Willow Cuttings

Kirk harvesting willow

Willow Cuttings

We provide 5 varieties of organically grown basketry willows from January until the end of February.

You can grow a fair amount of willow on a small amount of land. Willow needs to be grown, ideally in damp soil, away from large trees. It is best kept weed free, so we advise you to plant through a membrane, such as cardboard or thick mulch. The willow is coppiced every year between January and March, then stored until dry. Once dry you can re-soak the willow and weave. All these willows need to be soaked for around 2 days per foot in the summer and 3 days per foot in the winter. Being self-sufficient in willow gives the same level of satisfaction as eating your home grown spuds .

We provide 5 varieties of organically grown basketry willows from January until end of February . Cuttings can be posted. Please contact Kirk for planting advice and placing an order.

The images below, show dry willow rods, so the colour the rod would be when woven into your basket. The rods are different colours when freshly cut or 'green' and take 6-8 months to dry before you can use them for basketry.

14” cuttings are now £1.00 each plus postage and packaging. Minimum order 20 cuttings.  Contact Kirk on kirk@transitionkingscliffe.org.uk

  • 07415 240944
  • suekirkwillowbaskets@outlook.com
Le Bleu

S. purpurea “Le Bleu”

A long thin rod with a hard bark. Soaks up very slowly. Soaks better in the summer when water is warm.
Colour light blue/green, changes colour along the rod. Great for fine work, such as tying in slaths, weaving between small gaps. Too soft for borders.

Dark dicks

S.purpurea “Dark Dicks”
A thin, hard rod, creates warmth in your basket. Beautiful vibrant colours , can be checkered red, green all the way up the rod. Soaks up well and is a versatile rod , one of our students favourites.

 

Green dicks

S.purpurea “Green Dicks”
A long thin rod with considerable strength. Great for tightly packed borders and holds its curve. Olive green with a shiny bark. Needs soaking for a considerable amount of time, especially in the winter.

Brittany blue

S. purpurea x daphnoides “Brittany Blue”
A favourite of our students . A strong rod which soaks up nicely. Colours range from dark bluey purple at the base to a grey mossy blue at the top

dicky meadows

S. purpurea “Dicky Meadowes”

A long thin pliable rod.
One of our favourite willows due to it being a good all rounder. A strong rod which soaks up nice and quickly.

Colours range from light green/grey to darker mossy green

Our 2025 Workshop Programme

There are spaces available on the following workshops in 2025.

If you are a beginner and want to try willow weaving for the first time we have three fabulous tutors who will be teaching here in April and October. Judi Evans will be teaching Spring Garden Structures and Round Shoppers. Emma and Stuart from the Coddiwomplers will be teaching the spiral and plait technique in willow. They are all experts in teaching beginners and have some fun projects to teach. These introductory courses are designed to give you a flavour of working with willow.

If you fancy working with materials other than willow, we are also offering the following courses:

*Ply-Split Braiding with Helen Leach using cord, wool, cotton and linen.

*Random Weave Baskets with Polly Pollock using glossy lapping cane cane and paper yarn.

*Arch and Nut Baskets using rush and hazel with Nadine Anderson.

Judy Simmonds will also be here in November to teach the beautiful willow Celtic Knot Basket which is an incredible structure, held together with tension and balance.

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