2010
JoAnn Kelly Catsos . BLACK ASH BASKETMAKER & TEACHER
catalog
BLACK ASH SPLINT BASKETRY KITS
Thank you for showing interest in my
black ash splint basketry kits. This truly
is a family business: I design and weave
the baskets and write the patterns.
My husband, Steve, and I pound and
process the black ash splint and make
the wooden molds and other basket
parts in our woodworking shop. We
hope that you enjoy our quality black
ash splint basketry kits.
Each basket kit contains the pattern
and all the black ash weavers, rims, and
handles required to make the basket.
The mold is not included in the kit,
but please note: most molds are used to
create several different baskets.
I travel to teach these and other
original designs. If you are interested in
hosting a black ash splint basketry class,
please contact me.
Black ash splint basketmaking is fun;
please share this catalog with a friend.
Happy Weaving!
CLOVERLEAF BOWL
SPIRAL STAIRCASE
Cloverleaf Bowl Kit 4” Mushroom Mold Cloverleaf Bowl Pattern Stakes and Rims $49
$29
$4
$8
This basket evolved from my
love of the quadrafoil twill pattern found in fancy shaker basket work. Woven of light colored
sapwood, the contrast against
the wide center cherry stakes
and rims makes this an exquisite little bowl. It is a small version of the Elegance Bowl. The
Cloverleaf Bowl measures 4 ¼”
in diameter.
Weaving Level:
Intermediate/Advanced
CHERRY SWIRL BOWL
The tapered ash spokes and
“kicked in” bottom combine
to make this little potbelly ash
basket a charm. Chase-woven
with black ash, then accented
with a twilled cherry band
of dyed ash, it is topped with
a lashed hardwood rim. The
Cherry Swirl Bowl measures 4
½” in diameter and 2” tall.
This charming basket was inspired by the
spindles of a graceful, winding, wooden
spiral staircase. It has a twilled base, darker stakes, and white weavers on the twilled
sides, lashed maple rims and an unusual
diagonal handle. Spiral staircase is woven
on a wooden mold and measures 4 ¼” in
diameter and 1 ¾” deep, without handle.
Weaving Level: Intermediate
Spiral Staircase Kit
4” Mushroom Mold
Spiral Staircase Pattern
Handle & Rims
SMALL COUNTRY GATHERING BASKET
Cherry Swirl Bowl Kit
4” Mushroom Mold
Cherry Swirl Pattern
Hardwood Rims This addition to your basket
collection features tapered ash
spokes and ash weavers, woven
over a wooden mold. Maple rims
and handle complete this quaint
country basket. It is 4 ½” in
diameter and 4 ½” tall.
$42
$29
$4
$6
Weaving Level: All
Small Country Gathering Basket Kit 4” Mushroom Mold Small Country Gathering Basket Pattern Maple Handle and Rims Weaving Level:
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Inspired by my 9” diameter sewing basket with quadrafoil twill
pattern, this small button basket
has all of the classic features of
the larger basket. The lid incorporates a quadrafoil twill pattern and the bottom is a classic
cathead shape. Woven of black
ash over two separate molds,
this challenging basket is completed with hardwood rims. The
Button Basket measures 4 ¼” in
diameter.
Weaving Level: Advanced
These charming twilled bowls
are woven out of natural and
stained black ash splint over a
wooden mold. They feature a
diamond design in the base,
twilled sides, black waxed linen
rim filler, and lashed hardwood
rims. Pattern includes directions
for two designs: Black Diamonds
and Diamond Reflections.
Each basket measures 4 ¼” in
diameter and 1 ¾” deep.
