Getting Started with Willow - Course and Kit

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£54.00

What’s Included?

Learn to weave a willow star, a heart and a lovely Catalan tension tray.
Get all the materials you need delivered to your door.
Choose between Buff (light) or Brown (dark) Willow.
Get lifetime access to Mollie Mcmillen's brilliant, in-depth online course
Each project will teach you an important new skill to help you weave your first basket!

Choose which type of willow you would like to use: Buff Willow

Getting Started with Willow - Course and Kit

Buff Willow

Brown Willow

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About this course and kit

If you want to learn to weave with willow but you don't feel quite ready to take on your first basket then this course and kit is the perfect choice. You'll get lifetime access to Mollie Mcmillen's lovely 3-hour online course, plus all the materials you need will be delivered to your door!

During the course you'll learn to make three lovely beginner projects - a willow star with fairy lights,
a willow heart (great for learning how to make willow bend without breaking it) and a beautiful Catalan tension tray. Each project will teach you a specific new skill that you will use when you come to make your first basket. You'll also learn how to prepare the willow for weaving, how to select the right rods
and a whole host of other vital skills. Check out the course trailer above.

Here’s a preview of what you’ll learn to make:

How It Works

Start watching the online course - it's super easy set up and you get lifetime access.

Receive a lovely kit in the post that includes all the materials you need for the course.

Spend a wonderful afternoon learning and crafting - refering the online course as you go.

Experience the joy and satisfaction of making something beautiful and useful with your own two hands!

What's included in the kit?

A bundle of high-quality willow weaving rods (enough to weave all three projects with a bit extra left over to try one again). All our willow is sustainably grown.
A soaking bag - your willow will need to be soaked for a couple of hours before you weave it - full instructions are included.
Wire ties for holding your willow in place while you are weaving.
Fairy lights to decorate your star.

What's included in the online course?

This online course contains three and a half hours of expert instruction with leading basketmaker and teacher Mollie McMillen. You can access the course from any device by logging into our website (we will provide you with login details after purchase). Our courses are produced by our BAFTA-winning team of filmmakers which means they are cleary presented and well thought out. Students get the right piece of information at the right time, which means they get great results. Plus we are always on hand to answer questions.

LIFETIME ACCESS:

When you buy one of our courses you get lifetime access, which means you can watch it whenever you want and as many times as you want in future. This means you will always retain your new knowledge and skills.

Should I choose buff or brown willow?

To make willow pliable for weaving, it first needs to be soaked in water (you can use your bath or the special soaking bag provided in your kit).

Buff willow (light brown toffee colour) is great because you only have to soak it for a few hours before your can weave with it.

Brown willow is willow in its natural state with the bark still on. Ours has a beautiful dark green colour but there are many other varieties/colours you can use.

It takes longer to soak in your bag (a few days) but the process is extremely easy and we've found that overall brown willow is a bit easier for beginners to work with. The rods bend more easily round corners and are less likely to snap. It's also very hardwaring and looks fantastic!

What else do I need?

The only tool you need to do this course is a pair of garden secateurs. Any will do.

OVER 1,000 HAPPY WEAVERS

What our customers are saying

"I absolutely loved this course and kit. I did it with my daughter and we both really enjoyed it. Now we both want to learn to make a basket! "

Emma D. via email.

Jane T.

Just finished my first project and I've absolutely loved it . It took me about 4 blissful hours with lots of cups of tea inbetween . It's not perfect but I'm so pleased how it has turned out . I have learnt so much and can't wait to start on the heart next .

Alison P.

Great kit

Wendy P.

I wanted to build my confidence before starting the basket kit that I ordered a few years ago. This kit has been really enjoyable and has increased my interest in working with willow.

Julie D.

Kit was brought as a birthday present. They loved it and can't wait to get started.

Martina T.

