*If you are interested in taking a class in pine needle basket making, call (239)-283-6006 to set up a date for you or others to participate. Most classes allow one to six participants per class.*

Artists at Work in the Heart of Matlacha

NOTE: Workshops and classes are non-refundable. They may be re-booked with a minimum 3 days advance notice. Materials and supplies are bought in advance by the artists, and also, on many occasions, interested parties are turned away. Last minute cancellations most often cannot be filled.

Thank you for your understanding.

Scheduled Classes for this Season: call 239.283.6006 to reserve your space.

Fri Dec 2, 2016 11:00am – 2:00pm
Pineneedle Class~ Kathy Erickson $78 & $10 Material ~ 11 till 2ish

Wed Jan 24, 2018 11:00am – 3:30pm
Kathy Erickson ~ Pine Needle Basket Class 3.5 hours ~11am till 3:30 ~ (min 3 per class)~ $80 & $11 Kit

Wed Apr 11, 2018 11:00am – 3:30pm
Kathy Erickson ~ Pine Needle Basket Class 3.5 hours ~ min 3 per class)~ $80 & $11 Kit

Intermediate Class:

Materials (Included in cost of class):

Kit for one pine needle basket
written instructions
handouts showing stitches and information about pine needle art
sample baskets

Class Duration: 2 days (8 hours)

Goals of the Beginner class:

Review the goals of the beginner class
To learn how to make a cover for a basket
To discuss and study other covers

Beginner Class:

Materials (Included in cost of class):

Kit for one pine needle basket
written instructions
handouts showing stitches and information about pine needle art
sample baskets

Class Duration: 2 days (8 hours)

Goals of the Beginner class:

To learn how to begin a pine needle basket and discuss other beginnings
To learn 5 different stitches used in pine needle basketry
To learn how to shape a basket
To learn how to finish off the coil
To discuss how to embellish a basket

Pine Needle Basketry with Kathryn Erickson

What is Pine Needle Basketry?

Basketry dates back some 9,000 years and rates as one of the oldest crafts. American Indians used hundreds of different types of natural materials to make baskets and the area in which they lived determined the type of material used. Pine needles were just one of those materials used especially by the Indians of the Southeast where long pine needles are found. Pine needles were bundled and sewn together in a coiling manner.

Some descendants of slaves in South Carolina use a technique of a core bound with palmetto strips or oak. The core can be sweet grass, bull rush, and some pine needles sometimes called "pine straw", which are used as accents.

Modern day use of the pine needle in basketry showed up during the Civil War. Women bundled pine needles and used a cotton thread to fasten them. Then raffia from the Raffia Palm in Madagascar replaced cotton thread as a binder. Women began creating more decorative items, such as trays, purses, hats, picture frames, and lamp shades. Instructional books began to show up so classes were taught. The modern day art of pine needle basketry was born. Today many other materials are used as binders. A few of them are waxed linen thread, sinew, and wire.

To learn more about pine needle basketry and to view other pieces of Kathryn Erickson's, view this page.