Flat Oval Reed, 1 lb Coil, 1/8, 3/16 or 1/4 in, Natural

Flat oval reed is cut from the rattan core with one flat face and one rounded face. The flat side sits snug against the basket and the rounded side shows, so it gives a finished, slightly raised look that plain flat reed does not.

Our narrow widths are the ones basket makers reach for to finish a basket:

• Lashing: the strand that wraps over the rim and through the weaving below it, binding the inner rim, outer rim and rim filler together. Single lashing goes around in one direction; for an X pattern, go around a second time in the other direction.
• Rims on small baskets, with the flat sides facing the basket on both the inside and the outside.
• Accent weavers: a row or two of flat oval among flat reed weavers adds a rounded ridge that catches the light.

Because flat oval is thicker in the middle than flat reed of the same width, it needs a longer soak. Soak it in warm water until it bends easily without cracking, and keep it damp while you lash. Bend it gradually around the rim; a sharp kink can split it.

Pull each wrap of lashing snug and keep the spacing even, one wrap in each space between the stakes. Let the basket dry fully before you trim the ends, since reed tightens a little as it dries.

The narrower the lasher, the more wraps it takes and the finer it looks. Choose 1/8 in for miniature and small baskets and for fine lashing. 3/16 and 1/4 in suit everyday baskets as lashers and as accent weavers; a 1 lb coil of 3/16 in runs roughly 260 to 275 ft.

Rims on medium and large baskets are usually cut from wider flat oval, so check the width your pattern calls for; our sizes suit rims on small baskets. If you are repairing a basket, measure the old lashing and match it.