Round Maple 2-Piece Rims — for Nantucket Basket Weaving

Authentic Maple Rims for Traditional Nantucket Lightship Basketry

Crafted from select hard maple, our Round Maple 2-Piece Rims are precision-machined for the traditional Nantucket basket weaver who demands quality materials that honor the heritage of the craft. Whether you are building a classic lightship basket from scratch or restoring a treasured piece, these two-piece rims deliver the strength, workability, and clean finish that maple is known for.

Why Maple?

Hard maple has been a preferred wood in Nantucket basket making since the craft's earliest days. Unlike softer woods, maple offers:

Density and durability — holds its shape and resists wear over years of use
Fine, even grain — takes stain and finish beautifully, whether you prefer a natural blonde look or a deeper rubbed finish
Stability — minimal movement after turning and fitting, giving you reliable tension when lashed to the basket
Workability — cuts, sands, and carves cleanly, making spoke-holes and lashing channels crisp and precise

Authentic Nantucket lightship baskets evolved from humble seafaring origins into heirloom craftsmanship, and hardwood rims remain one of the defining elements of a properly built basket [ref:Tpz7]. Our maple rims continue that tradition.

Two-Piece Rim Construction

Traditional Nantucket baskets use a two-piece rim system — an inner and outer rim that sandwich the staves and weaving, secured by lashing. This design creates the clean, finished edge that distinguishes a quality basket. Each pair is machined to fit together properly so you can focus on your weaving, not on fighting ill-matched parts.

Available Sizes

Size	Use Case
4″ Wide	Ideal for small purses, coin purses, mini-nest baskets, and jewelry baskets
7″ Wide	Perfect for hand baskets, midsize totes, and tabletop baskets

Both sizes are cut from solid maple stock with uniform thickness for even, consistent lashing.

Limited Supply

These rims are produced in very limited quantities. When they're gone, we may not restock this batch. If you are planning a project — or stocking up for the season — we recommend securing your rims now.

What's Included

One (1) pair of Round Maple 2-Piece Rims (inner + outer rim) per order
All pairs are pre-sized and ready to fit the corresponding basket molds

Product Specs

Material: Select hard maple
Style: 2-piece rim (inner and outer)
Shape: Round
Available Sizes: 4″ diameter and 7″ diameter
Finish: Unfinished (ready for your preferred stain, oil, or lacquer)
Craft: Nantucket Lightship Basket making

Recommended For

Nantucket basket weavers of all skill levels
Basket kits and custom builds
Repair and restoration of existing baskets
Weavers seeking maple rims specifically for their workability and finished appearance

Ready to weave? These Round Maple 2-Piece Rims are ready to ship. Order now while supplies last.