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Melon Baskets Shaping Tip      ©Linda Hebert

Do you have trouble getting your melon (rib) baskets symmetrical? Do you fuss with the spoke lengths forever?

Trying to cut the spokes (ribs) precisely the length that you need can be a lot like cutting one leg at a time to level a table. 
(Didn't Moe, Larry and Curly try that??)

It usually results in a lot of frustration and an uneven table- or basket!

Here's a quick and easy tip that I use to get mine perfectly shaped:

See where I've added the extra spokes to a 10" basket?
There are 4 spokes added about an inch into the weaving: one on each side of the red clamps. 
Total: 4 new spokes. 

These new spokes were added in the usual way, tucking them into the weaving.

However, on the OTHER SIDE of the basket, I, not only tucked the opposite ends of the spokes
into the basket,
but I also pushed the ends right through the weavers so that they are sticking out.

This is what it looked like on the opposite side of the basket, after weaving about 10 rows.

By doing this, while I'm weaving the center rows of the basket,

I can pull on the spoke ends to make the basket flatter or rounder, 
as I look at the profile of the basket that I'm weaving.

Then, when I'm completely finished with the basket, I can trim those 4 spokes to a point,

and hide the ends under the next weaver. Look closely and you'll see where I mean.

Voilá! Perfect shaping!