Woodland Weaving
A 2 day woodland-based basket weaving workshop
18/19 May 2024, 9.30-5
£220
NOW FULLY BOOKED. Possible second date being added
A collaborative workshop between myself and Owen Jones in the Lake District woodland we work together.
Peeling season in the oak coppice runs from mid April til the end of June and is a wonderful time of year to be engaged in gentle woodland work with good company. The bluebells and the bilberry flowers give some colour to the woodland floor, the migrant birds are back (if we’re lucky we’ll hear the wood warblers), and the new, dark red coppice shoots are emerging.
We’d love for you to join us for this unique course where you’ll be involved in the whole process from tree to basket. There’ll be lots of time to talk while we’re bark peeling, plenty of hot or cold drinks, and hopefully the sun will join us. We’ll end the weekend with a simple basketry project.
What you’ll learn
Day 1
Walk around the coppice and an introduction to the work we do.
We’ll talk you through selecting some suitable trees and fell them.
Learn which parts of the tree are useable for baskets, and what we do with the rest.
Learn how to cleave oak with an axe and wedges, and then a froe into billets that are ready to be boiled.
We’ll load the wood into the boiler, fill it with water from the beck and light it.
We’ll spend the rest of the day peeling tanbark and stoking the boiler.
Day 2
The day will start with riving the hot oak out of the boiler
Learn how to tear oak in a controlled way to split it evenly into strips.
Learn how to use a drawknife and mare, or a knife, to dress and shape oak taws to be woven.
In the afternoon we’ll weave an oak bias weave basket, dimensions approximately 10” cube.
All these skills are transferable to other split wood baskets as well as to many other greenwood crafts.
What to bring
Sturdy outdoor footwear.
Clothing suitable for the weather - it could be hot, cold or wet.
Gardening or working gloves to protect your hands from the tannins.
The boiled oak can produce a black dye that will stain your clothes and hands. Please wear old clothing that you don't mind getting discoloured.
We have two x half hour lunch and brew breaks through the day. Bring plenty of water, and enough food to keep you going all day.
Who is this workshop for?
The workshop is for anybody who wants to learn more about oak coppicing or split wood basketry.
Perhaps you’re a basketmaker keen to try split wood techniques.
You’re interested in managing woodland in an environmentally sound way.
A leatherworker curious about the source of tanbark.
Or a designer wanting to add an element of riven oak to your work.
Or perhaps you are a complete beginner and want to spend a creative weekend in the woods.
Places available
There are 8 available spaces on the course.
Accessibility
Some level of fitness is required. There’s a short walk into the wood up a rocky track and then we’ll be working on uneven woodland ground in all weathers. You need to be able to stand for most of the day. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email and I’ll be happy to help.
Skill level: Beginner
The weaving pattern is simple but it is very physical and involves a degree of hand and upper body strength.
Where is it?
The course venue
The course will be held in Force Knott Wood, where we’ve coppiced together since 2015.
Force Knott Wood is in the Rusland Valley, Cumbria, near to Satterthwaite and Grizedale Forest. A nearby postcode is LA12 8LL.
I’ll send out directions and parking instructions closer to the date.
What is included?
All materials and tool use
Plenty of hot and cold drinks, cakes and snacks.
A completed oak basket.
Peeled oak and tan bark will be available to buy at an additional cost
Where to stay
There is a lot of accommodation in the Lake District so you won’t struggle to find somewhere. Here is a select list of local accommodation.
Grizedale camping has camping spaces for tents and vans, yurts and pods to hire, and a bunkbarn. It is really close to the woodland venue we’ll be using. The Eagles Head pub in Satterthwaite is a short walk away.
Crosslands Farm is a B&B & caravan site a couple of miles down the valley.
Abbot Park is a campsite and camping barn near Oxen Park. The Manor pub is in the same village.
Hawkshead YHA is our nearest hostel and also offers tipis, cabins and bell tents for hire.
Terms and Conditions
Participant cancellation:
If you need to cancel your place on the course please give me as much notice as possible.
If it is up to 21 days before the course start date, I will re-advertise and endeavour to fill the place. You will get a full refund.
If it is less than 21 days before the course start date you will not be automatically eligible for a refund, unless the space can be filled.
I know that emergencies happen and they aren’t always conveniently 21 days before an event. Get in touch and I’ll try to help in any way I can.
Course cancellation:
If there are not enough bookings for a course to be viable by 21 days before the course date, then I will contact all course members immediately by phone or email and all payments will be refunded in full.
If I have to cancel a course at short notice due to any unavoidable circumstances, then I will contact all course members immediately by phone or email and all payments will be refunded in full.
