Course trailer
About this course
This course is ideal for the confident and enthusiastic novice or for those who have already enjoyed one of our beginner courses and want to build on their skills. You will learn to weave a beautiful two-tone bike basket that looks really impressive but can still be achieved at home.
The same pattern for the bike basket can be adapted to create a lovely willow backpack (shown below). This rare and beautiful item has been used since the Medieval times for picking fruit and carrying logs. It is now making a comeback among those wanting to eliminate plastics from their lives. Full instructions are included in the course materials.
Jane C. used the course to make this fantastic bicycle basket, she said:
"I'm enjoying the course very much. The tutorials are really clear and easy to understand. I particularly like the fact that I can go back and watch different sections again if I'm not sure about something. I've learned a lot from making the basket and really enjoyed doing it!"
Meet Your New Teacher
This exclusive course has been designed by leading willow artist and basket-maker Amanda Rayner. Amanda weaves sculptures, installations, garden furniture and all manner of baskets from her workshop in south Wales. She has over 20 years of teaching experience and is passionate about the healing power of weaving - and passing this ancient art on to the next generation.
Meet Amanda Rayner
What's included in this course?
This course has been specially produced by our team of BAFTA and EMMY-winning filmmakers.
You'll learn to:
Weave the D-shaped Base
Learn the special techniques to weave a D-shaped basket base, making the the basket the right shape for attaching it to the handle bars.
Master the slewing weave
Learn how to do this gorgeous multifaceted slewing weave. You'll also start learning how to prepare and weave different types and colours of willow.
Go on to weave a willow backback
Use the skills you've learned in this course to weave other projects like this willow backpack, perfect for picking apples or collecting logs.