Dates
October 16–18, 2026
October 16–18, 2026 · Bragg Creek
Weave & Nourish
at Folk Tree Lodge
A weekend of weaving, nourishing meals, and slow hours in the foothills. We gather at Folk Tree Lodge to weave a willow basket, walk out to meet the willow where it grows, and share plant-based meals by the fire.
Location
Folk Tree Lodge,
Bragg Creek
Hosts
Freyja Ulveland
& Roni Zaide
Included
Meals, overnight stays, and a basket to carry home.
A Weekend to Slow Down
Weave, walk, and gather at the table
Over three days at Folk Tree Lodge, we weave a willow basket from base to border, walk the land to meet the willow where it grows, and gather for slow, plant-based meals made by Roni Zaide of Roni's Kitchen. Mornings begin gently with qigong by the fire. Come for the full weekend, or join us for a single day of weaving.
A Look at the Weekend
Foothills, fire, and willow
Two Ways to Join
Choose your retreat
Come for the full weekend, with all your meals, a bed at the lodge, and the time to weave a twisted willow basket from base to border. Or join us for a single day of weaving, a willow walk, and two shared meals. Both register through Luma.
Weekend Retreat · Intermediate willow
The Weekend Retreat
We'll meet you on Friday with a warm welcome and time to learn a few names, then the willow comes out. You settle in by making, not by unpacking, and the hours find an easy, unhurried rhythm. As evening falls, we gather for the first meal we share together. Bring yourself and little else.
Over the weekend you will weave a twisted willow basket from base to border, working with an abundance of material so the finished basket comes out generously sized, with real movement and character. We'll walk out to meet the willow where it grows, gather at the table for meals made by Roni, and open each morning with gentle qigong by the fire.
Skills you'll learn
- Tying a slath base
- Pairing
- Waling
- Rope coil weave
- A rod border
- An optional wrapped core handle
About the basket
This project introduces a few intermediate techniques. Some weaving experience helps, but beginners with patience and curiosity are warmly welcome, and the rope coil weave is forgiving, so each basket takes on its own character. Everyone finishes at least a small bowl, with optional free-weave time to take a larger basket further, up to roughly two feet across.
Day Retreat · Beginner willow
The Day Retreat
If a full weekend is more than you can step away for, join us for the day. Arrive at noon for lunch, then walk out in the afternoon to learn how to find and identify willow where it grows.
Back at the lodge, you will weave a small willow berry boat, a shallow tray made for gathering. We close the day with dinner and a fire. Two nourishing meals are included, and all tools and materials are provided.
Skills you'll learn
- Finding, identifying, and harvesting willow responsibly
- Single rod randing, also called single strand randing
- Choosing willow for the different parts of the basket
- Shaping with a jig
- Working willow so it bends without cracking
The day, hour by hour
12 PM lunch · 1 PM willow walk and stewardship · 2 PM weaving · 6:30 PM dinner · 7:30 PM fire
The Weekend, In Full
What's included
Your Basket
All tools and materials for your twisted willow basket, and the guidance to weave it from base to border.
Meals by Roni
Six nourishing plant-based meals over the weekend, made by Roni Zaide of Roni's Kitchen. Two meals are included with the day retreat.
Where You'll Stay
Two nights at Folk Tree Lodge, in a shared or private room. The Locals Special joins for all meals and activities without an overnight stay.
A Willow Walk
A willow walk and stewardship workshop, where you will learn to find, identify, and harvest willow responsibly.
Mornings by the Fire
Each morning opens with gentle qigong by the fire before the day's weaving begins.
The Lodge
Folk Tree Lodge sits in the foothills near Bragg Creek, an easy drive west of Calgary, surrounded by the land the willow grows on.
It was amazing to me that it all came together, as I had never woven before. A testament to the excellent instruction.
A guest · Spring 2026 retreat
It felt like a retreat even though I wasn't staying overnight.
A guest · Spring 2026 retreat
The meals were incredible. I felt so well fed and nourished, full and energized.
A guest · Spring 2026 retreat
I had so much help and encouragement. I want to do this every weekend.
