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Intermediate Basketry Kits

Each basketry kit contains the pattern and all of the parts required to make the basket. (black ash stakes and weavers, rims, handles, etc).

The mold is not included in the kit, but most molds are used to create several different baskets.  Click here to see the molds for sale.

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Generally, kits are arranged on this page from easier to more difficult.

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To place an order: complete the order form and mail it with a check to JoAnn Kelly Catsos, 29 Kellys Maple Ridge, Halcott Center, NY 12430 . Orders of splint and catalog items may be combined on the same order form. Contact JoAnn with questions.

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Classic Cat

This is a prime example of the classic Shaker cathead basket.  Basic black ash basket making techniques such as forming the cathead shape on a mold, chase-weaving, notchng a handle and lashing a rim are using in making this basket.

  • Dimensions: 6 1/2" diameter x 8 1/2" tall including handle

  • This basket uses the 6" Cathead Mold

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Complete Basket Kit: $80

Pattern: $4

Handle and Rims: $20

Knife Basket

This lovely Shaker-inspired basket is identical to the body of the Lidded Knife Basket.  Maple handle and lashed rims complete the simple yet classic form.

  • Dimensions: 8" long x 5" wide x 3" deep (6 1/2" including handle)

  • This basket uses the 8" Knife Mold 

Complete Basket Kit: $80

Pattern: $4

Handle and Rims: $22

Small Knife Basket

This adorable basket is a half scale version of an antique basket woven at the Mount Lebanon Community in NY. It is also woven with black ash splint with hardwood handle  rims.

  • Dimensions: 4" long x 2 1/2" wide x 1 1/2" deep (3" including handle)

  • This basket uses the 4" Knife Mold 

Complete Basket Kit: $55

Pattern: $4

Handle and Rims: $16

Chubby Cat

This chunky little cathead is a smaller version of the Classic Cat, and another prime example of a Shaker basket.

  • Dimensions: 4 1/4" diameter x 6 1/2" tall including handle

  • This basket uses the 4" Cathead Mold 

Complete Basket Kit: $70

Pattern: $4

Handle and Rims: $18

Cracker Basket

This useful basket is a contemporary cousin to the Shaker Fancy Tray.  It has darker heartwood stakes and whiter sapwood weavers.  The corner stakes are split to allow for the graceful curve of the corners.  The cherry rims are single lashed.

  • Dimensions: 12" long x 5" wide x 2 1/2" deep

  • This basket uses the Shaker Tray Mold

Complete Basket Kit: $105

Pattern: $4

Cherry Rims: $16

Sheffield Mending Basket

This lovely basket is based upon an antique basket I purchased at an auction near the town of Sheffield, Massachusetts.  The shape and size suggest a basket sitting in a country parlor with needle and thread, waiting to mend clothes.  This basket is woven of black ash splint over a wooden mold, and is completed with double lashed hardwood rims and dainty black ash handles

  • Dimensions: 8" long x 5" wide x 3" deep

  • This basket uses the 8" Knife Mold

Complete Basket Kit: $90

Pattern: $5

Ear Handles and Rims: $20

Shaker Trinket Tray

Inspired by the Shaker Fancy Tray, but with wider stakes and weavers and a lengthwise handle, this basket has classic Shaker proportions.  The corner stakes have been split to allow for the graceful curve at the corners.

  • Dimensions: 12" long x 5" wide x 2 1/2" deep (5" tall including handle)

  • This basket uses the Shaker Tray Mold

Complete Basket Kit: $110

Pattern: $4

Handle and Rims: $30

Ultimate Shaker Trio

These are ¼ sized versions of the classic Shaker utility baskets.  They are woven of black ash splint over the same wooden mold, and topped with hardwood rims and three different styles of handles, each unique to the use of the basket. These are small and require patience.

  •      These baskets all use the 4" Knife Mold

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Complete Ultimate Trio Kit (one of each basket): $190

Ultimate Trio Pattern: $7

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Shaker Carrier– A classic utility basket from the Mount Lebanon community in NY, baskets like these would have had a variety of uses in Shaker society.  This features feet woven into the corners and bottom to protect the bottom of the basket.     

  •      Dimensions: 4" long x 2 1/2" wide x 2" deep

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Complete Shaker Carrier Kit: $65

Shaker Carrier Handle and Rims: $16

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Shaker Wood Chip Basket– This basket was a workhorse.  It was used to haul kindling and small stove wood. The cherry runners lashed to the bottom kept the basket up and out of the snow, and made it into a sled for sliding from the woodpile to the building. This basket was typically lined with cotton ticking, to contain the small chips of wood.  

  •      Dimensions:  4” long x 2 ½” wide x 2” deep including runners.

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Complete Shaker Wood Chip Basket Kit: $70

Shaker Wood Chip Basket Handle, Rims, Runners: $22

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Shaker Wash Basket – Another classic design, baskets like these were used by the Shakers as wet or dry wash baskets.  The pair of side handles made it easy to carry a heavy load of laundry from the washroom to the line, or to store clean linens for ironing.  

