Date: Sunday, February22th - Tuesday February 24th
Retreat Fee: $750.00/per knitter (spouse fee $250.00) + Hotel (if needed)
Location: Omni Hotel Downtown Charlottesville @ $159/night (Click here for room reservations)
Locals do not need to book hotel unless they want to :)
We are so pleased to announce that our knitting retreat for February 22-24, 2026.
Britt-Marie Brehmer and Sandy Barnes bring the magic of mixing ITO yarn to life, showing how fine Japanese fibers like Sensai, Kinu, So Kosho and many more can be combined - held together for layered richness, paired for structure and softness and used in designs that encourage personal discovery.
"When we collaborate, we draw inspiration from each other’s unique perspectives, and that energy gets us excited to create. We want to share what we learn with others, spreading the passion we feel for exploring textures, colors, and fabrics. Whether we’re combining yarns in unexpected ways or experimenting with new techniques, it’s the process of blending these elements that fuels our creativity and drives us forward." quote from Britt-Marie and Sandy
Britt-Marie is a Swedish-born knitwear designer with a long-standing passion for textiles. She is dedicated to creating modern, functional yet stylish garments that form the backbone of a well-curated capsule wardrobe. Timeless designs with contemporary silhouettes, ensuring comfort and effortless style for every occasion.
Sandy has been knitting since she was 8 years old. She worked at Shibui Knits for 16 years and transitioned to ITO after Shibui Knits ended its yarn production, a yarn company known for its delicate and innovative fibers. She now helps introduce ITO’s yarns to a broader audience.
The format of this year's retreat will be similar to last year with the following schedule:
Retreat Schedule -
Sunday afternoon - arrive in Cville
Sunday Night - Dinner at the Omni with Icebreaker fun
Monday Class - Britt-Marie and Sandy -Garment Construction and Fabric
Monday Night- Shopping party at Magpie Knits and Wine & Heavy Apps at Crush Pad
Tuesday Class -Britt-Marie and Sandy -Garment Construction and Fabric
Continental Breakfasts + lunches and dinners included in retreat fee.
Hotel Link :
For first timers, the retreat is held at the Downtown Omni Hotel which is located at the end of a Historic Pedestrian mall with lots of shops and restaurants. Our shop is a block and a half from the hotel and all of the events are within walking distance of the hotel. The lobby of the recently renovated hotel has lots of open seating for cozy knitting groups. Charlottesville also offers lots of historic places to visit if you want to extend your stay. Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, is within 10 minutes.. Montpelier, the home of James Madison is in the town of Orange about 30 minutes north. There are also a plethora of vineyards to check out if you enjoy sampling local wines.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call the shop and ask for Susan!
Email us [email protected]
