How long is the workshop?

The workshop runs approximately six hours as a single-day session.

What materials are used?

The class uses natural pine needles (dennennaalden) and raffia supplied by the studio.

What is the minimum age to participate?

Participants should be 16 or older; children aged 10–15 may join if accompanied by an adult.

Is prior experience required?

No prior experience is needed; the instructor covers all basics from material preparation to finishing.

Do I take my basket home?

Yes — you will leave with a completed hand-bound piece and guidance for future projects.

How many students per class?

Groups are small, capped at about 10 participants to ensure individual attention.

Coiling Basket Workshop in Loosdrecht — Pine-Needle & Raffia Basketry

Coiling belongs to a class of small-group craft workshops that teach an ancient technique for building baskets by spiral binding. At Atelier Bushcraft Nederland in Loosdrecht, Noord-Holland — located at Nieuw-Loosdrechtsedijk 106, 1231 LB Loosdrecht, Netherlands — a full-day, six-hour workshop guides beginners through every step of the coil method using natural materials like pine needles and raffia. The setting is practical and low-key: a simple studio where sunlight and workbenches meet the smell of dry plant fibers.

You begin by preparing the material: trimming and bundling dennennaalden (pine needles) and readying lengths of raffia for stitching. Instructors demonstrate the spiral foundation, the stitching sequence that binds coils together, and the shaping techniques that turn a flat coil into a bowl, basket, or sculptural form. Over roughly six hours, each participant progresses from a modest starter coil to a finished, hand-bound piece, practicing tension control, stitch spacing, and edge finishing.

What makes this workshop stand out in the Loosdrecht area is its focus on local, tactile craft rather than a mass-produced souvenir. Working with pine needles links directly to the region’s wooded edges and waterside reed beds, and raffia brings a supple, forgiving element to the structure. The pace is deliberate: small groups (maximum 10) allow individual attention, and the curriculum emphasizes repeatable skills so you can continue coiling at home. Note the minimum age policy: participants are 16+ (10+ if accompanied by an adult).

There’s a clean historical through-line here: basket coiling is one of humanity’s oldest functional arts, a practical solution to storage and transport that evolved independently across cultures. That lineage is part of the appeal—this is not just a craft class but a hands-on link to traditional material knowledge. Materials are simple and low-impact; instructors explain how to care for finished pieces so they last.

Practical details are straightforward. Bring comfortable clothing that can handle a little sap or raffia dust, a packed lunch for the half-day rhythm, and patience for close, focused manual work. Expect to leave with a finished basket and the core skills to attempt larger projects.

If you’re visiting the Loosdrecht lakes or staying nearby in Hilversum or Amsterdam for a day away from urban cycling or boating, this workshop offers a quiet, productive counterpoint—an invitation to slow down, learn a three-thousand-year-old craft, and leave with something you made with your own hands.

Workshops meet at Atelier Bushcraft Nederland and typically run as single-day sessions; check the booking link to confirm dates and capacity. Small groups make this an excellent gift or solo skill day. Materials are provided, and the instructor will demonstrate tools and safe handling. Reserve ahead via the provided booking URL to secure a spot—these intimate classes fill quickly each season.