I had issues with the willow as it kept splitting. I followed the instructions with soaking it for 4 hours and mellowing it over night with no joy. I tried to contact my own two hands on there website and never heard back i also tried to contact them on Instagram with no joy. I then went to contact every basket maker I follow on social media and was told that maybe soak for less time. so I dried the willow out and started again trying for 2.5 hours and mellowed and started again. I did 16% of the star and when I was doing the weaving on the corners is where it was going wrong. I am going to try the process again but not going to be able to do the other items in the course as wont have enough willow to use. I guess next time I will go on a course thats not online as you have support and help to speak to someone. Here no one returned any help or advice so I had to contact the people in the basket community who were great. I have found a course near where I live so planning on going on that. As for this I dont want to give up on it as I was to complete what I have started so I am hoping that myown2hands contact me and give support and maybe somemore willow. Anyone starting out maybe find a local course before going it alone with online courses.

Lauren S.

So impressed with the service, I had a few issues (my fault) and they were sorted within hours. Can tell the company genuinely care for their customers. The willow star is harder than I thought, but it’s my first ever go with weaving so I’m sure I’ll get better with practice and another 2 projects included in the pack. The video tutorials are great, explain everything. I paused them as I went through. Would recommend to anyone interested, I’ve actually bought another set for a friend’s birthday coming up. Thank you

Sarah W.

Videos really easy to follow. The "bonus" item, the little bird feeder, was fun to do. I recommend this kit before trying anything more complex as there are some very useful general instructions on working with willow. And, because buff willow only takes a couple of hours to soak, you can start weaving the next day instead of waiting for nearly a week!

Lesley H.

Loved this kit. More than enough extra willow to inspire you to make more and more. It just keeps giving. So glad I've decided to give this a go off my bucket list before it's too late. Love the sound and smell of willow. This kit teaches you so much. Love you can pause rewind the tutorials and come back time and time again . Thank you so much. Now want to do more, want more willow. Don't hesitate if you are thinking of trying this. It's great fun!

Amanda H.

Easy to follow instructions, beautiful willow. Really enjoyed making the pieces and would recommend.

Samantha C.

I haven't started the kit yet as I bought it to do when I have more time, so I can't comment. I have so far had 3 emails asking me for feedback in less than a week so I'm writing this in the hope that I won't get any more. I'm sure it's a great kit though.

Karen R.

Absolutely loved doing this course! I have a few more to go at and really looking forward to starting them in the next few weeks. The videos are excellent with really clear instructions, great tips along the way and loads of encouragement. You can pause them where needed to suit your pace. I also love the way that you might log into your course to find an update has appeared if some new feedback has been received by the course creators to help improve the experience - so even if you’ve already made your purchase you get the benefit of additional advice! How lovely is that? There is real commitment to help you succeed and get the most out of the course. Would recommend to anyone.

Mrs Barabara S.

I loved making this star but haven't had time to make the other 2 item s

Julie K.

I have enjoyed making my willow tray and still have the heart and star to do. I’m hoping I will be a bit quicker this time as I found I kept having to pause the video. (Didn’t help I was looking at it on my phone!) The weaving I found a bit hard and the willow started to crack but if I have any left at the end I might redo it. All-in-all very enjoyable. Might have a go at the garden wigwam at some point. Thank you everyone! Julie Kershaw

Sarah N.

This was a present, and haven't started it yet.

Marian L.

It was a great experience. Good customer service, clear online videos and plentiful supplies of willow. And a bonus project too! Very happy.

Jan T.

Fantastic course. Really enjoyed it thank you ❤️

Alan H.

It was interesting trying to fit the willow wands in my bath (shorter than the willow) but I persevered and surprised myself with how good the results were. If anybody is thinking of trying the kit and likes to create things - go and try it!

Jill U.

Quick delivery and arrived with all that was needed. The video seems easy to follow. Unfortunately, I have been unable to complete any of the projects yet due to injuring my arm!

Marie W.

A great gift for my daughter and daughter-in-law

Cath P.

Lovely kit that I received for Christmas. Have made the star and looking forward to making the other two items soon. Really excellent tuition via video which means you can pause and rewind as necessary. Really enjoying the process!

Rebecca T.

This was the first time I had tried anything like this and I absolutely loved it. Also got the starter kit so I could also make the star and heart. All brilliant. The tutorial videos are amazing. I would definitely recommend this and will be making another purchase very soon. Hopefully going for the basket next time. Thank you

Sam W.

I found the course easy to follow and clearly presented. The materials were high quality and I am very pleased with the end results. I feel I've learnt a skill in a couple of hours and I'm keen to develop it. Thank you for a fantastic product and excellent teaching!

