It can be interesting to learn the history of a lifetime habit or a hobby. Recently, I have been caning an antique rocking chair. Its back and seat need to be caned. I enjoy the weaving and the beauty I see when the project is done.
I learned caning when we still had babies growing up in our house. From my husband’s parents, we inherited a high chair that my husband’s grandfather sat in as a child. The seat was covered with a piece of burlap stapled to its wooden frame. When we received it for our firstborn’s use, it was painted bright red and had a colorful foam cushion on it.
Once our first-born outgrew the chair, my husband removed the old burlap, stripped off the paint and freshened up some the chair’s joints with new wood glue. With the burlap gone, we discovered neatly drilled holes meant for caning to be displayed. I knew right then that fashioning a new cane seat was a job I wanted to do.
My appreciation for caning has its roots in my younger years when I was still living with my parents. Mom and Dad’s livelihood was caring for the elderly in our very own nursing home. One gentleman, a widower, came to live with us. He was a tall, lanky man with a gray trimmed, pointed beard, a goatee, clinging to the tip of his chin.
His name was Rudy, but we kids called him “Uncle Sam.” You see, Uncle Sam’s wife had made him a unique suit which he gaily wore in many northland parades. The red and white striped trousers, the blue jacket and very tall, red, white, and blue top hat made him a living picture our American icon, “Uncle Sam.”
One afternoon while we were helping him move out of his home, Uncle Sam showed us around his house. He displayed many quilt squares his dear wife had made. He proudly exhibited her quilting work.
Then he turned to introduce us to his hobby. He enjoyed caning. The chairs he worked on were lovely! Uncle Sam certainly impressed my mom, an antique buff. Even as a youngster, I found the detail beautiful and interesting.
Needless to say, those memories from days gone by gave me the foundational desire to learn that old craft. So I found a cane supplier and ordered some cane and supplies. The small baby chair seat was charitably a small project from which to learn.
Our other three children and many grandchildren have used that high chair with the caned seat. Having it usable in its original condition makes it a more meaningful addition around our table when our kids and grandkids come to visit.
Besides being beautiful, caning can be a calming activity. Working with the hands, as in weaving cane, can be somewhat therapeutic. One’s mind can focus on the job at hand and shut out other distractions.
My current undertaking is nearly complete. The design I have chosen requires six layers of cane. I am soon to begin the sixth layer. Binding cane will trim up the edges, and I can put this hobby aside.