From 10 am until 12:30 pm

At Brigid's Loft & Bazaar Girls

$1250

We are thrilled to announce our 10th annual

Getaway Retreat!

Thursday, April 8 - Sunday, April 11, 2027

 Featuring Harry Wells, Andrea Wong, and Ann Budd!

Harry Wells

A little about Harry...

Teaching and knitting are passions for Harry. In 2010, he retired from his position as a university professor to pursue his passion for knitting professionally. He teaches a myriad of classes at knitting conferences and fiber festivals on the regional and national circuit, for knitting guilds, and for knitting retreats. His extensive experience in classroom presentation and course preparation makes for an organized and engaging learning experience, whether in person or virtually. He enjoys designing knitwear and accessories for both men and women, with an aesthetic that emphasizes texture and linear flow. Check out his designs and knitting blog at www.goodforaboy.com. He is Knitteryninja on Ravelry, @harrywellsknits on Instagram, and Good for a Boy Knitting on Facebook.

Classes he's offering:

Introduction to Argyle Knitting

Love those classic diamond shapes called Argyle, but are mystified about how to accomplish them?  In this class, you will learn the classic intarsia technique of knitting Argyle flat, along with a seaming method that makes the seam nearly invisible and not bulky. Students will make an Argyle sample swatch, learning how to wrap yarns to prevent holes, how to add in bobbins, and other Argyle tips and tricks.   You will also learn the calculations to design your own Argyle diamond patterns for different gauges. You’ll discover the fun of watching these diamonds grow, but beware, Argyle can become addictive!

Prerequisites: Participants should be able to accomplish long tail cast on, basic sts (K, P, SSK, K2 tog). Having worked with a chart will be helpful, but a quick overview of that skill will be covered in class.

Homework: Make two stockinette swatches with any worsted-weight wool yarn, light to medium color: CO 16 sts and work 20 rows. Bind off and block. You will use these swatches to practice the seaming.

Supplies List:

• Straight needles, U.S. Size 5. (You can use 16 “ circular, but the cable will interfere a bit with the bobbins.)
• DK wt wool yarn, 4 colors. 20 grams of main color, 10 grams of CC #1 (for diamond), 10 grams of CC #2 (for diamond), 5 grams of CC #3 (for criss-cross-- the criss-cross color should contrast with all the other colors)
• highlighter tape or Post-it notes
• locking stitch markers or knitters' pins
• tapestry needle that will work with worsted weight yarn.
• Five small knitting bobbins.

All materials are available for purchase in the shop.

Crisscrossing the Rainbow: Color Cables

One can spend a knitting lifetime exploring the various lovely twists and turns that make up regular cable combinations.  Now add color to that mix! One-color cable patterns against a different background color, different-color cable strands meandering all over and among each other, striped cables, and bi-color rope cables are some of the combinations covered. You will be amazed at how the same cable pattern can produce very different visual experiences by changing which stitch columns receive color.  And discover the fun of experimenting with color placement as you learn how to convert a cable chart into a color cable chart using graph paper and/or a charting program.

Class Skill Level: Advanced Beginner.

Prerequisites: Participants should be able to accomplish basic long tail cast-on, and basic stitches such as knit, purl, K2tog, SSK, yo, and know how to do a basic rope cable. Participants should also know how to read a knitting chart with cable symbols.

Homework Required: None

Supplies List: 

• 4 balls of worsted-weight yarn (25 grams each) in four different colors, with at least two colors being medium or light. Wool or predominantly wool-blend yarn recommended.
• Needles in size you normally use for worsted-weight (for most people, that means US size 6, 7, or 8)
• Stitch markers
• Locking stitch markers
• Cable needle
• Color Pencils (at least 10 colors)
• Graph paper.
  Optional: Reference books/stitch dictionaries with cable stitch patterns.

All materials are available for purchase in the shop.

I’ll Put a Hex on You! Hexagon St and other K1 Below Textures

Knitting in the stitch below (K1B) is a stitch that creates a wide variety of textural interest. We will learn and practice the K1B technique on a one-color Twisted Moss pattern, practice on a two-color check pattern and other 1, 2, and 3-color textures, and then move on to the more complex hexagon stitch, practicing it flat and in the round on a cowl project. Also, a complex 2-needle cast-on will be taught appropriate for the hexagon stitch and other expansive knitted fabric, along with appropriate bind-offs demonstrated.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Prerequisites: Participants should be able to accomplish the following without assistance: long tail cast-on, basic sts (K, P, SSK, K2 tog)

Hexagon Cowl Supplies:

• 2 colors (Color A and Color B) worsted weight yarn (60 gr each)
• 24” Circular Needle, Size 6

Homework: A pattern worksheet for a Hexagon St cowl will be part of the class packet. The pre-class homework is ribbing and a decrease round for the cowl.

Using a US size 6 needle, 24” circular, and worsted weight yarn, CO 196 sts in Color A (see supply list for cowl). Join in the rd, being sure not to twist sts around cord, and place beg of rd marker. Work 4 rounds in (K2, P2) to end. Next Rd (Decrease) K2tog 4x, [(k2tog) 3x, k1, (k2tog) 5x, k1] 5x, k2tog 4x, [(k2tog) 3x, k1, (k2tog) 5x, k1] 5x (108 sts). Next Rd: Purl. Leave Color A attached to needles and bring Color B to class.

Optional: These swatches are for practicing bindoffs appropriate for K1B fabrics. The instructor will demonstrate the bindoffs; if students want to practice the bindoffs in class, they should prepare these swatches. Make 5 swatches. For each swatch: CO 20 sts, work 6 rows of stockinette stitch (Knit one row, purl one row, repeat these two rows three times). Leaving a 2-yard tail, place live stitches on a stitch holder for easy transfer to a working needle in class or place on spare DPN for easy working in class.

