Oct 3-5 2008 Retreat - Philosopher's Wool

Spend an entire weekend with Ann and Eugene
Bourgeois of Philosopher’s Wool. They will teach the 2 handed Fair Isle technique, demonstrate steeking and finishing the sweaters. You will get a great start on your new sweater. This will be a wonderful fun filled weekend - Not to be missed.
All accommodation, instruction and meals are included in the low price (based on triple occupancy)$350. ($325. if you register before July 25th). For now you may register by phoning Fun Knits at
250-285-2751 Tues - Sat 10 am - 5 pm if you want to talk to a person or anytime to get the machine and we will call you back.
You must bring a Philosopher’s Wool Kit of your choice to the workshop. You will be starting your sweater at this workshop.
If you need to buy a kit they are available from
Philosopher’s Wool of from Fun Knits

Welcome

Here is all the information about the Fun Knits Spring Knitting Retreat April 4-6, 2008 at TsaKwaLuten Lodge on Quadra Island, BC.
Feature events
- 5 workshops to choose from
- Guest Speaker - Holli Yeoh of Bees Knees Knits on Sat Night
She will share her line of children's sweater designs and her inspiration

Please have a look around and if you have any questions please contact
Shelley or Deb at 1-250-285-2751
or email me

We still have room for new people to join us this year.

Registration form

Please fill out this registration form and mail to:
Fun Knits Yarn Shop
Box 521
Quathiaski Cove B.C.
V0P1N0
or call (250) 285-2751

Name

Street

City

Province

Postal code

Phone # day

Phone # night

E-mail

Retreat - $350. ( $325 if paid by July 25th)

Semi Private $45.00 each

Private $90.00

Total

Credit card #

Expiry date

Signature

Hand Dyeing with Judy Maclean

Hand Dyeing by Judy Maclean - Sat April 5th 1pm - 5pm

In this workshop you will learn the art of Hand dyeing with renowned fibre artist Judy Maclean of Sweatermaker yarns. You will be dyeing 3 different skeins of yarn. 1 skein of sock yarn (wool, nylon blend) 1 skein of Bamboo Rain ( bamboo, silk, wool blend) and 1 skein of Cashmere silk blend. All the materials are included in the cost of the workshop.

Judy Maclean has been spinning custom yarns for almost twenty-five years. Starting her company Sweatermaker to sell the one of kind sweaters she designed, she became more interested in the dyeing of the yarns themselves. The craft of the spinner and dyer are at the heart of what Judy does, but it is colour and texture that push her yarns and the resulting garments into new areas.

Little Star Heels with Mary Tanti

Little Star Heels with Mary Tanti - Sat April 5 - 9am - Noon

We will be doing a two coloured heel in a not-yet-published pattern that I call “Little Stars”, and learning how to turn the heel in two-coloured stripes without the little ‘jog’.
If you sign up for this workshop we will send you a yarn package and you should come to the retreat with your sock ready to make the heels.

Mary Tanti
I was found sitting on the stairs, knitting, at the age of 2 having been taught by my father.For the next few years I was content to knit clothes for teddy bears and toy horse blankets, while I learned other sewing and related crafts. I am interested in all handcrafts I ran the gamut from copper work, pottery, painting and through all the fibre arts.
I still do some lace, -bobbin, tatting and crochet –and also traditional east coast rug hooking, apart from one brief ( 7 year) marriage to a man who couldn’t stand the sound of clicking needles - knitting has proved to be my main interest.
I do clothing for all ages, shapes and sizes. I delight in making special pieces to fit handicapped and people with special needs. Creating new patterns and designs is a constant in my life and I can hardly get one written down before starting on the next idea. Although I haven’t taught many people to knit, I have enjoyed leading many knitters to explore new techniques by giving presentations, workshops and classes to groups and guilds and at a local yarn store.

Toe Up Sock with After Thought Heel with Irene Tomchick

Socks - Toe up with an After Thought Heel by Irene Tomchick -
Sat April 5 9am - Noon

These toe up socks, with an afterthought heel are done on a circular needle. Knitting on a circular needle means no dropping one of those double pointed needles, and it allows you do more than one sock at a time, thus eliminating the tedious job of measuring or counting rows to be sure both socks are the same size. The afterthought heel is done after the foot and leg of the sock are completed. There is no 'turning of the heel'. These heels are also completely replaceable when they wear out. I have one pair that is now on it's 3rd set of heels and the rest of the sock is just now starting to wear out. These heels fit very well.
We will be making a child's sock and will be using a 2mm 32 or 40" circular needle and 4ply sock yarn. We will provide the yarn and the needles will be available to buy at the retreat if you don't already have that size. It doesn't matter if we use plain colors or variegated colors.This class with be the morning only 9 am - noon - Irene will be at the retreat and available to help later if needed.

Irene Tomchick I have been knitting socks for over 50 years, but since learning how to do these toe up socks I have not looked back at the previous methods. My mom taught me to knit when I was a child as I really wanted some blue striped socks, so she told me if I wanted them I could learn how to make them. I still remember those socks. Three different colors of blue. I don't know how well they fit, but I know I wore them out.There was never a time in my life that I didn't have something on the needles, from lace doilies to Mary Maxim sweaters and anything in between. My passion has become socks, knit to fit hard to fit feet.I have always been a crafter as well as a knitter, and at this point in my life I am involved in making handcrafted greeting cards, beadwork and some sewing. I am also a machine knitter, but prefer to handknit. There aren't enough hours in the day to complete all the things I want to do.

Orenburg Lace with Sharon Hatelt

Orenburg Lace Workshop by Sharon Hatelt
Sat April 5 - 10 - Noon, 1pm - 3pm
This workshop is an introduction to the history and techniques of Orenburg lace knitting. You will learn the three basic elements of this traditional Russian craft by creating a miniature shawl. A surprise added feature will turn your miniature sample into a lovely functional item you can use often.
A complete kit will be provided. The information offered in this workshop is based on the book "Gossamer Webs" by Kmeleva and Noble. Purchase of the book is optional and can be ordered through Fun Knits.
This is a fascinating aspect of knitting history and the skill rating is "easy".

SHARRON HATELT
Spinner, Knitter, Weaver, Quilter


I have been exploring fibre arts for nearly twenty years now and am constantly fascinated by the colours, textures, and techniques of spinning, knitting, weaving, and quilting.
I have chosen to specialize in original designs and once in a lifetime items. I enjoy creating something that is unusual in its structure as well as multifunctional and long lasting.

Retreat Workshop

Come and spend the entire weekend with Ann and Eugene Bourgeois of Philosopher's Wool - you can read all about them here . They are very well know for their beautiful Fair Isle sweaters, they wrote a book Fair Isle Simplified and have produced a DVD about their 2 handed Fair Isle knitting including stories about the farm and their business development.
This weekend you will actually start your sweater. You should come prepared with your yarn all wound and the cuff of the first sleeve knit.
On Friday you will meet Ann and Eugene, Saturday they will teach their 2 handed fair isle technique, in which the left hand knits the continental way and the right the North American way. This method result is no puckering, no tangles and easy knitting. This is a quick knitting method for 2 colours and is easy to learn. They will be teaching this in the morning and with a bit of practice you will be knitting Fair isle faster and better than ever.

In the afternoon after you have mastered the 2 handed fair isle you will see a demonstration in steeking. Several sweaters will be safely cut and made ready for the finishing. The finishing techniques will be gone over also.

After you finish this workshop you will be very confident to knit and finish your philosopher's wool sweater.
On Sat evening we will have a nice social get together and hear stories from the farm from Ann and Eugene.

Please have a look around Ann and Eugene's web site. They have a sample video of the 2 handed fair isle and much more information.

Did you know Eugene is listed as one of the top 10 men in knitting on knitty - he is listed below Uncle Sam.

Beginner Spinning with Vyvyan Dorsett

Spin to knit by Vyvyan Dorsett
Sat April 5 - 10am - Noon, lunch break -1pm - 3pm
Handspun yarn is truly unique and wonderful to work with, soft yet durable, and creates a lasting quality item that will retain its softness, shape, and comfort for years.
This five hour workshop, will introduce you to the joy of spinning your own yarn. There will be spinning wheels to use and wool fibre will be provided. If you have a wheel you are welcome to bring it.
For the beginning spinner, the goal is to have enough at day’s end to knit a small item or large sample.
If you have ever wanted to see how yarn is made and try making it yourself this workshop is perfect for you.
Workshop will be Sat. April 5th 9am - Noon, 1pm - 3pm
VYVYAN DORSETT
Spinner, Knitter, Weaver


I attended the Emily Carr College of Art majoring in textile design. I specialize in handspun, knitted and woven items of clothing and home accessories using natural fibers such as wool, mohair, silk, and cotton. Exotic fibers such as cashmere, quiviut or alpaca are sometimes the framework for exceptionally special items.

April 4-6, 2008 Knitting Retreat

April 4-6, 2008

Fibre Fun - Knitting, Spinning, Dyeing -

We will be staying at the

Tsakwaluten Lodge

Prices include - accommodation in this
first class resort and all your meals. Workshops are extra.

Registration must be completed by March 15, 2008

Register by phone - call 250-285-2751
Tues - Sat 10-5 Pacific time - We take Visa and MasterCard

Send this form
for Credit Card payment or a check payable to Fun Knits - and mail to Fun
Knits - Box 521 - Quathiaski Cove BC V0P1N0

email - shelmack@telus.net with any questions

$270
- This is the base price of the retreat based on triple occupancy. 3 people will
share a large loft room with 3 queen size beds and private washroom.


$45.00
extra each for Semi Private. 2 people sharing - 2 double beds and a private
washroom

$90.00 extra for Private room with private washroom

Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge

is on Quadra Island, B.C. Canada. Yes -
Quadra Island is remote, but it is very easy to get to.

Ferry Tickets to Quadra Island can be purchased at time
of registration. This will save you about 40% off the price of the Ferry. These
tickets are good for a return trip

$14.50 for Car and Driver

$4.50 for passenger

Here is how the Weekend will go:

FRIDAY - arrive anytime time after 2pm
Get settled in your room / knit
5:30 p.m. Gather for dinner in the Dining Room/ don't forget your knitting
7:00 p.m. Bring some knitting if you’d like to the Great Room for Meet and Greet Chat
8:00 - whenever - Shopping at Fun Knits - snacks and discounts galore.

SATURDAY
8:00a.m. Breakfast in the Dining Room
Workshops
Noon : Lunch
Workshops
6:00 p.m. – Dinner in the Dining Room
7:00pm - Meet the Designer - Holli Yeoh - of Bees Knees Knits. Holli designs beautiful and functional children's knitwear using sock yarn. She will be speaking about her inspiration and providing a fashion show of her designs. There will be lots of time to meet and chat with Holli after.

SUNDAY
8:00 a.m. Breakfast in the Dining Room (if you need to leave before noon let us know when you arrive and we can arrange a bag lunch for you)
9:00 – 11:30 a.m. - Show and Tell - This is always fun - Bring your knit items to show. The more items the better.
Noon - Lunch in Dining Room and say goodbye .

For more information email -

shelmack@telus.net

Phone: Fun Knits at 250-285-2751
Write to: Fun Knits Yarn Shop - Box 521 - Quathiaski Cove B.C. V0P1N0
If you wish to pay by check - Make Payable to "Fun Knits" and send to us at the above address. Please include all your mailing details so we can send your registration information package and Ferry tickets if you require them. If you wish to pay by Credit Card ( MasterCard or Visa) you can phone the store to register.
Cancellation Policy - If you have registered and must cancel - Full refund before March 15, 2007