Weaving Connections 2025 was a resounding success, and preparations are already underway for next year. Read on to learn more about the most recent iteration, or sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop.

Workshops

We are offering classes in the morning, afternoon, or as full-day sessions. Feel free to mix and match by signing up for both a morning and afternoon session, or choose a full-day session each day. For those wanting to immerse themselves, we also have two-day workshops for more involved projects.

Morning (AM) classes run from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and afternoon (PM) classes run from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

If you see this icon, the workshop is beginner-friendly.

Click any of these workshops to see what you'll learn and what tools you need to bring.

Textured Willow Bowl

with Freyja Ulveland

Fri All Day $130 Sold Out

Textured Willow Bowl

with Freyja Ulveland

Beginner-friendly

Learn to weave a textured bowl using a rope coil weave. We'll start with a 3x3 slath base, then weave a 4-rod drop-down wale to create a slight foot before moving up the sides with the rope coil weave. Once you get the hang of it, this weave moves quickly. The basket will be finished with a rod border.

While the rope coil weave is not difficult to learn, some previous weaving experience would be helpful.

Tools you should bring: awl, shears, rapping iron, locking knife. (Instructor will have extra tools on hand if needed)

Covered Water Bottle

with Cathie Harper

Fri All Day $150 Sold Out

Covered Water Bottle

with Cathie Harper

Beginner-friendly

Keep your favourite beverages hot or cold with the covered bottle that uses willow, birch and red cedar barks, cattail, dyed jute cord, artificial sinew and waxed linen. Participants are encouraged to bring their own danglers to personalize their bottle.

Weaves will include twining, plaiting and 3 rod wale.

Price includes an aluminium water bottle

Dimensions: 9” h x 4” w

Experience: All levels

Tools you should bring: sharp scissors, large eye needle, spray bottle and a soaking container deep enough to hold the water bottle.

Wild Harvesting & Stewardship

with Betty Attwood

Fri AM $50 Sold Out

Wild Harvesting & Stewardship

with Betty Attwood

Beginner-friendly

Learn how to identify & coppice wild willow, weave a multipurpose hanging garlic/suet/orchid holder from a jig with the willow we harvest!

Tools you should bring: secateurs/nippers/shears, eye protection, waterproof warm gloves, sturdy soled warm boots, durable winter wear!

3 Handbrooms

with Kayla Yearwood

Fri AM $150 Sold Out

3 Handbrooms

with Kayla Yearwood

Beginner-friendly

In this workshop, participants will be guided through the process of making three different types of hand brooms that they will then take home with them. Broom-making is a practice steeped in tradition, and each broom you create is functional.

During the workshop, you will:
Create a mini hand broom, woven whisk and stitched hand broom from start to finish.
Learn tips and techniques for choosing the correct binding, attaching the hurl, and caring for your brooms.

Material (Hurl, Tampico, Reed and Cord) colour combinations are subject to availability and may change over time.

Tools you should bring: all tools and materials will be provided.

Catalan Tray

with Karla Powell

Fri AM $70 Sold Out

Catalan Tray

with Karla Powell

Beginner-friendly

These woven tension trays from Spanish design are both functional and decorative. Students will work with foraged willow and learn hoop making and simple weaving technique as well as twining to create their own Catalan Tray.

Tools you should bring: sharp pruners, sharp locking blade

Willow Swedish Stars

with Karla Powell

Fri PM $70 Sold Out

Willow Swedish Stars

with Karla Powell

Beginner-friendly

Create an elegant Swedish Star from foraged willow. The design can be scaled large or small, and you can bring decorative yarn, cordage, or fabric to adorn your star.

Tools you should bring: sharp hand held pruners, sharp locking blade, and measuring tape.

Beginner-Friendly Wall Hanging Basket

with Mia Coco

Fri PM $70 Sold Out

Beginner-Friendly Wall Hanging Basket

with Mia Coco

Beginner-friendly

In this workshop, we'll create a charming wall-hanging basket using a circular wood base (also called a "wood cookie").

What You'll Learn:

Base Preparation: Work with a pre-dried wood circle, complete with holes drilled around the edge.

Weaving Techniques: Learn the three-rod wale method and back-and-forth pairing to form the basket.

Finishing Touch: Complete your basket with a two-behind-one border or a trac border.

Mia's goal is to create a warm environment to inspire you to make a second basket!

Tools you should bring: sharp knife, clippers

Cobwebber Broom

with Kayla Yearwood

Fri PM $150 Sold Out

Cobwebber Broom

with Kayla Yearwood

Beginner-friendly

Learn to make a cobwebber style broom made from broomcorn using traditional broom making techniques.

Tools you should bring: All tools and materials will be provided.

Two H's: Harvest & Hanging Willow Baskets

with Cathie Harper

Sat & Sun All Day $280 Sold Out

Two H's: Harvest & Hanging Willow Baskets

with Cathie Harper

Beginner-friendly

Spend two days making two different, functional willow baskets, both using the stake and strand technique and round bases.

