Determining Lasher Length ⋆ PrairieWood Basketry

When I first started weaving someone told me that the length of the lasher needed to be two and a half times the circumference of the basket. So I would wrap the lasher around the basket two and a half times; if it was at least that long, I would start lashing. Unfortunately, I often found the lasher was too short. So I assumed that I had heard wrong, maybe it should be three times around, but that didn’t work consistently either. It was so frustrating to have my lasher run out one or two stakes from being finished!!

So, being me, I started to analyze when I ran out and when I didn’t. Which was correct – two and a half times around the basket or three times around the basket or …?? I took notes, lots of notes. I know, I know, you are thinking this lady is crazy and you are probably right, but I did learn a lot!

The basket above has a circumference of 28″, I used a lasher that was 82″. So two and a half times around (70″) is just a few inches to short and three times around (84″) works perfectly. BUT

This basket, Voltage, has a circumference of 37″, I needed a lasher that was 186″. That is over five times around the basket! Obviously this three times rule doesn’t always work.

After taking a lot of notes and trying several different methods, I made up a formula. For many years now, I have been using my lash formula whenever I lash with flat or flat oval reed. I also use my lash formula to determine how much lasher to add to kits. It works. Every time. You might find it helpful also.

The old rule, three times around the basket, works for baskets that have a simple construction (i.e. over one, under one weave with 1/2″ stakes spaced about 1/2″ apart) however circumference is not the only thing to consider when determining lasher length for your basket. Lasher length is determined by a combination of number of stakes, basket circumference and rim width and thickness.

How to figure out lasher length for your basket (without handles)

I’m going to give you a formula – don’t roll your eyes and think this is a lot like math, because it really is simple and it really doesn’t take but a minute or two to figure out. Use a calculator or your phone or a piece of scrap paper – this is just one small step to insure that you don’t run out of lasher!

Here’s the formula:

(N x number of stakes) + 8 = the length of lasher

Let’s break it down:

8 is the extra reed for starting and stopping – you can make it 10 or 12 if you are nervous.
number of stakes – just count the stakes – all the way around and jot it down.
N is the distance it takes the lasher to circle the rim while lashing one stake. It is easy to determine this with a flexible measuring tape.

Let me demonstrate on my Herringbone Carrier:

The basket has 32 stakes.

Take your tape measure and lay it where the lasher will lay. Measure from the base of the outside of the rim all the way over the top of the rim and to the base of the rim inside the basket. Remember the lasher will lay at an angle, from the center of one space over to the center of the next space, so measure at that angle. Make a note of this number. On this basket it was 2″ around the rim.

Now we need to measure the part under the rim, while possible, it is easier to measure the top of the rim. Be sure to measure on a diagonal. On this basket I got 1/2″. Add these two numbers together (2 + 1/2 = 2 1/2 (2.5)), this number is N. [Note: I didn’t need to on this basket, but when necessary, I round up to the nearest 1/4″ (.25) for ease.]

So let’s plug in the numbers:

(2.5 x 32) + 8 = 88

Eighty-eight inches – I used 84″, and appreciated the 4 extra inches! 🙂 That extra minute sure beat being 4″ short!

How to figure out lasher length for a basket with handles

If your basket has handles and you plan to add an X where the handle and rim cross, you will need to add extra length. I do have a formula for this, but even I think it’s overkill. The bottom line is it typically works out that you need to add 6″ for each handle you want to X.

So if the Herringbone Carrier has one handle I would have to add 12″ so I could add two X’s, one on each end of the handle. So 88 + 12 = 100″ of lasher.

How to figure out lasher length for your double lashed or V lashed basket or …

If you are double lashing (going around the basket two times), you just need to double the number of stakes. For example, if I had double lashed the Herringbone Carrier we used earlier, I would have doubled the 32 stakes and the formula would look like this: (2.5 x 64) +8 = 168. One hundred and sixty-eight inches of lasher.

If you are V lashing (see my V lash tutorial here), Figuring N is a little more complex since you will be lashing around the basket once, but going into each space twice. Here’s what you need to do:

Take your tape measure and lay it where the lasher will lay when it moves from one space to the next. Measure from the base of the outside of the rim all the way over the top of the rim and to the base of the rim inside the basket. Remember the lasher will lay at an angle, from the center of one space over to the center of the next space, so measure at that angle. Make a note of this number.

Now, take your tape measure and lay it where the lasher will lay when it goes back into the same space. Measure from the base of the outside of the rim all the way over the top of the rim and to the base of the rim inside the basket. Remember at this point the lasher will lay straight up and down, from the center of one space over to the center of the same space, it is not at an angle. Make a note of this number.

Now we need to measure the part under the rim, and it is easier to measure the top of the rim. And because the lasher loops into each space, twice we will need two numbers, be sure to measure once on a diagonal (pictured) and once straight across (not pictured). Make a note of both numbers and add them to the first two numbers.

This is my Braided Muffin Basket, and these are the measurements I used to get N

1 3/4 + 1 1/2 + 1/2 + 1/2 = 4 1/4″ (4.25). ( I rounded up on two numbers.)

This basket has 32 stakes so this is my formula:

(4.25 x 32) + 8= 144″ I had about 8″ extra.

There are other fancy ways to lash a rim, and there are ways to figure out how much lasher you will need for each of those. Basically just figure out how much lasher is needed to circle the rim and multiply that by the number of stakes. Oh and don’t forget to add a little extra for insurance.

Why this is important?

Because I hate running out of lasher two or three stakes from the end. It is also very helpful to know how much lasher to add to a basket kit. I usually try to add extra to account for breakage. I can’t do anything about those coils of reed with only short lengths and sometimes lashers break, so on occasion I have to add on. But it really is nice to know how much lasher a basket requires.

Lashing with Waxed Linen

While I do use this formula to determine how much waxed linen I will need to lash a basket. I use mutiple shorter lengths, because it is easy to add to a waxed linen lasher and completely hide the knot (see my tutorial here). Just be sure to add 8″ for each length, that way you will have plenty to work with for adding on and ending.