Basket willow

How to start growing willow for basket making. A question I get asked a lot is how do I get started growing willow? How much area do I need to plant? What varieties would you recommend? Let’s dive into all of that here. But firstly I want to say I do not have all […]

How to harvest basket willow rods from coppiced willow stools and use them for weaving willow baskets. Includes a video-tutorial to help you succeed.

How to weave a willow basket using natural materials and a few hand tools. Presented by John "Dog" Callister, master willow weaver on the Isle of Man

Willow is such a versatile tree. There are thousands of willow varieties. Within them are basket making varieties specifically grown for the qualities we need such as pliability, size, colour and ease to grow and harvest. We are very lucky that these varieties have survived and are still available to us for use. My Favourite […]

Basketry Artist Matt Tommey shares tips for leaf weaving and harvesting day lily and iris foliage from the garden for use in basket weaving.

How to start growing willow for basket making. A question I get asked a lot is how do I get started growing willow? How much area do I need to plant? What varieties would you recommend? Let’s dive into all of that here. But firstly I want to say I do not have all […]

On the shores of Loch Na Fooey, basket maker Joe Hogan uses local willow, birch and larch to create woven sculptures of delicate beauty. Photographs Lisa Linder