I am working on a 1930's era black plantation worker; today I started carving the straw hat. In the end, it came out okay, but it might have been better if I had carved against the grain first and then carved with the grain. I think that would have reduced the 'break out' and the rework.

Just a suggestion if you ever carve a tight cross-hatch pattern.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

thanks for the suggestion!

[Greyhair]

I work leather a lot and use a basket weave pattern extensively. The tool that is used for that works very well on basswood as well as leather. It leaves a very consistent pattern. There are about 6 different sizes of the pattern tools so you can find a pattern to fit usually. A small mallet is all that is needed.
I got my tools at the Leather Factory.