A Vermont Country Road
I have written before about the wonderful weekend retreats held by Margaret Klein Wilson, gifted dyer of Mostly Merino. There is nothing better than a getaway in a gorgeous part of the world (Southern Vermont), eating delicious, local food, knitting with warm and open people who share your love of fiber, and working on a fun project! I am excited to look forward to August when we will once again hold two sessions of knitting retreats. If you are interested in coming, register soon (by April 14), as the groups are kept small for a more intimate feel to the retreat.
Kelly feeds us well
Margaret says...
The retreats are held at the Dutton Farmhouse, a Landmark Trust Property in Dummerston, Vermont. (
www.landmarktrustusa.org) This magnificent rural setting, overlooking the orchards of Scott Farm and the neighboring hills, is a perfect place to settle into your knitting in good company. We knit with a passion, feast on cuisine that is mostly locally grown, and enjoy each other’s company, knitting wisdom and the sublime setting in equal measure. Both retreats make time and space for each knitter to address their knitting practice with humor and good intention. We have fun!
The Dutton Farmhouse
The workshop registration is limited to 14 to insure each knitter has plenty of one-to-one time to work with Beth. The workshop schedule of three days sets a leisurely pace and reflects Beth’s generous teaching style. There is time to take a walk down country roads and enjoy local views, eat and shop at the local Farmer’s Market, visit the Green Mountain Spinnery and enjoy the eclectic town of Brattleboro. As one retreatant puts it, “Three days in Vermont, feels more like a week away.”
MOSTLY MERINO
Two Summer Knitting Retreats
With Beth Brown-Reinsel
August 16th - 19th, 2012
August 23rd – 26th, 2012
About the Classes: SESSION I
Thursday, late afternoon, August 16th
through Sunday, August 19th
Sequencing: Taking Color Into Your Own Hands – Friday
Fair Isle Tam: Saturday
Color Twined Fingerless Mitts: Sunday
We begin this weekend with a Welcoming dinner on Thursday evening. Friday finds us in nearby Brattleboro to explore how color works in a 3 hour “sequencing” class at the River Gallery School, followed by time to explore eclectic Brattleboro, tour a local Spinnery and enjoy tea and the view from the lawn of the Dutton Farmhouse. Then we settle into our space for two days of Tam and Mitt workshops with Beth.
Sequencing: This method of “painting” was devised at the River Gallery School in Brattleboro, as a way for both beginner and experienced art makers to break down impediments to creative energy. Imagine yourself with a palette tray of many colors of paint, latex gloves and permission to play. Knitters being artmakers of another kind, this 3-hour class is your time to loosen up and explore your sense of color. “Color is strongly related to our emotions and when we are able to experience it tactilely, our relationship to it (and to the qualities we associate with it) is intensified. Color becomes alive and more apparent to our awareness. We begin to develop a direct feeling for what it means to each of us.” From
Making is Knowing: An Approach to Creativity in Art Making, by Ric Campman and Lydia Thompson, 2004.
Fair Isle Tam
(6 Hours) This Fair Isle class is for knitters who would like to venture into two-color knitting and tam construction. A small tam comprised of ribbing, a border pattern area, and the wheel area will be knitted on double points or a circular needle, in four colors, although never more than two in a round. Techniques included in the workshop: knitting with a color in each hand, weaving yarns to reduce snagging, reading tam charts, knitting traditional peerie, border, and wheel patterns, and shaping and finishing of the tam. The class will end with a discussion of alternate ribbing treatments and designing your own tam.
Color-Twined Fingerless Mitts
(6 Hours) Students will learn color techniques of tvåändsstickning, or twined knitting, a technique developed in Sweden in the 1600s, which creates a denser, warmer fabric structure than stranded knitting. By knitting one of a pair of Fingerless Mittens, the student will gain knowledge and experience in the basics of twined knitting, while advancing to the three main two-color techniques: working with two and three yarns for color, and a modified intarsia technique as well as yarn management, twined knitting, twined purling, herringbone braid, and reading twined knitting charts.
Class Registration The weekend fee of $475 includes all instruction and comprehensive handouts, Thursday evening welcoming dinner, Friday breakfast and afternoon tea, Saturday & Sunday continental breakfast & lunches. Local organic produce will be incorporated into all menus.
A deposit of $125 will hold your spot in the class. The balance of the class fee -- $350 -- is due before May 16th; $375 thereafter. Refunds of deposits and/or the entire class fee will be given only if another person takes the place of the knitter canceling. To reserve, write or call:
merino@together.net 802.254.7436 (Paypal/Checks/MC/Visa)
Housing: Two twin bedded and one queen bed rooms are still available at the Dutton Farmhouse ($85/night) and are booked through me. Also, I will be working on a room rate at the local Quality Inn for this weekend. Other nearby (within 10 min. & miles) options include:
The Hampton Inn 802.254.5700
Holiday Inn Express 802.257.2400
www.brattleboroexpress.com
The following hotels are locally owned and close by:
The Latchis 802.254.6300
www.latchis.com (downtown Brattleboro)
Colonial Motel & Spa 800.239.0032
www.colonialmotelspa.com
ABOUT THE CLASSES: SESSION II
Thursday, late afternoon, August 23rd
through Sunday, August 26th
The Dutton Farmhouse
Introduction to Fana Cardigan: Friday
Design & Begin Your Own Fana Cardigan: Sat. & Sunday
The Norwegian Fana Cardigan Sampler
The classic details and traditional construction of the Norwegian Fana Cardigan sweaters will be taught in this three-day workshop through the knitting of a small sweater and segues into designing and beginning your own Fana cardigan. Techniques to be learned include circularly knitted body and sleeves, square and drop shoulder armholes, cut-and-sew armholes and front, knitted self-facings, button bands, and 2-color star, band, and checkerboard patterns.
The Norwegian Fana Cardigan
The weekend fee of $475 includes all instruction and comprehensive handouts, Thursday evening welcoming dinner, and 3 days of sumptuous continental breakfast & lunches with a localvore emphasis.
A deposit of $125 will hold your spot in the class. Balance of class fee --$350 -- is due before May 20th; $375 thereafter. Refunds of deposits and/or the entire class fee will be given only if another person takes the place of the knitter canceling. To reserve, write or call:
merino@together.net 802.254.7436 (Paypal/Checks/MC/Visa)
Housing: The following options are within 10 minutes and 5 miiles of the workshop location. I will be working on a room rate at the Quality Inn for this weekend.
The Hampton Inn 802.254.5700
Holiday Inn Express 802.257.2400
www.brattleboroexpress.com
The following hotels are locally owned and close by:
The Latchis 802.254.6300
www.latchis.com (downtown Brattleboro)
Colonial Motel & Spa 800.239.0032
www.colonialmotelspa.com
Imagine my surprise to find a Grizzly Bear there! He was so happy playing in his pool of water, even though it was a VERY cold day.
But I was most awed by the two white tigers there. Such majestic creatures.
I am sad that it is allowed in this country, or anywhere, for private citizens to keep these lovely creatures in captivity. They belong in the wild, not in cages. Now of course, it is too late for these animals. They wouldn't last long in the wild, probably. But I am so grateful for facilities like this who can care for them until their dying day. 