$45
$29
$4
$12
BUTTON BASKET WITH QUADRAFOIL LID
DIAMOND BOWLS
Weaving Level:
Intermediate
$49
$29
$4
$12
Button Basket Kit 4” Mushroom Mold (lid)
4” Cathead Mold (bottom)
Button Basket Pattern Hardwood Rims $73
$29
$45
$4
$8
Twilled Ash Bowl Kit
4” Mushroom Mold Twilled Ash Bowl Pattern
Twilled Ash Bowl Rims $45
$29
$4
$6
TWILLED ASH BOWL
Diamond Bowls Kit 4” Mushroom Mold Diamond Bowls Pattern
Hardwood Rims
$49
$29
$4
$6
The base and sides of this bowl
are woven in a 2/2 twill pattern
with the darker brown stakes
contrasting with the whiter
weavers. Woven with double
satin ash over a 4” mushroom
mold, this graceful bowl is completed with a sawtooth rim. The
inner rim is hardwood and the
outer rim is splint. The Twilled
Ash Bowl is 4 ¼” in diameter
and 2” deep.
Weaving Level: Intermediate
SMALL COUNTRY BREAD BASKET
CHERUB
This little basket was originally designed to introduce basketweavers to
mold weaving with black ash. Simple, yet classic, it is chase-woven on
the cathead mold and completed with ash handles and a hardwood rim.
The Small Country Bread Basket measures 4” in diameter and 2” tall.
Great for beginners!
This precious little basket is based on the 6” Quadrafoil Lidded Cathead. Although much smaller than the original, this basket contains the
same basic elements: a classic cathead bottom, quadrafoil twill design on
the lid, and a “captured” lid. Hardwood rims and handle complete this
basket which is woven of over two wooden molds and measures 4 ½” in
diameter and 6 ½” tall.
Weaving Level: All
Weaving Level: Advanced
Cherub Kit
4” Mushroom Mold (lid)
4” Cathead Mold (bottom)
Cherub Pattern
4” Hardwood Rims
Cathead Handle
Small Country Bread Basket Kit
4” Cathead Mold Small Country Bread Basket Pattern
Ear Handles and Hardwood Rims $95
$29
$45
$6
$10
$6
$45
$45
$4
$14
SHAKER KITTENHEAD
SHAKER PINCUSHION WITH SAWTOOTH RIM
The Shaker Kittenhead is based
on an antique Shaker basket and
is a great introduction to black
ash splint basketmaking. A bit of
patience is suggested, due to the
small size. The Shaker Kittenhead
is 2 ¾” in diameter and 3” tall
with handle.
This basket was inspired by an
antique Shaker pincushion at the
Shaker Museum in Old Chatam, NY.
It features a stylish sawtooth edge
and is woven over a kittenhead mold.
Furnished with a velour pincushion
filled with fleece, this pincushion is
made to be used and comes with a
choice of blue, red, or green fabric.
This basket is 2 ½” in diameter and
1 ¾” in depth (2 ½” tall with pincushion).
Weaving Level: All
Shaker Kittenhead Kit Kittenhead Mold Shaker Kittenhead Pattern
Handle and Rims $37
$20
$4
$11
Weaving Level: All
CHUBBY CAT
Shaker Pincushion Kit Kittenhead Mold Shaker Pincushion Pattern Fabric & Fleece Rims
$35
$20
$4
$5
$6
QUADRAFOIL TUB
This chunky cathead is the smaller version
of the 6 inch diameter Classic Cat. Basic
black ash splint basketry techniques, such
as forming the “cat ears”, chase weaving,
notching a handle, and lashing a hardwood
rim, are used. The Chubby Cat is a prime
example of a Shaker basket and measures 4
½” in diameter and 6 ½” tall with handle.
Weaving Level: Beginning/Intermediate
Chubby Cat Kit
4” Cathead Mold Chubby Cat Pattern
4” Hardwood Rim
4” Cathead Handle
$49
$45
$4
$10
$6
This lovely basket is based on an antique Shaker quadrafoil tub basket
thought to have been made at the
Mount Lebanon Shaker Community
in NY. The delicately woven quadrafoil twill pattern is the focal point of
the basket’s bottom. Woven of finely
prepared black ash splint over a wooden mold, the basket is completed with
black ash side handles and lashed
maple rims. This Quadrafoil Tub
measures 6 ¼” in diameter and 2 ¾”
deep, including handles.
