Join straw artist Penny Maltby for this half day workshop exploring straw plaiting techniques.

Using heritage wheat, Penny will teach you straw plaiting skills to create your own harvest knot. During the workshop you will learn to tie a straw workers knot as well as learning how to prepare the straw and plait it using techniques such as the compass plait, multi strand hair plait and the diamond plait. Penny will also share some of the history of corn dollies and the harvest during the workshop.

You will create your own traditional harvest knot—a small, decorative token once made to celebrate the harvest or to give as a gesture of affection. Also known as love knots or countrymen’s favours, these are still worn as buttonholes today. You will also explore different plaiting techniques to make Glory braid corn dollies.

As well as being an endangered craft, working with straw is a very mindful activity and crafts such as this have been shown to be beneficial to general wellbeing and mental health. You will leave this workshop having experienced the joy of this heritage craft and with your own hand plaited corn dolly to display or gift to a loved one.

Tutor: Penny Maltby
Date & Time: Saturday 18th April, 1:30pm - 4pm
Venue: Chisel Studio, New Brewery Arts
Price: £65 (£0.00 VAT)

Please note that this workshop is for those aged 18 and over.

You are welcome to bring a lidded bottle of water with you but we kindly ask that you do not bring food into the studio.

Refreshments are available at our on-site café Blend until 4pm.

For more information:
Visit our FAQ page

Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is suitable for beginners but equally will be of interest to those with some experience in similar crafts who want to explore a different medium and set of techniques.

Some manual dexterity is required.

What you will need:
All materials and equipment are included.

Accommodation: 
Residential option available. Find out about our accommodation, costs and how to book here.

Meet Your Tutor - penny maltby

Penny Maltby is an artist and maker with a passion for materials and experimental making. Inspired by the narrative within traditional crafts and its role in preserving cultural heritage, she enjoys exploring new ways of using traditional materials and skills to create contemporary work.

A tutor in straw work and mixed media, she loves to teach craft skills and encourage cross disciplinary use of materials and techniques. In 2021 she founded the Ministry of Straw to raise awareness of the creative potential of straw and regularly gives talks and teaches at Summer schools, public and private events. Recently she has combined her love of straw working and textiles to design a range of luxury silk scarves which celebrate the shapes and aesthetics of this traditional craft.

Penny is a graduate in Creative Arts and holds a City and Guilds Certificate and Diploma in Stitched textiles. She exhibits regularly as part of Prism Textiles and has attended Handmade Oxford and the GNCCF in Manchester. Other projects include making straw costumes for the BBC as well as creating straw props TV production/photo shoots. She is a member of Prism Textiles, Oxfordshire Basketmakers, The Basketmakers Association, Strawcraftsmen, Modern Makers Collective and Design Nation.