18 to 22 May 2025.

West Dean College, Chichester, West Sussex.

Neolithic braiding can be described as a braid where elements are added in and left out on each ‘stitch’. As the braid spirals, those elements left out on the previous round are then picked up again interlinking the consecutive rounds. Also known as ‘continuous plaiting’, ‘Burkina technique’ and ‘Punto de Cofin’ (the stitch of the Olive pressing mat), this ancient structure can be found in baskets from Southern and Western Africa, all around the Mediterranean and as far north as the Orkney Islands.

Today the technique is most commonly practised and most diverse in Spain. During this workshop you will learn several ways of starting these baskets and explore different textures and variations in open and closed weaving. Starting with a straight base you will make rectangular pockets and bags and then move on to round bases and different ways of creating openwork and a variety of textures.

Your baskets can be finished off with a variety of simple borders and long or short handles depending on their function. Working with both rush and esparto grass will give you a feeling of how adaptable this technique can be, equipping you with all the skills needed to then develop these baskets with your own materials after the course.

Since finding examples of this technique in Caithness and Orkney in 2012, Tim has been exploring and researching the Neolithic braiding family of techniques. Now based near Barcelona in Spain, Tim has had the opportunity to learn from traditional Spanish makers and will bring along a variety of traditional baskets from his collection for your study and inspiration.

£614
9.15am to 5pm.

For more information and to book visit West Dean College