Several months ago I read about this really amazing-sounding knitting and yoga retreat. Two of my favorite activities, one of which I haven't practiced in months much to my own detriment, and the setting for one of the retreats this company offered was in Italy. Italy! I love Italy. It costs some amount of money that I can't hope to afford anytime soon. So then I thought, "what I need to do is get these people to hire me as one of the knitting teachers."
And then I realized, I could make my own retreat.
Particularly since I now work at a very lovely retreat center... it's not in Italy, but it is a beautiful mansion situated on 38 acres on a lake.
This idea has been kicking around in my head for months now, and I haven't done anything about it. Partly because I don't know if anyone would come. Or what kinds of knitting classes I should offer. Or if it should be a knitting and yoga retreat, or just a knitting retreat. Or whether it should be one night or two. Or what I should charge. Or any number of questions.
Here's what I do know: If I did it at Rolling Ridge (where I work, and therefore might be able to get a bit of a break on the room & board costs), it would probably be scheduled for a weekend in early January. Picture it: sitting by a roaring fire, munching on our famous cookies, learning new knitting skills or just kicking back after the holiday rush. Sharing delicious meals with new and old friends. Maybe taking a yoga class to help counteract the excesses of the holiday season and get the New Year off to a healthy start. Sounds good, right?
What do you think?
Not gonna lie, I haven't done yoga since I was 60 lbs lighter, but your idea is lovely and I think many people (myself included) would love such a weekend.
Posted by: britt | May 14, 2008 at 10:21 AM
the knitting sounds really cool. the yoga scares the crap out of me. :) but this is close to me! i'm in gloucester, ma.
Posted by: Lisa | May 14, 2008 at 11:02 AM
I think this is a really interesting idea, but the key things are who you would bring in to teach (designers book very far in advance) and how you would publicize it (helps to have access to customers at LYSes or advertise on Ravelry). I've been thinking about event planning for just this type of thing. You can e-mail me if you want to "talk" about it.
Posted by: Jocelyn Grayson | May 14, 2008 at 11:31 AM
sounds heavenly. I do yoga, so I'd like both, but maybe just do a little yoga aimed at helping our hands and wrists after all the knitting.
I've just switched to freelancing, so I don't know if I'd be able to go, unless there was an option to get a discount by helping out run the thing, or helping in the kitchen.
As for classes, I keep meaning to try colorwork, so maybe fair isle and intarsia classes would appeal. A class in modifying patterns to fit you would be great--maybe even have a measuring party as suggested by Big Girl Knits.
Posted by: jennu | May 14, 2008 at 12:42 PM
this sounds like a great idea. although i've never done yoga and i think i might need to drink heavily before hand to do it. but you'd have a bar right? ;)
Posted by: maryse | May 14, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Sounds heavenly. I do yoga, but maybe just do yoga classes focused on helping our hands and wrists recover from all the knitting.
I've just switched to freelancing, so I don't think I'd be able to afford it without getting a discount by helping run the thing, etc.
I think classes in colorwork would be nice, but I'd lvoe, love, love classes in modifying a pattern to make it fit your particular body. Maybe even have a measuring party like in Big Girl Knits. It would be awesome to have one of the authors of that come and teach.
Posted by: jennu | May 14, 2008 at 12:45 PM
I'm in. Especially if there's a bar and a measuring party.
Posted by: The Feminist Mafia | May 14, 2008 at 03:20 PM
OMG count me in. You had me at "roaring fire". Classes would be nice, but not necessary. Same with yoga. But I'd probably most enjoy just hanging out with everyone for a weekend!
Posted by: Linda D | May 14, 2008 at 04:30 PM
It sounds wonderful! Even though there is no way in the world you could *ever* get me to do Yoga. In a million years. But I know I'm in the minority. :)
Posted by: Romi | May 15, 2008 at 02:11 AM
Oooh, what a great idea!!! I'd definitely be interested in some ass kicking yoga that I then needed to sit and knit to recover from.
Posted by: erin | May 15, 2008 at 09:18 AM
I think that is a perfectly lovely idea! I would definitely be game if I could get away.
Posted by: marti | May 15, 2008 at 05:43 PM
I'm interested; cost would be the key factor, of course. Keep me updated.
Posted by: Michele | May 16, 2008 at 01:23 PM
That sounds lovely! The cost would be a factor for me, too.
For those of you who are nervous about yoga, I know some gentle stretching exercises (some people call it yoga but I don't know if it actually is), and anyone can do them. For some of them, you don't even have to get out of your chair.
Keep us posted!
Posted by: SweaterGrrrl | May 17, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Count me in! Personally, I'd say knitting classes would not be necessary, but I'd love a yoga class or two.
Posted by: Kat with a K | May 21, 2008 at 04:41 PM
count me in, just give me enough notice, without knowing any more details than this . . .
Posted by: Sally | May 21, 2008 at 05:02 PM
I am a UU, a knitter and a yoga teacher (for 15 years). I also live in upstate NY. I think this sounds like a great idea!
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa | June 08, 2008 at 09:04 PM
This sounds like a great idea! I'd love to attend (am in the Boston area). Please keep us all posted if you move ahead with planning for this.
Chris
Posted by: | June 11, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Could there also be paintball and a keg and movies with lots of explosions? No? Are you sure?
(Did you survive your review?)
Posted by: Another Chris | June 17, 2008 at 09:01 AM