Asymmetric Willow Baskets

Description

A weekend course of creative willow making contemporary spiral-topped baskets. You will be given an introduction to willow basketry, and be guided through the process learning lots of traditional techniques. You will practise several different weave patterns, choosing colours of Somerset willow as you go to add contrast to your basket. Finishing off with a thick piece of willow or hazel for a handle, and the spiralling asymmetric border weave. At a Glance: A weekend immersion in creative willow techniques Exploration in pattern and texture using willow Make a contemporary spiral-topped basket that will look gorgeous in your home Nourishing 2-course lunch and refreshments provided Saturday night supper and B&B option available What You Will Gain: A chance to build on any existing basketry skills, tailored to you Learn about safe tool use, and how to prepare your materials Explore how to design a basket, choosing the correct materials for each stage Leave with more confidence in your abilities and the satisfaction of having made a beautiful and useful item of craft More about Asymetric Willow Baskets: A creative basketry course for confident beginners or those who have made a few baskets before and wish to build on their skills. The weekend will hold lots of opportunities for exploring texture and pattern in willow, and the complexity of weave patterns will be tailored to the individual’s ability. With each stage you will be making choices between the many beautiful natural willow colours, weaving together a unique design of basket. The base begins with the ‘Stake and Strand’ method which some participants may be familiar with if they have made a round basket before. We will talk about how to design a basket, thinking about the final stages from the very beginning, and how your choice of willow affects the shape and the border. You will be able to look at examples of weave patterns and learn new variations on Waling and Randing, with so many options to create textural weaves. We will cover techniques to control shape as we go, and talk about keeping our willow damp and in good condition so that we can weave the upright rods into the border during the final stages. Over the weekend there will be lots of information about preparing and soaking willow too. The final spiral-topped border, originating from Poland, allows for different ways of adding a handle to a round basket, either with a curved willow rod, or a thick willow or hazel stick handle. Everything is held together with the willow rods that are woven into the base of the basket, and we will wrap the last rods tightly around the handle to secure it before weaving these away into the basket. Participants will leave with a sense of satisfaction and pride , having learned lots of new skills, and with a beautiful basket that will last years and years.

What's included in the price?

For the majority of our courses, both residential and non-residential rates are available. Residential options are fully inclusive with all meals provided. Non-residential options include suppers, lunches and all refreshments and exclude B&B. Some of our short day courses, events and talks do not include meals and refreshments

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Hawkwood CFT

with Craft Courses since 2019

Message the tutor

Hawkwood is an arts and educational charity providing courses, facilitating training and offering venue hire, set in a stunning location in the Cotswolds. Hawkwood is a beautiful, sustainably run estate. As a charity, we bring together people and organisations from many backgrounds in support of creative endeavour, a flourishing community, and a sustainable environment. We provide a specially curated programme of courses covering leadership, music, arts & crafts and well-being, as well as hosting artistic residencies and events. Many people return to Hawkwood year after year because of our ethos, our fantastic team, and our delicious food.