The School of Willow Basketry
A complete program for aspiring basket makers.
This is an online course set out as an apprenticeship program that helps people charmed by willow and basket making go from complete novice weavers to confident makers. You will be equipped with all the knowledge and skills to make your own work and, if you would like to, become a part-time or professional basket maker.
You have been feeling a creative urge for a while now…. It has been pulling you, nudging you, pushing you…
And now you have found my page.
You want to learn how to make a basket.
You want to learn how to gather your materials,
how to sit down with them and let your hands touch the willow.
You want to learn how to weave with confidence, assurance and style.
And now you have found my world.
You want to sit and feel connected
To your past and your ancestors
who knew this craft, who mastered it.
You want to sit and feel connected to the natural world around you.
Enjoy her plentiful harvest.
and use it to create objects of great beauty and utility.
You came to the right place….
Is this you?
You have been fascinated by willow and willow weaving for a while now and you do not know where to go or how to learn more. You might have researched for books and classes but you feel overwhelmed and do not know where to start. You have seen so many beautiful baskets and you want to make THEM ALL. You might even have started growing willow. You somehow have tried making a basket. You might have taken an in-person workshop and you succeeded in making a basket but you still feel unsure if what you are doing is correct or the right way to go about it. But there is no one telling you what the next step is, what to do, how to make your vision come alive.
There is a way through this overwhelm. I have been there too. I have felt the excitement, the absolute joy in finding willow and the desperate need for someone to stand by me and guide me through it all.
Let me lead you through the confusion…
Imagine being able to create a basket you have envisioned in your head and knowing how to go about creating it without having to consult a book or do a class.
Imagine carrying the muscle memory and technical skills of generations before us, being able to create with them and pass them on to the generations after us.
Imagine…
Imagine what it would be like to create baskets from willow knowing what willow to soak, which techniques to use and why. No more doubting yourself or having no clue on where to start. Instead, from having followed the instructions many times and having built up muscle memory, you are confident in what to do. You can now create your own basket designs and sell them to your community. You are a practising craftsman, you have gained a valuable skill you can use for monetary value and a new creative avenue for yourself.
Are you ready to become a basket maker?
You don’t have to figure this out alone. The Becoming a basket maker online course gives you all the information you need, step by step so you can become a confident weaver.
I am here to help you along your journey…
I am grateful to Hanna for this wonderful online course, which was one of the things that sparked the beginning of my journey to becoming a professional basket maker. The videos and notes were not just clear and informative — they felt like a guiding hand, patiently leading me forward. Hanna’s calm, kind, and thoughtful delivery made me feel supported and inspired every step of the way.
Here’s exactly what you get when you sign up to BECOMING A BASKET MAKER online course:
- Unlimited access so you can work at your own pace. Once signed up there is no time limit to completing the course. You have life time access and you can work at your own pace and in your own time. You can repeat projects as many times as needed and watch videos over and over again.
- Access to me through email and our online community for asking questions and guidance.
- Monthly live session via Zoom. A place to get to know other students, ask questions and show your work.
- A private online group, hosted on Mighty Networks, where you can also share pictures of your work, ask questions and interact with fellow students.
- Worksheets. Each project comes with a printable and detailed list of willow needed and a written description on how to make the basket.
- A detailed plan of work, laid out step by step and in easy video format, with clear and concise explanations on each step. No overwhelm. A clear path forward.
Imagine…
It’s not about knowing every single basket making technique, style or shape. It’s about learning foundational techniques, and adding in variations when needed, step by step, so you feel you know what you are doing and why, so you know the right techniques to use according to the shape you want to create. And before you know it you can make any shape you want!
What do you need for being able to complete BECOMING A BASKET MAKER online course?
- Some very basic tools (secateurs, measuring tape, a bodkin or a sharp pointy tool, a knife)
- Willow. Willow is not provided for this course. You will have to source this yourself, find wild willow or grow your own. I have a guide on where to find suppliers in your area and a course on how to grow your own basket willow (here).
- A place to soak willow rods. This can be an old bath, a stream, pond, large plastic pipe with sealed bottom, a boat or an animal drinking trough, inflatable kids pool,…
- Time to practise. Each project takes several hours (4-6) to complete and will have to be completed several times to gain full knowledge.
- Internet access. This course is hosted on my website and is not downloadable.
Here’s what happens when you join:
- You will receive a welcome email with steps explaining how to log into the course.
- You have instant access to the entire program. The introduction will explain exactly how to move through the course and where to begin.
- You will receive an email each month inviting you to our Zoom question sessions, where you can hang out and meet other students, ask questions and show your work.
