Willow courses

As well as my own courses at my workshop in Froghall Wharf or at Foxt Village Hall, I teach at The Gardeners Bothy, Staunton Harold, Greenwood Days and Zantium Arts. Courses are marked as suitable for three levels, please read carefully before booking. Materials, drinks and biscuits are included. Booking is essential as places are limited to ensure sufficient tuition for each student. 

Please bear in mind that basketmaking is very hard on the hands. If you suffer from hand, wrist, finger or shoulder problems it may not be the course for you.

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More new courses will be added through the year.  To book onto courses, see the details below (read carefully as some are not suitable for beginners) then please head to my shop, select the right course and book on and pay on the shop page. If its not on the shop yet, just ping me an email wheatcroftwillow@googlemail.com

Voucher holders please email me and I will book you on. See below for cancellation policy.

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Experience levels for courses – If you are not sure just email and I can help you choose a suitable course.

Level 1 – complete beginner – Not done any basketry before or just made a few simple willow items.

Level 2 – Improvers and intermediate – Students who have been on at least a couple of basketry courses and feel like they know the basics well. These courses are for reinforcing skills already learnt and improving, as well as adding new skills and techniques. There will be a some element of flexibility in weaves etc to enable you to learn more.

 These courses will be more challenging than a beginners course and will require hand strength and dexterity.

Level 3 – Intermediates to advanced – Students who have been on many courses and are making baskets independently. New skills can be learnt and old ones reinforced and we can be more flexible in the techniques covered to assist your learning. These courses are to challenge you!

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Willow basket courses winter to spring 2026 -

(not on the shop yet, to book email wheatcroftwillow@googlemail.com)

Underfoot round log baskets – Level 3

Friday 20th and Saturday 21st February.  9.30 – 5. Foxt, Staffordshire Moorlands, ST10 2HJ. Cost £220

Underfoot techniques are a lovely traditional way of making very strong baskets, ideal for a sturdy log basket.It’s a physical process requiring the ability to bend over and work with the base of the basket upside down held under one or both feet. It can be done sitting or at a push on a table using heavy weights but the purists will want to work underfoot!

The baskets are strong and incorporate lots of time saving techniques. They were originally used as agricultural baskets and were the original weights and measures for fruit and veg, bushels and pecks. I was taught these techniques by Adrian Charlton about 15 years ago and these log baskets have become a best seller for me in the winter months.

On the course we will make one or two round underfoot bases, choose one and fill the base in with slewing and then a pair. We will then stake up, discussing different ways of staking up and leaving out a stake for an odd number. We will then add a 4 rod wale, dropping down to a 3 rod, then slew the basket up the sides. Wale again and then turn down a chunky 5 rod border. To finish it off we will practice cranking and then make beautiful roped handles.

 

Mini forage basket course – Sunday 25th January 2026. Froghall Wharf, Foxt, ST10 2HJ.  9.30 -5 - cost £85

Make a sweet little foraging basket with a plain, pegged handle to collect all your foraging spoils, nuts, berries or for holding spoons or eggs in the kitchen. A useful little basket you will keep picking up and using. We will make round bases, add stakes and using a weave called waling, work up the sides, weave a simple border then add a plain handle and peg in place. Suitable for beginners and intermediates.

You will be using home grown, colourful willows from my willow bed and some Somerset willow.

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Round shopping basket with a handle – 2 days -  level 1 and 2

Friday 13th and Saturday 14th March 2026. 9.30 – 4.30 cost £160

A two-day willow basketry workshop where you’ll create a sturdy, practical round shopping or foraging basket, complete with a beautifully wrapped handle, using vibrant, home-grown colourful willows. This course is designed for both beginners and improvers, offering the perfect opportunity to develop your skills while creating a beautiful, functional basket that you can use every day. Level 2 students can play with weaves and try a new handle wrap.

 

Mini frame basket – Level 1 and 2

Saturday 21st March. 9.30 – 5 - Wood and Willow Workshop, Froghall Wharf, Stoke on Trent, ST10 2HJ, 9.30-4.30/5. Cost £90 

This one day course will guide you through the process of making a mini frame basket suitable for collecting eggs or small items. 

With a pre- made dried hoop, you will learn how to attach the two hoops together, select, shape and insert ribs and weave your baskets, making the shape and as you go.

You will be using home grown, colourful willows from my willow bed.

 

Processing hazel in the Woods – taster day Level 1, 2 and 3 - £120 – Date Thursday 26th March

Join Rachel Evans for a hands-on, one day course set in a beautiful woodland setting. The sounds and smells of the spring woodland in the Churnet valley will inspire your creativity and you'll learn the craft of hazel basketry.

Hazel basketry is a less well known basketry technique than willow basketry. It is listed on the Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts.

We will begin with a short walk to explore and select suitable hazel rods, learning how to identify, harvest, and prepare the material.

Using beautiful hazel coppiced by Rachel in advance and a few hazel rods cut in the morning during our walk you will be taught traditional methods for processing hazel – removing splints, dressing with a knife and splitting and bending and shaping the hazel to make hoops and ribs. We will prepare splints and ribs and using premade hoops you will make a shallow tray. You will be guided step-by-step through the process. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, you'll come away with a  deeper connection to the woodland, and the skills to continue weaving with hazel.

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Progressive teaching programme

If you want to take your basketmaking further then more structured learning can be arranged with me in my workshop. We can cover materials preparation and selection and well as the techniques to make whatever baskets style you wish, working progressively towards set goals and building on your skills.

One to one tuition £200 per day in my workshop plus materials. Two people £275. Contact me to book

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​Course cancellation policy

If you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible.

If you cancel more than 4 weeks before the course, your fee can be refunded minus a £25 cancellation fee.

Less than 4 weeks and I cannot offer a refund, although if I can fill your place, you may transfer your course to another course of similar value later in the year.

Less than 7 days and unfortunately I cannot offer refunds. Course fees are non-refundable. No refunds can be made to those who fail to attend a course in full or in part.

You may send someone in your place, in which case we will need their contact details in advance

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