Knitting on the Coast 2015 Retreat

"A ball of yarn, etc, used to trace a path through a maze (as in the Greek myth of Theseus in the Labyrinth); a thing which guides through perplexity, a difficult investigation, an intricate structure, etc."

This year we'll help you find new ways to get where you want to be with your knitting.

We hope you'll join us this September to enjoy:

THE KNITTING CLASSES

VIKING KNIT. Like nålebinding, Viking knit predates knitting by three centuries and has you pulling loops through loops without knitting needles. Guest teacher Rita Rodriguez will show us how to use this ancient technique to make a beautiful silver bracelet.	GARTER PLAID AND COLOR THEORY. With Franklin Habit's plaid collar as our point of origin, we'll weave our way through color theory and a deceptively difficult-looking plaid technique to create a cute coaster—and maybe a more playful attitude toward color.	THE YARN WHISPERER: YARNS' ESSENTIAL NATURES. What does that skein want to be? Something lacy? Cable-licious? Some subtle, smooth stockinette? In this short talk with samples, you'll learn what certain yarns lend themselves to being.

THE EXTRAS

Birding Hike

Besides being a serious knitter, Mary Wisnewski is a serious birder, and so is Bill Walker, who also happens to be a serious nature photographer. Bill (below, far left) and Mary (below, far right) have been leading us on fabulous birding hikes since the 2009 retreat—they have always been quite a highlight.

Join us this year when they take us on another mellow hike to explore nearby woods or coastline from a birder's perspective. Perhaps you'll find inspiration for future knitting projects in a bird's plummage or the landscape's palette.

THE SCHEDULE

Thursday, September 10

Friday, September 11

Saturday, September 12

Sunday, September 13

THE SETTING

THE TEACHERS

The founder of Knitting on the Coast, Thea Gray formerly taught knitting at BookShop West Portal in San Francisco, and now leads drop-in sessions at the bookshop every other Wednesday evening as well as occasional classes in Oakland. She began knitting in third grade and has barely stopped since, even flying 6000 miles in a weekend to polish her couture techniques. Known for bountiful patience, Thea loves teaching the joys of knitting. You can find her on Ravelry as knitOrama.   Thea creates a warm, welcoming environment, in which I feel very comfortable asking for clarification or repetition. She's a great listener, and creatively adjusts her teaching style to the needs of her students, depending on their level of experience. — Jenny, designer Not only is Thea a patient and thorough teacher, she's enthusiastic and skilled in many different knitting techniques. She's helped me go beyond merely following patterns. — Rachella, writer and editor

Spinnity—designer of Larus & Ardus—spins, birds, and knits in the SF Bay Area. She has a bad habit of combining hobbies "in the field," which sometimes leads to muddy knitting projects and broken dpns. Find her on Ravelry as spinnity.	Rita Rodriguez has been making jewelry for more than 25 years. For this retreat, she's combining her love of jewelry-making and knitting into one super fun, easy project.	When Bill Walker isn't busy taking photographs, he might be found birding with Spinnity, knitting, or playing music. See his birding field notes and photographs at birdwalker.com/.

A sampling of feedback from recent retreats:

• I want to thank you again for a fabulous time!
• Excellent teaching. Restored my interest in taking classes, after a couple of bad experiences. Also loved the relaxing location.
• Thank you thank you thank you.
• The location was beautiful, food was great, teaching was great!
• I loved everything. I appreciate so much all the energy put into the retreat. I loved all the classes and teachers.
• Thank you so much for putting it all together, it was magical.
• Had a fantastic time. Thank you!
• I had such a great time! Thanks for all the hard work you put into such a fun weekend.
• I am definitely interested in all your retreats. You really are a fabulous teacher.

...and a few photos from the 2010 retreat and from the 2009 retreat.

THE GOODIES

This year's retreat participants will receive door prizes and goodie bag items from generous local yarn shops and national yarn distributors. Past contributors include:

CLASS MATERIALS

A list of class materials and homework will be sent to all enrolled students.

OTHER THINGS TO BRING

• Pen, pencil, and highlighter
• Pad of large sticky notes for masking off sections of charted patterns
• Binoculars for birding
• Clothing and shoes appropriate for walking in the woods or on the beach and for doing Zumba!
• Flashlight for walking to and from dinner, s'mores, etc
• Robe and slippers for walking to the bathroom
• Bathroom toiletries

RETREAT & HOST POLICIES

Registration for the 2015 retreat is limited to 12. Places will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be confirmed once full payment is received. A waiting list will be maintained once all spots are filled.

Should a student be unable to attend the retreat and the cancellation is received by August 12, 2015, a full refund less a $50 cancellation fee will be available. No refunds will be available after that dates.

SIGN UP

The 2015 Knitting on the Coast retreat instruction and facilities fee is $245, which includes all fiber classes and the birding hike. The fee for accommodations is $305 or $355, depending on room selected, and includes 3 nights’ lodging and 9 meals, from dinner the first day through lunch on the last day. The Zumba classes is $5 and the on-site massage is $1 per minute; both can be paid for on-site by cash or check.