Weaving Level: Advanced
Quadrafoil Tub
6” Tub Mold Quadrafoil Tub Pattern
Maple Rims & Side Handles $95
$39
$6
$14
COUNTRY CATHEAD
QUADRAFOIL LIDDED CATHEAD
This rustic country basket is based
upon an antique Shaker cathead basket. It utilizes heavy-weight country
splint. The wide stakes and weavers
make it a great introduction to black
ash splint basketry. The Country
Cathead is 6 ½” in diameter and 8
½” tall with handle.
Weaving Level: All
Country Cathead Kit
6” Cathead Mold
Country Cathead Pattern Rims and Hoop Handle $59
$59
$4
$15
Lidded Cathead Kit
$115
6” Mushroom Mold (lid) $39
6”CatheadMold (bottom) $59
Lidded Cathead Pattern $6
6” Hardwood Rims
$12
6” Cathead Handle $8
SHORTY CAT
Shorty Cat Kit
6” Cathead Mold
Shorty Cat Pattern
6” Hardwood Rims
$49
$59
$4
$8
This low version of a classic Shaker cathead basket
is a great introduction
to weaving with black
ash over a wooden mold.
Students will learn to
chase-weave, form the
classic “cat ears” and lash
the hardwood rims to
complete the basket. The
Shorty Cat basket is 6” in
diameter and 2 ½” deep.
This basket was inspired by an antique Shaker basket found in the
Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, MA. Although small than the original, it contains the came classic design elements: the quadrafoil twill
design and a captured lid. This cathead is woven of finely prepared black
ash over two different molds and finished with hardwood rims. The
Quadrafoil Lidded Cathead measures 6 ¼” in diameter and 8 ½” deep.
Weaving Level:
Advanced
Weaving Level: All
FRIENDSHIP BASKET
VIBRATIONS
This eye catching basket features
stakes that are two different
widths and is woven of black ash
with three accent bands of elm
bark. The maple rim is double
lashed. This basket was originally designed as a thank you
gift for friends that allowed us to
harvest ash and elm trees from
their property. This low cathead
basket is similar to Shorty Cat:
6” in diameter and 2 ½” deep.
Weaving Level: All
The 1/1/2/2 twill and reserve twill
pattern of Vibrations is striking
due to the contrast of the stained
brown stakes and white weavers.
The basket is started on a mold,
then removed and shaped by hand.
The hardwood rims have a brown
waxed linen rim filler and the basket is lashed with waxed linen.
Weaving Level: Advanced
Friendship Basket Kit 6” Cathead Mold Friendship Basket Pattern 6” Hardwood Rims $54
$59
$4
$8
Vibrations Kit
6” Cathead Mold
Vibrations Pattern
Hardwood Rims
SHAKER MEMORIES
SMALL SEWING BASKET WITH QUADRAFOIL LID
This finely woven cathead is reminiscent of the baskets woven by the
Shakers for sale to tourists, also
referred as “The World’s People”.
The twill design gently spirals up
the side of the basket, which is 6
½” in diameter and 8 ½” tall with
the handle.
Similar to the Button Basket,
this small sewing basket with
quadrafoil twill on the lid has
all of the classic features of the
small basket. Woven of finely
prepared black ash over two
molds, this beautiful basket
is completed with hardwood
rims. The Small Sewing Basket
with Quadrafoil Lid measures
6 ¼” in diameter.
Weaving Level: Intermediate
Shaker Memories Kit
6” Cathead Mold
Shaker Memories Pattern
6” Cathead Handle & Rims
$65
$59
$4
$16
Weaving Level: Advanced
Small Sewing Basket Kit
6” Mushroom Mold (lid) 6” Cathead Mold (bottom)
Small Sewing Basket Pattern 6” Hardwood Rims $95
$59
$5
$8
$105
$39
$59
$6
$10
COUNTRY BREAD BASKET
This country basket is
inspired by traditional
Shaker cathead baskets.
It is made of heavy weight
country splint and made
to be used. This is a great
introduction to black
ash splint basketry. The
Country Bread Basket
is 6 ½” in diameter and
3” deep.
