Once the webbing is complete to your satisfaction, you will need to find another branch about 20mm in diameter to form a crossbar. An ideal candidate for this is the lower portion of the tree trunk from which your snowshoe is made. Cut the snowshoe off the tree. Then place it next to the remaining trunk to measure how long the crossbar should be. If you cut it too short, you will have to find another. If you leave it too long, you will have an awkward pair of snowshoes. The crossbar should extend beyond the frame a distance approximately equal to its thickness. Attach both ends of the crossbar to the frame at the frame's widest section using square lashing. If you are short on rope, but have some woodworking skill and plenty of time for construction, you could also carve tenons and the crossbar and cut mortices in each side of the rim. If you opt for this approach, be sure the tenons are long enough that the crossbar will not fall out. Also be sure the mortices do not remove too much wood from the rim.
in diameter to form a crossbar. An ideal candidate for this is the lower portion of the tree trunk from which your snowshoe is made. Cut the snowshoe off the tree. Then place it next to the remaining trunk to measure how long the crossbar should be. If you cut it too short, you will have to find another. If you leave it too long, you will have an awkward pair of snowshoes. The crossbar should extend beyond the frame a distance approximately equal to its thickness. Attach both ends of the crossbar to the frame at the frame's widest section using square lashing. If you are short on rope, but have some woodworking skill and plenty of time for construction, you could also carve tenons and the crossbar and cut mortices in each side of the rim. If you opt for this approach, be sure the tenons are long enough that the crossbar will not fall out. Also be sure the mortices do not remove too much wood from the rim.
