SPRINGTIME IN THE LAKE DISTRICT KNITTING RETREAT

On the first day of the retreat, you’ll spend a full, inspiring day working with Susan, whose decades of expertise in vintage knitwear, colourwork design, and textile history form the heart of this retreat. Susan will introduce you to a bespoke colourwork project created especially for the group.

You will receive all the yarn you need plus the pattern to complete your colourwork project.

Susan will cover techniques such as:

• Stranded Colourwork knitting worked in the round.
• Two - handed colourwork.
• Steeking.

Our workshop takes place in the purpose-built event room within Thorney How’s new annex, with floor-Lake District fells. It is the perfect space to knit, learn, and watch the light shift across the hills.

Susan will also be on hand throughout the retreat for further assistance when needed.

Our in-house hand-dyer, Charlie, will take you through the exciting process of dyeing your personal 100g skein of sock yarn to take home with you as a lasting memory of this wonderful retreat.

Charlie will demonstrate how to create your own unique, variegated skein of yarn and assist you throughout the dyeing process. The big reveal comes later in the week, when your dyed skeins are handed out - but can you guess which is yours?

During the week we we’ll explore the local area - we will visit Hilltop, the beloved home of author, Beatrix Potter and wander through the landscape that inspired her timeless tales. Visit a local Herdwick sheep farm and meet these iconic hardy creatures up close.

Maybe partake of a cosy pub lunch or a traditional afternoon tea or just soak up the enchanting atmosphere of Grasmere village.

Visit the Assa Marra Wool Studio, home to Susan Crawford Vintage where you will take part in your hand-dyeing workshop. Take this opportunity to purchase yarn from our small but beautiful wool shop, try on more knitted samples and enjoy an exclusive look at Susan's extensive knitting pattern archive.

Our pop-up shop will be open throughout your stay at Thorney How. Here you can browse our yarns, books and samples at your leisure with help from the SCV team.

Take advantage of our retreat discount and free shipping!

During your stay, enjoy exclusive evening talks from Susan, Charlie or other special invited guest speakers.

At our retreat, all your meals are lovingly prepared by Charlie and our talented in-house catering team, ensuring you’re well-fueled and relaxed throughout your stay.

Breakfasts are a leisurely start to the day, offering a selection to suit every taste:
A continental spread of toast, cereals, and fresh fruit.
Gavin’s renowned porridge, perfect for a warm, hearty option.
A full cooked English breakfast for those looking to indulge.
Lunches are simple, wholesome, and seasonal, featuring hearty vegetable soups paired with locally sourced sourdough bread from the bakery next door to our Staveley studio.

Each evening, Charlie delights guests with a two-course dinner showcasing the best of traditional British and Cumbrian cuisine. We take pride in featuring the fabulous local produce of the Grasmere region - dishes like comforting Shepherd’s Pie, followed by the classic indulgence of Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Throughout your time with us, you’ll also have access to plenty of tea, coffee, and delicious homemade cakes to enjoy during class breaks or while unwinding at Thorney How.

Dietary Accommodations
We are happy to cater for a range of dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets. Additionally, we ask all participants to inform us of any allergies or intolerances, so we can provide meals that meet your requirements.

Before your retreat begins, we’ll contact you to confirm your preferences. If you have specific dietary concerns or requirements, feel free to reach out to us directly—we’ll do our best to accommodate.

Your rooms are furnished to a high standard, with comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers.

All rooms benefit from central heating with added blankets for extra cosiness if required.

• Exclusive SCV yarn kit and pattern to complete your colourwork project
• A Susan Crawford goody bag
  Full day knitting workshop hosted by Susan Crawford
• Hand-dyeing workshop with your own 100g skein of sock yarn to take home
• Trips as specified in itinerary
• Bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms
• Dinner each evening (Monday – Thursday)
• Breakfast each morning (Tuesday – Friday)
• Lunch a minimum of two days
• Tea, coffee & cake at break times
• Wine with each evening meal
• Dietary requirements catered for.

• Additional food or drink other than specified
• Travel to and from Grasmere on arrival and departure
• Airport transfers are not included
• Medical and travel insurance
• Knitting needles and other notions

You are very welcome to bring along a non-knitting partner. Grasmere is a perfect spot for walking, hiking, cycling or just chilling giving your non-knitting partner plenty to enjoy. Non-knitting participants are encouraged to join us for all evening meals and activities but are under no obligation to do so.

Contact us at admin@susancrawfordvintage.com to arrange a booking with a non-knitting partner or friend.

Select the type of room you require from the drop down menu and add this to your cart. The amount you will need to pay is for 50% of the cost of the retreat.

You will be invoiced for the balance at a later date as specified. See Booking and Cancellation information for further details.

The majority of rooms are split into two types:

Double Room (Single Occupancy) - This indicates that the room is a private room for one person. The room includes a double bed and en-suite facilities. The price shown is for one person. The price shown in your shopping cart is 50% of the total price.

Twin Room (Shared Occupancy) - This indicates that the room is for two occupants and includes two single beds with en-suite facilities to be shared by the two occupants. The price shown is for one person and attendees can individually book one place in a twin room. To reserve two places, one person can book 2 places, or each person can book a place. The price shown in your shopping cart is 50% of the total price.

Travellers from countries including the USA no longer require visas but instead can apply for an ETA. Please go to the UK Government website for further information.

Unfortunately we only have access to the property for the dates of the retreat. Our wonderful venue is available particularly for group retreats and individual rooms cannot be booked. However there are many options for accommodation in the area - please see our information page.

That should be absolutely fine. Please contact us to discuss if you have any specific concerns, but we can cater for vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free/lactose-free diets and will ask all participants to also provide us with details of allergies or intolerances that we should be able to cater for. We will contact you prior to the retreat to confirm your requirements.

No I'm afraid not. There are several airports that visitors can fly into and at different times so it is not possible for us to do this. Please see our information pages on how to get to the venue.

Yes, Susan and her team also stay at the property for the duration of the retreat so there is always someone available if needed.

See our information pages for guidance on travelling to the venue.

To some extent this depends on the time of year your retreat is taking place, with the itself venue is always warm and cozy. However I would always recommend travelling with a waterproof coat and comfortable walking shoes. The weather can be very changeable and in even in summer it can rain heavily so please do bring appropriate clothing.

No you do not but you do need to be comfortable and familiar with basic techniques - casting on and off, and be able to knit.

You will be advised which knitting needles and other equipment you will need to bring prior to the retreat taking place. Yarn for your retreat project is provided but you may well wish to bring other knitting with you as well.

A full-day workshop with Susan is included as part of the retreat, where Susan will instruct you in a range of techniques needed to complete the bespoke project designed by Susan for the retreat. This project is usually in the form of an accessory which incorporates techniques applicable to a wide range of knitting projects.

You are then encouraged to continue working on the project for the duration of the retreat, with Susan available throughout the retreat to offer further guidance.

A further half-day workshop with Susan takes place on the final full day of the retreat.

Absolutely. We have our pop-up shop set up at the venue along with samples of many of Susan's designs, and you can purchase/order before the retreat ends. A sizeable discount is given on all retreat orders.

Yes, we now have a separate retreat mailing list which you can sign up to above. To be sure about receiving retreats news first, sign up to this mailing list even if you are on our main mailing list.