  •      Dimension:  4” long x 2 ½” wide x 1 ½” deep​

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Complete Shaker Wash Basket Kit: $65

Shaker Wash Basket Handle and Rims: $18​

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Cotton Ticking Lining (will fit any basket made on 4" Knife Mold): $15

Berkshire Back Pack

Named after the Berkshire Mountains near our home, this little pack has all of the characteristics of a full size back pack - lashed rims, leather harness, and skeds on the bottom.  It is woven on a puzzle mold, which is taken apart to be removed after the basket is woven.  Business cards fit perfectly in this little treasure.

  • Dimensions: 2 3/4" long x 2 3/4" wide x 4" including handle

  • This basket uses the Berkshire Pack Mold

Complete Basket Kit: $70

Pattern: $4

Handle and Rims: $12

Leather Harness: $12

Steve's Fishing Creel

This basket was inspired by my husband Steve, an avid fly fisherman, and is a replica of a fly fishing creel.  The wooden lid and latch, and the leather straps complete this small basket.  It is woven on a puzzle mold which must be taken apart to be removed.  The fleece patch and hand-tied fly are sold separately.

  • Dimensions: 3" long x 2 1/4" wide x 2 3/8" high

  • This basket uses the Steve's Creel Mold

Complete Basket Kit: $65

Pattern: $4

Rims: $8

Wooden Lid, Latch and Leather Straps: $15

Fleece Patch and Fly: $6

Shaker Memories

This finely woven cathead is reminiscent of the baskets woven by the Shakers for sale to tourists, also called "the world's people".  The delicate twill gently spirals up the side of the basket.

  • Dimensions: 6 1/2" diameter x 8 1/2"  tall with handle

  • This basket uses the 6" Cathead Mold

Complete Basket Kit: $90

Pattern: $4

Handle and Rims: $20

 

Spiral Staircase

The twill pattern on charming basket is like the spindles of a graceful, winding wooden staircase.  It has a twiiled base, and the twill on the sides is visible due to the darker heartwood stakes and white sapwood weavers.  The handle is installed on a diagonal.

  • Dimensions: 4 1/4" diameter x 1 3/4" deep without handle

  • This basket uses the 4" Mushroom Mold

Complete Basket Kit: $60

Pattern: $4

Handle and Rims: $14

 

Twilled Ash Bowl

The base and sides of this bowl are woven in a 2/2 twill pattern with the darker heartwood stakes contrasting with the whiter sapwood weavers.  The sawtooth edge is featured on the outside of the rim for added interest.

  • Dimensions: 4 1/4" diameter x 2" deep

  • This basket uses the 4" Mushroom Mold

Complete Basket Kit: $55

Pattern: $4

Rims: $7

 

Diamond Bowls

These charming twilled bowls are woven of stained and natural splint.  They feature a diamond design in the base, twilled sides, black waxed linen rim filler and lashed hardwood rims. Pattern includes chart for two designs, 'black diamonds' and 'diamond reflections'.

  • Dimensions: 4 1/4" diameter x 1 3/4" deep

  • This basket uses the 4" Mushroom Mold

Complete Basket Kit (makes one basket): $60

Pattern: $4

Rims: $8

 

Diamond Twill Bureau Basket

The diamond pattern woven in a twill on both sides of this basket is easy to see because the stakes are darker heartwood and the weavers are white sapwood. A lashed hardwood rim completes this beautiful basket.  Chase-weaving a twill pattern is the challenge in this basket

  • Dimensions: 8" long x 5" wide x 3" deep

  • This basket uses the 8" Knife Mold

Complete Basket Kit: $80

Pattern: $4

Rims: $12

 

Black Ash Needle Book

The Shakers of Canterbury, NH wove strips of poplar wood with cotton thread on a floor loom and created poplar ‘cloth’.  During the Victorian era, these poplar ware items, such as pincushions, small boxes and needle books were admired and purchased by tourists.

The Black Ash Needle Book, with covers woven of black ash splint, was inspired by the poplar ware made by the Shakers. Trimmed with thin leather,  this book has an attractive inner cover and three ‘pages’ of felt to hold needles  A bright satin ribbon accents the completed book. Choice of colors: blue, red, wine, teal, green.

  • Dimensions: 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Complete Needle Book Kit: $55

Pattern: $5

Kidskin, Inner Cover Paper and Ribbon: $18

 

Teleidoscope pic.jpg

Black Ash Teleidoscope

A teleidoscope is a type of kaleidoscope, but with no moving parts.  It has a large glass marble as the lens, and makes lovely patterns based upon whatever you point it at.  Finely prepared black ash splint (brown heartwood stakes and white sapwood weavers) is woven in your choice of twill pattern over the tube to create your own unique teleidoscope.  3 twill patterns are shown, but many are possible

  • Dimensions: 1" x 8"

Complete Teleidoscope Kit: $55

Pattern: $4

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