- You get immediate access to our Mighty Network online social platform where you can show pictures of what you have made recently, ask questions on what you might be struggling with and more.
- Once you have read the introduction, you can start soaking willow and start weaving your first project.
- You work at your own pace, practising each project multiple times before moving onto the next one.
Being able to watch the videos again and again has been so helpful. I also love our monthly Zoom meetings!
Become a confident basket maker
There are 3 courses available.
They can be bought separately but need to be worked through one by one.
Course 1: round work
In this course we lay the foundations of basket making techniques, getting you to become confident in using basket making techniques and in how to manipulate the willow to become good at shaping a basket. There are 7 projects in this course taking you from an easy bread basket right through to the most difficult round shape, the belly basket. There are now 9 extra techniques added to this course too.
Course 2: Oval work
This course is for advanced weavers. We go through different ways of making an oval base and learn how to shape an oval basket. This course builds on course 1 but can stand alone for advanced weavers. This is where you learn more advanced techniques, harder shapes to control and extending your skills to the oval shape. Course 2 includes six projects and two extra projects.
Course 3: Square work
In this course you get trained in very advanced and much more precise square work. How to make square corners, with and without corner posts, different ways to add uprights, adding in gaps, stop and start wale and borders.
Once managed, these techniques really make you a skilled basket maker. You become confident at measured work, square corners and working to specific dimensions.
You could not ask for a better teacher than Hanna! The course is well broken down into easy and manageable sections that allows you to feel confident in each section of basket making.
What projects and techniques are shown in Course 1, Round work?
Course 1 Round work is all about putting down some solid foundations. We start simple and gradually add more complicated techniques and shaping.
- Simple bread basket
- Kindling basket
- Shopping basket
- Small log basket
- Skibs (Irish traditional potato baskets)
- Assymmetric basket
- Belly basket
Extra techniques also shown: Slewing, Double French randing, Herringbone weave, Irish weave, Reverse wale, Zigzag weave, Rope coil weave, plaited border.
What projects and techniques are shown in the course 2, Oval work?
Course 2 on oval work looks more at different ways to make an oval base and how to shape an oval basket. Projects covered are:
- Shopping basket with flared sides
- Peg basket with underfoot base
- Oval frame base
- Fitched bag
- Oval catalan
- Picnic basket with lids
Extra projects: oval tray and open lampshade.
What projects and techniques are shown in the course 3, Square work?
Course 3 is an introduction to square work. You are shown how to make a square base, how to do rounded and square corders and different borders. There are 3 projects in the square course:
- Garden trug with blunt corners
- A square shopping basket with hidden corner posts.
- A storage tray with exposed corner posts and a stop and start border (a gap in the weaving).
But why would you learn from me?
When I met my first teacher in basket making, Patsy Cahill, we made a few baskets together. But then I was on my own.
We had just moved to Ireland from Belgium, started doing up our house (really, a ruin) and we had 3 small children. I had no time to travel to attend workshops, nor did we have the money, as this would have included travel and accommodation. I did have one book though (the complete book of basketry techniques by Sue Gabriel and Sally Goymer). So I started there.
But it was hard and lonely and it took a lot of time and practice as I had no one to actually show me how to do it. I only had some vague instructions. And where to start anyway?
I struggled for many years. Going from round, to oval and square, not really mastering any techniques properly. Until I set myself the task to stick to one shape until perfected. That is when I started to learn fast and everything fell into place.
I also saw the same thing happen for my students, once I started teaching. When they would apply themselves and I would teach specific projects in a certain order, they ‘got’ the techniques more easily, they made sense without overwhelm.
This is why, after many years of figuring things out, I created my online course BECOMING A BASKET MAKER.
I believe that if we want to get good at a craft we need a strong guide, a program, a structure that outlines what needs to be learned in a logical step by step way. This is not currently available for everyone. There are still less than a handful of basketmaking schools left in Europe, but they teach in person. And attending the school for many months or even years is not feasible for most people.
You have probably attended in person workshops teaching one specific project. That is not what I do. I bring students through a program that takes them through all the techniques and skills in a logical and preset way, even when you come and learn from me in person.
I see a logical progression in basket making techniques. And I have seen the results when people follow the program. Both in person and online. I have built my online course BECOMING A BASKET MAKER fully around that concept.
And nothing makes me happier than seeing someone who wants to learn basket making master the techniques fast, so they can start creating their own work.
I fully believe in what I have created. I can see the results from students. And I have helped around 200 of them through this system by now. I created this program in 2017, 9 years ago. And I continue to refine and update it constantly.