Corrall M.

Lovely easy to follow videos, great communication - I'm just to impatient! Will definitely be doing more weaving.

Sally C.

I purchased two ‘Getting started with willow’ kits, one as a birthday present for my daughter who had expressed an interest in trying out basket making and one for myself with a view to us having a mother/daughter day. We finally found a suitable day and I watched the on-line course a couple of days in advance and prepared the willow accordingly. My daughter arrived and we settled down to make, starting with the star. Despite the instructions in the on-line course being clear and precise we did make a few errors, but it was easy just to replay the video and see where we had gone wrong. After lunch we started making the tension tray, which we found to be relatively easy until it was time to do the pairing, however we persevered and whilst the end result was not as neat as we may have liked we have a serviceable tray. It had taken slightly longer than we had imagined to complete these two items so rather than rush the hearts and end up ruining then (and our thumbs were aching slightly) we decided to save the hearts for another day. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and once we have mastered the heart we are both keen to try a basket. It was also a lovely way to spend time with my daughter.

A L.

Stephen T.

This was a gift from my husband at Christmas. Loved completing the star after the holidays, brightened the January gloom. Video was easy to follow. Have had so many compliments from the family.

Sharon F.

Although not quite finished all the projects yet I am loving it. Easy to follow and enjoyable

Janice T.

I bought two starter kits for my friends and I, to do one item each as a Christmas activity. I think we should have soaked the willow for two nights. We had a great laugh together making our stars as they all looked ok in the end. I bought another kit for my sister for Christmas.

Sue S.

I have not made this as yet so unable to give a proper star rating. The service was excellent though - fast delivery. I'm looking forward to making the items I purchased in the New Year.

Sandra G.

Excellent video tutorial! Enjoyed making star and tray, heart still to do. Look forward to starting the basket in the new year!

Lynda P.

Only made the star so far but really enjoyed it,

Maggie H.

I have absolutely loved making these , the course is so easy to follow and very informative. Will be giving my family a star each for Christmas. Cannot wait to start on my basket after Christmas .I am recommending this course to my friends and family .Thank you Maggie

Sue W.

I have made the heart, star, tension tray and oval basket. Having never done anything like this before, the course was very easy to follow and made it easy to understand what to do in a timely manner. The items I have made may not be perfect, but there is a pleasure in making things by hand! A thoroughly enjoyable course!

Aileen C.

Loved the experience of learning. Clear, easy to follow, video instructions. My favourite and mostly admired, so far, by family and friend is the star. My tip would be is to watch each set of videos before commencing especially the preparation videos (soaking and mellow) and tips.

Janice O.

Wonderful service and excellent tuition. Highly recommended!

Penelope

Great gift

Helen W.

I found the instructions easy to follow and am very pleased with my star. I hope to start my next project ,the heart, soon.

Julia M.

Making these items has been a delight. The step by step instruction videos are perfect for understanding each stage of the process. Practise makes perfect, as they say. I’m loving this hands on experience, working with totally natural products. I want to make another heart as this one is a little messy, or is it perfectly imperfect?! This course was purchased from a Facebook ad which I’d normally skim past. So glad I made the leap of faith. Worth every penny! When I’ve practised enough I will be making a basket. Excited for my next challenge. Many thanks.

Janice Hilary O.

I really loved this course of three beginner projects. The instructor was wonderful - so clear and precise in her approach. A really great teacher. I am an old age pensioner, and despite my advanced years, I was still able to follow along easily and complete all three projects successfully. I particularly enjoyed making the Catalan Tension Tray! The course was great value, and the kit arrived the very next day!

Samantha J.

Loving these kits as a hobby and making presents for friends. Easy to follow videos and instructions. Just need more time to do it!

Davina F.

Star,Heart and Platter kit. This was my second kit and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The heart was the hardest to do and it's not perfect (but then whose heart is). I had enough willow to do the Heart, full size plater and Star, but also to do two smaller platters (one without handles ) and a smaller star, so now all my nearest and dearest have a star. The videos are easy to follow and everything is explained perfectly. Would recommend this kit to everyone.

Philippa T.

I really enjoyed making these pieces with great support from the video which was easily followed and so well explained how to construct the pieces.