Need something to bring the bounty in from the garden? The first basket is designed to bring your garden bounty in. The round base will end up with an oval shaped basket. Weaves will include twining, 3 rod wale and French randing. The rim will be a basic 3-1 rim. The basket will be finished with a built-in handle that I learned from Rae many years ago.

Need something at the front door for mitts, scarves, etc. This basket has been designed for that use. The basket is a base the uses the packing weave to build up the pouch. Weaves will include twining, 3 rod wale and packing weaves. The rim will be a trac rim. The basket will be finished with a rope handle

Tools you should bring: sharp garden shears, locking knife, awl, 5 lb weight (rock is acceptable), rapping iron if possible

Willow Back Pack

with Mia Coco

Sat All Day, Sun AM $150 Sold Out

Willow Back Pack

with Mia Coco

Beginner-friendly

Create a ditch Willow backpack. I haven't decided yet whether we'll do an oval base or a Catalan base. Will do three broad whale at the bottom and zigzag weave for our Rand followed by a three rod wale at the top.

Note: students will be responsible for getting straps on their backpacks. I will offer some design ideas.

Tools you should bring: sharp knife clippers

Beginner Berry Basket

with Freyja Ulveland

Sat All Day $115 Sold Out

Beginner Berry Basket

with Freyja Ulveland

Beginner-friendly

A small round willow basket perfect for beginners. Learn the basics of stake and strand basketry: a slath base, waling, pairing, slewing and a rod border with an optional wrapped-core handle.

Tools you should bring: awl, shears, rapping iron, locking knife. (Instructor will have extras on hand if needed)

Rustic Willow Chair

with Laura Forbes

Sat All Day $140 Sold Out

Rustic Willow Chair

with Laura Forbes

Beginner-friendly

Create your own unique rustic chair using locally sourced native willow. You will learn how to harvest willow legally and respectfully. You will also learn construction techniques and willow furniture proportions.

Tools you should bring: a hammer, pruners, small knife, bush saw and a marker. You will need a cordless drill ( with extra batteries) and an assortment of drill bits -1/16 x3, 3/32x2, 7/64 x2, 1/8 inches, as you will break some. All other materials supplied.

Solid Base Mushroom Infused Basket

with Candice Cullum

Sat AM $65 Sold Out

Solid Base Mushroom Infused Basket

with Candice Cullum

Beginner-friendly

Using a solid base (some polypore mushrooms will be available as bases) weave a willow basket incorporating wild materials such as dried mushrooms, pine cones driftwood etc! Tools and all wild materials/treasure are provided but your welcome to bring both if you've got something you prefer or treasure to incorporate.

Tools you should bring: tools and all wild materials/treasure are provided but your welcome to bring both if you've got something you prefer or treasure to incorporate.

Dried Floral Wreath

with Josephine Junas-Grant

Sat AM $80 Sold Out

Dried Floral Wreath

with Josephine Junas-Grant

Beginner-friendly

Great for beginners. Make various sizes of wreath base with native willow species, then adorn them with an array of locally-grown dried flowers and cattail cordage.

Tools you should bring: shears

Melon Basket

with Candice Cullum

Sat PM $75 Sold Out

Melon Basket

with Candice Cullum

Beginner-friendly

The melon basket is a popular rounded base basket. Join me in creating my variation using two matching wreathes!

Tools you should bring: all tools provided though your welcome to bring yours as well if you’d prefer.

Mini Basket

with Kelsey and Marie

Sat PM $60 Sold Out

Mini Basket

with Kelsey and Marie

Beginner-friendly

Join us for a heartwarming and hands-on experience in the art of basket weaving. This cozy workshop invites you to slow down, connect with natural materials, and create something meaningful with your own two hands.

Under gentle guidance, you'll learn the basics of weaving while exploring the meditative rhythm of working with nature's fibres. This workshop is a wonderful way to nurture creativity with nature, mindfulness, and community connections.

Leave with a charming mini basket that's perfect for holding treasures, herbs, or small keepsakes—and a renewed sense of connection to the natural world.

Tools you should bring: small pointed sharp scissors and a spray bottle (to keep the materials and basket moist during the weaving)

Random Weave Willow Basket

with Karla Powell

Sun All Day $130 Sold Out

Random Weave Willow Basket

with Karla Powell

Beginner-friendly

Try the random weave technique. Instructor Karla Powell loves how this weave allows for a lot of creativity in basket design. Students will be able to decide on their own form, and create a functional or sculptural (or both) basket that will be uniquely their own.

Tools you should bring: sharp hand held pruners; sharp locking blade

Bulrush Pouch

with Freyja Ulveland

Sun All Day $115 Sold Out

Bulrush Pouch

with Freyja Ulveland

Beginner-friendly

Make a small pouch from locally-harvested bulrush. Learn the basics of weaving with soft materials on a wood form.

The pouch will feature 3 different styles of pairing, with a twisted rope border. We will also discuss how to harvest and prepare rush for weaving. We probably won't have time to finish our pouches during the class, but you'll come away with everything you need to finish it up on your own.

Tools you should bring: an old towel, spray bottle.

