Black Ash, One of Many Miracles

Kerry demonstrates how to split one ring into two.

As I’ve been immersing myself in the world of “Northern Craft” over the past year or so, I’ve had the amazing experience of learning about and participating in black ash basketry.  The exact origin of this craft is unknown, but black ash baskets have played an important role in both native and Euro-American cultures of this area for hundreds of years or more. 

​My first experience with black ash came during the winter of 2014-2015, when I started learning to weave with some material that Kerry had pounded the previous summer.  I learned how to prepare the material by cutting it to width, and also that by peeling one ring into two layers, I could not only double the amount of material for weaving, but that through this process, the smooth, shiny inner surface of the black ash could be exposed for a more “polished” look.  I wove a few small and simple baskets, learning about the importance of even width weavers, strong uprights, basket proportions, and wished I had a few extra arms.

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​After moving to Minnesota and meeting numerous people who were interested in black ash basketry, but had little or no experience, Kerry and I decided to host a black ash weekend in which we could all learn about and experience the process together.  It was a wonderful affair with nine people participating in some way or another.  We pounded a log, removing ring by ring to produce a bathtub full of splint, wove baskets, ate delicious food, played music, relaxed in the sauna, and had general all-purpose fun.

The pile of splint grows as we pound on the log.

Since spending that weekend immersed in friends and black ash, I’ve had the joy of pounding two more logs, weaving a bunch more baskets and participating in a more formal black ash pack basket class.  The process of pounding on a log with a wooden mallet for days on end to remove ring by ring continues to amaze me, as well as the beauty and usefulness of the finished products.  I just have to wonder what those passersby think when they see (and hear) me out in the yard beating on a log for hours on end…

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Ring by ring, the black ash log separates as we pound, providing strong, beautiful splint for baskets.