Joeli's Kitchen Retreat 2016

I spent last weekend in Manchester at my first ever knitting retreat.  The retreat was organised and hosted by Joeli Creates (Joeli was Joeli's Kitchen) and took place in hotel in the centre of Manchester.  

All packed and ready to go

I admit to being really nervous when I caught the train to Manchester on Friday afternoon (and very excited at the same time).  Not only was it my first knitting retreat but it was BritYarn's first attendance at a little pop up market.  This explains the giant suitcase.  I should not have worried, knitters are awesome people of course.

The retreat included classes by the amazing and hugely talented Kate Atherley, Julia Billings, Karie Westermann and Joeli herself.  It was really hard choosing what classes to do (we had pick two before the event).  The two things I wanted to master this year was to improve my colourwork knitting and start spinning.  I put my name down for Karie's 'Introduction to Two-Handed Colourwork' and Joeli's Drop Spindle Class. 

Saturday morning Joeli welcomed everybody to the retreat and we were handed our amazing goody bags.  Then Kate Atherley did a fascinating talk about her knitting journey and why she loves doing teaching knitting related classes.  

In the afternoon it was time for me to take my first steps into two-handed colourwork.   We started off by learning how to knit continental (a very odd feeling but we all mastered it really quickly) and then progressed into knitting two handed.  Along the way Karie chatted about colour dominance and different things to think about when starting a colour work projects.

My first ever two handed knitting

In the evening Louise Scollay of KnitBritish gave an informative and passionate talk on why she knits British and the journey this has taken her on.  This was followed by the draw for door prizes (I won a copy of Take Heart by Fiona Alice so I was very happy!) and lots of knitting and chatter.

Sunday morning arrived (where had Saturday gone?) and with it drop spindling.  It is no secret I am fascinated by spinning but I have always stayed safely on the sidelines.... not any more!  Joeli got us all stuck in with drafting and then showing us, how to spin.  It look a bit if getting the hang of but at the end of the class we had all produced a little skein of wool. Seven new spinners were realised into the world that day!

For me it was then straight onto setting up my stall for the retreat market place.  I had the absolute pleasure of sharing a room with the Countess Ablaze, it was great to catch up again following our first meeting last December.  Being behind the BritYarn stall meant that it kept me at a safe distance from the countesses yarns following my weakness last time we met! 

Lots of squishing and purchases were made that afternoon.  It was just fantastic being able to show everyone a selection of different British yarns and for everyone to be able to see them first hand.  Then the weekend, my first ever knitting retreat, was over.  I caught the train home feeling tired but very, very happy.

I had a brilliant weekend, I met and chatted to so many like minded people and was able to meet so many of you that I have only chatted to online.  A massive thank you Joeli for organising everything.  I hope to see you all again soon and who knows maybe at next years retreat?