Sock Immersion: Top Down, Bottom Up, and Everything In Between with Kate Atherley

At our request, Kate is developing a brand new 6 hour class that combines several of her sock classes, including top down and bottom up constructions, plus focus on heels and toes, as well as tips and tricks for proper fit.

Skill Level: Intermediate.  Must have knit at least one pair of socks.

Knitting Outside the Box with Bristol Ivy

One of the most interesting and best parts about knitting is the huge variety of patterns available.  But where does the inspiration for those patterns come from?  In this class, Bristol Ivy will talk about different forms of inspiration and different ways of thinking about knitting, then explore methods and theory to bring those ideas to reality.  This is a great class if you’re interested in designing, or just want to experiment with all the possibilities knitting has to offer!  Must be comfortable with stitch patterns, and have a willingness to experiment and play.

Skill Level: All levels.  Comfort with basic garment and accessory construction.

Introduction to Colorwork: Fair Isle, Intarsia, and Slip Stitch Knitting with Kate Atherley

Learn how to work with multiple colours in your knitting, in multiple ways. We’ll start with stripes, then progress to Fair Isle, showing you how read the patterns and charts, and to handle two yarns, whether you work English or Continental, one-handed or two. I’ll demonstrate how (and why) to handle long floats, and how to make sure your fabric is tidy and even. We’ll also tackle Intarsia and slipped stitch colourwork, demonstrating the key differences in techniques required for these other colourwork methods. Along the way, we’ll cover chart reading, how to manage your yarns, and the importance of blocking – and how to do it.

Skill Level: Advanced beginner.  Must be proficient with knit and purl.

Darn It with Bristol Ivy

In this class, we’ll discuss when bad things happen to good, well-loved knits, and how we can fix it.  We’ll discuss basic repair techniques, as well as yarn structure and picking yarns for projects that will make out knits last as long as possible.

Skill Level: Advanced beginner.  Must know how to knit, purl, and decrease.

Math for Knitters: Solving the Knitters Number Puzzles with Kate Atherley

Everything you need to know to figure out how all those tricky numbers issues you encounter in your knitting.  We’ll focus on how mathematics fits into pattern reading – counting and working and keeping track.  We’ll cover how to understand and work challenging instructions like “Decrease every 8 rows 10 times” and “Increase 12 sts evenly distributed across the row”.  We’ll talk about calculating yardage in partial balls of yarn, and how to ensure you’re buying enough yarn for a project.  We’ll also have a discussion of gauge and what it really means – and how to deal with it if you can’t match.  Suitable for newer knitters, and those who wish to get more comfortable reading patterns – it’s all about conquering your fear of the numbers and making you a more powerful knitter!

Skill Level:  Beginner-friendly.  Suitable for knitters who are confident with the mechanics of knitting and are starting to work from patterns.

Fit That Knit with Bristol Ivy

How do you pick a sweater size?  How do you calculate positive ease? How about negative ease? And, really, have you ever tried to measure your own bicep?  Each of these tasks can be a stumbling block on the path to knitting your own garments.  In this class, we’ll develop a comprehensive set of measurements for our own bodies that we can reference for future sweater knitting.  In addition, we’ll talk about how we can use the sizing info included with the patterns, and pick the perfect size to start knitting your new favorite sweater.  Please note: this class will be based on body positivity!  All shapes and sizes and genders are encouraged, and no self-criticism or shaming is allowed.  All bodies deserve a well fitting sweater!

Skill Level: Comfort with making garments.

Classes taught by Kate Atherley and Bristol Ivy will be taught concurrently, with a 6-hour class set for Friday (morning/afternoon), and 3-hour classes set for Saturday and Sunday mornings.

The most either classroom will hold is 25 students, so once a class reaches that registration level, it’s considered closed.  New registrants will be automatically put into the other class held at the same time and added to a waiting list for the preferred class.

The retreat is set up to be virtually all inclusive, with all meals except for Saturday dinner included.  This means a full breakfast buffet each day, which will be available in the main area and vouchers provided.  Our buffet lunches and theme dinners will held in a separate restaurant area.  Dietary restrictions, such as vegan/vegetarian, gluten free, etc., should be noted on the registration form.

There will also be beverage service (coffee/tea/water) provided in the hallway outside the classrooms each day.  For late night knitting and socializing, there is a cash bar in the hotel lobby.

A highlight of the retreat is the Opening Reception and Dinner.  The reception includes a voucher for two drinks, then a luxe plated dinner.

We know many people will want to explore the Manchester area, so we left time for optional activities after our outing on Saturday.   This also gives retreaters the chance to sample the local cuisine at your leisure on Saturday evening.

Yes!  We have a chartered bus that will be taking us on a trip to Harrisville Designs in Harrisville NH on Saturday afternoon.  Check them out at www.harrisvilledesigns.com

We have heard the feedback from our retreaters that they prefer to socialize with tablemates, so we will not be having any mealtime speakers, just announcements and updates.  Finally, due to New Hampshire law requirements, vending will not be feasible.

Rooms are available at the Doubletree Hotel – Manchester Downtown at our preferred rate (including taxes) of $184 per night for up to 3 nights before and after the retreat.  Just make note on the registration form!

Sign up for a single attendee room and a non-knitting spouse or friend can stay with you at no extra charge. Guests can join the retreaters at the Opening Reception and Dinner with prior arrangement at an additional charge – contact Celia Cahill at ccahill@tkga.org to make arrangements.

All other meals, as well as classes and activities, are for retreat attendees only. Guests may be welcome to join in the late night knitting and socializing if there is room available.

The retreat is set up to be an intensive, all-inclusive, on-site educational experience – an immersion into knitting, if you will.  That assumes everyone would be staying on site for the duration of the retreat.

Our hotel contract makes us responsible for the rooms and meals, with little wiggle room.  We encourage those living in the area to consider that you may enjoy the getaway feel of the retreat, even if it is nearby.

In the event the retreat does not sell out and there are spaces still available as of September 15, we will consider adding a day rate option.  Contact Celia Cahill at ccahill@tkga.org if you would like to be notified if day rate spaces become available.

For those flying in, the Doubletree Hotel is just 7 miles from the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, and about 50 miles from the larger Boston Logan International Airport.  The hotel does not provide shuttle services.

MANCHESTER-BOSTON REGIONAL AIRPORT (MHT)  Distance from Hotel: 7 mi.

Manchester Transit provides a direct bus connection from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport to the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Manchester.  The Brown Avenue Airport line leaves from the terminal at 5 minutes after the hour between 6:00am and 6:00pm, at a fare of $2.00 per trip ($1.00 for senior/disabled with Medicare ID).  Check www.mtabus.org  for more details.

Rental cars, taxis, and ridesharing are all available at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.  See the airport website for more information.  www.flymanchester.com

BOSTON LOGAN AIRPORT (BOS) Distance from Hotel: 50 mi.

Rental cars, regional shuttle services, taxis, and ridesharing are all available at the Boston Logan International Airport.  See the airport website for more information.  www.massport.com

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mhtmndt-doubletree-manchester-downtown/hotel-location/

PARKING

Self-parking is available at the hotel at a discounted rate of $8 per day for retreaters.