My Workshop
When I’m not in my studio, I can be found sharing the love.
(Obviously, the world is a bit different, at the moment, but here is what I had going on a while ago – Maybe again one day soon?!?)
March
Escape the Winter chill with a Caribbean cruise knitting retreat!
There will be something for every skill-level knitter to learn – and some surprises, I promise…
All you’ll need is your swimsuit, sunscreen, and your basic knitting tool kit: I’ll provide the rest!
March 24-31, 2018 -- Oasis of the Seas
What could be better than a knitting retreat at sea?!?
Join me on the spectacular Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas for a week of sun, fun, and knitting camaraderie!
The week starts with boarding the ship at Port Canaveral. (If you’re like me, you might want to arrive a day early and take the opportunity to visit Kennedy Space Center – or, just a little bit further away, one of the Disney or Universal theme parks…)
Day One (Sunday, March 24): Port Canaveral
Board the ship, locate your stateroom, maybe grab a bite to eat, before we meet-and-greet in our new classroom, then head up to deck for Sailaway.
Day Two (Monday, March 25): Nassau, Bahamas
Head off on your own (or, perhaps, with some new knitting friends) for a day in the beautiful, sunny Bahamas.
Day Three (Tuesday, March 26): At Sea
First day of workshops!
Class One will take place in the morning; Class Two, in the afternoon.
(Don’t worry: There will be plenty of time for that extra cup of coffee at breakfast, and a leisurely lunch in the Main Dining Room, if that’s your desire.)
Day Four (Wednesday, March 27): Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas
Will you go to the beach, and give snorkeling a try? Or is this the day you tackle The 99 Steps up to Blackbeard’s Castle?
Day Five (Thursday, March 28): Phillipsburg, Saint Maarten
Are you swimming with sea turtles today? Or is a bit of shopping more your speed?
Day Six: (Friday, March 29): At Sea
Sea Day? That means more classes!
Trade stories of your island adventures while learning to knit backwards, and perfecting your Estonian Braid… (Classes Three and Four)
Day Seven (Saturday, March 30): At Sea
We will finish up our classes (and our samplers) with some fun and unusual bind-offs and edgings.
In the afternoon, bring your questions and work-in-progress to the Roundtable, where we will share our favorite tips, tricks, projects, and yarns, while oohing-and-ahhing over everyone’s Show-and-Tell!
Day Eight (Sunday,March 31): Port Canaveral
Home again, home again! (Don’t forget to pack your knitting in your carry-on: Surely, you’ll want to knit while you are waiting…)
Classes Aboard
Note: Classes are not ‘learn to knit’ level. Generally designed for intermediate knitters (and up), adventurous beginners are welcome, provided they can comfortably knit, purl, increase, decrease, and knit in the round – and have an understanding of basic knitting terminology.
Class One: Cast-Ons, Beyond the Basics
Knitted, cable, two-color cast-ons? Multi-color braids? We will cover an assortment of useful and fun cast-ons you might not have tried.
Class Two: Techniques for Shawls
In this class, we will discuss many techniques for knitting lace shawls, including one designed with especially for this cruise!
Garter tab cast-on, managing charts, different ways to apply beads, blocking, and more.
Class Three: Mirror Knitting
Also known as reverse or backwards knitting, this technique will make short work of those long ‘purl back’ shawl and cardigan rows, and help even out tension, as well.
Class Four: Slip-Stitch Cowl
Another project that will make its debut on this cruise!
We’ll be doing Estonian Braids, plus slip-stitch patterning for the easiest, most relaxing colorwork ever.
Class Five: Bind-Offs, Beyond the Basics
Useful and fun bind-offs: Some will mirror the cast-ons from Class One, while others may surprise you…
Round-Table and Show-and-Tell
Bring your questions, your favorite knitting tips, and your finished objects to share on our last afternoon together.
Now is the perfect chance, too, to exchange names, numbers, and Ravelry ID’s, before you disembark: You know you are going to want to keep up with each other’s project progress, right?!?
What to bring?
(Necessary Supplies and Tools)
Don’t worry about packing an extra suitcase full of all the yarns you might need! I will provide all of the patterns and materials you will need for every class.
All you’ll need to bring is enthusiasm, and a basic knitter’s tool kit: Stitch markers, scissors, darning/tapestry needle, crochet hooks in size 1 or 1.1 mm and US size G, DPNs US Sizes 6 and 7, Circular needles US sizes 7 x 20-sh and 5 x 24″ to 27.”
Naturally, you will want a tool bag, and a project bag to carry everything – and something to keep your place in the pattern/charts.
If you have a favorite beading tool, that would be a plus.
In addition to the supplies provided, I will be bringing on board a pop-up shop with hand-dyed yarns, project bags, patterns, and some basic supplies (in case there is something you’ve forgotten).
