Join me at the Central Scotland School of Crafts in Dunblane for a two day class, over two consecutive Fridays, Fri 20th and Fri 27th of January, making a beautiful hen basket. The basket will be based on time served traditional design, and given due care should be outlasting you to hand down the generations!

Join master basket weaver Anna Liebmann for a fun and sociable basket weaving course and create a beautiful and useful Hen Basket. Over two consecutive Fridays we’ll cover all the skills needed, starting with selecting your willow hoops to create an armature, adding ribs and controlling the shape, grading the willow as you meditatively weave this traditional Scottish basket form with a fascinating back story.

This basket form of Celtic origin can be seen in medieval manuscripts being used to carry sacrificial doves to religious ceremonies. The name ‘Hen’ basket however, comes from their being used to carry broody hens between farms to help out the neighbouring farmer with hatching abandoned eggs. Once inside the snug basket the chicken couldn’t flap it’s wings and escape. (No chickens or doves will be harmed in the making of your basket!). The design saw a more recent revival after the Living Traditions exhibition in Edinburgh in 1951. They became very fashionable after Bridget Bardot was spotted sporting one, and came to be know as Bardot handbags throughout the 50s and 60s. We’ll be working in the traditional woven willow technique, but it’s not uncommon to see hen baskets made in alternative materials such as raffia and even plastic rope for a modern colourful alternative.

• All materials are included in the course cost

• Tea and coffee are provided but participants should bring their own lunch and utensils

• All of CSSC’s classes are suitable for over 16s, younger crafters may be accommodated if accompanied by a participating adult but please contact CSSC before booking