CLASSIC CAT
Country Bread Basket Kit
6” Cathead Mold Country Bread Basket Pattern
Hardwood Rims
$49
$59
$4
$8
The Classic Cat is a prime example of a
shaker basket, and a great introduction to
black ash splint basketry. Basic black ash
basketry techniques, such as forming the
“cat ears”, chase-weaving, notching a handle, and lashing a rim, are used in making
this basket. It is 6 ½” in diameter and 8
½” tall with the handle.
Weaving Level: All
Classic Cat Kit
6” Cathead Mold Classic Cat Pattern Cathead Handle and Rims Weaving Level: All
$59
$59
$4
$16
KNIFE BASKET
LIDDED KNIFE BASKET
This lovely basket is identical to the body of the
Lidded Knife Basket. The
maple handle and rims
complete this basket that
measures 8” long, 5” wide,
and 3” deep.
Weaving Level: All
Knife Basket Kit Knife Mold Knife Basket Pattern Maple Rims and Handle This beautiful basket is basked on
a Shaker basket woven at Mount
Lebanon community. The basket is
woven of precisely prepared black ash
over a classic knife mold. The lid is
woven in a modified quadrafoil twill
pattern and completed with a sawtooth edge. Hardwood rims, handle
and stretcher bar finish off this very
challenging basket. The Lidded
Knife Basket measures 8” long, 5”
wide, and 3” deep (without handle).
Lidded Knife Basket Kit
Knife Mold
Lidded Knife Basket Pattern Rims, Handle & Stretcher Bar
$110
$59
$6
$22
DIAMOND TWILL BUREAU BASKET
This newly designed basket is
woven with precisely prepared
black ash splint over a wooden
mold. The stakes are brown
from the heartwood, while
the whiter weaves come from
the sapwood. The twilled diamond pattern and lashed maple rims add a touch of class to
this beautiful basket. The Diamond Twill Bureau Basket is
8” long, 5” wide, and 3” deep.
Weaving Level: Advanced
Weaving Level: Intermediate
SMALL KNIFE BASKET
Small Knife Basket Kit
4” Knife Mold
Small Knife Basket Pattern Hardwood Handle & Rims
$59
$59
$4
$18
Diamond Twill Bureau Basket
Knife Mold Diamond Twill Bureau Pattern
Maple Rims $65
$59
$4
$12
BUSINESS CARD BASKET
$45
$39
$4
$13
This adorable basket is a
half-scale version of an antique Shaker basket woven at
the Mount Lebanon Community in NY. This basket
is woven of black ash over a
wooden mold, and topped
with hardwood rims and
handle. The Small Knife
Basket measures 4” long, 2
½” wide, and 1 ½” deep.
Weaving Level:
Intermediate
This useful little basket is just the right size to display your business cards. Woven of black ash splint over the same mold as the Small Shaker Knife basket,
this basket features hardwood rims that are double-lashed. The Business Cards
Basket measures 4” long, 2 ½” wide, and 1 ½” deep.
Weaving Level: All
Business Card Basket Kit
4” Knife Mold
Business Card Basket Pattern Hardwood Rims
$39
$39
$4
$8
DESIGN YOUR OWN TWILL BOWL
The twill patterns on these bowls are striking due to
the contrast between the stained stakes and the whiter
black ash weavers, which some from the sapwood of
the tree. These instructions will give you many possibilities for twill patterns, allowing you to design and
weave your own twill bowl. The basket is 6” in diameter and about 3” deep.
Weaving Level: Intermediate
Twill Bowl Kit (stained stakes and rims)
6” Mushroom Mold
Twill Bowl Pattern
Rims $65
$39
$4
$10
SMALL ELEGANCE
ELEGANCE
Small Elegance is a miniature
version os Elegance, inspired
by the quadrafoil twill design
found in antique Shaker baskets. This basket is truly elegant: woven of finely prepared
black ash splint over a small
mushroom mold and topped
off with lashed maple rims.
Elegance measures 6” in diameter and 2” deep.
Inspired by the quadrafoil twill design found in antique Shaker
baskets, this bowl is woven of finely prepared black ash splint over
a wooden mushroom mold. The basket is completed with lashed
maple rims (choice of natural or black stained stakes and rims). Elegance measures 9 ½” in diameter
and 3” deep. Small Elegance measures 6” in diameter and 3” deep.
