Karen Wychock, Instructor
Saturday, May 17, 2025
9 AM -5 PM
Some weaving experience is needed to take this class.
This Hexagonal Bottom Basket will make a beautiful addition to your home as either a bread basket or as a decorative element. It will be woven in the Shaker Style over a wooden tub mold. Using fine cane for both the spokes and weavers, students will learn to weave using plain weave and hexagonal weave. The challenge of this basket is to weave hexagons equal in size.
Once woven, students will pack the basket, turn down the spokes and then add the rims. Lashing will tie the rims to the basket. It is 9” wide and 3” in height.
Karen Wychock
Working over wooden molds, in the method of the Shakers, Karen’s baskets are traditional in shape and materials. She weaves both Shaker reproductions in ash and traditional, utilitarian baskets of reed. Native hardwoods such as ash and oak are used to make the rims and handles, and all of her baskets are lashed using ash. Each basket takes on its own character as it is woven in a quatrefoil, twill or fancy lace pattern to appeal to both eye and touch. Karen was an art teacher for 22 years in the Neshaminy School District, Langhorne, PA, before becoming a middle school principal for 15 years in both the Neshaminy School District and the Central Bucks School District.
She is a member of the Bucks County Craftsmen’s Guild, the Bucks County Hand Weaver’s Guild and the PA Guild of Craftsmen. She sells her work at various shows and galleries throughout the northeast (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia, and Ohio), and has the earned the distinction of Waterford Landmark Artisan for her commitment to the Waterford Fair and the Waterford Foundation. She is also president of the Penn-Jersey Basket Weavers Guild and teaches both children and adults.