Weave and Nourish Weekend Retreat - Twisted Willow Basket
Join us in Bragg Creek for a weekend shaped by forest air, firelight, slow meals, and the rhythm of weaving.
As the leaves turn and the willows settle into autumn, we will gather at Folk Tree Lodge for three days of basketry, nourishing food, and time spent immersed in the season.
Together we’ll weave a Twisted Willow Basket, walk among wild willow stands, and settle into the slower pace that emerges when we work with our hands.
Included:
2 overnight accommodations•
Weaving a Twisted Willow Basket (all tools and materials provided). We’ll be working with an abundance of willow to create a generously sized basket with beautiful movement and character.
Willow Walk & Stewardship Workshop, where you’ll learn how to identify, harvest, and care for willow in the wild.
6 nourishing and delicious plant based meals
Morning qigong by the fire
**Early bird special – book by July 1st!**
Accommodation options:
Bed in shared room, shared bath – $999 per person ($899 early bird)
Private room for 2 (1 queen bed), shared bath – $1998 for 2 people ($1798 early bird)
Locals Special – no overnight accommodations, but join us for all meals and activities – $888 ($777 early bird)
Nestled in the foothills near Bragg Creek, Folk Tree Lodge offers a peaceful place to unplug, gather around the fire, and spend a weekend immersed in creativity.
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.
Important details:
Date: October 16th-18th, 2026
Location: Folk Tree Lodge, Bragg Creek, AB
Hosts: Freyja Ulveland (Half Moon Baskets) and Roni Zaide (Roni’s Kitchen)
Arrival: Friday 10am
Departure: Sunday 3pm
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.
Twisted Willow Basket:
We will spend most of our time together learning to weave a Twisted Willow Basket using traditional basketry techniques.
Instruction will include:
Slath base
Pairing
Waling
Rope coil weave
Rod border
Optional wrapped-core handle, if time allows
Understanding the nuances between cultivated and wild willow
Willow selection and how to choose materials for different parts of the basket
This project introduces several intermediate techniques. Some weaving experience is helpful, but beginners with patience and curiosity are warmly welcome.
The rope coil weave is wonderfully forgiving, allowing each basket to develop its own character while you learn the techniques. Participants with a range of experience levels, including first-time weavers, have woven beautiful baskets using these techniques.
Weavers will be able to set their own pace throughout the weekend. We have scheduled enough time for everyone to complete a Twisted Willow Bowl. Those hoping to create a larger basket, up to approximately 2’ × 1.5’, should plan to continue weaving during the optional Free Weave periods.
Participants are encouraged to work at a pace that feels sustainable and enjoyable. If your fingers need a rest, you are very welcome to step away, relax in the lodge, go for a walk, or simply enjoy the slower rhythm of the weekend.
On Friday, we will offer two schedule options: a morning start at 10:00 AM or a noon start at 12:00 PM.
Schedule:
Friday
(Please bring your own lunch for Friday)
10am-5pm Morning group weaves (with a 12:00–2:00 PM break)
12pm-6pm Noon group weaves (with a 4:00–5:00 PM break)
6:15pm Welcome circle
6:30pm Dinner
Saturday
7:30am Morning movement by the fire
8am Light breakfast
9am-12pm Weaving (everyone)
12pm-1pm Lunch
1pm-2pm Willow Walk & Stewardship Workshop
3pm-6pm Free Weave (optional)
6:30 Dinner
Sunday
(Please check out of your room by 9am)
7:30am Morning movement by the fire
8am Light breakfast
9am-12pm Weaving (everyone)
12pm-1pm Lunch
1pm-3pm Free Weave (optional)
Please note:
Our first shared meal with Roni will be Friday evening. Please bring a bag lunch, snacks, and plenty of water for Friday afternoon.
Saturday will include some Free Weave time. Instruction during this period will be limited, so participants are encouraged to settle in, explore, and continue working at their own pace.
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.
Willow Stewardship Workshop:
Saturday afternoon 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.
Not quite sure if you are ready to weave a full basket? We will be offering a mini "day retreat" option for the Saturday. You can find the details here: https://luma.com/1z6p27rk
Folk Tree Lodge
Small Twisted Willow Bowl
Large Twisted Willow Basket
Twisted Willow Baskets from past workshops:
These baskets were woven by participants with a range of experience levels—including several first-time weavers. The rope coil weave is wonderfully forgiving, allowing each basket to develop its own character while still learning the same core techniques.
Weaver on the left was a complete beginner! Weaver on the right was an experienced weaver.
Both first time weavers!
Both weavers were intermediate weavers.