Hilary M.

I have the 3 item starter kit but have not started them yet, I have always wanted to try basket weaving and I am looking forward to trying it very soooooon. Thank you

Lynn O.

This is a fantastic introduction to willow weaving. The video instructions are clear and easy to follow. The kit contains plenty of willow to allow for mistakes. I am so, so pleased with the heart, the fairy lights included in the kit make it look really special. I'm looking forward to making the Catalan tray next.

Catherine M.

I loved being able to watch the video as many times as I needed. The tutor is really clear and precise making it so easy to follow. An absolutely fantastic package. I can't wait to treat myself to more!!

Linda H.

I received this course as a birthday gift. This is the first time I’ve done any willow weaving. I loved it. the videos are easy to follow, pause and repeat as often as you want. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn how to do the basics of willow weaving. It makes a brilliant gift as the person receiving it can do it at their own pace.

Davina F.

My friend brought me the Willow Star course for my birthday. I have just completed it. It all went well and I really enjoyed it. I was quite surprised that there was enough willow to complete three stars and the third one was little less wonky than the first two. I rushed a bit as I was worried about the Willow drying out too much, even though I did have a water sprayer handy to use. I found the videos very good and easy to follow. I liked that the videos showed me how to do all the work rather than just doing one point and then fading out and then in to a star with all five completed. It meant that I could work with the presenter step by step, and being able to pause was a bonus (I did go wrong once or twice on the first one). I have attached photos of my completed work, they look less wonky in the photos than in real life

Alison B.

Login details and the wicker package arrived promptly The training videos were excellent, with detailed explanations and tips to make the wicker easier to work with I thoroughly enjoyed making the 3 items

Sheila davies

Im thrilled with my starter kit, thank you. I have just made the star this evening and the video tutorial is excellent. My kit arrived super wuickly and its great value for money.

Nayworth cottage crafts

Highly recomment this for anyone in need of some creative downtime.

Nayworth cottage crafts

This course was absolutely brilliant.

Rachael B.

The course that comes with the kit was very informative and helpful, easy enough to follow. You are sent enough willow that i was able to make all that's seen in the photo. I was very happy with it all and I look forward to buying and making more. I certainly have another craft that I've fallen in love with.

Crafted by Zoe

I absolutely loved this Course!

lisa purcell

Finished my first project, really enjoyed it! Thank you so much im excited and nervous to start my basket!

Love to make (Insta)

fantastic course!!

Jennifer M.

I received the kit for my 60th birthday. The instructions were clear a d easy to follow. Loved the fact that I could pause it to be able to catch up. I really enjoyed making the star. My grandchildren thought it looked lovely once I had hung it up.

Atholl

What a fabulous product with all you need

Love to make (Insta)

Before xmas we treated outselves to 2 kits from My Own 2 Hands, and these are the results of one of the three projects in the kit. All materials and online tuition are provided. You can start stop and rewind as many times as you like. We are wuite please with the results!

Mark O.

Was gifted the starter kit as Christmas gift. My first attempt at willow weaving today with the star and I’m impressed. The video guide was brilliant, very easy to follow and precise with instructions

Tessa R.

Loved doing the star and found instructions on video very clear. Can't wait to have a go at heart

Adam W.

All the resources and clear instruction needed to start you off on your willow craft journey ... fantastic value!!

Rachel M.

Prompt delivery of well packaged kit. Great explanatory videos. Made all suggested items successfully so very pleased.

Rachel Barber

I loved doing mine!!

janette smethhurst

Ive done these. Great fun and sense of achievement when finished. Four of us had several evenings together making the heart, star and trivet. Enjoy!!

Tracey marie

Im delighted with these and I really enjoyed doing them. I think I may have a new hobby!

Francesca arundel

I thought you might like to see a picture of our ‘little starlets’ at our Christmas get together. It was great fun so thank you.

Jacqueline C.

Enjoyed our first time with willow craft, learnt lots making the star pleased with the end result.

Sue holwell

Just completed these with my sisters tonight. Was great fun!

Roz spokes

Loved spending the day making the tension tray alongside my cousin, looking forward to making our baskets too, but we have fallen in love with the star and heart so will be ordering those first!

jane

what an awesome kit

Jane

What an awesome kit

Debbie Minter

Just got round to doing my star this week. Im chuffed and really enjoyed making it, very therapeutic. Looking forward to doing the other projects.