Weaving Level:
Intermediate/Advanced
Weaving Level: Intermediate
Small Elegance Kit
6” Mushroom Mold
Pattern
Maple Rims
Elegance Kit (natural stakes & rims)
$95
Ebony Elegance Kit (black stakes & rims) $105
9 ½” Mushroom Mold $49
Elegance & Ebony Elegance Pattern $5
Elegance Rims
$12
Ebony Elegance Rims
$14
$59
$39
$5
$8
SNOWFLAKE BOWL
LIGHTENING BOWLT
The lightening bolt pattern on
this bowl is striking due to the
contrast between the stained
brown stakes and the lighter
black ash weavers. The 6”
Lightening Bowlt is 2” deep,
and the 9 ½” Lightening Bowlt
is 3” deep.
Weaving Level: Intermediate
I developed this snowflake, or 8 point twill,
pattern from the quadrafoil twill found in Shaker
baskets. The design is
highlighted due to the
darker heartwood stakes
and the lighter sapwood
weavers. Lashed hardwood rims complete this
9 ½” diameter, 3” deep
treasure.
Weaving Level:
Advanced
Snowflake Bowl Kit 9 ½” Mushroom Mold Snowflake Bowl Pattern
9 ½” Hardwood Rims $105
$49
$5
$12
6” Lightening Bowlt Kit 9 ½” Lightening Bowlt Kit 6” Mushroom Mold 9 ½” Mushroom Mold Lightening Bowlt Pattern (includes both baskets) 6” Hardwood Rims
9 ½” Hardwood Rims
$65
$105
$39
$49
$5
$10
$14
SHAKER TRINKET TRAY
This black ash basket was inspired by the Shaker Fancy Tray and is woven
over the same mold. It is made with a lengthwise hardwood handle and
with classic Shaker proportions. The corner uprights have been split to allow for a graceful curve. This basket measures 5” wide, 12” long, 2 ½” deep,
and 5” tall (including handle).
Weaving Level: Intermediate
Shaker Trinket Tray Kit
Shaker Fancy Tray Mold
Shaker Trinket Tray Pattern
Hardwood Rims
Hardwood Handle
CRACKER BASKET
$79
$59
$4
$10
$10
SHAKER FANCY TRAY
This basket is the reproduction of a rare
antique Shaker basket
in my private collection. The basket is constructed like the original, with the addition
of delicate ear handles.
This reproduction basket is 5” wide, 12” long,
and 2” high.
Cracker Basket Kit
$73
Shaker Fancy Tray Mold $59
Cracker Basket Pattern
$4
Cherry Rims
$12
This useful black ash basket was inspired by the Shaker Fancy Tray. Moldwoven of finely prepared whiter sapwood weavers and brown heartwood
stakes, the corner stakes have been split to allow for the graceful curve of
the corners. Cherry rims are single lashed. Measures 5” wide, 12” long, and
2 ½” deep.
Weaving Level: Intermediate
Shaker Fancy Tray Kit Shaker Fancy Tray Mold Shaker Fancy Tray Pattern Rims and Ear Handles STEVE’S FISHING CREEL
BERKSHIRE BRACELETS
Inspired by my husband Steve, an avid fly fisherman,
this small basket is a replica of a fly fishing creel. It is
woven of black ash over a 5 piece pine puzzle mold,
which must be taken apart to be removed. The fleece
patch and hand-tied fly are extra. Steve’s Fishing
Creel is 3” long, 2 ¼” wide, and 2 3/8” high.
Made of black ash
splint, these quick
and easy cuff bracelets
are woven on a metal
bracelet blank that is
adjustable to any size
wrist. Several twill
patterns are shown,
but many are possible.
These bracelets, named
after the Berkshire
Mountains in MA, are
½” wide.
