The following diagram is for your personal use only. You may make a printout for yourself, if you would like to make multiple copies for use in classes please contact me for permission, do NOT make copies for inclusion in kits. I do not "own" this technique, as it is a traditional Appalachian technique that I learned from studying old baskets in my parent's collection, so please feel free to teach it to others, but I do "own" the copyright on the written descriptions and drawings seen here. I hope this eliminates any confusion over fair use of these diagrams.

Thanks,
Tony Stubblefield

This diagram demonstrates one traditional method of lashing the rims together for a ribbed egg basket. I call this an "ear" for some reason, I really don't know where I got that term from. For most baskets 8-10 inches in diameter I use 1/2" flat reed for my lashing material. I scale the material appropriately for larger or smaller baskets. This technique is very useful on ribbed herb or key baskets where isn't a lot of room for bulky lashings like the God's eye. This is also good for using-up scrap pieces as it only take a couple of feet of reed to do each ear. To place ribs into the ear I use an awl to poke holes into the reed and insert the sharpened ribs. This method holds the ribs in place much more securely than the God's eye. I hope you enjoy this technique and are able to use it in your basket making.

1. Start by placing the flat reed (lasher) behind the crossed hoops (rims), rough side against the rims.

2. Bring lasher around and across front of crossed rims.

3. Bring lasher around behind the handle.

4. Bring lasher down and across front of rims creating a cross.

5. Bring lasher up and across back of rims catching your starting tail. You should now have a cross in front and in back of rims.

6. & 7. Now here is the tricky part. Bring the lasher down behind the cross, but in front of the rims. You will have to give the lasher a half twist so that as you pull it tight the reed will lay nicely around the top of the cross.

NOTE: You may need to use a packing tool or the awl to make space for the lasher to fit between the cross and rims.

8. Loop the lasher back around in front of the cross and back between the rims and cross.

9. After you have carefully pulled the lasher tight you can cut the tail off short.

Rib Placement

Here is an example of the "ear" in use. I usually start out with 4 primary ribs on each side of the basket, plus an extra rib above the rim. After a few rows of weaving I will add secondary ribs as necessary.

NOTE: Some splitting of the reed may occur, but this is to be expected. Keeping the ear damp as you create the holes with the awl will help minimize the splitting.

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Page created March 12, 2000
Copyright, J. Anthony Stubblefield, 1997-2001