I've never knit colorwork before. Is this retreat too advanced for me?

No! I would recommend this retreat for any intermediate knitter. If you're comfortable with knitting and purling, increasing and decreasing, and have some experience following a pattern, you'll do great!

Susan is a wonderful instructor—she makes even seemingly complicated techniques very approachable for adventurous knitters. I'll be available to help you as well!

I'm traveling alone but would like the shared room rate. How does that work?

No problem! We'll pair you with a compatible roommate.

What level of physical ability is required?

Your travel requirements will depend on how you choose to get to the Lake District, so I can't really comment on that portion of your journey.

Once you're in Grasmere, however, we'll do our best to accommodate you if you need assistance with walking or getting around during the retreat.

Most of the places we'll visit are outdoors or housed in historic buildings, and many involve stairs or uneven ground. Please email me if you'd like to discuss your specific accessibility requirements.

What if I have to cancel?

The refund policy is outlined on Susan's event page.

If we're able to fill your spot from a waitlist, a refund is possible. We also strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance to help recoup any non-refundable costs should you need to cancel your trip.

I'm nervous about getting to the retreat from London. Is assistance available?

Absolutely! I'm hoping to connect everyone traveling to the retreat in an email or text group so people can plan and coordinate travel together.

To the extent possible, I'll arrange a specific meeting time at London Euston Station so anyone who would like to travel together can take the train to Windermere and continue on to Grasmere as a group.

I'll also share my own travel plans in case anyone would like to coordinate with me. I usually fly in a day or two early and spend a night in London before traveling to the Lake District.

I'd like to travel with a non-knitting companion. Is this OK?

Absolutely! We already have some husbands and companions joining us.

Let us know if you'll have a non-knitter joining you, and we'll invoice you for a discounted shared room rate that includes meals and lodging. This rate excludes the knitting workshop portion of the retreat, but if your companion would like to join us on all of our excursions, we can certainly work that into their rate. You can also add the excursions option later!

I'm arriving early or staying longer. What else is there to do in the area? (Also, ideas for your non-knitting companion!)

I highly recommend exploring the shops and cafés of Grasmere. Have a wander through the village and stop by Sam Read Books, one of my favorite bookstores:
https://www.samreadbooks.co.uk/

From where we're staying in Grasmere, Windermere is just a short trip away. If you're traveling by train from London, you'll arrive at Windermere before continuing on to Grasmere by bus or taxi. Windermere is a larger than Grasmere with more cafes and shops, but still very walkable! 

If you enjoy lakes and history, I highly recommend taking one of the narrated cruises on Lake Windermere:
https://www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/

I also love the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway (steam train):
https://www.lakesiderailway.co.uk/

And Wray Castle is well worth a visit:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/wray

The Lake District is enormous—we're only visiting a tiny part of it! If you'd like to explore more, I recommend these resources:

Rick Steves' Lake District Guide:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/england/lake-district

Lake District National Park:
https://lakedistrict.gov.uk/

VisitBritain's Lake District Guide:
https://www.visitbritain.com/en/destinations/england/lake-district

You can also explore much of the Lake District National Park by bus!

Is there an option to extend the retreat?

Yes! Quite a few attendees have asked about extending their stay, so I'm pleased to announce that I'm developing an optional post-retreat extension for anyone who'd like another UK adventure.

This add-on will focus on additional sightseeing, beautiful places, and fun adventures beyond the retreat itself. I'll share more details as soon as they're available!