My basketmaking journey started in a very modest way making willow star wands at events for a local conservation charity I worked for. My interests and abilities have built up over the years, until now baskets in their many forms have taken over my whole house.

Willow is my preferred material, as I love the feel, smell and huge variety available – one willow basket also replaces a large number of plastic bags – with a durable and beautiful, yet useful item. I like incorporating recycled beads into some of my baskets - I am always scouring the charity shops for children's abacus or beaded car chair seat covers!

Via the two year City Lit Basketry Course in London, I have found an additional passion for finely worked twined baskets made out of re-found yarns and threads passed down to me from my Granny’s 'stash'. Baskets can truly be made out of a huge range of materials. I teach a range of willow and soft basketry courses, run 'make and take' drop in sessions and demonstrate basketmaking at events.

Prizes

• 2017 Winner of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers Basketry of the Year competition with a “twined handbag”
• 2024 Winner of the Basketmakers Association Autumn Competition with "a woven hat"

Courses A-Z	Tutor	Start Date	Days	Cost
Round and Oval Baskets	Catherine Tregaskes	Wed 6th Aug	3	£195
Twined Basketry	Catherine Tregaskes	Sat 9th Aug	1	£65

Course Availability: AvailableLimitedFullEnded