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Rebecca
Permanent Resident
USA
1119 Posts |
 Posted - 03/31/2002 : 06:05:27 AM
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I was wondering if we could discuss the possibility of putting together some knitting vacations? Wouldn't it be nice to meet for a weekend at the beach or in the mountains to get together for rest, relaxation and focus on a knitting project?
Or, maybe there's a sheep farm, or spinner in New England with a bed and breakfast that could accommodate a group of knitters?
The Vogue Knitting trips to Australia and Russia or out of my price range but I could do a weekend on the east coast.
Thanks for thinking this over!
Rebecca
...found easily in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia... |
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RoseByAny
Permanent Resident
USA
12598 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2002 : 09:48:48 AM
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SLUMBER PARTY AT CLARA'S NEXT WEEKEND - BYOY!
(Bring Your Own Yarn, of course!)
Seriously, I think that's a fantastic idea - we'd tossed the idea around a bit before, but never went the distance (unless someone's still in the race, researching away) - I'd LOVE a knitting vacation, knitters weekend, whatever!
"Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable."
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BessH
Permanent Resident
3095 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2002 : 12:41:37 PM
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I too would love a knitter's vacation - even a knitters lifetime retirement with pay vacation. Camp Stitches is being held down in the Ashville NC area this year - it too looked wonderful but there again, the $$ and time thing ruled out going. I saw a flyer for a weekend retreat in Maryland, sometime either in March or April. There was a teacher and I believe some sort of focus - dont exactly remember. It wasn't too far away or even too expensive, but I am saving my $$ for Maryland Sheep & Wool and for Stitches East. Both of these seem like they will be high intensity sessions, one crammed into a single day and the other evidently a serious big time convention plus market. Maybe next year I'd be interested in something quieter.
What about Shrinemont - in the VA mountains. I don't believe their facilities are very expensive. I think if i were at a beach-ey sort of place I'd end up playing outside too much unless it were cold and off-season. The idea of knitting on the front porch of some mountain lodge, though, is quite a lure. Would people want a teacher there with a specific project in mind or just the opportunity to knit with friends. An urban setting near a shop? hmm. I'm thinking of places in Virginia that might be fun - but affordable - since that's what I know. Middleburg has bed and breakfasts and inns (probably $$ or $$$) AND Hunt Country Yarns. Richmond is an urban setting but the Rosland Center out on River Road has dorm style living on a campus like setting along the James River, AND has GotYarn and the KnittingBasket shops nearby(as in 10 minute drive). they overfeed you in a cafeteria style. Depending on size of the group they would be more $$.
I guess to put something like this together we'd need some sort of market research. What are people looking for and what would they be wiling to pay? and it seems to me I remember this being discussed before, but now I don't remember anything more.
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RoseByAny
Permanent Resident
USA
12598 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2002 : 1:35:09 PM
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I live in a beach sort of community - I'm wondering if I could do a little research (maybe use the little celebrity I have) and try to get maybe a good price on something for an off-season thing... If we all use our resources, we might be able to get some good deals!
"Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable."
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Lissa
Permanent Resident
USA
4942 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2002 : 1:37:06 PM
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Y'all can count me in for anything within a couple of hours of Northern Virginia and doesn't cost a fortune. My requirements: Indoor plumbing, heat/ac, available food, nice people to knit with. THat's it!
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cast-on
Warming Up
USA
60 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2002 : 03:05:52 AM
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Hey, we don't all live on the East coast. Are there any other folks on the West coast who would like to get together somewhere? I live in San Diego and I am very anxious to go to a retreat for knitting: structured or otherwise.
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Rebecca
Permanent Resident
USA
1119 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2002 : 06:40:16 AM
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Thanks for your enthusiasm! Maybe the east coast people can get together and the west coasters can get together for a weekend, otherwise transportation becomes very expensive.
I was wondering if we could rent lodge rooms or a big cabin at one of the Virginia state parks? I know they have a website that lists what is offered like indoor plumbing, pool, etc. The Northern Neck or the Eastern Shore (MD or VA) would be accessible and may have some off-season rates for a weekend in the fall. Outside of Front Royal, Marriott has a corporate retreat with horse back riding, but I'm not sure about the overnight accommodations. Maybe Graves Mountain Lodge would put together a package for us or someplace near Charlottesville? I was also thinking we could check out the VA wineries, they may have overnight rentals.
