The Lancaster Knitter’s Retreat 2023 takes place in an inspiring, rural setting with excellent teachers and in the good company of knitters from near and far. We will gather at the beautiful Amish View Inn in Bird-In-Hand, Pennsylvania April 21 - 23, 2023. We are so pleased to welcome Bristol Ivy, Jen Lucas, and Cal Patch as this year’s featured teachers!
To Register CLICK HERE
Friday begins with check-in starting at 3:00. CLASS 1 is from 6 – 9, followed by a casual knitting reception in the Great Room.
On Saturday, CLASS 2 in the morning, CLASS 3 in the afternoon, followed by a Banquet Dinner and Keynote speaker, and then more knitting in the Great Room.
On Sunday morning, join us for The Knitting Salon! Envisioned as a ‘cultural hub, responsible for the dissemination of good manners and sociability,’ we’ll spin a yarn or two, share songs and ideas and projects and learn from each other – all to inspire you and your knitting. Think Hand Knit Runway, special guests, live music, and more!
CLASSES
All attendees take all three of these classes!
Knitting Outside the Box - Bristol Ivy
New Directions in Shawl Shapes - Jen Lucas
Crochet for Knitters - Cal Patch
LKR2023 $ 485.00
The cost includes Friday night reception, three Class sessions, Saturday lunch and banquet dinner, and the Sunday Knitting Salon. Tea, coffee and refreshments will be available throughout the weekend. Guests with food allergies or dietary restrictions, please note this on your registration.
You are responsible to book your own lodging. There are many hotels and inns in the area. All classes and included meals will take place at Amish View Inn & Suites. A block of rooms has been reserved at a special rate for this event. Please CALL Amish View Inn & Suites and mention Lancaster Knitter’s Retreat to receive this special rate: 1 (866) 735-1600.
NO REFUNDS AFTER FEBRUARY 28, 2023
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
KNITTING OUTSIDE THE BOX
- Bristol Ivy
One of the most interesting and best parts about knitting is the huge variety of patterns available. But where does the inspiration for those patterns come from? In this class, we’ll talk about different forms of inspiration and different ways of thinking about knitting, and then explore methods and theory to bring those ideas to reality. This is a great class if you’re interested in designing, or just want to experiment with all the possibilities knitting has to offer! Students should be comfortable with stitch patterns, and have a willingness to experiment and play.
Materials: A pencil and sketchbook, scrap yarn and needles for swatching ideas, and any items/photos/tearsheets that inspire you.
NEW DIRECTIONS IN SHAWL KNITTING
- Jen Lucas
Let’s take shawls beyond the triangle! We will be experimenting with different shawl shapes by knitting several mini shawl swatches. We will also discuss placing lace patterns within these shawl shapes and how to add other common shawl elements, like borders and decorative bind offs as we take things in new directions. Students should know how to knit/purl, cast on/bind off, and increase/decrease.
Materials: 40 to 50 yards of smooth, light colored worsted weight yarn; US #6 or #7 knitting needles (either straights or circulars); knitting notions (tapestry needle, stitch markers, small scissors, etc.); pen or pencil
CROCHET FOR KNITTERS
- Cal Patch
Are you a knitter who avoids any knit pattern with even a hint of crochet? A little crochet knowledge can be a fun and helpful tool in every knitter's toolbox! Use it for decorative or practical edgings, button bands, joining, or embellishing with flowers or other motifs. Once you know how to wield a hook AND a needle, you'll be invincible!
Materials: Scrap yarn (worsted to fingering), crochet hooks, knit swatches to work onto (can be old gauge swatches or cut from old machine-knit sweaters)
TEACHER BIOGRAPHIES
Bristol Ivy is a knitting designer, teacher, and author from Bangor, Maine, Her work has been published with PomPom Magazine, amirisu, Quince & Co, Making Magazine, and her own eponymous pattern line. She has taught at such events as Squam Art Workshops, Edinburg Yarn Festival and Vogue Knitting Live, as well as yarn shops worldwide. Her recent books, Knitting Outside the Box and Knitting Outside the Box: Drape and Fold, both with PomPom Press, explore her lifelong commitment to breaking rules and finding beauty in unexpected places. When not knitting, she’s sewing, running, watching far too many British murder mysteries and baking a mean loaf of oatmeal honey bread. Find her online at bristolivy.com and on Instagram and Twitter as @bristolivy.
Jen Lucas has been knitting for 20 years and designing patterns for well over a decade. She has designed knit and crochet patterns for yarn companies and magazines and has self-published dozens of patterns. Jen is the author of 6 knitting books, including the best-selling book, Sock-Yarn Shawls. She loves to create beautiful, fun, and easy-to-follow knit & crochet patterns. Jen dabbles in a wide variety of crafts, including cross stitch and sewing. You can follow her crafty adventures on Instagram: @jenlucasdesigns and @jenxstitcher.
Cal Patch has been a maker since she was a Girl Scout in the seventies. She sews, crochets, spins, embroiders, knits, prints, makes patterns, dyes… hence the name of her clothing label: *hodge podge*. Cal has been teaching the textile arts since 2000 at shops and retreats across North America, and now offers online workshops in Pattern Drafting, Sewing and Crochet via Creativebug. After eighteen years of being a New York City dweller, Cal now resides in the Catskills where she is becoming a crafty farmer and growing her handmade wardrobe. Her first book, Design-It-Yourself Clothes, Patternmaking Simplified, was published by Potter Craft. You can see what she’s up to at calpatch.com.
“A weekend full of knitting in a uniquely peaceful setting…I loved it! Who could ask for more?”
--Franklin Habit on the Lancaster Knitter’s Retreat