White Oak and Skeined Willow Hen Basket

Explore two different methods of basketry materials processing in this multi-disciplinary basket making course suitable for all levels of weavers. We will deep dive into Appalachian white oak basketry, discussing both the history and the methods employed by traditional Appalachian basketmakers while we demo how to break down a white oak log together, using both this material and pre-split material to construct the frames for our baskets*.

We will then move on to splitting and shaving down round willow rods to make flat, skeined willow weavers which we will use to weave together our white oak frame. Finally, we will combine both disciplines as we weave a 10″ white oak and skeined willow hen- style frame basket together.

*this course requires a great deal of hand strength and stamina, and is as much knife work as it is basket weaving. Students should feel comfortable with using a carving knife. Please contact the instructor if you have any concerns.

Skills and Techniques:

• Understanding of how to select a suitable white oak tree for basketry using sustainable forestry management systems (provided in lecture format)
• Understanding of how to break down a white oak log into workable material for basketry (provided in lecture format & brief hands-on demo)
• Knowledge of the anatomy of a frame basket & rules for how to construct a frame-style basket
• Hand-on experience whittling and preparing both flat & round rib
• Hand-on experience making and joining hoops for use in frame basketry
• Understanding of how to harvest and process willow for both round-rod and skeined basketry
• (provided in lecture format)
• Understanding and hands-on practice with breaking down round willow rods into skeined, flat weavers
• Understanding of how to apply traditional Appalachian frame basketry techniques to modern form
• Comprehensive hands-on experience constructing a frame basket & weaving it in with hand-split, skeined willow weaver
• Filling in the frame with turn back
• Seamlessly finishing off the basket

Materials Fee: $125 paid directly to the instructor.

Special Tools or Equipment to bring: All tools and materials will be provided. However, if students would like to bring their own tools, they may. Here is a list of what we will use: 3-4” carving knife with a VERY SHARP blade and comfortable handle, comfortable work gloves that allow for dexterity, sharp garden secateurs, flat head screw driver, scissors, awl.

Workshop and Cancellation Policies: Please read our 2026 policies before registering for a workshop. https://www.sanbornmills.org/workshop-policies/