West Coast Knitting Retreat 2021

Come meet and mingle with other knitting enthusiasts during a series of workshops led by local and visiting instructors. Nestled in a cozy, ocean-side resort on the beautiful west coast, you will have the chance to try new stitch and grafting techniques, strengthen your needle felting skills, explore the creation process of spun yarn, and try your hand at weaving using locally-sourced cedar. Stretch your  your legs and learn about coastal rainforests while taking in spectacular views from the Wild Pacific Trail, enjoy a west coast feast at Heartwood Kitchen, and explore products from local vendors.  

SAMPLE RETREAT SCHEDULE

Monday, November 15th

6:30pm - 8:00pm: Group Dinner at Heartwood Kitchen 

Tuesday, November 16th

9am – 12pm: Workshop 

12pm – 2pm: Group Lunch at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort 

2pm – 6pm: Workshop

Wednesday, November 17th

9am – 12pm: Workshop

12pm – 3pm: Break and Lunch (your choice) 

3pm – 4pm: Guided walk on the Wild Pacific Trail

4pm - 7pm: Break and Dinner (your choice)

7pm – 10pm: Evening Gathering to knit, enjoy wine and dessert, and browse the local vendor marketplace.

Thursday, November 18th

9am – 12pm: Workshop

12pm: Departure 

*Exact times and workshops will be communicated closer to the event* 

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

Strawberry Rhubarb Slippers with Faye Kennington

This class will take you through the techniques necessary to make Faye Kennington’s Strawberry Rhubarb slippers, including step by step instructions on a unique berry bobble stitch! Attendees will receive a skein of gorgeous hand dyed Polka Dot Sheep Yarn, a copy of the pattern, and will walk away with the confidence and enthusiasm to finish a pair of slippers. You’ll also learn about short row and grafting techniques!

Skill level: Intermediate.

Special skills require: N/A

Supplies needed for class: Set of US 4 (3.5mm) double pointed needles* or size necessary to obtain gauge; 3 differing stitch markers; cable needle; tapestry needle; crochet hook (optional).

Materials supplied by instructor:1 skein Polka Dot Sheep Tenderfoot 80/20, 80% superwash Merino/20% nylon; 400 y/366m; 3.5 oz/ 100g.

Needle Felted Polar Bear with Nancy Wesley

Learn to sculpt with wool! Participants of this class will be taught needle felting skills through the creation of their own 8” polar bear!

Skill level: Suitable for beginners, no experience required.

Special skills required: N/A

Supplies needed for class: N/A

Materials supplied by instructor: All wool, a 38-Star felting needle for each student, foam boards.

From Fleece to Yarn: An Exploration of Canadian Wool with Catherine Knutsson

This class will explore the journey Canadian wool takes from the moment it is sheared to its final destination as Canadian spun yarn. The class will include the opportunity to handle raw fleece, try carding and combing washed fleece, learn about how Canadian mills turns fleece into yarn, and the opportunity to sample yarns from a variety of sheep breeds that are raised in Canada.

Skill level: Beginner and up.

Special skills required: Enthusiasm!

Materials needed for class: A set of 4 mm, a set of 4.5 mm, and a set of 3.5 mm, in whatever style (straights, circular, etc), scissors.

Materials supplied by instructor: Raw fleece, washed fleece, gloves for handling fleece, hand combs, hand cards, yarn samples for exploration. All recipients will be able to take their yarn samples home.

Cedar Weaving with Rose Wilson

Learn the art and skill of cedar weaving with Rose and her son Brian Wilson of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ. Create a cedar craft while hearing about the many aspects of cedar and grass weaving such as how fibres are prepared.

Skill level: No weaving experience required, only a willingness and enthusiasm to learn.

Special skills required: N/A

Materials needed for class: N/A

Materials supplied by the instructor: Prepared cedar strips.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS

Faye Kennington lives and knits on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. Her patterns have been published in Knitscene, Knit Now, and various Knit Picks books. Find more of her self-published designs on Ravelry. She goes by @UkeeKnits on Instagram and Twitter.

Catherine Knutsson is a knitter, spinner, weaver, hand dyer, and knitting pattern designer. She loves all things fibre, and loves to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with other fibre fans.

Fibre Artist Nancy Wesley is always creating! Though a graphic designer by trade, her passion for the last decade has been felt-making. Her work shows her love of line and clean simple design. Nancy traveled and adventured for many years before finally settling down in Canada to surround herself with art supplies and rescue dogs. She now lives on Vancouver Island in British Columbia with her two sons.

Rose Wilson is a Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ cedar weaver living in Hitacu on the inner-shore of Ucluelet Inlet. She is both self taught and has the traditional teachings from elders in processing materials and creating traditional works of art. Rose and her son, Brian Wilson, work with red and yellow cedar bark and several types of specific grasses to create clothing, hats, baskets which incorporate traditional and meaningful designs that have been passed down through her family for many generations.

RETREAT LOCATION

The 2021 West Coast Knitting Retreat will take place in both the Wine Cellar and Rainforest Ballroom at the Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet, BC. The resort is situated by the oceanside with spectacular views of the coast and Pacific Ocean - a perfect location to peacefully knit, while viewing the powerful sea.

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is offering some great room discounts for retreat participants. Mention you are participating in the West Coast Knitting Retreat with West Coast NEST when you contact reservations@blackrockresort.com or by phone at 250-726-4800.

ALSO INCLUDED

Also included in the cost of the retreat is coffee/tea and a light snack each morning, one lunch at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, one dinner at Heartwood Kitchen, and a guided walk on the Wild Pacific Trail. (*Lunch and dinner must be taken at the designate group time and include one lunch and dinner for the participant. Drinks are the responsibility of the participant.)

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

West Coast NEST is committed to hosting a safe, equitable and inclusive event. The event will adhere to current PHO and participants must provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination upon arrival. Discriminatory behaviours will not be tolerated and would result in participants/instructors displaying such behaviour will be asked to leave the event.

REFUND POLICY

Refunds will be accepted within 7 days of the date of purchase until September 30th, 2021. Refunds will be issued for the ticket cost, less the Eventbrite fees determined by Eventbrite. If we must cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances all registrants will receive a full refund regardless of the date.