The Lancaster WINTER Knitter’s Retreat 2026 takes place January 9 - 11, 2026, in the historic and elegant William H. Montgomery House at the Lancaster Marriott in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. LWKR2026 is designed as a cozy refuge from the Winter chill — imagine fireside knitting, inspired classes, gourmet meals, and delightful company, all in a magnificently restored Federal-style mansion. With this intention in mind, attendance is limited to 30. We are so pleased to welcome Xandy Peters as our featured teacher!
To Register CLICK HERE
Friday - Reception with Open Bar from 4:00 to 6:00, followed by a Banquet Dinner and Keynote Address, and then knitting by the fire!
Saturday - Breakfast on your own, and then Class Session 1 in the morning. After an elegant, buffet lunch, Class Session 2 in the afternoon, then dinner on your own followed by more knitting by the fire!
Sunday - A magnificent Brunch will be followed by the “Sunday Morning Knitting Salon,” think variety show for knitters!
The cost includes a Gift Bag with LWKR2026 Custom Dyed Yarn; Friday Open Bar and Banquet Dinner; two Class sessions and Saturday Lunch; and the Sunday Buffet Breakfast and Knitting Salon.
You are responsible to book your own lodging. All classes and included meals will take place in the William H. Montgomery House at the Lancaster Marriott and Convention Center. A block of rooms has been reserved at a special rate for this event. Please CALL the Lancaster Marriott and Convention Center (717-239-1600) and mention Lancaster WINTER Knitter’s Retreat to receive this special rate. Covered, garage parking is included in the cost of your room!
We have intentionally scheduled this retreat in Winter, with the awareness that weather can impede travel and complicate plans. Please register with the understanding that we do not plan on postponing or cancelling this event.
NO REFUNDS AFTER SEPTEMBER 30, 2025. Any refund will be less a 15% service fee.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Stroopwafel Shawl with Xandy Peters
The Stroopwafel Shawl is a triangular shawl knit with a weaving cable pattern that results in a lattice texture similar to that of the famous Dutch cookie. The all over effect is a fabric that is thick and spongy for extra warmth. At the edge of the shawl, the cabled stitch pattern becomes lacy. In this class we will knit a miniature Stroopwafel shawl. Starting from the cast on, we will work each row together learning the increases, cables, and twisted stitches as we go.
Skills Required: This class is best suited for intermediate level knitters who have experience reading patterns and working basic increases and decreases.
Supplies: 1 color of DK weight yarn, 3 100 gram skeins for a final project, and needles in sizes US #7 and #9.
Coil Basket Weaving with Sarah Ulrich
A coil basket is a simple, sewn vessel, in this case made of cord wrapped with yarn. This is a satisfying project, and knitters like it because you can use up stash and scraps and showcase special yarns and handspun. When you’re finished, you have a basket at the end that you can fill with more yarn!
Skills Required: Coiled Baskets are beginner friendly and don’t require any special skills.
Supplies: A kit with basic materials will be provided - please bring stash yarn to wrap your coils.
TEACHER BIOGRAPHIES
Xandy Peters is a knitting designer and teacher, best known as the innovator of the stacked stitch technique and for the Fox Paws pattern. Starting out as a footwear and product designer, he turned to knitting as a way to explore textiles and surfaces without using factory production and has since made a career out of publishing new patterns and teaching workshops.
Sarah Ulrich is a textile artist, educator and owner of Handwork House, Lancaster city’s Community Fiber Art Workshop. For the past eight years she has taught a wide range of fiber arts classes and camps to children and adults in her cozy city workshop. She has been making coil baskets since childhood when her seventh grade art teacher first taught her. Sarah loves all forms of handwork, however knitting is the daily practice that keeps her hands busy and her mind at peace.
To Register CLICK HERE