I use a lot of household common tools and supplies to weave my baskets. Quite honestly, other than buying the reed to start weaving, you would probably have most basket weaving tools on hand in your own home. I do have a couple of specialty basket weaving tools. The first is a Spoke Weight that I mentioned in this post HERE. The second specialty tool I use is a "lashing tool" It is honestly a real favorite tool of mine and I wouldn't weave a basket without it any more. Above are a couple of photos of different ones. When searching your favorite basket weaving store for a lashing tool, it can go by other names such as "Lash Buddy" or "Lash Saver". The cost I've seen runs between $6.50 and $8.00. I find it to be well worth the money. 
My friend Anne calls it a shoe horn for basket weaving and that is exactly what it is. When you have your rim fastened in place and you are ready to lash the rim on, slip the lashing tool under your rim and your woven rim row. This creates a channel because the lashing tool is a "U" or "V" shape. This channel allows you to slip your lasher through the channel and lash your rim on with much greater speed. These two pictures show me using it to lash the rim and to hide the end of the lasher.
I rate this tool 2 thumbs up, 5 stars, a 10. Can you see how much I love this tool? What is your favorite tool? I'd like to hear.
Happy Weaving and Baskets of Blessings,
Nancy
I love my lash buddy! I couldn't survive without one.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite, can't live without tool, is the EZ Lasher. Same concept as the lash buddy, but it fits on the tip of your lasher. They come in three sizes, 1/4", 3/16" and cane size. They run about $5 each. The only problem is they are easy to loose or throw out if you forget to remove them from the end of your lasher when you are done.(not that I have EVER done that!!!) lol
ReplyDeleteI've never used a lash buddy, but I can see me buying one soon. I shouldn't tell you how I lash my baskets. No, I won't mention that I just grab a screwdriver and open up the space between the weavers. _rolls eyes_ Nancy, thank you for showing us the proper way to weave a basket.:)
ReplyDeleteSince I only have a lash buddy and not any other special tools it is definitely my fav. My first basket with Nancy's class I used a flat head screwdriver as well and had a difficult time (guess my weaving was a little tight LOL)
ReplyDeleteI have not used one either. My most used tool besides scissors would be a packing tool by weave rite.
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