Connect with the seasonal plants around you through exploration of the art of weaving.
This three-hour led workshop will take you on an introductory foraging walk of the permaculture urban garden, and instruct you in the practice of weaving. You will learn how to build a natural branch loom from scratch, warp it, and then create a large-scale woven natural textile art piece that reflects the environment and season you are in.
Images: 1. Freshly foraged materials from nature, including branches, grasses and flowers; 2. You’ll learn how to weave with nature’s materials to create other pieces including a freehand weave, cardboard loom, branch loom, and experimental branch loom.
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Time: 3 hour session
Cost: £40 (plus, see pay it forward + friend tickets)
Date: Saturday 10th May 2025. 9.30am-12.30pm.
Location: Meet at The Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes, London N4 2HA
Group size: maximum 6 -
⇾ What weaving is
⇾ Appropriate materials and equipment for this practice
⇾ Constructing a giant natural loom from scratch, including warping
⇾ Seasonal plant signs and introduction to plants found within and around the session area
⇾ Foraging best practice and safety considerations
⇾ Weaving on a large-scale using nature’s fresh and dried materials
⇾ Cutting a natural piece off a loom and finishing it off -
⇾ Guidance on the art and function of weaving
⇾ The finished work will be cut off the loom frame and is yours to keep for hanging
⇾ All required loaned tools and additional materials (snips, secateurs, loom, sundry materials, gloves)
⇾ An insight and built connection with the local environment and seasonal planting
⇾ Herbal teas as refreshment
⇾ A follow-up PDF guide with all covered information and additional resources
Images: A couple of small-scale nature weaving workshops held along the Parkland Walk and into Queen’s Wood (Highgate) in 2022, highlighting the variety of nature’s materials to forage and weave in cardboard and branch looms.
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Meeting in the garden of The Castle Climbing Centre (directions will be given), we’ll take a stroll around the permaculture garden and also partway along the New River filter beds. This essentially takes as long as the group dynamic prefers, but I benchmark around one hour to give opportunity to truly notice and reflect on the surroundings. In situ, you’ll first be introduced to foraging guidelines and best practice.
We’ll come to a pre-chosen place in the Castle garden where some time will be spent introducing you to weaving and appropriate materials, along with how to construct the large-scale natural loom from coppiced hazel whips.
You will then have the remainder of the time to create your large-scale woven piece. Your work is yours to keep, but will be cut off the loom frame in order for you to take it home. We’ll leave 20 minutes at the end of the session to cover this aspect.Materials will be provided, and inspiration will be given to help you in presenting and storing your work.
Once the session has finished, we’ll part ways; you’re welcome to continue sitting in the Castle garden (there’s a café on site too).
The climbing centre is on many bus routes, or you can walk to either Manor House, Canonbury or Stoke Newington stations. If you are cycling there are bike frames out the front.
Note: if the weather is ok enough for foraging, but bad enough to sit outside, we’ll construct our pieces underneath a gazebo. If it’s looking too terrible, I may have to cancel fully (or suggest a differnet workshop format that can be conducted indoors) but you’ll receive as much notice as possible.
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Please note, this is not a fabric weaving session. We will be using materials on offer by nature, for instance grass stems and leaves, to build up a woven piece, but it will not be functional in the usual textile sense.
You will be guided through the construction of a natural branch loom along with simple weaving techniques to build up a a large-scale woven piece using fresh and dried materials from nature. -
You will receive a confirmation email with location details and reminders of all of this information.
*I operate a pay-it-forward model. This means that you can purchase an additional ticket to support someone on low income or referred through an art therapy route. You can simply purchase a ‘pay it forward’ ticket, or make a donation that will be used towards a full ticket cost for future use by someone.
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It’s tricky to provide a ticket cost that appears valuable but also covers realistic costs. Your payment covers materials (around £5 per person), payment processing fees, and my labour both in facilitating the session and all time beforehand prepping materials, which in this case is around £7.50 per hour per person.
If the cost is inaccessible to you (honestly, I get it) please do reach out on hello@stephaniesteele.co.uk as I operate a pay-it-forward model and can discretionarily provide a free or discounted spot.
Images: An example of a small branch loom, example of how to start off a freehand weave, a spontaneous branch loom, and a traditional wooden lap loom weave using nature’s materials.
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The Climbing Centre is fully accessible. There is uneven ground due to the garden’s chipped and grass pathways and general undulations, but a flattish spot will be chosen for the session. The foraging aspect can be accommodated for mobility needs.
The looms will be stuck into the ground, and you’ll sit on a normal chair in front of them. It does depend on general movement and bending.
Dexterity is required to get the most out of weaving, however, some support can be given.
Foraging does require dexterity and some bending or reaching. I will be available to guide and give support with this, along with providing tools i.e. snips. If you have specific hand tools you like to use i.e. secateurs, please bring them along. I will endeavour to find suitable spots that will support your enjoyment of the practice of foraging.
Gardening gloves will be provided to allow you to forage safely. They are cotton and rubber. I’ll also have nitrile (latex-free) gloves. If you have your own, or have specific textile allergies, please do bring them to aid in your comfort.
The session will be completed in English. If you are hearing impaired, you are welcome to attend; I will be able to practically show you the art and can give you a handout on the instructions. During the foraging segment it’s recommended that you stay close so you can hear as best as possible.
This session is aimed at adults, due to the focus required (13+ year old teenagers are welcome). If you would like to bring your child along, please email first to check capacity.
We will be operating outdoors. Some shelter under trees could be found – or we’ll have a tarp/gazebo as mentioned above – but please be aware that it is your responsibility to dress appropriately for the weather - whether rainy or sunny. See below section on ‘cancellations’.
If you have any concerns or requirements upfront, please email hello@stephaniesteele.co.uk
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⇾ I am DBS certified.
⇾ I am emergency outdoor first aid trained, will carry a first aid kit, and there is a defibrillator in the centre.
⇾ Toilets will be available in the centre throughout. -
Weather: If the weather is due to be stormy, then I will email to give updates on required clothing or cancellation. Unfortunately this is a case-by-case basis, but I will aim to give you two days notice. You can then choose to book onto a new date, I’ll create a session especially for the group, or you can receive a full refund.
Personal: If you are unable to attend for personal reasons, please respect that I am a sole business owner and give at least two days notice. If you do not cancel with good reason in time, you will not be eligible for a refund.
Covid: If you contract Covid-19 and have a positive lateral flow or PCR, I can provide a full refund (minus booking fees). Please still give notice as this helps me book up the slot.
Images: A workshop in September 2023, with foraging along the River Lea towpath, and many branch loom variations made showcasing the array of plants in late summer.
Find more images on Instagram.