Weaving Level: Intermediate
Steve’s Fishing Creel Kit (fleece & fly not included) Steve’s Fishing Creel Mold Steve’s Fishing Creel Pattern Fleece Patch and Hand-tied Fly Wooden Lid, Latch, & Leather Straps Steve’s Fishing Creel Rims $53
$45
$4
$4
$9
$6
TWILLED ASH CUFF BRACELET
Weaving Level: All
$75
$59
$4
$18
Weaving Level:
Advanced
Berkshire Bracelet Kit
Berkshire Bracelet Pattern ½” Aluminum Bracelet Blank $15
$3
$1
CUFF BRACELET WITH BRAID
Made of black ash, these
cuff bracelets are woven on
a metal bracelet blank that
is adjustable to any wrist
size. Many twill patterns
are possible (although only
one is shown). The Twilled
Ash Cuff Bracelet is 1” wide
and 6” long.
Woven of natural and
dyed black ash, these
delicate looking cuff
bracelets are woven over
a metal bracelet blank
that is adjustable to any
wrist size. The Cuff
Bracelet with Braid is
½” wide.
Weaving Level: All
Weaving Level: All
Twilled Ash Cuff Bracelet Kit (choice of wine, blue, or green)
Twilled Ash Cuff Bracelet Pattern 1” Aluminum Bracelet Blank $15
$3
$1
Cuff Bracelet with Braid Kit (choice of wine, blue, or green) Cuff Bracelet with Braid Pattern ½” Aluminum Bracelet Blank $15
$3
$1
METAL PUSH PINS
WEAVING STAND & POST
These metal push pins are the best I have found to hold the basket to the mold
in the preliminary steps of weaving.
Weaving with black as splint over a
wooden mold is made easier with the
use of a hardwood weaving stand and
a metal post. This weaving stand has 5
holes for ease in adjusting the position
and angle of your mold while weaving
(all molds feature holes on the bottom
to secure easily to a weaving post). Use
your own clamp to secure the weaving
stand to your table or bench.
Hardwood Weaving Stand Metal Weaving Post Package of 20 Metal Push Pins
$5
ALLIGATOR CLIPS
These 1” alligator clips are my prefered clips for securing stakes in the last steps
before rimming a basket.
Package of 20 Alligator Clips
$6
“FISKARS” SOFT-GRIP SCISSORS
These Fiskars brand soft-grip scissors feature a long blade and sharp cutting
tips and have become my favorite tool for precision cutting.
$15
$4
“Fiskars” Soft-grip Scissors
JoAnn Kelly Catsos
.
$15
BLACK ASH BASKETMAKER & TEACHER
(left) Three baskets by JoAnn Kelly Catsos:
Jewel, miniature quadrafoil lidded cathead
basket, 1997, black ash splint, 2 1/2 x 2
diam.; Charm, miniature quadrafoil lidded
sewing basket with quadrafoil tray, 1999,
black ash splint, 1 3/4 x 2 1/8 diam.; Cherry
Jubilee, octafoil twist basket, 2006, black ash
splint, 6 7/8 x 9 3/8. Photography by Jason
Dowdle.
(below) JoAnn at the Association of Michigan
Basketmaker’s Convention, displaying her
Viewer’s Choice Award for Jubilique, in 2006.
JoAnn Kelly Catsos is an award-winning black ash splint basketmaker and teacher from Ashley Falls, MA.
Influenced by traditional Shaker and New England splint basketry, JoAnn designs and weaves black ash baskets on
molds made with help from her woodworker husband, Steve. She has been teaching basketry full time for 25 years.
Her teaching venues include art and craft schools, fiber/basketry conferences, local guilds and private groups across
the country.
She has won numerous awards, and her baskets are featured in a number of books and magazines, including 500
Baskets. In 1999 JoAnn was honored to have an ornament on the official White House Christmas Tree. She has also
received her Certificate of Excellence in Basketmaking: level I from the Handweavers Guild of America, becoming
one of the first two recipients in the country.
JoAnn lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband, Steve. They have three grown children.
JoAnn Kelly Catsos
90 Polikoff Rd.
Ashley Falls, MA
01222
(413)229-2655
[email protected]
www.joannkellycatsos.com
CATALOG DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER CATSOS