Basketry: weaving in willow

Course Dates: 24/03/25 - 14/04/25
Time: 10:30 - 16:30
Location: Keeley Street
Tutors: 
Mollie McMillen
Explore basic willow basketry structures and weaves. This course will guide beginners through a simple project to make a small, round, functional basket.
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Full fee £329.00 Senior fee £263.00 Concession £214.00

Basketry: weaving in willow
  • Course Code: VC220
  • Dates: 24/03/25 - 14/04/25
  • Time: 10:30 - 16:30
  • Taught: Mon, Daytime
  • Duration: 4 sessions (over 4 weeks)
  • Location: Keeley Street
  • Tutor: Mollie McMillen

Course Code: VC220

Mon, day, 24 Mar - 14 Apr '25

Duration: 4 sessions (over 4 weeks)

Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.

What is the course about?

This courses will guide you through a step by step process to make a round willow basket. You will be provided with a thorough reference to traditional willow skills. You will learn about how willow is grown and prepared, and what tools are used in traditional functional basketmaking.

What will we cover?

We will cover the selection and preparation of willow, making a simple round base, several weaving techniques including pairing, waling and randing. You will learn to make a simple rod border.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Select willow suitable for different stages of the basket
- Weave willow using several different techniques
- Complete a round basket

Advanced students should be able to:
- Widen their basketry knowledge
- Explore how weaves can be manipulated to give different effects
- Make a double rod twisted handle.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is for beginners and those who have made some willow baskets but would like to reinforce their basic skills.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

This is a practical course. You will be taught by demonstration, individual and group tuition. There will be examples and pictures to help you. Handouts can be accessed via our Google Classroom eLearning platform. Details on how to login will be sent prior to the start of the course.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Access to materials and resources are provided as part of this course. You may wish to bring a notebook to document your progress and/or take photos of your own work-in-progress.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

City Lit offers a range of courses in Basketry and Contemporary Crafts for beginners to advanced learners and professional practitioners. We also run an in-depth two year basketry course. The next intake is September 2025 You are welcome to register your interest via email to visualarts@citylit.ac.uk.
Please browse the website to view the rest of our upcoming courses.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 10:30 – 12:00 then 15:00 – 17:00.

We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.