Knitting on the Coast 2023 Retreat

A retreat at St Dorothy's Rest in Camp Meeker, California:

Friday, March 31 to April 3, 2023 REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

This year's theme inspired by a phrase that shows up in many famous quotes: "start where you are." We aim to continue it with: "and find balance and peace."

In FOLDING IN, OPENING UP, Kate will kick off the retreat by teaching us to make an origami box can hold stitch markers or a wee knit gift, but making one can also open you to possibilities—using whatever you have, wherever you are.

Are you FIXIN' TO FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED? Thea will show us how to address a variety of mistakes by tinking, fixing reversed, extra, or missing stitches (even several rows below), frogging, and more.

Next, Rita will help you CENTER YOURSELF...WITH A SHAWL PIN. You'll learn to foil-wrap beach glass, solder, and hammer metal without bringing it—or yourself—to the breaking point.

Feeling at sea in the world of stranded knitting? We'll help you CHART YOUR WAY IN COLORWORK...you'll learn tricks for making a well-balanced colorwork design *and* how to do two-handed knitting for stranded designs.

Finally, Kate will close out the retreat by showing us how to make a POCKET CONFIDANTE, because we can *all* use a friend in a top hat! You'll knit a small mouse and make it your own with playful accessories.

We hope you'll join us this March and April to enjoy:

THE KNIT-RELATED CLASSES

FOLDING IN, OPENING UP	FIXIN' TO FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED	CENTER YOURSELF... WITH A SHAWL PIN	CHARTING YOUR WAY IN COLORWORK	POCKET CONFIDANTE

As usual, classes will be punctuated with opportunities for participants to swap tips with other knitters, seek solitude, and see some birds—all amidst the beauty of the redwoods.

 

EXTRA ADVENTURE

Nature Walk

Join us as we take another mellow hike to explore nearby woods or coastline from with a knitter's eye. You may find inspiration for future projects in a bird's plummage or the landscape's palette, but you'll surely find it a treat for the eyes and the body.

THE SCHEDULE

Friday, March 31

3:30 pm	Arrival at St Dorothy’s Rest
5:30-6:00 pm	Orientation and introductions
6:00-7:00 pm	Dinner
7:00-9:00 pm	STITCH ‘N BITCH: SHOW AND TELL. Bring a crafted item for show and tell, a cultural recommendation (book, movie, TV show, exhibition, etc), and a brief story about something you learned this past year.

Saturday, April 1

8:00-9:00 am	Breakfast
9:00-9:15 am	FOLDING IN, OPENING UP. An origami box can hold stitch markers or a wee knit gift, but making one can also open you to possibilities—using whatever you have, wherever you are.
9:30-11:45 pm	FIXIN' TO FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED. Learn to address mistakes by tinking, fixing reversed, extra, or missing stitches (even several rows below), frogging, and more.
12:00-1:00 pm	Lunch
1:30-4:30 pm	CENTER YOURSELF...WITH A SHAWL PIN. You’ll learn to foil-wrap beach glass, solder, and hammer metal without bringing it—or yourself—to the breaking point.
6:00-7:00 pm	Dinner
7:00-9:00 pm	STITCH ‘N BITCH: PROJECT & YARN WHISPERING! Stuck in a project? Bring it! No UFOs? We'll help you devise plans for an orphan skein. Plus...goodie bags!
9:00-10:00 pm	S’mores under the stars

Sunday, April 2

8:00-9:00 am	Breakfast
9:15-12:15 pm	Nature walk
12:30-1:30 pm	Lunch
2:00-5:00 pm	CHARTING YOUR WAY IN COLORWORK. Create a colorwork chart, plus practice two-handed stranded colorwork ("throw" and "pick") for physical and mental flexibility.
6:00-7:00 pm	Dinner
7:00-9:00 pm	STITCH ‘N BITCH: SWAP! Bring something to swap—yarn, patterns, tools, whatever! The optional extra: a chair massage!