We could brainstorm this for awhile and then vote on a place to go. I work in Middleburg and can tell you that it is very expensive for what I'm picturing as a knitter's weekend. The Mannings have a farm house with rooms for $22/night but that's for people taking their classes...it may be worth asking them.
Let me know if you all have any preferences for a destination. It's fun to plan!
Rebecca
...found easily in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia... |
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chris
Permanent Resident
USA
2449 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2002 : 12:50:18 PM
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Being an almost Left Coaster, I, too, would be pleased to find something closer to home. My vote is for Phoenix in August! Because it's sooooo hot, hotels are dirt cheap, airfare is the lowest that time of year, and we'd all be forced to stay indoors and actually knit. I could see if Fiber Factory would cater us a shopping spree one day...
hugs,
chris
Keep on knittin', mama, knittin' those blues away! |
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RoseByAny
Permanent Resident
USA
12598 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2002 : 2:53:10 PM
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I live very near Rehoboth Beach DE/Ocean City MD... There are definitely resort areas around.
It does seem like we should maybe split into groups - East/West and maybe Central? Shame, though, I'd love to meet you westerners, but I certainly can't afford to fly...
When would the East Coasters be most available? Do we have a lot of people who operate on the school year - that is, they'd have to do it during the summer (which makes a beach a lot less feasible) or should we do it Fall, Winter or Spring? And what would people want to spend?
If we were to find a place where we could maybe fit four people to a hotel room, and perhaps get an LYS to offer us a discount (I wonder if they might offer a class for free if we bought supplies from them or something, since we would bring in so much business) we might be able to get some good deals going!
(pardon me, Clara, for taking over. Just a few more minutes and I'll untie you and remove the gag  )
"Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable."
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Lissa
Permanent Resident
USA
4942 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2002 : 11:13:21 PM
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Count me in, Amie! I've lived in Metro DC for 4 1/2 years, and I've yet to get to the beach. What a fantasy: beach, my KRF knitbuds, beach....
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Rebecca
Permanent Resident
USA
1119 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2002 : 06:51:35 AM
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RosebyAny, go girl! Your ideas are great! I am on the school year because I teach but if we're talking about a weekend, that's not a problem. It sounds like Lissa needs to see water, and I love the beach anytime of year. If we could find a place with 3 or 4 to a room, that has a general meeting place for day times together, I think it could be a lot of fun. Or, if there was a place with efficiencies we could cook and save some money that way. The beach is a great place for inspiration and relaxation and SEAFOOD.
Your idea of a local shop providing supplies or a class to us is reasonable, too. I think for such a weekend $100-$125 would be justifiable. Really, it's only 2 nights and food.
Thanks for your ideas.
Rebecca
...found easily in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia... |
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Shelia
Permanent Resident
USA
2314 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2002 : 07:13:54 AM
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I'm definately in for a knitting weekend! I'm just north of NYC, but am willing to travel, maybe even to the central US or west coast (originally from there, travel back to see family quite a bit, also travel for work so I have a lot of FF miles). I just have to know as long as possible in advance so that I can plan my work schedule around knitting - have to keep my priorities straight.
Shelia
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Clara
queen bee
USA
4362 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2002 : 09:57:26 AM
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What, you're choosing Virginia over a slumber party at my house?! I'm hurt, I really am!
My apologies for being so late to the party here. Somehow this post just drifted over my head. That is... until now. Heh heh...
The first thing I'll do is poll everyone about where they live. I'll do this in the next poll so we can get a realistic perspective on our demographics.
However, not all newsletter subscribers are necessarily interested in a retreat. So that's where this forum thread is particularly important. I'm sensing that we have essentially five U.S. hubs: northwest, southwest, northeast, southeast, and, lest we forget, all our buddies in the middle.
Therefore, I'll be renting an enormous tour bus and traveling across the country, making pit-stops in each location where a reader resides. 
Then there's the issue of what will happen during the vacation: workshops, tours, or simply relaxing and knitting. I happen to think there are already lots and lots of useful workshops and tours. What most of us really need, fundamentally, is some time away in a peaceful, relaxing spot where we can enjoy the company of other knitters. No performance anxiety, no "I'm back in the classroom!" pressure, simply relaxing and indulging in what we love. To me, this would be the absolute, ultimate heaven.
But that's just me!
It looks like we might want to begin by splitting up regions (East and West, broadly) so that each of you can connect with others and start brainstorming. Within each region, obviously, we have a lot of choices. For example, I noticed the East Coasters failed to mention the most beautiful place in the world: Coastal Maine! Tsk tsk.
