If your new to basketry or if you just need some clarification on terms here are some basic basketry terminology that gets thrown around and what it all means according to Jill.
REED SHAPES defined:
FR - flat reed
FO - flat oval reed
Weaving techniques:
PLAIN weave: it's your basic over and under stakes. If you have an odd amount of stakes you will never be off the weave. If you have an even number of stakes the second row will pair with the previous row that you wove. In most cases this is NOT what your trying to achieve.
CHASE weave: it's the same thing as above BUT to counteract that second row pair up stated above a SECOND weaver is introduced that uses an opposite weave to the first therefore even with an even number of stakes that weave is never off. The first weaver starts off over and under the second weaver starts off OPPOSITE the weave of the first weaver and chases it with an under/over weave.
TWINING: Uses two weavers. First weaver is behind the first stake, second weaver is behind the second stakes. The stroke is made with the FIRST weaver, in front of one, behind one and OUT. You can tell when you have TWINED versus a PLAIN weave because you with have an X in between each stake that you have woven on.
TRIPLE TWINE - 3 ROD RAND - 3 ROD WALE: All the same technique with different terms attached. Three weavers behind three consecutive stakes ALL coming out in your direction NOT in towards the center of the basket. The weave is ALWAYS done with the weaver all the way to the LEFT, in front of two, behind one, and OUT (for right handed weavers).
4 ROD RAND - 4 ROD WALE: Different term same technique. Four weavers behind four consecutive stakes ALL coming out in your direction NOT in towards the center of the basket. The weave is ALWAYS done with the weaver all the way to the LEFT. There are TWO different ways to weave 4 rod rand. Either in front of three stakes behind one and out OR in front of two behind two and out.
5 ROD RAND: Five weavers behind five consecutive stakes ALL coming out in your direction NOT in towards the center of the basket. The weave is ALWAYS done with the weaver all the way to the LEFT. In front of three stakes, behind two, and out.
French RAND: A weaver is put behind each stake in the basket. Beginning at stake number one, weave in front of one, behind one, and out. Continue to the left all the way around with the same technique.
Lashing:
Lashing techniques are used primarily on rib constructed basketry to lash two hoops (or more) together.
3 Point Lashing: With two hoops at right angles using 3 points (2 sides of the rim and the bottom of the hoop NOT the handle part). Begin with a X and weave those three points in a plain (over/under) weave.
4 Point Lashing - Ojo de Dios (eye of God): With two hoops at right angles using 4 points (2 sides of the rim, bottom of the handle AND the handle) Begins with an X and then loops around each each of the 4 points in a clockwise manner for about 3 to 4 rounds.
5 Point Lashing - Used traditionally in potato baskets. I use in extensively for lashing antler hoops to baskets. Check out: Get it on:5 steps to lash you antler basket
Basic Basketry Terms:
Cut and Tuck: a method to keep the weave of the basket down in preparation of rimming and lashing the basket.
Trueing a base:measure it to make sure it meets the dimensions dictated in the pattern.
Locking the base: keeps the twine around a base from coming un-woven.
Upsetting stakes: a method of spraying stakes with water and then creasing them over towards the inside of the basket. Usually this procedure is used to go from a flat base to the sides of a basket make the stakes upright for weaving.
Lashing a basket: a method of combining the rim filler and the inside and outside rims and surrounding them with a weaver to finish the basket.
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Jill Choate
Author