Come to Vermont to knit and learn!
(Registration information at the end of this page.) You can download a flyer of all the following information here:
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 2023
Session 1: Afghan Mittens
I received this pair of mittens from a friend in the 1970s who had been traveling in Afghanistan. They are wonderful mittens, likely handspun, and knitted from the tip of the fingers to the wrist. This pair has five different motifs and you can replicate this design from the charts provided.
Alternatively, you can incorporate your own motifs, from my books, or your imagination, and plan your own mitten on blank graph paper from the handout. Skills emphasized are: beginning a project from the top down (a special cast-on), yarn dominance, stranding, weaving, creating the thumb then incorporating it into the mitten, and choosing and working a cuff.
We have a wonderful new caterer, Kerri! She’s now a part of our happy group and we look forward to more of her cooking! Although there are many “regulars” that come to my retreats, new people are warmly welcomed and feel right at home quickly.
Level: Intermediate (must be proficient with dp needles, Magic Loop, or working with two circulars)
Session 2: The Cowichan-Inspired Cardigan, October 26-29, 2023
Course Description:
On Vancouver Island in British Columbia, the Coast Salish people developed this V-necked, shawl-collared garment after learning of knitting from Europeans who came to their area. The Salish knitters prefer motifs that reflect the natural world (whales, birds, etc.) as well as geometric motifs. The sweaters, still handspun by some people, are knitted flat on double-pointed needles, with thick singles yarns in 2 or 3 colors. In this class, the student will knit a Cowichan-inspired sampler sweater and will learn about working with colors and weaving (on the right side and wrong side) by knitting the body flat, reading a chart, putting stripes in ribbing (without color distortion), knitting pockets, a traditional shoulder join, creating a shawl collar shaped with short rows, knitting sleeves (flat and in the round) from the top down while shaping the cap, and hand-sewing in a zipper, or working an attached garter stitch button band. These skills can be used within other garments and add to the knitter’s repertoire of techniques!
Level: Intermediate to Advanced (Must be proficient with DP needles, Magic Loop, or working with two circulars). Prior stranded (two-color) knitting experience is preferred.
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 PM.
Saturday: Breakfast- 8:30, Free time- until 12:30 (Beth will be available if you would prefer to stay at the Farmhouse to knit), Lunch and break until 1:30, Class until 4 PM.
Sunday: Breakfast- 8:30, Class- 9:30 -12:30, lunch and break until 1:30, Class until 4 PM.
The Cost: $595 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.
- The Hampton Inn 802.254.5700 www.hamptoninn.hilton.com/Brattleboro
- Comfort Inn & Suites 802.579.1344 www.choicehotels.com/vermont/brattleboro/comfort-inn-hotels
- Holiday Inn Express 802.257.2400 www.brattleboroexpress.com
- The Latchis 802.254.6300 www.latchis.com
- Chesterfield Inn, NH 603.256.3222 www.chesterfieldinn.com
To Register
Note: Our dear friend, Marilyn King, who has handled the registrations for many years has decided to put all her energies into her family business. We wish her well and know that she will be missed! Our friend John Crane, who is also our Barista-extraordinaire at the retreats, has agreed to take over Marilyn’s work, so we are in good hands!
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 prior to the class. Checks should be made payable to Beth Brown-Reinsel and mailed to:
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 of 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 towards 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!
