Intro to Twined Basketry with Waxed Linen Thread

Date: Friday, March 6, 2026
Cost: $135 (includes materials)
Location: Guild House

Teacher: Cael Chappell
Website: https://caelchappell.com/

Class Level: Suitable for beginners

If you’ve never twined with waxed linen thread before … or if you want a refresher, this is the class for you. A full day of the ‘basics’ - twining and reverse twining, how to make a base, how to finish a rim and so many more tips, tricks and variations. Each student’s work will vary depending on which techniques they choose. You can pick your colors and thread sizes to get the difficulty level you want. The basket should be something quite small (a couple inches) if you want to complete it in one day. Or go larger and complete it Saturday/Sunday. 

Materials: The teacher will provide a wide variety of Crawford brand Irish waxed linen thread, full color handouts with photographs (scissors and tools provided for use during class.)

Students will need to provide:

• sharp scissors (embroidery or similar style if you have them).
• Optional for your ease and comfort: tweezers, hemostat, seat cushion, task lighting, magnifier

About the Teacher: Cael Chappell has been working with basket weavers in Africa since 1991. In 2017 he started weaving his own baskets, primarily using waxed linen thread. Because of his innate understanding of basketry, he quickly developed his own unique style of whimsical weaving. His baskets exhibit personality and life which engage viewers.

Cael was selected as one of Fiber Art Network’s 20 Emerging Artists in 2020 and for Excellence in Fibers 2024. He has a basket traveling until 2026 in the National Basketry Organization and Studio Art Quilt Association’s “Art Evolved: Intertwined” exhibition. One of his pieces was selected for the Handweaver Guild of America’s “Small Expressions” traveling show and two others for their “Dogwood to Kudzu” basketry show. In 2023, he was invited to participate in an Australian show called “Redefining the Basket”. The American Tapestry Alliance invited him in 2023 to exhibit in “Caution! Men Running With Scissors!”

His work has been featured in many other exhibitions and publications. Cael enjoys teaching and is writing a book on twining waxed linen thread. He often does presentations to weaving guilds and groups across