I attended the Northern Bowl 2026 last weekend. I could only make one workshop on the Sunday morning. Last year I took Amy Leakes workshop on heddle making which I loved. The Northern Bowl Gathering brings together people with a love of greenwood working and crafts.
I arrived early so people who were staying on the camp site and the tutors were only just finishing their breakfast and starting to set up the workshop areas.
It is a well attended gathering with people coming from around the world to attend. I was enrolled to do a workshop on making cordage. Hannah from Finland had travelled all the way here by train and ferry.
It was very cold with a brisk breeze and although I thought that I had enough layers i was quite cold. Fortunately there was plenty of tea and coffee to be had.
The workshop started and was full. Anna Corbett had prepared all the materials as cordage has to be damp to make a successful string.
She provided all the cordage and equipment we needed.
She had boxes of samples from various plants including dandelion stems. She is an excellent teacher and quickly showed us how to make a cord and add in new lengths.
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| Skilled hands at work |
Then it was up to us to practice. A couple of young women made skipping ropes! I was very impressed with the way they had picked up the skills so quickly.
I tried four different materials. Unfortunately I neglected to note down which was which, but I know that the light coloured sample is from the outer covering of sweet corn and one is dandelion .
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| My cordage - still a lot to learn |
The morning went by rapidly but I was pleased with the small samples I had made. once you have the principle of how to make cordage it is practice that will help to develop a more even finish and tension.
An excellent workshop and I do intend to use my new found skill.
There was a room of items for sale - mostly from the tutors at the gathering.
There were two interesting books for sale.
A brilliant, if very cold morning. i will definitely be going next year.
Susan J Foulkes
May 2026