I think renting one large space (a lodge-type environment) where we could not only sleep but also spend our days is the best idea. We don't want to have to worry about schlepping back and forth anywhere ("OK who has a car?!" "where do we go for food?!"). If we did do any kinds of educational programs, I think it'd be fun to have them broad and open-ended. For example, one day we play with dyes. The next day, learn to spin. No required attendance, but just a simple framework for those of us who like order.
These are just some more ideas to throw out there.
If money were no object? I'd rent us one of these!
http://www.roadtoitaly.com/villas_and_castles/villas/villoresi.htm
http://www.roadtoitaly.com/villas_and_castles/villas/quaranta.htm
Sigh...
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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chris
Permanent Resident
USA
2449 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2002 : 12:54:08 PM
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Maine OR Italy, I am sooo there. Never been to Italy, though my heart has. Haven't been to Maine since my oldest was 6 months old; he turned 25 on March 2.
chris (trying to remember where the credit card with the 12K limit is stashed....)
Keep on knittin', mama, knittin' those blues away! |
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Clara
queen bee
USA
4362 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2002 : 3:02:35 PM
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I know, I know... some of those places even come with their own private cooks. Imagine!  
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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BessH
Permanent Resident
3095 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2002 : 3:32:14 PM
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yes yes. i want to go to italy. I studied music there in the dark dim long ago years of my youth. The worlds best food. the most charming singing. and oh such yarn - i wonder if all the really good italian yarn is exported, though.
At least, Clara, check out the video Enchanted April and go there for a few hours.
in the mean time, i am thinking that for just a weekend junket, we probably will need several gathering places. If I'm going to go aaaaaaall the way to Maine (where I believe the sun sets at 2:30, right?) I want to stay longer than 2 nights.
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Rebecca
Permanent Resident
USA
1119 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2002 : 06:23:21 AM
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Dear Clara, thank you for taking so much interest in this topic! Maine is gorgeous, I've been to Acadia and Bangor, and Farmington, however it would take me the weekend to drive there and this vacation was to be local and cheap for the short run. If you all want to plan something over the long term for next year, that's fine, too. It sounds like the farther away we go, the longer we'll need to save up and make plans. Are there any sheep farms up there that would cater to a group of knitters?
I like the lodge idea. I like the beach idea, too, maybe somebody knows someone with a timeshare we could have for a weekend. Would it be worth consulting a travel agent or AAA? Structure is nice, maybe as a group of knitters, everyone could share one skill or pattern but not get too long winded about it. I think we'd just like to relax and knit together, sorta like a quilting bee, but a knitter's (what's the word?) pod? consortium? guild?
Italy harks back to the Vogue knitting tours. I can't afford it, sorry.
Keep brainstorming,
Rebecca
...found easily in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia... |
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Clara
queen bee
USA
4362 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2002 : 1:23:47 PM
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Bess - I totally had Enchanted April in mind when I was looking up those villas! What a great little movie...
But on a North American scale, alas, the sad truth is that we don't all live in the same place. So no matter what we do, the end result will be too far and too expensive for someone.
In the meantime, I'll keep working on getting a corporate sponsor for that Italian villa! 
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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Mom2CK
New Pal
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2002 : 1:35:03 PM
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OMG! - My boss stayed at Villa Villoresi in Tuscany last year! I got to make lots of phone calls to the staff while making reservations. It's a small world isn't it. We wouldn't have much fun knitting there because all the wonderful wine we'd need to drink would preclude us from knitting a straight line . Seriously though, I live in NYC and would love a relaxing weekend anywhere on the East Coast -- even Maine :) I truly hope this idea works out.
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Lissa
Permanent Resident
USA
4942 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2002 : 9:04:22 PM
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Amie, is there any chance you'd be interested in finding a place for a bunch of us from the DC/Baltimore area to gather at at the beach?
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Rebecca
Permanent Resident
USA
1119 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2002 : 06:49:39 AM
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I just read a posting from Schoolmama and she mentions that her mother has rental property in N.C. I wonder if any would be available to a group of knitters? If the homes are in Asheville, or out at the beach it would be so nice. We should invite Schoolmama to join us!
Lissa, I hope Amie is working on the beach idea, too. She has good ideas. Clara is right, it would be very difficult to organize a national weekender, but the east coasters are ready to try and get together.
If we try to do something this summer, we need to finalize plans so there are places available. Otherwise, a weekend in the fall would be okay.
Rebecca
...found easily in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia... |
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