A guest · Spring 2026 retreat
Who You'll Weave With
Your hosts
Freyja Ulveland
Half Moon Baskets
Freyja is the weaver behind Half Moon Baskets, based in Ponoka. She learned alongside the many generous women who have tended Alberta's basketry community for decades, gaining not only technique but a deep sense of care and connection. She works with willow, cattail, bulrush, and bark gathered close to home, and at the retreat she guides the weaving and leads the walk out to meet the willow where it grows.
Roni Zaide
Roni is a food storyteller, a kitchen witch, cookbook author, and cooking instructor at Roni's Kitchen. She cooks the nutrient-dense, plant-based meals that hold the weekend together, and shares the stories behind them. Her food is generous, seasonal, and made to be shared, a good part of why this weekend feels like a retreat and not just a workshop.
The Rhythm of the Weekend
How the days unfold
Friday
Choose a 10 in the morning or a noon start and go straight to weaving. Bring a lunch for the afternoon, since our first shared meal is dinner. You will settle into your room that evening, before the welcome circle and the fire.
Saturday
Qigong and breakfast open the day. We walk out to meet the willow, then spend long, unhurried hours weaving, with meals to gather us back together.
Sunday
One more morning by the fire, then the last stretch of weaving to finish your basket. We share a final meal and part ways by 3 in the afternoon.
Before You Book
Questions weavers ask
Do I need weaving experience?
No. The weekend basket introduces a few intermediate techniques, but beginners with patience and curiosity are warmly welcome, and the rope coil weave is forgiving. The day retreat is a gentle beginner project.
Can I come for just the day?
Yes. The Day Retreat on Saturday is a single day of weaving, a willow walk, and two shared meals, with no overnight stay.
Can I join without staying overnight?
Yes. The Locals Special includes all of the weekend's meals and activities without a room, for those who live nearby or would rather find their own stay.
Can I share a room with a friend?
Shared rooms hold two people, and the Private Room for Two is a queen room booked for a pair. Let us know who you are coming with when you register.
How far is it from Calgary?
Folk Tree Lodge sits in the foothills near Bragg Creek, roughly a 30 to 50 minute drive from Calgary, depending on where in the city you start.
What are the meals like?
All meals are plant-based, made by Roni of Roni's Kitchen, with gluten-free and nut-free options. If you have allergies or particular needs, email Roni at info@roniskitchen.com before you book.
What if I can't make it after I register?
Because meals, materials, and rooms are arranged well ahead, tickets are non-refundable. You are warmly welcome to pass your place to someone else.
What to Bring
- All weaving tools and materials are provided. Bring your own tools too, if you have them.
- Indoor shoes or slippers, and comfortable clothing for hands-on making.
- Warm layers, a jacket, and boots for the willow walk, in case we kneel to harvest.
- A bag lunch, snacks, and water for Friday afternoon, since our first shared meal is dinner.
- A water bottle and any supports your hands or body need for a full day.
- An overnight bag, if you are staying at the lodge.
We weave in a heated quonset, though the temperature can shift with the weather, so layers are wise.
Getting There
Folk Tree Lodge, Bragg Creek, Alberta, about 30 to 50 minutes west of Calgary depending on where you start. Heading south from the junction of Highway 762 and 22X, it is the second driveway on the left, marked by a small Folk Tree Lodge sign.
Full arrival and parking details are sent after you register.
Folk Tree Lodge → Get directions →Questions?
Email us anytime.
Policies
Rooms & Meals
Shared and private rooms are limited, so earlier registration means more choice. All meals are plant-based, with gluten-free and nut-free options. If you have allergies or particular needs, email Roni at info@roniskitchen.com so she can look after you.
Cancellations
Because meals, materials, and accommodations are arranged well ahead, retreat tickets are non-refundable. If you cannot come, you are warmly welcome to pass your place to someone else.
Waiver
A liability waiver is required to weave with us. Please review the liability waiver before registering.
Come weave and nourish
Choose the full weekend or a single day, and spend your time in the foothills weaving willow with good food and good company.
We gather in the foothills. We weave. We carry something home.