Withies are cut, split into three parts and pointed. Rye straw is combed out with a wooden rake, the ears are cut off. The beehive is coiled from a single bundle of straw, which is pulled through a template ring made of cow horn to ensure uniformity of size. The basketry technique is known as "wrapped and pierced coiling" whereby the coil is wrapped and interlocked with the split withies. The bell top is shaped first, followed by the cylindrical walls with the flight entrance for the bees. The finished skep is about 38 cm high.