Anne Bowers
Workshop: Ribbed baskets, Knotholes and Antlers, OH MY!
Dates: April 27- May 3, 2026
Keyhole a
One More Tine
Woven Trivet
Antler Bowl
Cabbage Kale Kohlrabi a
Cabbage Kale Kohlrabi b
Josephine's Knot
Keyhole b
About Anne
Anne is from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia where she works in her studio designing and teaching baskets. She was a production basket maker for many years, and she brings those skills into each basket that she teaches. Ribbed basketry is her specialty, and some of her baskets have taken on a sculptural perspective in recent years.
She is on the Board for National Basketry Organization and tries to support basketry in every way that she can; she exhibits and shows her work. Anne is the author of “Ribbed Basketry: Traditional to Contemporary”.
She has taught on several basketry cruises, teaches basketry across the country and lectures about the woven form. Basketry has taken Anne to Poland for the Worldwide Wicker and Weaving Festival and to Germany for their annual basketry festival.
2026 will mark her 35th year of participation in the annual Over the Mountain Studio Tour. Anne’s goal is to make each student’s class a successful one.
Workshop Details
Join instructor, Anne Bowers, on an exploration of styles, techniques, and color!
Day One: Cabbage Kale Kohlrabi
This basket is the third in Anne’s ‘Vegetable Series’, and it is all about GREEN! Students will begin class learning a new handle embellishment woven with reed, cane, and Japanese cane. Students will learn how to change color within the god’s eyes, then how to sight, whittle and insert both primary and secondary ribs which are pre-shaped; weave on the diagonal and make the best use of a very wide variety of dyed reed in various sizes and shapes.
10” X 10”
Materials Fee: $130
Day Two: Knothole Basket
On day two, enjoy color, a bit of weirdness, shaping and experimentation! Using a knothole from a tree, Anne will pre-drill holes for everyone. Students will then decide on the height of basket they want to weave, insert and glue spokes, and begin weaving. Depending on the weight of the knothole, these baskets, when completed, can be set on a table or hung on the wall. Color exploration will include a variety of dyed weavers, plus suggestions to consider for shapes and patterns. Basket is concluded with a woven foot.
Sizes vary from 10” – 15” wide and height will vary by student preference.
Materials Fee: $65 – 95, depending upon materials used.
Day Three: Josephine’s Knot Basket
Who is Josephine and why was this woven knot named for her? Anne doesn’t know, but she does know that this is a cool way to make a ribbed basket. Using long pieces of round reed, we will learn how to make the knot then start to weave, using dyed reed in various sizes, dyed seagrass, coir, jute, and other natural materials that will be available for you to incorporate into your basket. The ‘ribs’ from one side of the knot are inserted into the weaving on the other side of the basket and a lovely shape is formed. There is no other ribbed basket as lovely…or unpredictable as our Josephine!
Size is approximately 12” X 10”.
Materials Fee: $105
Day Four: One More Tine and/or Antler Bowl
Choose to make one or both projects on Day Four.
One More Tine: This ribbed antler basket features a whitetail deer antler that is predrilled for students – drilling will be demonstrated in class. Back of basket is flat and front is pouch shaped. Weavers include dyed reed, yarns, twine, jute, leather, seagrass, and other fun stuff. Each will be one of a kind! Embellished with antler buttons.
Sizes vary, approx. 5” X 9”
Materials Fee: $75
Antler Bowl: A special antler basket…students will begin with a predrilled antler with spokes inserted but will weave basket entirely themselves. Anne will offer color choices. Shaping will be emphasized. Basket will be topped with a rolled border. Each will vary in size and shape due to variations in antlers.
8” X 4 ½” and larger in size
Materials Fee: $65 – $85, depending on antler size.
Day Five: Colorful Woven Trivet
This 15” + wide trivet will be woven using several colors of round reed. It is large and will require some hand strength to create, although the technique for weaving it is rather simple. God’s eyes will be added top and bottom and extra weaving along the sides will be done for additional stability. It can be displayed on the wall and used as a heavy-duty trivet for the holidays.
Materials Fee: $85
Tools: sharpened knife, long awl, shears, heavy shears for trivet, side cutters, and any tools you might prefer for weaving with round reed
Student Level: Intermediate and Above
Overnight Packages
5-Day, 6-Nights Overnight Package Includes: 6 nights onsite lodging, private chef prepared meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and 5 days of instruction in a private venue.
Supply fees paid directly to instructor.
Meals and Lodging: $ per person private room, $ per person shared room
Tuition/Fees $660
Non-refundable deposit of $250 due to hold workshop space. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to workshop start date.