Molds are another "tool" used in basket making.  They shape your basket.  Molds can be used repeatedly.  If using the same materials your first basket will be exactly like your next basket as well as the one after that.  By varying the materials used your basket will have a different look.  You can also change the basket by stopping before you get to the top of the mold making a shorter style.  Let your imagination be your guide.

Shaker molds are meant to be used for woven bottom baskets.  All Shaker baskets have woven bottoms and are made with black ash.  The Kentucky Shakers made some oak baskets in the same styles.  No melon or buttocks baskets were made by the Shakers.

The original Nantucket molds had a recess in the bottom with a wood anchor in the center for a screw.  All Nantucket’s have a wooden base and were woven with cane.  Some had wooden staves (uprights).

Modern molds are based on the Shaker and Nantucket beginnings.  Baskets are ever evolving.