Our 2008 Retreat is in October this year with Melissa Leapman as our guest instructor. The enthusiam is high for this year's retreat. Melissa has planned a beautiful pillow project for us: we'll learn how to knit the special increases and decreases required to make the circular elements in the cables, then we'll knit the front and back and do a great i-cord edging for it. Here's the homework.

Our retreat is held at the Marconi Conference Center, near Point Reyes Station, CA.  It offers peaceful, comfy accommodations and great meals (all meals included).  You'll meet new knitters, have plenty of time to relax and knit while learning in the classes and special activities scheduled. 

It is always exciting to look forward to this late summer weekend of knitting friendships and learning in the beautiful Point Reyes area. Get a taste of past retreats.

With the enthusiam high we are now filled for this year's retreat. I f you are interested and want to be on a waiting list, please contact me at skeinlane@aol.com or 510.508.7048.

Lorna is a free-lance knitwear designer, working for yarn companies, book and magazine publishers and yarn shops. She has designed for Brown Sheep, Lion Brand, Berroco, Classic Elite, Knitter's, SouthWest Trading Co., Lorna's Laces, Jade Sapphire, Knit It, Interweave Knits, American School of Needlework and more. Her favorite designs are sweaters and purses.

Lorna also teaches at Stitches events and at shops and guilds around the country. Her class "specialties" have gradually become creative blends of knitting and other crafts.

If the name "Lorna" reminds you of a yarn company, you are correct! Lorna was the original owner and founder of Lorna's Laces Yarns. She started the company in 1985 and ran it through 2002, then decded to focus all of her creativity on designing, something that was getting pushed aside due to all the other business responsibilities. The company was sold to Beth Casey in Chicago and continues the legacy of beautiful colors, quality yarns and a highly respected reputatipn

Lorna's class offerings included Tips for Knitting with Hand-dyed yarns, Fairisle, and Twisted Cords and Tie. She leaves her students with new knowledge and renewed creative energies for knitting and embellishments.

Maggie Jackson was with us in February with two classes along with a fashion show sprinkled throughout the workshops.

Maggie has an innovative approach to design and knitting. She has authored Maggie's Ireland and has created a beautiful line of yarn.  We all walked away with a new learning and awareness of design. For Maggie's story check out Maggie's website.

Helen Hamman is an internationally known designer and one of the founding members of the international Alpaca Association. Interweave Press has just released her book, Andean Inspired Knits, a book of patterns, featuring exclusive designs inspired by ancient Peruvian textiles in modern and trendy silhouettes all beautifully hand-knitted in alpaca. The book will also tell a brief story about the origins of alpacas and their development through the ages, as well as that of pre-Colombian Peruvian textiles.

Sally Melville is the author of The Knitting Experience Series from XRX Publications, which includes The Knit Stitch, The Purl Stitch, and most recently Color. Sally's books have brought so many into knitting. Her simple and elegant designs are easy to read, full of explanation and a joy to wear.

Sally Melville is as inspiring a teacher in person as she is in print. The weekend of workshops with Sally (November 17, 18, & 2006) was as inspiring as ever.

The classes that happened during the first weekend of March 2006- Basic Pattern Drafting, Captivating Celtic Cables, Nifty Necklines, and Crochet fpr Cowards - were more than wonderful.  Melissa is a clear and delightful instructor and inspired her students to want to do more.