I recently had the joy of visiting Carlisle, Kentucky, the Countryside Blessing store, to teach a beginner pine needle basket weaving class. Although these incredible women are already skilled weavers, this was their first time working with pine needles. It was such a pleasure to introduce them to this unique technique, blending traditional weaving skills with the art of pine needle crafting.
We began by discussing how longleaf pine needles are processed to make them ready for weaving. The process includes heating the needles in water and glycerin, which makes them pliable, followed by drying. This treatment gives the needles a wonderful flexibility, perfect for coiling into beautiful designs.
Each participant selected a ceramic center piece as the focal point of their basket and chose a color of waxed thread to make their work uniquely theirs. I loved seeing the range of choices — from earth tones to vibrant hues — each one adding a personal touch to their creations.
During the class, they learned how to add new pine needles, create a simple stitch, and wrap the bundle, step by step. By the end of the session, each weaver had created a beautifully unique basket, complete with their chosen ceramic center and custom thread color. The results were stunning, with each basket reflecting its maker’s personality and creativity.
A huge thank you to Tracy Berkey, who coordinated this event, provided a delicious lunch and refreshments and brought together this adventurous group of weavers. It was a day filled with laughter, creativity, and the excitement of learning something new. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to guide these talented women on their first pine needle-weaving journey!
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