JoAnn Kelly Catsos
2013
BLACK ASH BASKETMAKER & TEACHER
catalog
BLACK ASH SPLINT BASKETRY KITS
Thank you for your 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
our son Chris pound and process
the black ash splint. We also make
the wooden molds and other basket
parts in our woodworking shop.
We hope that you enjoy our
quality 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.
Basketmaking is fun; please
share this catalog with a friend.
Steve and JoAnn Catsos in their shop in Ashley Falls, Massachusetts. Photograph by David Wiechnicki
Happy Weaving!
CLOVERLEAF BOWL
Cloverleaf Bowl Kit 4” Mushroom Mold Cloverleaf Bowl Pattern Stakes and Rims SPIRAL STAIRCASE
$55
$30
$4
$12
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
BERKSHIRE BACKPACK
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
$55
$30
$4
$14
SMALL COUNTRY GATHERING BASKET
This little pack basket is named after the
Berkshire Mountains, near our home in Massachusetts. It is chase-woven of black ash
splint over a puzzle mold that must be taken
apart to be removed. Although small in size, it
has all the features of a full size pack– lashed
rims, an ash handle, a leather harness with
buckle, and ash skeds on the base. Full sized
black ash backpacks were originally used
by trappers to carry their supplies through
the woods. This pack measures 2 ¾” long,
2” wide, and 4” high, including handle.
Weaving Level: Intermediate
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.
Berkshire Backpack Kit
Berkshire Pack Puzzle Mold
Berkshire Backpack Pattern
Handle and Rims Extra Leather Harness
$65
$55
$4
$12
$12
Weaving Level: All
Small Country Gathering Basket Kit 4” Mushroom Mold Small Country Gathering Basket Pattern Maple Handle and Rims TOMATO PINCUSHION BASKET
BUTTON BASKET WITH QUADRAFOIL LID
This low cathead basket is fitted
with a classic red tomato pincushion that is filled with wool
fleece and is perfect for a quilter.
It uses basic black ash splint basketry techniques, such as forming the ‘cat ears’, chase weaving
on a wooden mold and lashing
a hardwood rim. The Tomato
Pincushion basket measures 4
1/4” in diameter x 1 1/2” deep
(3” with cushion)
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:
Beginner/Intimediate
Tomato Pincushion Kit
4” Cathead Mold
Tomato Pincushion Basket Pattern
Hardwood Rims
Extra Red Tomato Pincushion
$65
$45
$4
$8
$20
Weaving Level: Advanced
DIAMOND BOWLS
TWILLED ASH BOWL
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.
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 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
Diamond Bowls Kit 4” Mushroom Mold Diamond Bowls Pattern Hardwood Rims
$55
$30
$4
$8
Weaving Level: Intermediate
$50
$30
$4
$14
Button Basket Kit 4” Mushroom Mold (lid)
4” Cathead Mold (bottom)
Button Basket Pattern Hardwood Rims $80
$30
$45
$5
$12
Twilled Ash Bowl Kit
4” Mushroom Mold Twilled Ash Bowl Pattern
Twilled Ash Bowl Rims $50
$30
$4
$8
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
$100
4” Mushroom Mold (lid) $30
4” Cathead Mold (bottom) $45
Cherub Pattern
$6
4” Hardwood Rims
$14
Cathead Handle
$8
Small Country Bread Basket Kit
4” Cathead Mold Small Country Bread Basket Pattern
Ear Handles and Hardwood Rims $50
$45
$4
$16
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 $40
$25
$4
$14
Weaving Level: All
Shaker Pincushion Kit Kittenhead Mold Shaker Pincushion Pattern Fabric & Fleece Rims
$40
$25
$4
$6
$8
QUADRAFOIL TUB
CHUBBY CAT
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
$55
$45
$4
$8
$8
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 $105
$40
$6
$18
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 $65
$60
$4
$20
Lidded Cathead Kit $120
6” Mushroom Mold (lid) $40
6” Cathead Mold (bottom) $60
Lidded Cathead Pattern $6
6” Hardwood Rims
$16
6” Cathead Handle $10
SHORTY CAT
Shorty Cat Kit
6” Cathead Mold
Shorty Cat Pattern
6” Hardwood Rims
$55
$60
$4
$10
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 $60
$60
$4
$10
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
$70
$60
$4
$20
Weaving Level: Advanced
Small Sewing Basket Kit
6” Mushroom Mold (lid) 6” Cathead Mold (bottom)
Small Sewing Basket Pattern 6” Hardwood Rims $105
$60
$5
$10
$110
$40
$60
$6
$14
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
$55
$60
$4
$10
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
$65
$60
$4
$20
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 8” Knife Mold Knife Basket Pattern Maple Rims and Handle This beautiful basket is based 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
$120
$60
$6
$26
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
$65
$60
$4
$22
Diamond Twill Bureau Basket
Knife Mold Diamond Twill Bureau Pattern
Maple Rims $65
$60
$4
$12
BUSINESS CARD BASKET
$45
$40
$4
$16
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 Card
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
$40
$40
$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 come 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 $70
$40
$5
$12
SMALL ELEGANCE
ELEGANCE
Small Elegance is a smaller
version of 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) $100
Ebony Elegance Kit (black stakes & rims) $110
9 ½” Mushroom Mold $50
Elegance & Ebony Elegance Pattern $5
Elegance Rims
$14
Ebony Elegance Rims (stained)
$16
$65
$40
$5
$8
SNOWFLAKE BOWL
LIGHTNING 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 $115
$50
$5
$14
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 (stained)
9 ½” Hardwood Rims (stained)
$70
$110
$40
$50
$5
$12
$16
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
$90
$60
$4
$12
$12
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
$80
Shaker Fancy Tray Mold $60
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. It 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 $60
$50
$4
$5
$12
$8
TWILLED ASH CUFF BRACELET
Weaving Level: All
$85
$60
$4
$22
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 (material for only one
is included in the kit). 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 $20
$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
Weaving with black ash 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 $15
$5
These metal push pins are the best I have found to hold the basket to the mold
in the preliminary steps of weaving.
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.
“Fiskars” Soft-grip Scissors
$15
JoAnn Kelly Catsos
BLACK ASH BASKETMAKER & TEACHER
(left) Quadrafoil Sewing Basket with Tray, photographed
by Jeff Baird.
Black ash splint, maple rims. Quadrafoil twill pattern on
basket body, inner tray, and lid. 10” diameter.
I’m honored that this basket has been donated to the
Smithsonian American Art Musum. It will be included
in the exhibition The Cole-Ware Collection of American
Baskets, from October 4, 2013 until January 12, 2014 at
the Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC.
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 28 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. In October of 2012 one of JoAnn’s baskets graced the cover of The Crafts Report magazine.
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)441-1969
[email protected]
www.joannkellycatsos.com
CATALOG DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER CATSOS