Beginnners Workshops
Periodically throughout the year we run workshops for beginners. These are taught by volunteer basket makers who love to share their knowledge and skills.

The beginners workshop teaches the basics of weaving a round basket, using willow we have grown ourselves. This workshop will give you a taste for working with willow and some of the different weaving patterns. At the end of the weekend, you will have made a lovely basket and hopefully be inspired to continue working with willow.
The workshops are held over a weekend, 10am – 4pm Saturday and Sunday.
Cost: Suggested donation is $200 - $250. We acknowledge that this amount may not be within everyone’s budget, our aim is to encourage people to learn so please get in touch to discuss options. Please be generous as all the money raised goes to supporting the willow beds and the huge efforts of our group of volunteers who look after, grow, harvest and prepare the willow.
If you would like to get on the wait list for the current or upcoming basketmaking season, please contact us. Please be aware we currently have a long wait list for the beginners workshops.
Annual Retreat
Our Retreat is an escape from everyday life for four fabulous days of willow basketmaking in the company of other weavers. It happens in early April each year at the Waiora Scout Camp, Whare Flat, Dunedin. To come to the Retreat you need to be a paid up member of Coastal Otago Willows and Weavers, and have made at least one willow basket before. If you’re a member and you’ve also been helping out with weeding and/or harvesting the willow, you’re a definite shoe-in. There is a fee to attend the Retreat ($130), to be paid by a cut-off date (14th Feb 2025), to cover the accommodation and venue costs. You also need to attend the willow selection day (22nd Feb 2025) to get your willow if you don’t have your own. You’ll need to do your own soaking and mellowing, its possible to organise with another member to use their soak tank if you don’t have a soaking set up.
Upcoming Workshops
- Intermediate / Advanced Weavers Retreat 3rd to 6th April 2025.
- 2025 Beginners workshops TBA
Previous Workshops
- Beginners 12th to 13th October 2024
- Beginners 9th to 10th November 2024
- Intermediate / Advanced Weavers Retreat 4th to 7th April 2024.
- Beginners 2nd to 3rd December 2023.
- Intermediate 4th November 2023.
- Beginners 7th to 8th October 2023.