The Olema Inn Knitting Retreat
with Beth Brown-Reinsel

November 3 - 5, 2009

Tradition, Technique & Exceptional Fare

The Olema Knitting Retreat: a gathering of friends old and new to knit, eat, drink and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of coastal west Marin.

The Olema Restaurant serves up amazing food in a restored Victorian Inn built in the late 1800's. The menu is seasonal, organic and features the bounty of west Marin.

The Teacher

Teacher Beth Brown Reinsel, author of Knitting Ganseys, an expert in traditional knitting. Her website is http://www.knittingtraditions.com. Beth wrote Knitting Ganseys and has published many articles and designs in magazines such as Knitters, Interweave Knits, Threads, Spindle and Dyepot. She has been involved in many facets of the fiber arts as a spinner, basket weaver, dyer, knitter, yarn shop owner author and designer. Her demystification of technique and gentle ways make her classes a joy!

Schedule

Tuesday, November 3rd
Begins at 1pm
Half day of afternoon instruction
Coffee break
Welcome dinner at 6pm

Wednesday, November 4th
Full day of instruction
Breakfast/lunch and coffee break

Thursday, November 5th
Full day of instruction
Breakfast/lunch coffee break
Farewell Dinner

Cost

$580
Inclusive of tax and all gratuities.
$20.00 per bottle corkage on (all) wine consumed in the public rooms
Accommodation not included, along with wine and other beverages.

Tuesday Class

Introduction to Twined Knitting

Length

3 days

Level

Intermediate. Must be comfortable with double pointed needles or working with two circulars. Ability to knit English style (yarn held in the right hand) is very helpful, but not required.

Curious about the 400 year-old Swedish technique of Twined Knitting? In this three hour class, knit one of a pair of wristers while learning a traditional cast-on, twined knitting, twined purling, and patterning (the "O" stitch, the Crook stitch). Learn how to manage your yarns so that untwisting becomes a cinch! Reading Twined Knitting charts is also included.

Supply List

• One skein of worsted weight wool yarn, preferably light colored. The skein must be wound as a center-pull ball because you will be working with both ends. No single ply yarns!
• One set of size 6 or 7 (4 or 4.5 mm) double pointed needles or two circulars of any length.
• Stitch markers, sticky notes or a magnetic board to keep one's place on the chart.
  
  

Wednesday and Thursday Class

Color Twined Knitted Socks

Length

12 hours (2 days)

Level

Intermediate. Must be comfortable with double pointed needles or working with two circulars or Magic Loop. Ability to knit English style is strongly suggested.

Students will learn color techniques of tvåändsstickning, or twined knitting, a technique developed in Sweden in the 1600s, which creates a denser, warmer fabric structure than stranded knitting. By knitting a sampler sock, the student will gain knowledge and experience in the basics of twined knitting, while advancing to the three main two-color techniques, shaping a toe, and working an unusual heel. The sock is worked circularly on double pointed needles.

Supply List

• Yarn - No single ply yarns!
  2 oz light colored worsted weight yarn in two colors (must be wound as ONE center-pull ball: wind one color, then wind the second color on top of the first).
• Needles: One set of 7" long (approximately) double pointed needles, size 6 (4mm)
  A crochet hook, size D or E
• Extras: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn for holding stitches, magnetic board or sticky notes for keeping one's place on the chart.
  
  

For more information about the knitting retreat and accommodations

Carole Wiltshire, Event Manager
415-663-9559
Clingw1@horizoncable.com

Please advise regarding any ambulatory limitations, so that we may plan for them.

Beth Brown-Reinsel has been involved in many facets of the fiber arts as a spinner, basket weaver, dyer, knitter, former yarn shop owner, author, and knitwear designer, but teaching is her passion. She has worked in production as well as in creating and teaching courses and workshops both locally and nationally.

Beth developed and implemented the correspondence course Traditional Ganseys for The Knitting Guild of America for 11 years, as well as owning Knitting Traditions, a mail order business of imported traditional yarns, for seven years. Beth has authored the book Knitting Ganseys, published by Interweave Press.

Beth's articles and designs have been featured in magazines such as Knitters, Interweave Knits, Threads, Cast-On and Shuttle, Spindle and Dyepot.