For students who are confident with the basic stake and strand form and ready to move on, we welcome Steen Madsen of Denmark to teach two challenging willow techniques: the rectangular basket and an ’open work’ technique called fitching. Students will choose which project they prefer to focus on, but will benefit from learning about both techniques. The rectangular basket has options of a handle and/or lid. The fitched project can be round, oval or rectangular, but all shapes produce a strong, lightweight weave. As time and interest allow, students can also choose to experiment with some smaller projects using willow without the bark, a material that reaches back into ancient Rome.

This course is part of Basket Week 2020! Plan to arrive a day early for the Basket Gathering on Friday, September 25 for demonstrations, talks and community gatherings. A full schedule will be sent to all registered students in early summer 2020. Participation in this conference day is included with your tuition. See the Basket Week event page for more details.

You will need the following tools for this class:

• Sloyd knife (Mora 120, 6 cm blade preferred), must be sharp
• clipper (Felco no 6 or no9 is best)

• awl
• bodkin
• rapping iron
• grease horn
• shell bodkin
• bonsai side-cutter