Chase Weave

Q: The pattern calls for the "weave and chase" method. Could someone explain this to me in simple terms?
A: Chase weave is weaving with two pieces so that one "chases" the other. This allows you to do a continuous weave without having to split a spoke. The weavers are traditionally the same size.

Taper each piece for about 6 inches. Start weaving with one piece on one of the long sides of the base. Stop when you get to the opposite side. Now start weaving with the other piece until you catch up with piece #1. You'll soon find what works best for you - weaving until you catch up to the other piece, keeping the pieces close together and weaving over a couple of spokes with each piece, or keeping the ends on opposite sides of the basket.

When you run out, it's ended the same way as a start/stop weaving. Overlap the ends of the old weaver and new weaver for 4 spokes, hiding both ends behind a spoke.

When you reach the top of the basket, taper each end again for about 6 inches and stop them about where you started. Now weave a rim row and use this to tuck your stakes over.

Weaving on Gourds Book

NEW BOOK - It's HERE! Weaving on Gourds by Marianne Barnes $19.99
Combine basket weaving & gourd art. 200 color images & step- by-step directions, five projects are presented for both the beginner & advanced weaver: Twine & Triple Twine Gourd, Twill Woven Gourd, a Gourd Basket with Four Rod Wale. Chapters cover preparing the gourd, weaving techniques, strengthening the rim & adding embellishments to your finished gourd. Six contributing artists provide tips & a gallery of completed works offers inspiration for creating your own designs. 112 pages Soft Cover
- Includes the Random Gourd Rim pattern by Angie Wagner

Winter Hours

The heat hasn't left Kempton yet but our winter hours begin with the 1st of October.
Monday noon - 5pm
Tues - Fri 9 - 5
Sat 9 - 1

How does changing the handle size affect the stakes?

Q: How do I know how long the stakes should be if the pattern calls for one size "D" handle but I want to use a different size?

A: Keep this rule in mind: the length of your stake is determined by adding the width of the base plus 2 times the height desired plus an extra 6" (for tucking the stakes).

If you are using a larger handle than in the pattern, make sure you add extra stakes both horizontally and vertically (otherwise your stakes will be too far apart and you will be left with a weak base and basket).

Special Reed Sale:

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~ Help us CELEBRATE! ~

Special Reed Sale:

In honor of our 35th anniversary (1975 - 2010) we are offering a 20% discount on 35 pounds of mixed sizes of reed. The reed must be of ONE type (ex: 35 coils, any size of flat reed, or flat oval reed, or round reed). Please note: This price for MIXED coils will NOT show up in your shopping cart but will be applied at invoicing and reflected on your shipping confirmation email.

The mixed 35 pound discount will last until December 30th. (If you are ordering 35 pounds of the SAME size, this is the usual discount and the discount WILL show in the online catalog.)

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What is Machine Cane?

Prewoven cane is known by quite a few names: press cane, loom cane, mat cane, sheet cane, machine cane, cane mesh, cane webbing, etc.

It got the name machine cane because it is woven on a loom, a "machine" vs. being woven by hand onto the chair seat. A huge misconception is that prewoven cane is "made by a machine", this is not true at all.

Rolls of prewoven came are 50ft. long so several pieces of cane are attached into one lone piece with overlapping and glued ends to reach that length needed for a full roll. These long strands are rolled onto bobbins and form the warp.

Workers will weave shorter cane strands horizontally for the weft.

Some imperfections will appear in the weaving due to the natural imperfections of cane as well as the piecing process. To repair these weak spots: Cut pieces of cane from the edge of the mat. Soak both the mat and the short pieces of cane. Using a tweezers and/or flat tipped awl, lift the pieces of cane on the mat and slide the repair piece into place, overlapping as much as possible to add strength. Use white glue to secure the new pieces of cane.


No loom can weave a diagonal strand so the diagonals are woven into place one at a time after the horizontal and vertical grid is removed from the loom.

Amount of Shaker tape yardage needed for seats.

Figuring the approximate amount of Shaker tape yardage needed for seats:


Width x Depth= ? Inches

(Measure at widest points.)

For 5/8" tape: ? Inches ÷ 5.3

For 1" tape: ? Inches ÷ 9
Answer = number of yards needed

(Avg. 15" x 18" seat = 52 yds. of 5/8" or 30 yds. of 1")
Two color seat: Answer ÷ 2 = yardage of each color needed
Remember, this is only an approximating tool. It is best to order more that needed because chairs and dye lots can vary.

Click here to order Shaker tape and a Shaker tape color chart with actual samples of tape.