Five Basketry Workshops,

Five Local Materials,

Five Techniques

You are invited to the Lanark Highlands Basketry Museum for five seasonal workshops. These will include cedar, spruce roots, cattails, and rushes, grapevine, and willow. Each basketry workshop will include information on collecting, storing, preparation and appropriate techniques for each material.

After lunch you’ll have a hands-on project using the prepared materials. All workshops are facilitated by Ankaret Dean and assisted by Melissa Cornacchia.

For each workshop 

  • The museum will be open for browsing or questions. 

  • Drinks and snacks will be provided 

  • Pack a lunch and a notebook. 

  • Workshops will be held outdoors when possible, dress according to the weather. 

  • Workshops will be limited so please register early.

Classes will be held on Saturdays from 10 am to 3:30 pm

The Lanark Highland Basketry Museum

5596 McDonalds Corners Rd

$125 per workshop or 5 for $500

Workshop Descriptions

(1) CEDAR BARK - Saturday, June 14

We will discuss collecting and gathering cedar bark, how to store it, and how to prepare it into strips ready for weaving into a table mat.

The techniques for this will be plain weave and twinning.

What to bring

  • Large sharp pen knife or pairing knife 

  • Sharp scissors 

  • Clipboard

  • Piece of heavy material to protect your knee, like blue jeans fabric

  • Tape measure or ruler, preferably metal if you have one

  • Apron and work gloves if you use them

  • Plastic pale or bowl for soaking cedar strips

  • 6-8 spring type clothe - pegs I can lend you some if you have not got any

(2) SPRUCE ROOTS - Saturday, July 5

We will discuss the history then collect some spruce roots in the garden and start preparing them for making the medallion using the coiling technique.

What to bring

  • You will be kneeling on the ground so wear appropriate closing or knee pads. 

  • Small hand trowel and fork and if you have a three prong weeding tool. 

  • Plastic bowl for soaking the roots.

  • Darning needle with a large eye

  • Sharp penknife and scissors 

  • Rag to protect your knee

  • Clipboard and pencil

  • Apron 

  • Work gloves if you use them 

(3) CATTAILS + RUSHES - Saturday, September 6

We will discuss the collecting, gathering, and storing of cattails and rushes as well the history and many uses for these materials. We shall make samples for different techniques and make several small items, including toys, mats, and baskets.

What to bring

  • Plastic pail or bowl to soak the materials

  • Sharp scissors and/or garden snips 

  • Apron

  • Clipboard 

(4) GRAPEVINE - Saturday, October 4

We shall discuss the collecting, storing, preparation and uses for grapevine. We shall then make a basket or tray using the Japanese random technique.

What to bring 

  • Sharp garden clippers 

  • Several twist ties 

  • Work gloves if you use them 

(5) WILLOW - Saturday, November 8

Learn how to prepare and store willow and grow them from cuttings. We will discuss the many uses and demonstrate how to strip willow. Using the tension technique and preparing white willow, students will make a variety of trivets or trays. 

What to bring 

  • Sharp knife and garden snips

Have Questions?

Ask here!

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Have you visited our blog?

Take a browse at our blog to see the many ways to weave and get inspired for these workshops!