Celtic Knot Cane

Part III:  Reducing the Cane

Step 39

Now the cane has rested a bit and we're ready to begin reducing it.

Step 40

Begin reducing the cane by gently compressing it against the work surface.  Push down on one side, then turn and repeat.

Step 41

I am going to reduce this into a round cane, so I'm also compressing the "corners" to round-out the shape.

Step 42

Once you've rounded the cane, grasp it in your hands and begin squeezing it gently from the center outwards.  (Use both hands to do this.  You only see one of my hands because the other is holding the camera.)

Step 43

Continue reducing from the center.   Turn the cane as you go and flip it over from time-to-time. 

Step 44

Continue working from the center outwards.  Be careful not to allow the middle to become to skinny.

Step 45

Continue working until the middle of the cane is about 1 inch in diameter.

Step 46

At this point, I usually trim off the ends and roll the useable portion on the work surface to even it out and make it more uniform.

Step 47

Here are my results. 

Step 48

This picture shows a close-up of the cane slice.  At this point you could cut and reduce subsequent portions for use in your designs.  You could also shape it into a square cane (See Steps 6-9) if you'd like it to have more uniformity.

Following is a picture of a bead that I made using this cane:

Thank you for your interest!

Back to the Beginning of this tutorial

Back to 

                                                            © 2004-2007 Valerie Hollis - All rights reserved.

                                                                               www.tokensbeads.com