Weave and Nourish Day Retreat - Beginner Basket Weaving
Have you always wanted to weave a basket, but didn't know where to start? Join us in Bragg Creek for a day shaped by forest air, firelight, slow meals, and the rhythm of weaving.
Included:
Willow stewardship workshop and walk where you will learn how to identify and harvest willow in the wild.
Weaving a small willow berry boat or tray (all tools and materials provided)
2 nourishing and delicious plant based meals
**Early bird special – book by July 1st!**
Please note:
All sales are final – tickets are non-refundable. If you have purchased a ticket and are unable to attend – you may pass your ticket to a friend.
Pre-registration is required.
If you have any food allergies, please contact Roni at [email protected] before purchasing a ticket.
Youth aged 12 and up are welcome when accompanied by a dedicated caregiver who participates alongside them. Please register both the caregiver and child.
Important details:
Date: October 17th, 2026
Location: Folk Tree Lodge, Bragg Creek, AB
Hosts: Freyja Ulveland (Half Moon Baskets) and Roni Zaide (Roni’s Kitchen)
Arrival: Saturday 12pm
Departure: Saturday 8pm
Meet your hosts:
Freyja Ulveland is the weaver behind Half Moon Baskets she is grateful to have learned alongside the many generous women who have tended the basketry community in Alberta for decades, gaining not only techniques but also a deep sense of care and connection. Teaching has become part of her own weaving, offering others the chance to feel the grounding rhythm of working with plants and to experience the joy of shaping something both useful and beautiful.
Roni Zaide is a food storyteller, a kitchen witch, cookbook author and cooking class instructor at Roni’s Kitchen. She is passionate about sharing nutrient dense and delicious plant-based recipes and the stories behind them. Roni’s mission is to reconnect people with food, empower them through cooking, and help them feel more comfortable in their own kitchen.
Schedule:
12pm-1pm Lunch
1pm-2pm Willow walk & stewardship workshop
2pm-6pm Weave a willow berry boat
6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm Fire
Willow Stewardship Workshop:
After lunch we will take a walk among the wild willows of Folk Tree and spend time with the plants before they become materials.
Together, we will look at how to identify willow, how to coppice for basketry, how to harvest with care, and what to look for when searching for your own wild willow patch.
Berry Boat or Tray:
We will begin this workshop with a short 1-hour tutorial, where you will learn how to use a small jig to weave a berry boat.
After your tutorial, you can expect to spend another 2 to 3 hours filling in your boat.
This is a great first weaving project. All tools and materials will be provided.
Instruction will include:
Willow selection and how to choose materials for different parts of the basket
Creating shapes using jigs
How to manipulate willow to help keep it from cracking
Please note:
Weaving with willow is physical and uses the whole body. Your hands, in particular, will need strength, flexibility, and patience. Please pace yourself, take breaks when needed, and let us know if you need support adapting a technique.
Hoping to weave something a bit bigger? Join us for the whole weekend, and weave a twisted willow basket. Find the details at: https://luma.com/w4nubxwo
Folk Tree Lodge