Travelling Yarns at Goodnestone Park, UK

Tuesday 18 - Wednesday 26 October 2022

Join us in the UK from 18-25 October 2022 for a retreat with knitwear designers Cocoknits at Goodnestone Park, a magnificent early 18th century privately-owned stately home in Kent and former seat of the Fitzwalter family.

The 8 night/9 day knitting retreat is led by Cocoknits founder Julie Weisenberger and expert knitter Tracy Russell.  Knitters of all levels are welcome to join the week, including beginner, to learn the top down seamless knitting method pioneered by Cocoknits.

The retreat begins and ends in historic Richmond-upon-Thames located in south west London and close by Heathrow airport.   On the first day we head to Hampshire to Little Grey Sheep, a small farm producing world class yarns.  We’ll stock up on yarn for our knitwear projects, see their recently installed mill in action, meet Susie the shepherdess and observe the flock being rounded up by her sheep dog.  

Working from a Cocoknits pattern you’ve chosen in advance and with Julie and Tracy offering constant guidance and support you’ll soon gain confidence.   Instruction begins at Goodnestone where amid the splendour of beautiful rooms adorned with family portraits, crystal chandeliers and carefully chosen antiques, you’ll settle on comfortable sofas and chaises longues.  The novelist Jane Austen was a frequent visitor to the house and was reputed to have written Pride and Prejudice following a visit there, and the delightful first floor sitting room is dedicated to her memory.  You’ll be at liberty to dream away the hours in this lovely room which overlooks the parterre gardens and woodland beyond.

The excursions planned during the week include a trip to Rye, a pretty coastal town with half-timbered houses and cobbled streets dating from medieval times. It’s also the home of legendary drapers Merchant and Mills where keen dressmakers can stock up on fabrics, notions and patterns.    Other trips include a visit to the cathedral city of Canterbury, an ancient site of pilgrimage since 597 AD and to a sheep rescue centre.

You’ll leave at the end of the week, well rested, well fed and with a perfectly-fitting knit, a new set of skills as well as a new circle of friends.

 

Essential information

Single or double occupancy bedrooms available
Minimum 8 participants. Maximum 16 participants

18-26 October 2022
8 night/9 day knitting retreat

Prices
£3500-£3700 per person single occupancy
£3400 per person double occupancy
£1600 per peron for a non-participating partner
USD deposit on booking
First instalment due end February 2022
Balance due end March 2022

Read the full terms and conditions

Included
8 nights full board, (one lunch out at guests' cost). 5 days tuition with Julie Weisenberger and Tracy Russell. Trips and local transport

Excluded
Airfares to the UK. Yarns, patterns and knitting accessories. Airport transfers.

More information


Workshop held in English

“Thank you for a wonderful week. Perfection! From the attentive staff, beautiful setting, delicious food - I could go on. I would love to come back!”

Teresa S, United States

YOUR ARTISTs

Julie Weisenberger

Julie is the driving force behind Cocoknits, a source for innovative knitting patterns and tools. Her Cocoknits method applies techniques from Julie’s ready-to-wear industry experience, top-down knitting and seamless sweater design. Simple silhouettes are combined with fine yarns and result in elegant, wearable designs for knitters of all abilities. cocoknits.com

TRACY RUSSELL

Assisting Julie is Tracy Russell. Tracy has a wide ranging career in yarn. she's owned a local yarn shop in Baltimore, MD, was the director of sales at Classic Elite Yarns and is currently working as an independent sales representative bringing lovely yarns to shops throughout New England. she knows the yarn world from all sides and understands what knitters and crocheters want.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

Travelling Yarns at goodestone park Gallery

For full terms and conditions please click here