Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 92.djvu/318

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cane runs over the first set of parallel cane. If the first strand of cane has not been used up in the operation, the remainder is used to begin the second step.

The third step is a repetition of the first two. The cane of the series runs over the first and second series and parallel with the first. As each strand is used up, bind the end by pulling it under a cane, crossing from one hole to another

��Popular Science Monthly

��underneath the frame

Then cut it off about

]4 in. from the cane.

This binding is clearly

illustrated. The loose

end at the starting

point is tied in the

same manner, and all

other ends should be

tied as soon as the

strand is used up.

Thus the use of many

pegs is avoided and

a neat binding is as- sured.

The actual weav- ing begins with the

fourth step. This

may be done entirely

by hand, but it is

slow work. A needle

should be used. Start

at a hole next to a

corner one on either

rail that has been

used but once, work- ing from the caned

side toward the open

frame. Pass over and

and under the strands

necessary to form the weave, turning the needle from side to side in order to catch the canes back of the point. When across, thread the needle with the strand and pull it through, being careful to avoid a twist. Pull the end down through the hole, pairing the canes. Pull the cane up through the next hole and start the needle from the opposite side of the frame. Repeat the first opera- tion, thus pairing another set of canes. Continue this operation until all the canes are paired and all holes used. Soak the woven cane with a wet sponge, and with two pegs straighten the strands of cane and force all pairs together. Small open pairs are thus formed over the area being caned. Unless the cane is soaked very thoroughly, it

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���. - Ill II II II II II I ,

��will prove rather difficult to pair the canes. The fifth step is the weaving of one set of diagonals. Start the strand at any corner hole. Use one hand over and one under the frame. As the worker becomes more skillful, he find it easier to give the cane a slight curve and work with both hands on the upper surface. Use an end of cane long enough for convenient handling, then pull the entire strand through the length of the frame, provided the area is not too great. Care must be taken to avoid twisting the cane. The cane runs very easily and par- tially under a cane at the corners of the squares, if the weav- ing is correctly done. This is plainly shown in the illustration. All the corners bind and the strand pulls with great difficulty if the cane is incorrectly woven. On parallel canes see that the canes run either over or under the pairs.

The sixth step is just the same as the fifth, the canes run- ning at right angles to the first diagonals. In this step and the preceding one, note that two strands run into the corner holes.

���Successive steps in placing the cane in the holes for making a bottom in a chair

��This holds true in all rectangular frames where a corner hole is bored. It permits the strands to run in as straight a line as possible. If it is necessary to turn abruptly to enter a hole it is obvious that an error has been made by the weaver.

In the seventh step a cane of the same size as that used for all the work is pulled up through a hole, over the binder-cane and down through- the same hole. A loop is thus formed and the binder secured. Pull taut, then enter the next hole, pull up the cane over the binder, then down, and so on. This operation may be repeated at every other hole, when the holes are close together. The two ends of the binder are finally over- lapped and carefully secured.

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