Monday, April 3

8:00-9:00 am	Breakfast
9:00-9:30 am	Group photo
10:00-Noon	POCKET CONFIDANTE. We can *all* use a friend in a top hat. Knit a small mouse and make it your own with playful accessories.
Noon-1:00 pm	Lunch and goodbyes
Afterward	Nearby yarn shops. Some LYSs worth checking out on the way to or from the retreat or during your downtime (check the hours before you go!) include: Cast Away in Santa Rosa, Black Mountain Artisans/Bo-Rage Yarns in Point Reyes Station, Fiber Circle Studio in Cotati, and Purls of Joy in Healdsburg (all in the North Bay) and, farther south, Avenue Yarns in Albany, Black Squirrel in Berkeley and Oakland, A Verb for Keeping Warm and Piedmont Yarn in Oakland, ImagiKnit and Firebird Yarns in San Francisco, and Royal Bee Yarn in Pacifica.

 

THE SETTING

The 2023 retreat will be the eleventh at the beautiful St. Dorothy’s Rest, situated among the cool beautiful redwoods between the Russian River and Occidental in Camp Meeker, 1-1/2 hours north of San Francisco. We'll be staying in Lydia House, where students will have the choice of a private or shared room.
Beautiful Lydia House	...with its charming living room
Light-filled porch	...and interior- and exterior-facing bedrooms
All rooms exude simple Arts and Crafts charm and share clean, tidy baths. Those students who do not choose a roommate will have one selected for them. We will be treated to delicious, seasonal, locally sourced meals from Friday's dinner through Monday's lunch. During your free time, go on the nature hike, take a stroll in the woods, pop into Occidental to browse the cute shops, or just hang out and chat with fellow knitters. Lots of interesting knitters in a cozy and beautiful setting. What more could you want on a lovely winter weekend?

 

THE TEACHERS

The founder of Knitting on the Coast, Thea Gray formerly taught knitting at BookShop West Portal in San Francisco. She began knitting in third grade and has barely stopped since, even flying 6000 miles in a weekend to polish her couture techniques. Known for bountiful patience, Thea loves sharing the joys of knitting. You can find her on Ravelry as knitOrama.   Thea creates a warm, welcoming environment, in which I feel very comfortable asking for clarification or repetition. She's a great listener, and creatively adjusts her teaching style to the needs of her students, depending on their level of experience. — Jenny, designer Not only is Thea a patient and thorough teacher, she's enthusiastic and skilled in many different knitting techniques. She's helped me go beyond merely following patterns. — Rachella, writer and editor

 

Rita Rodriguez has been making jewelry for 30+ years and loves devising ways to combine knitting with jewelry for our retreat. This year she’ll teach us to make a shawl pin that’s both gorgeous and practical!	Find the nighttime creations of Kate Godfrey (such as knitted animals and embroidered tapestries) on Ravelry at designers/kategodfrey and @gollyokate on instagram.

A sampling of feedback from recent retreats:

• The workshops were really informative. I loved every single one. I especially found the color theory lesson challenging and rewarding and learned a lot in how to choose colors for colorwork. The whole retreat was really great.
• All classes and the group of people were really nice. I think it was the best retreat that I've attended.
• A lovely time indeed! I loved the variety and the addition of a jewelry class! The teachers put so much preparation and thought into the classes and it showed. Thank you.
• I want to thank you again for a fabulous time!
• Excellent teaching. Restored my interest in taking classes, after a couple of bad experiences. Also loved the relaxing location.
• Thank you thank you thank you.
• The location was beautiful, food was great, teaching was great!
• I loved everything. I appreciate so much all the energy put into the retreat. I loved all the classes and teachers.
• Thank you so much for putting it all together, it was magical.
• Had a fantastic time. Thank you!
• I had such a great time! Thanks for all the hard work you put into such a fun weekend.
• I am definitely interested in all your retreats. You really are a fabulous teacher.

and a few photos from the 2010 retreat and from the 2009 retreat.