This is NOT like a work conference/retreat!
This is an opportunity to take a break from daily life and spend a leisurely weekend with like-minded makers. Join us for knitting, chatting about fiber, knitting, taking nature walks on the beautiful grounds of the retreat house, knitting, traveling to Local Yarn Shops, knitting, enjoying someone else's delicious cooking, knitting, getting help with knitting projects, knitting, learning new skills or sharpening existing ones, knitting, participating in a weekend-long Yarn Swap or in the Saturday evening Fashion Show (spectators welcome!). The only ‘structured’ activities at this retreat are meals, learning opportunities and the fashion show; and even those have a cozy, relaxing feel!
What to Bring
Personal care items (soap, shampoo, etc.) but most importantly:
Don't forget to bring a bath towel and wash cloth(s)!
Bring your knitting project(s), a special chair, light, foot stool, extension cord(s), ear plugs, headphones, favorite pillow, books etc. that you feel would make your stay cozier!
Bring Yarn Swap and Fashion Show items (optional).
Bring any special food or beverages you'd like (refrigerator space is available), and snacks to share. Feel free to bring any other beverage of choice, including adult beverages. Coffee, tea and water will be available.
Classes and a KAL:
The Montage Sweater KAL AND/OR Mosaic Hat KAL:
- The Montage Pullover by Martha Wissing. Pattern can be purchased for $4.99 (before tax) at Knit Picks.
- Janelle's mosaic hat pattern to be released soon on Ravelry at no charge to retreat goers. Lookout for announcements in email, and on FB and IG!
Retreat Classes:
- Short row mini-class to raise the neckline on the Montage sweater. Math provided 😊Please complete the neck ribbing on your sweater according to the pattern prior to class.
- Mosaic colorwork in-the-round using two colors! We will be using the Montage's circular yoke chart and/or the mosaic hat pattern chart. Prior to class: If you are knitting the sweater without short rows, please work the pattern to the point of the color chart. If you are knitting the hat, please work the ribbing.
Some Sweater and Hat Yarn Information:
Janelle’s Montage Pullover:
- Swish DK from Knit Picks (3 colorways): 9 Cobblestone Heather (MC) and 1 each of Nutmeg (CC1) and Marine Blue (Alt MC). Used: 6 skeins/300g/738yds in Cobblestone Heather (MC); 12.5g/31yds of Allspice (CC); and 26g/64yds of Marine Heather (Alt MC). While working the mosaic chart, Allspice functioned as the CC and Marine Blue stood in as the "MC." NOTE: Using three colors this way, along with shortening the body of my sweater, altered my sweater yardage.
- Malabrigo Rios (2 colorways): 855 Aguas semi-solid and MC283 Virgo (CC). Used 4.5skeins/450g/945yds MC and 80g/170yds CC.
Janelle’s cost for the size 40 :
- Knit Picks Swish DK: 9 Skeins MC + 2 CC colors = $57.90 before tax.
- Malabrigo Rios from Hook and Needle: 5 skeins MC, 1 skein CC = $102.00 before tax.
Vera Montage Pullover:
- Shelter from Brooklyn Tweed (2 colorways): Used 6 skeins + 14g (314g/880yds) in Old World (MC)and 1 full skein + 6g (142.8g/399.9yds) in Snowbound (CC).
- Stash (2 colorways): Knit Picks Swish Merino Superwash in Nightshade Heather (9 skeins/450g/990 yds) and Fiber Hustle in "and it was called 'Yellow'" (55.5g/160yds) .
Vera's cost for the size 40:
- Brooklyn Tweed Shelter: 7 skeins MC + 2 skeins CC = $148.02 before tax. (includes 15% Brooklyn Tweed discount)
- Stash dive: Knit Picks Merino Worsted Superwash + Fiber Hustle CC = Free!!
Janelle's Mosaic Hat Pattern Info:
Hat has a compact, beanie-style fit and is knitted bottom-up. It begins with short ribbing, then moves to a 42 round / 4 inch mosaic section (similar to the last 42 rounds of the Montage Sweater chart). After a few plain rounds, the crown comes to a rapid close using SSK decreases.
Hat sample knitted in Knitted Wit DK ** I also recommend trying same yarn that gets Montage gauge as it is similar**
Needles: US6/4mm 16 inch circulars / US6/4mm dpns or any combination of needles and yarn that achieve gauge.
**Can opt for a needle size down for ribbing as desired**
Gauge: 20sts/42rds/4 inches in mosaic chart, wet blocked
20sts/32rds/4inches in stockinette stitch, wet blocked
Finished hat circumference: (18, 20, 22)in
Finished hat length: (8, 8.5, 9)in
To fit head circumferences with 1-2" of negative ease: (19-20, 21-22, 23-24)in
Estimated Yardage: MC (46g/115yds / 50g/125yds / 55g/138yds)
CC ( 23g/58yds / 24g/60 yds / 25g/63yds)
The Spring Retreat KAL Details:
The Spring KAL begins in early April and includes both the Montage Pullover and/or the mosaic hat. This is not a mystery KAL, so people can work at their own pace and to their level of skill.
Yarn can be purchased from Knit Picks, Brooklyn Tweed, or at one of our LYS such as Hook & Needle. And feel free to stash dive if you are on a yarn diet or feel like treasure hunting!
Our Spring KAL will be open to the community. The goal is to include members who do not live in the area or cannot attend the retreat, and to reach out to the guild-curious! We will use the FVKG Ravelry forum as the official online place to work through the KAL, and will encourage/provide further KAL sharing on IG and FB.
For some of the trickier elements of the sweater construction, printed step-by-step cheat sheets will be provided at in-person retreat classes and how-to video links will be posted on our KAL Ravelry page. We will begin releasing curated video links approximately 4 weeks before the retreat.
**SPECIAL KAL BROOKLYN TWEED DISCOUNT**
Maggie of Brooklyn Tweed has offered a 15% ONE TIME discount to knitters who purchase their yarn from the Brooklyn Tweed site for the Spring Retreat KAL CODE: Montageguild15
Yarn Swap
De-stash and/or build your stash by ‘shopping’ the free and sale tables. If you have yarn you would like sell or give away, put it in a plastic bag and label it with your name and the price you are asking or mark it ‘free’. Books and other fiber notions may also be placed on the free or sale tables. If your item is on the sale table, please ensure the item is clearly labeled with your name and the price you are asking. Bring cash for shopping, and cash to make change if you are selling.
Fashion Show
Feel free to bring up to 3 items to show, share and inspire your fiber friends in a casual, fun atmosphere! If possible, please provide the pattern name and description of yarn used.