Imagine…
Learning these techniques stack up and one day you realise you know what to do when making a basket, you know what thickness and length of willow you need, you know what size and shape of base to make, you know what to look out for when shaping. You are a basket maker ready to share what you create with your community.
Your online course has been wonderful. The skills and instruction generously shared in your videos are clear and easy to follow. I return to the instruction again and again and learn something new each time. Through the variety of projects, I have been able to build my weaving skills one element at a time and at my own pace. Thank you Hanna!
What students are saying
FAQs
What if this doesn’t work for me?
I get it, this is an online program and not everyone feels confident or likes learning online. But many people love being able to watch my hands close up, over and over again. And have a written text to refer back to for when you do get stuck. In person workshops can be overwhelming, many feel they can’t retain the information, or feel overwhelmed by the social interactions. The real risk is not the investment, but staying where you are right now and not learning what will bring you joy, and even a possible new career or life long skill.
I am really confident that you will love my courses. But if you have tried the program for 30 days (and you can show me that you have) and you still feel learning online does not suit you, I am happy to give you a full refund.
I want this, but is it worth the money?
If you would like to learn everything I teach in this program, you will need to spend a lot more money on in-person workshops, accommodation and travel then what you will spend learning online. I also think the value lies in having a set program to follow and being able to refer back to teachings over and over again. This will dramatically speed up your learning.
I’m so busy… will I actually follow through?
There is an element of self-organisation required to go through this program. That is why I have built a lovely community around this course. And we are all here to cheer you on, and help you out at any stage.
There is also no expiry date for finishing this course. Once you sign up you have life-time access. So, you can go at your own pace. And many students do. Some of them have been in this program for 5 years or more and still refer back to certain sections or find value in our monthly Zoom sessions. There is no rush.
Do I need to have my own willow? What if I do not have willow available?
How much willow do I need?
To complete all projects in course 1 and 2 you will need:
Course 1:
4ft x 212 rods
5ft x 456 rods
6ft x 372 rods
7ft x 106 rods
8ft x 13 rods
Course 2:
3ft x 329 rods
4ft x 662 rods
5ft x 250 rods
6ft x 2 rods
7ft x 10 rods
Keep in mind that projects need to be practiced to fully learn. I recommend you repeat each project at least 4-6 times before moving on to the next project. This means the above numbers need to be multiplied by at least 4.
Also my bundle lengths are as follows:
3ft= no shorter then 3ft and no longer then 4ft rods. Between 90cm and 120cm
4ft= no shorter then 4ft and no longer then 5ft rods. Between 120cm and 150cm
5ft= no shorter then 5ft and no longer then 6ft rods. Between 150cm and 180cm
6ft= no shorter then 6ft and no longer then 7ft rods. Between 180cm and 210cm
7ft= no shorter then 7ft and no longer then 8ft rods. Between 210cm and 240cm
8ft= no shorter then 8ft and no longer then 9ft rods. Between 240cm and 270cm
(other growers have different ways of grading bundles, check for their guidelines)
So here’s a door, open. If this feels like the right step for you, BECOMING A BASKET MAKER online course is here to help. I am here to help you on your journey and I would be honoured to be your guide.
I can’t wait to see you inside, get to know you and see what you create!
Pricing
Round work
BECOMING A BASKET MAKER 1- You learn foundational weaving techniques like borders, different side weaves, handles and how to shape a basket.
Oval work
BECOMING A BASKET MAKER 2- You will learn four ways to construct an oval base, advanced weaving skills like scalloming, fitching and making lids.
Square work
BECOMING A BASKET MAKER 3- Square work techniques are shown. 3 ways to make square corners, square borders, stop and start border and different ways to attach uprights.
Payment plans
Round work
BECOMING A BASKET MAKER 1- You learn foundational weaving techniques like borders, different side weaves, handles and how to shape a basket.
Oval Work
BECOMING A BASKET MAKER 2- You will learn four ways to construct an oval base, advanced weaving skills like scalloming, fitching and making lids.
Square work
BECOMING A BASKET MAKER 3- Square work techniques are shown. 3 ways to make square corners, square borders, stop and start border and different ways to attach uprights.
Want a more personalised experience?
Buying all 3 courses together at a reduced price is a great option if you know you will be able to give basket making your full attention and you would also like some personalised help from me. The full course package with the full value of €1575 now comes at €1400. And you can book a free 30 minute Zoom session with me. In this session we can set out a schedule for you as well as look at your soaking set-up and materials.
