A low-back Welsh stick chair, crafted in solid oak with a wider, deeper seat to provide generous elbow room and comfortable posture for long sitting sessions.
Design and commission
Designed collaboratively with a client who visited the studio and described their needs: a supportive chair dedicated to knitting. The brief emphasized extended comfort, easy arm movement, and a pleasing tactile surface.
The result keeps the characteristic and structural honesty of Welsh stick chairs while adapting proportions for modern use and a specific function.
Construction and form
Frame: Traditional stick-back construction, hand planed tapered octagonal spindles forming the back, joined to a robust back support for comfort and stability.
Seat: Hand-sculpted D-shaped oak seat, carved and shaped to follow the sitter’s thighs and provide a natural resting place for the hands and yarn. The expanded width and depth allow more elbow clearance and a relaxed arm posture.
Back: Low-back profile set at an angle that encourages upright support without restricting shoulder movement. The spacing and taper of the spindles are arranged to give lumbar support where needed while maintaining the light visual rhythm of a classic stick chair.
Joinery: Time-honored mortise-and-tenon and finger jointed construction for mechanical strength and longevity.
Material and finish
Wood: Oak selected for straight grain, dimensional stability, and warm colour.
Surface: Hand-sanded to a smooth, tactile finish.
Finish: Satin wax oil applied in multiple thin coats for a low-luster, durable surface that highlights the oak’s grain, resists wear from regular use, and is easily maintained.
Use and care
Best for: Knitting, handwork, reading, and everyday seating where comfort and support are priorities.
Care: Wipe with a soft cloth; refresh with a light coat of wax oil as needed to maintain finish.
A low-back Welsh stick chair, crafted in solid oak with a wider, deeper seat to provide generous elbow room and comfortable posture for long sitting sessions.
Design and commission
Designed collaboratively with a client who visited the studio and described their needs: a supportive chair dedicated to knitting. The brief emphasized extended comfort, easy arm movement, and a pleasing tactile surface.
The result keeps the characteristic and structural honesty of Welsh stick chairs while adapting proportions for modern use and a specific function.
Construction and form
Frame: Traditional stick-back construction, hand planed tapered octagonal spindles forming the back, joined to a robust back support for comfort and stability.
Seat: Hand-sculpted D-shaped oak seat, carved and shaped to follow the sitter’s thighs and provide a natural resting place for the hands and yarn. The expanded width and depth allow more elbow clearance and a relaxed arm posture.
Back: Low-back profile set at an angle that encourages upright support without restricting shoulder movement. The spacing and taper of the spindles are arranged to give lumbar support where needed while maintaining the light visual rhythm of a classic stick chair.
Joinery: Time-honored mortise-and-tenon and finger jointed construction for mechanical strength and longevity.
Material and finish
Wood: Oak selected for straight grain, dimensional stability, and warm colour.
Surface: Hand-sanded to a smooth, tactile finish.
Finish: Satin wax oil applied in multiple thin coats for a low-luster, durable surface that highlights the oak’s grain, resists wear from regular use, and is easily maintained.
Use and care
Best for: Knitting, handwork, reading, and everyday seating where comfort and support are priorities.
Care: Wipe with a soft cloth; refresh with a light coat of wax oil as needed to maintain finish.
