Modern Weave Stool Design
Make a modern stool using pine or meranti dowels and finish off with a unique seat design woven using nylon twine or sisal rope.
30/04/2019
To make the stool all you need are some pine or meranti dowels that you can buy at Builders. Meranti is a stronger wood, so select this if you can. The dowel size is about 25mm in diameter and you cut these according to the height and width required for your stool.
We have compiled step-by-step instructions for weaving the stool seat, or you can click here to view the video on YouTube. You will also find instructions for making the stool here on YouTube.
Assemble the stool by drilling holes 25mm holes in the dowels using a 25mm MAD or Forstner bit in your drill/driver. The joints are glued together using wood glue.
Before adding the woven seat, let the glued stool dry for at least 24 hours.
1. Use a stapler to secure the end of your cord to the top rail on your stool. Make sure it is firmly fastened in place.
2. Wrap the cord over and under the front rail and then over and under the side rail.
3. Take the cord to the other side and wrap over and under the side rail and then over the top of the cord to the front of the stool.
4. Go over and under the front rail and then move over and under the back rail before going over and under the side rail again.
5. Next is to go over and under the opposite side rail (back of) and then over and under the back rail. The first weave set is now complete.
6. The next step is to tighten the first weave set, starting at the beginning point (front and corner rails).
Move from corner to corner, beginning at the starting point, and tighten the loose cords around the corners. Make sure that the cord is as tight as possible.
GOOD TO KNOW: Make sure that each corner is tight and that the cords are flush against the main dowel legs.
GOOD TO KNOW: Use a large bulldog clip to hold the twine in place at the last corner. This will prevent the cords from coming loose as you repeat steps 2 to 6 to complete the woven seat.
7. Repeat steps 2 to 6 above to continue weaving the stool seat.
GOOD TO KNOW: As you add more rows to the seat, have a small block of tapered wood handy to clean up the corners. Tap lightly with a mallet to keep the cords straight and aligned and tight against the corners.
8. As you add more rows, continue to tap the end row of cords to pack them tightly together.
GOOD TO KNOW: Anytime you need to stop and take a break, remember to use a bulldog clip to hold the cords in place.
9. When you get to the last row, flip the stool onto one side and use the bulldog clip to hold the cords in place.
10. Flip the stool upside down and cut off the end of the last cord with scissors.
11. Use the tapered block to make a space to thread the last cord through to tie off with a simple knot.
12. Push the excess cord inside the seat so that it is not visible.
