Egg Basket Tips and Techniques: Part 2

I neglected to mention in the last post that I am using #7 round reed for my ribs.  This is the size that is best to use on ribbed baskets that use hoops between 10-16" in diameter.  If using smaller hoops, you can get away with using #6 RR for the ribs, and much larger hoops need #8 round reed.

I also didn't mention that you may want to soak the ribs before placing them into the god's-eye.  This is especially true if the curve of the reed is very pronounced, and may even be necessary when adding the secondary ribs since you may need to bend them a bit to insert them into the weaving..  But it's best to sharpen the points before soaking the ribs.

After adding secondary ribs and weaving several rows, you'll notice that the space between ribs gets wider and wider.  When the distance between them measures between 1 1/2"-2", it's time to add more secondary ribs.

(On smaller baskets, you may not need to add any more ribs.  I have found that generally, any egg basket over 10" is likely to need more ribs, and the larger the basket, the more ribs you'll need to add.)

Most patterns don't give you a measurement for the rest of the ribs, so what follows is how I go about adding them and deciding how long they should be.

First I sharpen one end of some round reed.   I chose to insert an extra rib next to each existing rib, so I've added a total of five more ribs to each half of the basket.

I start by inserting the pointed end into four rows of weaving right next to the first rib.

Then I bring the reed over to the other side, turning the whole thing upside down, so I can decide where I want the curved section to be. 

You want to keep in mind the overall shape you are trying to achieve.  Try to imagine how it will look once the weaving is completed.

  I hold the reed over the fourth row of weaving on the side to determine where to cut it off.

(Please note, in the picture below, I goofed up and showed myself adding the rib next to the second rib, but in the picture above, I am showing the rib being added to the first rib.  Just make sure you are inserting the rib next to the same existing rib on each side!)

After I cut the rib, I remove it and use it to measure another one, to be inserted in the other half of the basket.

Then I insert both ribs where I want them.

The next photo shows all five new ribs inserted.  All of them have been added right below the existing ribs.  It doesn't matter much if they are above or below, but be sure to do it the same way on both sides of the basket.

Continue weaving as usual, and remember that the first row of weaving after adding new ribs will be off, but this will correct itself on the second row.  As you weave, push the ribs apart slightly, a little bit more with each row, and keep them evenly spaced.

It's also a good idea to turn the basket upside down every two or three rows to make sure the new ribs haven't slipped and the shape of the basket is how you want it.  You can adjust the ribs by pulling them out or pushing them in slightly.  Be careful not to pull them the whole way out!

It's best to alternate weaving each side.  In other words, don't get too far ahead in your weaving on one side of the basket than the other.  We want the number of rows on each side to be equal.

What I like to do is make a pencil mark that is halfway between each God's-eye on both sides of the basket.

I use this mark as a reference point.  Don't weave with the left weaver past this mark, and don't weave with the right weaver past this point.  When you are getting very close to the middle mark, keep checking and counting how many rows you have on each side.  

On my basket, I decided to add two more secondary ribs.  As you can see, the space between the first and second ribs has gotten pretty wide, as well as down towards the bottom of the basket.  It's really a matter of preference, but I think it makes for a much nicer finished basket when you add more ribs when the gaps get too wide.

Now I just continue weaving until I reach the middle pencil mark.  Again, make sure you have the same number of rows on each side. It's easiest to count the rows at the rim.  Also, you want to end the weaving to the left of the handle on each side of the basket.

So I end up with a weaver dangling on each side of the basket...

Whew!  Are you still with me?  I sure hope so!

Part 3 of this series will focus on finishing the basket.  On most egg baskets, at this point you will find that you have no more room to weave around the rim hoop, but there is still a large gap in the body of the basket that needs to be filled in.  This is where a lot of people get confused, and trust me....I've been there!

But I'll do my best to show you how I do it, and hopefully we can get this thing done!