Looping, netting and knotting have been used for over 20,000 years to make a wide variety of baskets, traps and garments in diverse cultures around the world. In this workshop, you will explore these ancient techniques and make contemporary bags, baskets and wall hangings of your own design with natural and recycled materials.

Beginning with identifying suitable plants, harvesting and processing native plant fibres and making string, you will go on to explore the contrasting techniques of looping and knotted netting.

Tim will bring along part of his collection of flexible basketry, including examples from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Brazil, Mexico and Niger. Viewing these original artefacts will encourage both the close analysis of structure and further experimentation with material and structure combinations.

The first day of the course will focus on identifying suitable native and garden plants, and learning about harvesting techniques and fibre processing. You will use a variety of natural fibres, including rush, beaten esparto grass and cyperus sedge to create beautiful lengths of cordage that can be used in many basketry techniques. Tim will teach and demonstrate a variety of string-making methods from around the world using our hands, legs, teeth!

The second and third days of the course will focus on the many variations of looping found in traditional string bags, firstly learning the basic techniques and then experimenting with both structural variations, material combinations and design considerations, leading to both finished pieces and a number of samples.

The fourth and fifth days will focus on netting techniques which, in contrast to looping, uses a number of needles, gauges and pre-prepared or purchased threads, strings and cordage. Netting provides ample opportunity for experimentation with diverse materials and structural combinations, leading to works exploring scale, density, drapability and transparency.

Included

On this course the College will supply chair seating rush. Tim will supply Esparto grass and other plant fibres from Spain.

What students need to bring

• Notebook
• Clothes pegs – just a few to help you hold your work
• The college supplies larger scissors but you may like to bring your own small scissors or side cutters and other basketmaking tools, such as a pocket knife, large needles or threaders, fids, etc. if you have them.
• Sturdy covered footwear in the workshop – this is an essential health and safety requirement.

Available to buy

Available from shop: Large darning needle Rush threaders Notebook and pencil

Available from tutor: Esparto grass £10 per student

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential

Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am

Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required

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