Glycerin sounds like a great idea. I have used it to soften and flatten veneer burls, but never on seat cane. I use warm water. I just put the whole batch of cane in the laundry sink and let it soak while I'm working. It is not difficult, kind of fun if you pay close attention. I once asked Mac McCarthy how long it took him. He said "about one baseball game". That seems about right if it isn't a no-hitter. I once took four dining chairs to be re-caned by a gentleman who was blind. He called the very next day to say they were ready. I've never seen a nicer job. One note, be sure to check the "grain" before you start weaving. Run your thumbnail along the top of the cane in each direction. You will find that your nail catches on the little bumps where the leaf grew going one direction, and not the other. Start the cane so that you pull it through the weaving in the direction that your thumbnail didn't catch. Also, for a long time I thought you needed to tie off with knots. That makes for a bumpy underside which makes tucking your feet under the seat in kneeling position more difficult. A simple loop under a previous strand on the bottom is sufficient. Jean Bratton is very skilled at caning. She teaches classes and has a wonderful hand-out. You might e-mail and ask what she charges for her printed instructions. (see Al Bratton on the WCHA board list)