Supplies List For Optional Swatches:

• Several small balls (20 grs each) of worsted weight yarn in different
  light to medium colors to work practice swatches in class
• size 6 needles
• stitch markers.
• One needle, size 4 (straight or dpn).

All materials are available for purchase in the shop.

Andrea Wong

A little about Andrea....

Maria José Romanelli Amadeo, my mother, taught me how to knit when I was seven years old-I haven’t stopped knitting since! I was born in Brazil, and several years after marrying my husband, we moved to New York in 1991. When I came to the U.S., several people asked me to teach them how to knit the way I do, which is the Portuguese Style of knitting. Through popular demand, I was able to turn what I love to do into my business today.

I love teaching! I recognize the potential in each one of my students. With my customizable approach, I’ve seen my students’ self-esteem and skill set consistently rise. I love what I do, and it makes me happy to share my passion with others. Since starting as a professional teacher of Portuguese Style of Knitting in 2003, my results are a testament to the fact that my system works. I’m a patient, adaptable, and professional knitting instructor ready to help you reach your goals.

When I’m not knitting, I’m walking my Maltese named Holly, drinking coffee, or watching a movie based on a true story. I have two kids who are now adults and love hanging out with my family. https://andreawongknits.com/

Portuguese Style of Knitting

You'll learn a different way to knit. It is not a German or an English method. The yarn will be fed and tensioned around the neck (or knitting pin), leaving hands free to hold needles. Stitches are formed by looping tensioned yarn around the needle using the left thumb only. If the left thumb is a problem, you may use the right thumb instead. It does not matter if you are right or left-handed, as knitting uses both hands. This method is much easier in the hands because it requires less needle maneuvering to accomplish the work; purling is easier than knitting, and it is fast and ergonomic.
Once you learn how to knit and purl using the Portuguese Style, we are going to practice all increases and decreases on the swatch the students are working on. As a bonus, I will teach a Portuguese cast on and bind-off.

Skills Needed: Basic knitting skills - cast on, knit, purl, bind off.

Materials: You'll need to bring worsted-weight yarn in a light color. Needles of your preference, sizes US
#6 or 7. We'll give you a Knitting pin and the pattern.

For Project (optional): 1 skein sock yarn OR any yarn that gives 7 stitches and ? rows = 4
inches; Needles size US #2. Needle size of preference: 2 circulars, 1 long circular, double
pointed needles, flex tips.

All materials available for purchase in the shop. There is no homework.

Peruvian Knitting (6 hr class)

Andrea had the privilege of traveling around Peru and staying with her son when he was living there for a semester in school. Always eager to learn more about knitting, she has visited many villages around the country and learned firsthand about knitting Peruvian Style, comparing and contrasting with her famous expertise in Portuguese Style of Knitting.

In this class, you are going to learn about this comparison as she points out what makes Peruvian knitting different, special, efficient, and traditional; how much it is inspired by woven textiles, and how beautiful their patterns are. The construction details exclusive to Peruvian style will be taught in this class, including: how they purl, how they work on the non-public side of the work, how they knit the “puntas or picas” as borders, and how they purl using 2 colors (or more) of yarn, how they work intarsia motifs, and more. As you learn all that, you are going to receive a copy of the most traditional Peruvian motifs to create your own hat to work in class.

To reinforce learning of new skills, we are going to work on a hat (Chillo) that students will design using Peruvian motifs and scalloped edges.

Skills Needed: Good knowledge of stranded knitting or Fair Isle knitting.

Materials: DK yarn in 2 or 3 contrasting colors. Circular knitting needles size US #7 or #8, 16” long, crochet hook F or G.

For Project (optional): 2 or more colors of sport weight 100% wool yarn that gives18 sts and 28 rounds = 4” (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch; one 16-inch circular needle US # 6 (4.0mm), one set of double-pointed needles same size (or size to obtain gauge), crochet hook F or G.

We'll give you a Knitting pin and the pattern. For this class, Andrea recommends 2 knitting pins. We'll have some pins available for purchase in the shop, along with all of the other class materials.

Ann Budd

A little about Ann...

Join a small group session with Ann Budd. This is a fun and informative opportunity to learn tips and tricks directly from the Knit Dr. herself.

Accommodations and Costs 

The retreat will begin on Thursday with check-in from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Please note that lunch is not included on Thursday). Classes will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, and the retreat will end following a Continental breakfast on Sunday morning.

The weekend cost of $1250 includes: 9 hours of classes, a small group session with Ann Budd, three continental breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners (Thursday and Saturday), an invitation to our cocktail party Friday night, a SWAG bag filled with seriously great swag, door prizes, and fun, fun, fun!!!

Life is uncertain, and instructors sometimes need to cancel due to health or family emergencies. When this happens, we will do our best to replace them with someone equally exciting.

Before registering, please take a moment to read our cancellation policy below.

There are two ways to pay! To pay in full, click the "Register for this Event" button at the bottom of this page,  or pay in 3 installments.

If you are making payments, register & pay your deposit HERE.

Cancellation:
If you pay in full now, the balance of your tuition is refundable, sans a $150 cancellation fee, through December 31, 2026. After that, we regret that all cancellations are non-refundable.

If you are making payments, the deposit of $416.67 is non-refundable. Payment # 2 of $416.67 is due by September 1. Payment # 3 of $416.66 is due by December 1. Payments 2 & 3 are refundable through December 31, 2026. After that, ALL cancellations are non-refundable.

We look forward to seeing you in April!

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