My Vermont Retreats

My Vermont Retreats happen three times in year in gorgeous southern Vermont.

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 for 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.

 

I love teaching knitters in this beautiful setting. The small class enrollment makes these weekends a true retreat. We laugh a lot, knit a lot, and eat very well. It all adds up to a memorable time for new and returning participants.    ~ Beth

Who: YOU are invited to join us for a rich knitting experience!

What: A three day retreat in southern Vermont on an historic apple farm.

When: Three sessions in 2018!

Why: Get away from it all, learn traditional knitting techniques based on Beth’s research from her travels in Scandinavia and beyond, be with other like-minded knitters who are welcoming of old and new friends!

Where: Classes are held in Dummerston, VT, (near Brattleboro, VT) in the Dutton Farmhouse, a reasonable drive from Boston, Albany, Hartford  and NYC.

How much: $550 includes all instruction and comprehensive handouts, Thursday welcome reception, breakfast and lunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. (Dinners on those days are on your own. Often the group will go out or bring dinner in.)

To get more information or to register, email Marilyn King who handles registrations.

The Classes

November 8-12, 2018

Designing Ganseys~ a British Tradition

Students will learn how to construct a Gansey, a sweater form prevalent in the 19th century and early part of the 20th century among the fishermen of the British Isles. On the first class day, a small scale sweater will be knitted using traditional construction techniques including the classic Channel Island Cast-on, split welts, seam stitches, traditional knit/purl patterns, the underarm gusset, the perpendicular shoulder join, picked-up sleeves, and three choices for the collar. Alternative methods to these techniques will also be explored.

 The Design Class continues over the next two days from the 1-day Gansey sampler class, and explores the design process: Design details (sweater attributes), the Silhouette (sweater size), and the Surface Design (sweater patterning).  Each phase will be explained and students will be able to begin planning a full-sized garment.  Books with charts and large format graph paper will be provided.

Level:  Intermediate- student should have previous experience knitting a sweater and must be proficient with double-pointed needles, Magic Loop, or working with two circulars for little sampler.

To get more information or to register, email Marilyn King who handles registrations.

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The Schedule

Thursday evening: People arrive around 5pm.  Wine and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30, dinner at 6:15.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: Breakfast: 8:30, AM class: 9:30 to 12:00, lunch until 1:00, PM class 1:00 to 3:30.

Getting There

Amtrak and Greyhound both serve Brattleboro with one schedule north and one south per day.  Car rental is available in Brattleboro.  Greyhound stops in Brattleboro, VT, just minutes from the class site.  The closest airports are Hartford, CT (BDL), Manchester, NH (MHT) Albany, NY (ALB) and Boston, MA (BOS). If you drive, enter “Dutton Farmhouse 255 Dutton Farm Road Dummerston, VT 05301″ into Google Maps for directions.  Contact Adventure Taxi Service at (802) 254-8400 to get to the farmhouse from the train station.

Staying There

 

Classes are held in  the Dutton Farmhouse, which  has four bedrooms with shared baths.    Contact Marilyn for more information on staying there.

 

In warm weather, we often eat outside and enjoy the view of Mount Monadnock many miles away in New Hampshire!

 

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

The Hampton Inn   802.254.5700  www.hamptoninn.hilton.com/Brattleboro

Holiday Inn Express  802.257.2400    www.brattleboroexpress.com

The Latchis  802.254.6300    www.latchis.com

Motel 6   802.254.6007   www.motel6.com/BrattleboroVT

(Locally owned and located in downtown Brattleboro, about 10 minutes away)

And recommended by one of our attendees:  Chesterfield Inn, Chesterfield, NH 603-256-3222 www.chesterfieldinn.com

 

To get more information or to register, email Marilyn King who handles registrations.

A $100 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: