Join us for a full-day workshop exploring the ancient craft of coiled basketry—a timeless and meditative technique once practiced by our hunter-gatherer ancestors across the British Isles and beyond.
Using bunches of natural plant fibres such as hay or straw, you’ll learn how to wind and stitch your basket coil by coil, shaping it into a beautiful and functional round vessel. This style of basket has a rich history—especially in Scotland—and remains just as beautiful and useful today.
Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or brand new to basketry, this workshop offers a grounding and creative way to reconnect with traditional skills and handwork.
What You’ll Learn:
- The history and uses of coiled basketry
- How to form and shape a coiled basket from base to border
- Stitching techniques to hold coils in place
- How to finish and care for your basket
- Ways to adapt the technique using different materials, shapes, and textures
Throughout the day, you’ll be guided step-by-step as you create your own unique round basket to take home—perfect for storing dried herbs, trinkets, or simply admired as a piece of handmade art.
What’s Included:
- All tools and materials for your basket
- Tea and coffee throughout the day
- Hands-on instruction and plenty of creative encouragement
Optional:
If you have any fabric, yarn, or other suitable fibres you’d like to incorporate into your basket, feel free to bring them along! Many modern coiled baskets beautifully blend natural and upcycled materials such as yarn, rope, raffia, sari silks, old tshirts cut into strips etc.
Who It’s For:
Anyone aged 14+ (under 16s must be accompanied by a participating adult). No prior experience is needed—just a love of craft and curiosity for ancestral skills.
