3-day Willow Pack Basket Intensive - Monday, June 10 - Wednesday, June 12

Learn to make your own willow pack basket! In addition to being beautiful, a pack basket is superior to the mass produced nylon packs of today in nearly every way. The primary reason being that your belongings won’t get crushed in your pack. Your belongings also can’t poke you in the back with a basket pack either. And finally, its a hand made work of art that you can use every day.

In this 3 day course you will learn the ancient art of weaving with willow. You will learn 3 weaving techniques originating in ancient Europe that can be applied to any size basket. You will learn about finding and harvesting your own willow and you’ll even learn a bit of leather work when we make our straps. All materials are provided. Camping is available for anyone coming from out of town at no additional cost.

Class schedule:

Day 1. Morning: talk all about how to find willow, when/how to harvest. Pros and cons of wild willow vs farm raised willow. Rules of working with willow. Start the base of your pack. Break for lunch. Afternoon: finish bases and make the bottom half of our packs.

Day 2: Weave all day. Finish the packs including the rim. If you finish early you’ll learn how to help others finish.

Day 3: Add a foot to your basket and make your straps. People tend to finish at different times but by the end of the day we should all be done. Group photo with your beautiful work!