Basketmaking Tools

Image of crooked knife and wooden basket block with name "Watty" inscribed on it

Wabanaki baskets are made with materials indigenous to the Northeast. Brown ash provides splints for weavers and standards. This species of ash grows in wetlands and, when pounded with the back of an axe, it separates along its annual growth rings. Each ring can be split in half and, depending upon the thickness of the material, can be split again. The material is then gauged to create uniform splint widths and often dyed with botanical dyes and later with commercial dyes. Thinner material is preferred for weavers and thicker, sturdier splints for standards.

Each basketmaker draws upon a family assemblage of basketmaking tools–gauges, crooked knives and blocks–passed down within their family for generations. Tools are often specifically designed to fit a basketmaker’s hand and may be ornamented with chip-carved designs, their initials, or name.

Image of a wooden implement with a base, two arms, and a portion in the center that pivots on a cross-piece.

Scraper

20th Century

Splints that have been run through the splitter need to be scraped to remove the connective material between the summer and winter growth layers. Scrapers are also used to plane down thicker material.

HM9642

Image of a short, round block used for weaving urchin baskets.

Urchin Block

20th Century

HM9310

Image of basket block, circular and rounded toward base, with handle in center. "Watty" is inscribed on the top.

Curly Bowl Block

20th Century

The block is inscribed “WATTY,” the nickname of Lucy Nicolar Polar, Princess Watahwaso.

HM9305

Image of basket mold shaped like a buoy and used for acorn or strawberry baskets.

Tatting Basket Block

20th Century

This block or mold was used to make strawberry and acorn-shaped tatting baskets. Based on the smudges of dye on this block, it was used to make acorn tatting baskets.

HM9333