Pine Needle Basket

with Tania Kristensen

Sun AM $75 Sold Out

Pine Needle Basket

with Tania Kristensen

Beginner-friendly

This workshop is intended for beginners. Learn how to harvest, clean and prepare pine needles for basketry. You will create a small basket with a semi precious cabochon centre of your choice and learn two different stitches.

Tools you should bring: none

Figure 8 Basket

with Sarah Graham

Sun AM $80 Sold Out

Figure 8 Basket

with Sarah Graham

Beginner-friendly

Use a wood cookie base to weave a double basket (perfect for holding a couple wine bottles or spoons/flippers). Learn how to secure uprights through a wood cookie and start with a three rod wale, use randing to build up the basket, then finish off with another 3 rod wale and a simple border. We will also add a handle if wanted. Class is ok for beginners.

Tools you should bring: sharp pruning shears, awl, optional: rapping iron

Pine Needle Sun Catcher

with Tania Kristensen

Sun PM $70 Sold Out

Pine Needle Sun Catcher

with Tania Kristensen

Beginner-friendly

This class is intended for those that have completed the Beginner Pine Needle Basket workshop. Learn the Wrapped, Diamond and Candle in the Window stitches with a wire wrapped agate slice (sizes and colours vary) of your choice.

Tools you should bring: none

Art Basket

with Sarah Graham

Sun PM $70 Sold Out

Art Basket

with Sarah Graham

Beginner-friendly

We will start with a round willow base, add uprights and secure with a three rod wale. We will continue with randing willow. This should be a basket full of "you". Bring items to weave in such as different fibers, bells, shells, buttons, beads, yarn, leather or jewelry to incorporate into your basket.

Tools you should bring: items to weave in that have meaning to the weaver, sharp pruning shears, sharp knife, scissors, weight (antique iron, heavy round rock), optional: rapping iron

Friday Night

Join Us for Our First AGM!

The Alberta Basketry Guild is hosting its very first Annual General Meeting, and we'd love for you to be part of this milestone!

This is your chance to connect with fellow basketry enthusiasts, share ideas, and help shape the future of our growing community. Whether you're a seasoned weaver or just starting out, your voice and presence matter.

As a special treat, professional basket weaver Cathie Harper will give a presentation about some of the tools she uses to make baskets—an inspiring look at the craft through the eyes of an expert.

We'll cover important updates, discuss upcoming events, and, of course, celebrate the art of basketry together. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of something special!

Saturday Night

Celebration of Maryann Borch

On Saturday, we will gather to celebrate the life of Maryann Borch, a founding member of the Alberta Basketry Guild and the visionary behind our annual retreat, Weaving Connections.

We will sing, cry and remember the remarkable woman who brought us together.

We will be putting together a small slideshow. If you would like to submit photos or would like us to save space for you to share something meaningful during the celebration such as a song, poem or story. Please email us at albertabaskteryguild@gmail.com

Meals

Catering will be brought to us by Elvira of Under the Linden Bakehouse. Elvira is a part of our weaving community, and we are thrilled that she has offered to provide us with a selection of her wholesome vegetarian cooking and baking. Lunches will be $25, and suppers will be $30. Please bring a dinner size plate, standard soup bowl, and utensils.

Elvira will attempt to accommodate any dietary restrictions; however, it may be wise to bring a few of your favourite snacks if your diet is very limited. There will be a fridge available to all who need it.

If you are tenting in the greenhouse or just want to join us for an early morning hangout you will need to bring your own breakfast provisions. There will be a toaster and kettle available. We kindly ask tenters to bring a cooler to store their breakfast supplies in their tent, if possible.

Accommodations

Tenting: $30 for the weekend. We will have limited space, so preference will be given to tenters who intend to stay for the whole weekend. Get your registration in as soon as possible, and then email albertabasketryguild@gmail.com to secure your spot.

Billeting: We have had a few of our members offer space in their homes for the duration of the retreat. Each home is different, but most people are offering a room for between $0 and $15 a night. If you would like to stay with someone or have room to offer another attendee, let us know in your registration form or send us an email at albertabasketryguild@gmail.com

Give and Receive Station

Celebrate the spirit of sharing and creativity at the Give and Receive Station! Bring a basket or weaving to give, and in return, choose one to take home. It's a wonderful way to connect with others and appreciate the work of fellow weavers.

The station will be open all weekend, so you can join in at any time.

Silent Auction

Join us for our Silent Auction, featuring a variety of unique and handcrafted items, materials, and tools. Proceeds will support the Alberta Basketry Guild and future events.

The auction will take place at three times during the weekend: after supper on Friday, after lunch on Saturday, and after supper on Saturday. Don't miss your chance to place a bid on something special!

Payments for the silent auction can be made through cash, e-transfer, or credit card.

Open Weave

Take a break from classes and join us for an open weave, where anyone interested can add some willow to the collective creation. This year's theme is Forest Friend. Which forest friend? We will have to wait and see what emerges.

Location

Address

7-52257 Range Road 231

Sherwood Park, AB

T8B 1A7

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Parking

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Register

Weaving Connections is done for the year.
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