refit.
Step 4.
The second side to side run, however weaving begins here. I start with cane coming from hole in the upper left hole, again leaving the corner holes as before and cane should lie below the cane laid in Step 2 horizontal cane. Weave cane under the first vertical cane laid in Step 1 and over vertical cane in Step 3.
Tip - Weave the cane "with the grain", so that the "cane eyes" will not catch. You can tell by running the cane through your finger and nail if it catches that is the reverse side so pull the cane from the other direction.
Step 5.
This is the first diagonal weave, and based on my previous experience I use the 3mm cane, however blind caning I use the same dimension as vertical/horizontals. I start the weave by first pegging the cane in the back left corner hole and weaving down over the horizontal and then under the vertical pair to the front rail, there is no requirement to start in the corner I just find it easier. Starting in the corner on a true square will result in finishing in the opposite corner, this will require ending the run and to begin a new one in that same hole, so there will be two diagonals in the corner hole, commonly called a "fish head". I have found to date allot of seats are not a square so you don't end up in the opposite corner but down a hole somewhere along the front rail, if so I then bring cane up the hole to right and again ensuring I go under verticals, over horizontals until reaching corner hole again, this then gives the "fish head". Seats that do not have a corner hole I create the "fish head" in both holes each side of the corner. Once I am happy with the run, which can be a bit trial and error as the edges should finish with crosses sometimes called "kisses" however if its not a true square then you will need to decide what holes to miss on one side and double up "fish heads" on the other side to balance the weave. Once first diagonal complete I move on to Step 6.
Step 6.
Starting from upper right corner hole to lower left front hole I weave over the horizontal then under the vertical canes, his is basically opposite of Step 5. Once complete its then onto the cane finishing stage.
