The Weaving of a Wishbone Chair: An Interview with a Master Craftsman
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Time to read 5 min
The Wishbone Chair, designed by Hans J. Wegner, has become one of Danish furniture design’s most recognised silhouettes. Also known as the CH24 or Y Chair, the design combines a unique, softly curved backrest with flawless joinery techniques and a tightly woven paper cord seat.
Instantly popular since its introduction in 1949, the chair has been in continuous production with Carl Hansen & Søn – and it’s easy to see why. It is rare that an object of everyday use has such a balance of beauty and functionality. The level of craftsmanship that goes into making one turns an everyday chair into a piece of art.
Honouring Hans J. Wegner’s legacy and skill as a cabinetmaker, the Wishbone Chair has been made the same way for over 70 years. There are more than 100 complex steps that go into making an authentic Carl Hansen & Søn CH24 Wishbone Chair, all of which involve skilled artisans and craftsmen. Each component that forms the chair is cut, shaped, turned and sanded from seasoned heartwood. The defining “wishbone” backrest is created from four individual pieces, and the seat is hand-woven using a specialised paper cord.
The weaving technique requires absolute precision, immense physical tension and months of dedicated training. At a recent workshop to celebrate the Carl Hansen & Søn takeover in our Bath showroom, master weaver Benny came all the way from Funen in Denmark (where Carl Hansen & Son’s factory is located) to demonstrate this exact process.
Throughout the day, Benny worked on four Wishbone Chairs, weaving the seats to showcase the rigorous craftsmanship required to construct a chair designed to last for generations, alongside his impressive expertise on the technique.
Benny Weaving A Wishbone Chair
The Carl Hansen Weaving Workshop: Watching a Master at Work
To the untrained eye, the fluid motion of a master weaver looks effortless, but the physical reality requires incredible stamina and focused concentration. During the live event at our Bath showroom, guests watched firsthand as master weaver Benny expertly managed the immense tension of the paper cord.
The seat is woven to produce an envelope pattern, using over 120 metres of FSC-certified paper cord. It was fascinating to watch as Benny strategically cut and knotted sections to ensure the tension of the seat would remain perfect. In true Carl Hansen fashion, with sustainability at the heart of everything they do, these offcuts are saved and used to tie labels to their products – absolutely nothing goes to waste.
After he had finished his work, we sat down with him to discuss exactly what goes into mastering this specialised craft.
An Interview with Benny
How long did it take you to learn how to weave a seat correctly?
It took me five weeks to learn back then. Today, however, we have a three-month training period at Carl Hansen & Son.
What was the hardest part about mastering the technique?
Keeping the cord tight the entire time until you are completely finished weaving a chair.
Is the repetition in weaving meditative, or does it require intense concentration every time?
After many years of practice, I can let my thoughts wander while I weave. But in the beginning, it required a great deal of concentration.
If you could teach viewers one thing about craftsmanship today, what would it be?
Patience and practice.
What made you choose to learn a craft?
It was actually a bit of a coincidence. About 30 years ago, I needed a job and went into the old factory on Kochsgade in Odense to apply because it was close to where I lived. There I met another deaf person, and it made me think, “I would really like to work here.”
How did you get started with weaving, and are there any craft traditions in your family?
My family doesn’t have a craft background—on the contrary, my whole family comes from agriculture.
How has your career developed during your time at Carl Hansen & Son?
I started 30 years ago as a weaver in production and spent 25 years doing that, following along as the factory expanded into larger facilities. Along the way, I was asked if I wanted to participate in events and exhibitions at furniture houses around the world, which has been very exciting and given me many great experiences. I still do that today. For the past 4–5 years, I have worked with quality control and packaging of finished chairs.
What does a typical workday look like as a weaver at Carl Hansen & Son?
A normal workday is from 06:30 to 15:00. An experienced weaver can weave about one Y Chair per hour. Between each chair, you might take a five-minute break and stretch. We also have breakfast and lunch breaks. Some days, we do gymnastics with a trainer to take care of our bodies.
How many chairs can be woven in a day?
Depending on experience, 6–9 chairs per day. However, we don’t weave more than 7 a day, because quality must match quantity.
What role does craftsmanship play in Danish culture?
In Denmark, we grew up with design and craftsmanship, and we are proud that Danish design is recognised all over the world. The Y Chair is a great example of that. It’s about simplicity, precision, and solid craftsmanship.
Featuring Wishbone at the heart of timeless craftsmanship.
Which part of the chair do most people not notice, but you immediately do?
I immediately notice whether the weaving has been done correctly in an envelope pattern and whether there are any irregularities. I also pay attention to whether the weaving is tight and whether the lockings are done properly.
Which part of the process gives you the greatest satisfaction?
Delivering a piece of high-quality craftsmanship that can last for generations.
What does Danish craftsmanship mean to you personally?
My two tattoos say it all 😊
Bringing master craftsmanship into the modern home
Seeing Benny weave these seats firsthand in our Bath showroom highlighted why the Wishbone Chair remains a centrepiece of contemporary interior design. It is not only a functional object; it represents a commitment to material integrity and human skill – qualities that are lost in mass-produced replicas or copies. When you choose a piece constructed with this level of physical discipline, you are investing in an authentic object built to enrich your space for decades to come.
Featuring the Wishbone Chair in a Serene Nordic-Inspired Home
Explore the complete collection of authentic Carl Hansen & Søn Wishbone Chairs at Holloways of Ludlow to discover exceptional craftsmanship for your home.
For more Danish designed furniture, browse our collection of Carl Hansen & Søn furniture.
Want to know more about the Wishbone Chair? Read our designer focus on Hans J. Wegner.
Written by Mark Holloway:
Founder and CEO of Holloways of Ludlow. With a lifelong passion for exceptional design, Mark has built the business from the ground up, curating a collection that reflects both integrity and innovation. He doesn’t just sell design - he lives it - with many of the pieces he champions proudly featured in his own Wimbledon home.