My Vermont Retreats: May and October 2025

Come to Vermont to knit and learn!

Vermont in October-The Connecticut River

One of the many beautiful trees in Vermont

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Vermont Retreats!

Nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains of southern Vermont, I hold knitting retreats every year.  A variety of traditional workshops, based on my research in many European and American museums,  is offered to deepen the skill level of intermediate to advanced knitters.  Attended by warm and friendly knitters from all over North America, the extended weekend is full of camaraderie, good food, interesting classes, and a lovely setting. Classes are held in the Dutton Farmhouse, which is situated on a historic apple farm.  I love teaching knitters in this beautiful place.  We laugh a lot, knit a lot, and eat very well. It all adds up to a memorable time for new and returning participants.  Here are photos of past Vermont Retreats!

The Dutton Farm House

What retreat participants say about the Vermont Retreats…

“Thank you so much for a wonderful knitting weekend. It is always a special experience to work with you, and I learn so much. I share your passion for traditional knitting, and so am thrilled to learn about the history, ingenious construction, and remarkable knitting tips that you share with us. Mostly, Beth, I so appreciate your patience, understanding, and compassionate heart. I feel so fortunate to know you and to have you as a beloved teacher. I look forward to attending your other workshops. I never tire of it. The weekend in beautiful VT, with all its aspects, shines as a jewel in my year.” –Ellie C.

CLASSES FOR 2025

The Norwegian Setesdal Lusekofte

Session 1 (Spring):  

May 15-18, 2025      The Norwegian Setesdal Lusekofte

Course Description:   

The beautiful, classic Setesdal Lusekofte, or lice jacket, emerged during the early 19th century. This garment is characterized by white ribbing and a lower body, turning into a black background on the upper body with white patterning called lus (lice) for the little white stitches which stand alone. A small sweater will be knitted in class, circularly, utilizing several two-color traditional motifs. The drop shoulder armholes and the front neck will be cut. Fabric will be traditionally embroidered by the student and applied to the neck and cuffs. Other techniques to be learned include knitting with a yarn in each hand, the Norwegian purl, and weaving stranded knitting. and knitting self-facings Using a wool flannel fabric, the front panel will be embroidered and sewn on. A short slide will be included.

Lusekofte Sampler

Level: Intermediate to Advanced (Experience with double-pointed needles and sewing skills are helpful.)

 

 

 

Session 2 (Autumn):

October 30-November 2:  The Swedish North Halland Red and Black Pullover

Course Description:

The Swedish North Halland Red and Black Pullover

The lovely red and black Swedish sweater from the Halland region can be dated back to the late 1800s.

In this class, a small sweater will be knitted circularly compiling a variety of Swedish construction techniques: three different cast-ons, a choice of patterned or corrugated ribbing, two-color geometric pattern knitting, ‘seam’ stitches, the traditional neck construction and front slit, purling on the wrong side with two colors, the Norwegian purl, two shoulder joins, two types of sleeve construction, plus a discussion on designing. A slide show of some of these historic garments will also be shown.

Level: Intermediate must be experienced using double-pointed needles.  

The North Halland Sampler

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Details

Once you have registered and paid in full, your class supply list will be sent to you about one month from the beginning of the workshop.

 

The Schedule

Thursday Evening: Arrive around 5 PM, wine and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30, dinner around 6:15.

Friday: Breakfast- 8:30, Class- 9:30 -12:30, Lunch and break until 1:30, Class until 4:30.

Saturday: Breakfast- 8:30, Free time- until 12:00 (Beth will be available if you would prefer to stay at the Farmhouse to knit), Lunch and break until 1:00, Class until 5:30.

Sunday: Breakfast- 8:30, Class- 9:30 -12:30, lunch and break until 1:30.  Photos and goodbyes!

 

The Cost: $645 includes all instruction and comprehensive handouts, Thursday welcome dinner, breakfast, and lunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. (Dinners on those days are on your own.  Sometimes the group will go out or bring dinner in.)

 

Getting There

AmTrak and Greyhound both serve Brattleboro (BRA) with one trip north and south each day.

Car Rental (in Brattleboro): Enterprise: 802.257.4700

Taxi service: This is not always available–email Beth to confirm.

Airports: The closest airports are Hartford, CT (BDL), Manchester, NH (MHT), Albany, NY (ALB), and Boston, MA (BOS).

Driving:
Enter “Dutton Farmhouse 255 Dutton Farm Road, Dummerston, VT 05301”,  into Google Maps for directions.

 

Staying There

Classes are held in the Dutton Farmhouse.   We often eat outside in warm weather and enjoy the view of Mount Monadnock many miles away in New Hampshire!  The farmhouse has four bedrooms with shared baths. Contact John for more information on staying there.

 

 

The following hotels are within 5-10 minutes and 5-10 miles of the workshop.

 

To Register

You can download the flyer here of all the info: 2025.Retreat Flyer

To get more information or to register, email John who handles registrations: knitting.traditions.retreats@gmail.com

A $150 deposit will secure your spot in the workshop, with the balance due approximately 90 days before the class.  Checks should be made payable to Beth Brown-Reinsel and mailed to:

John G. Crane

1010 Waltham St, Apt 10,

Lexington, MA 02421

We hope to see you at the retreat!

 

 

Cancellation Policy

Participant Refunds
Because of the planning and financial commitments involved in putting on our Knitting Traditions retreats, we are unable to give you a refund if you need to withdraw less than 90 days from the retreat. When you pay your full fee, your participation is considered confirmed.

If, after confirming your participation, you need to withdraw from the program for any reason, we will credit a portion of your fee to a future program as follows:
• Should you withdraw between 89 and 30 days in advance of the retreat, we will roll over your fee toward participation in a future program.

• Should you withdraw less than 30 days in advance: we will roll over 50% of your fee to a future program if we are able to replace you in the current workshop.

•If we are not able to secure a new participant for your spot, we will be unable to issue a credit for any portion of your fee.

• If you need to cancel prior to 90 days before the retreat, we will refund any payments made.

Covid Policy

COVID Refunds Prior to A Retreat
Knitting Traditions requires that all participants be fully vaccinated to participate. If we do not believe that the group can meet safely unmasked indoors due to heightened COVID concerns or mandated indoor mask-wearing, we will cancel the retreat and offer you the option of receiving a full refund or transferring your participation fee to a future retreat. We will make every effort to cancel the retreat with sufficient notice so that you can modify any related travel bookings. However, due to the ever-changing COVID landscape, we reserve the right to cancel the retreat up to and including the morning of the retreat. Knitting Traditions is not responsible for paying any non-refundable travel costs you may incur. If you are unable to participate in a retreat due to contracting COVID or being exposed to someone who has contracted COVID within 5 days of your retreat date, we will transfer your participation fee to a future retreat. If you have any questions or concerns about our retreat policies, please email John: knitting.traditions.retreats@gmail.com

We hope to see you at the retreat!