Stake and Strand Willow Baskets with Bark
In this five day class we will explore Stake and Strand willow baskets. Beginners can start with the basic round work. Students with experience can refine their skills or try new ones.
Not scheduled right now. Last taught 2026.
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The workshop
In this five day class we will explore Stake and Strand willow baskets. Beginners can start with the basic round work. Students with experience can refine their skills or try new ones. In this class we will focus on traditional techniques while also exploring color, form, texture and design.
Working within either round or oval baskets we can expand into more decorative techniques by working with color or learning different forms of side weaves such as “Irish Weave”, “Zig-zag”, or “Fitching.” We will also explore how to include different textures by adding bark accents. Learn how willow bark is stripped and processed for use in basketry, and the tips and tricks to using it effectively in your work.
We will use a colorful selection of cultivated willow and willow bark harvested from Willowbrook Basket Farm in New York. Discussions on how to grow, harvest, sort and soak willow help to round out our time. We will even get a chance to visit the Sanborn Mills Willow patch and talk about variety selection.
In this class we work through both beginner and advanced techniques depending on your skill level. Experienced weavers must let the teacher know of their project ideas two weeks before the class. Hand strength is important especially in this five day class.
Skills and techniques
- Review the process of creating a basket from a tree
- Attachment of the woven basket bottom to fit the mold
- Chase weave and twill instructions for the sides of the basket
- Drying and packing the basket to prepare for the rims and handles.
- Sanding and cutting the wooden rims and handles to fit the finished basket
- Lashing skills
Before you come
Details for students
Where
One of the farm's studios, confirmed at check-in. See the campus
Staying on the farm
Housing, meals, the daily schedule, and places to stay nearby are on Prepare for your workshop.
Your instructor
Sandra Kehoe
Sandra studies traditional willow basket making from teachers around the United States, Denmark and the UK. She has a strong focus in rib style willow basketry and weaving with bark. She teaches basketry classes and workshops in multiple mediums, at craft and art schools around the Northeast. Sandra grows and harvests willow on her farm in the Mohawk Valley of New York State and is a member of the National Basketry Organization (NBO), Basketmakers Association, Northeast Basketmakers Guild and the American Craft Council.
Questions about this workshop, housing, or meals? Email registrar@sanbornmills.org or call (603) 435-7314. Please read the workshop policies before you register.