Centre Cane for Basketry

Centre cane is a natural round cane produced from the inner core of the Rattan Palm, sourced from Indonesia, China and Hong Kong. A staple material in basketry and basket weaving, centre cane is prized by craftspeople for its flexibility, durability and ease of use across a wide range of basketry projects, from fine decorative weaving to sturdy structural work.

Rattan grows up to several hundred metres long in the jungles of South East Asia and is harvested and cut into manageable lengths of approximately 2 to 3 metres for ease of handling. Each bundle weighs approximately 500g, though as a natural material, weight may vary slightly due to moisture loss.

Centre cane must always be used damp. When dry, it is brittle and prone to splitting; when dampened, it becomes highly pliable and exceptionally strong, making it ideal for basketry work. Before use, soak the cane for around five minutes, or dip it briefly in water, then wrap it in a damp cloth and leave it for at least fifteen minutes. If the cane dries out during work, simply dampen it again with a wet cloth.

Available in 18 sizes ranging from 000 (1mm) to size 35 (12mm), there is a centre cane to suit every basketry application. Refer to the Centre Cane Size and Approximate Length Guide below to choose the right size for your project.

Centre Cane Size and Approximate Length Guide