Susan Staley

Made 2 stars and loving it!

Deb Harvey

Heres my second attempt at a tension tray..with a bit of variation!

Sherry S.

Complete novices and so happy with what we made. Clear instructions and such good value. Only thing was that it took much longer than the 40 mins they said. Great way to spend a rainy afternoon with friends.

Nicola Banister

Just made my star, it's beautiful in the dark!

Terri

What a fantastic kit!

Sara

Wondeful kit!

Anna

My Star! Loving this course.

Mark B.

I received the starter kit as a birthday gift and really enjoyed the process of making the star. I have never worked with willow before or done any kind of weaving but the video tutorial is very clear and easy to follow and I was pleasantly surprised with the end result. I will be trying the heart next!

Sarah H.

I've never worked with willow before, but took to this really well, absolutely loved it. The tutorial was very good and easy to follow. Looking forward to doing the other 2 projects.

Nessi Skyview

I finished my star yesterday and really loved making it!!

Penny Rose

Ive only made the star so far but really enjoyed making it.

Amy Maidment

I finished my project. It was really good fun and the instructional videos are fantastic.

Lynda B.

My friend and I had a lovely afternoon making our stars ! It was my first attempt at willow weaving and I loved it ! The video instructions were easy to follow and fun to watch. I can’t wait to make the heart next !

Sandra Collins

we had a girls night in with a kit for each of person and we each made a star. It was so mch fun! Highly recommed to others. Everyone then left with thteir kit to coplete their other tow projects at home.

Pam Jones

I really enjoyed making my star!

Catherine Windross

I wanted you to know that we had a fabulous morning making the star, heart and tensiont tray. hopefully be ready to attack the basket at a future date. I'm spreading the word as it is a really good video, super information and quality materials.................well done.

Deborah H.

Have loved working away with the three projects; the heart, star and catalan tension tray, then the free course to make the basket base. The difficulty has been finding the patience to wait for the willow to soak and mellow- just don't want to stop!!

Mags Mahoney

My friends and I had a go at the starter kit last weekend and loved it. We got a bit addicted to making stars so the fact there is plenty of willow to spare and by using off cuts we made a few smaller ones to complement the main ones we made. Also the cottage we had hired was called weavers barn and was previously used for weaving so it all felt perfectly in place. Am sure we will be back for more kits in the future thank you.

Maureen Bate

I Have this kit. Brilliant video showing how to make items, Thrilled with the results.

Sharman I.

I was afraid to do this at home on my own but I have done the heart now and its not perfect but I LOVE it!!

Lisa. H

I was gifted this for my birthday and I'm so looking forward to making them!!

Sarah B

I love my courses and have really got into basket weaving. That last one was the log basket wich was more challenging but I liked the way the courses progressed in difficulty. Everyone is now getting baskets from me! It's such a great Idea and I love the teachers who do the courses.

Sue P.

I loved making the star, the videos were easy to follow and I’ve learnt a lot about willow and how to manipulate it for weaving. I’m just in the process of finishing the heart, and then plan to do the catalan. I don’t have a lot of spare time, but found that you can easily store your willow until ready to soak and mellow for crafting! Thank you for introducing me to this ancient craft

Angela C

I really enjoyed making these! Loved it.

Sarah S.

I just wanted to say how much I'm loving the starter kit. The online videos are brilliant with a fab tutor - really easy to follow, pausem rewind and watch again. With lots of really clear close ups so you can see what you are trying to do. Yesterday I made the wilow star and had a wonderful couple of hours sitting in the shade in the garden, forgetting about any stresses and worries as i was so focused on creating. Itmight not be perfect but I'm very proud!!

Nicci

Absolutely loving this kit, I've made the star, and I am currently making a rather wobbly heart- but I, heh, its rustic and that's what decorations are for! The videos are so easy to follow and enjoyable to watch.

Christine Wise

Star down - two more to go…

Gillian M.

Finished my basket today to add to my star. Really enjoeyed some therapeutic Me time. Ive already put my basket into service carrying dinner up to my dad's. I'm planning to make some more to sell for charity.