Woven Together

What starts as strips of natural flat and round reed transforms into a woven creation that is uniquely yours in the basket making classes at Blackberry Mountain.

Honoring the historic practice of weaving, Blackberry Mountain continues the tradition of basket making, celebrating what the land around us provides. Through generations of cultures and craftspeople handweaving baskets, they’ve served a range of purposes. While they may be more for decoration and beauty than work today, it’s a beautiful way to connect us to the land and to the past.

First, the team collects natural material from the forested hillsides of the Mountain, searching for specific plant types that are malleable and strong. The reeds are soaked and prepped for use, then, they guide you through the folding, twisting and pulling that creates a one-of-a-kind vessel.

Step-by-step, your art instructor will guide you through the process, which begins by forming two individual twisted circles with round reed. Slowly, as you form and combine the pieces, the framework of your basket takes shape. The flat reeds are used in a “God’s Eye knot” technique to firmly hold the basket together.

With each turn, twist, fold and pull, the process becomes almost meditative, allowing your mind to slow and focus. You don’t need to worry about the perfection in your creation but can relax and give in to the comfort of the movement.

The saying “time flies when you’re having fun” couldn’t apply more. The beauty of this activity is that no two baskets will ever be the same, and you get to commemorate your Mountain experience with a piece you created start to finish.