Norway Knitting Retreat
This very special tour has been Inspired by our Head of Craft Holidays, Alison White’s own travels around Norway – designed to take you on a discovery of a rich textile heritage and unique culture. Alison White, Head of Craft Holidays, said: "Recently the Norwegian Tourist Board invited me to discover the history and traditions of the knitting industry in Norway. This tour includes all the highlights of my trip, which will take you on a journey from the remote heathlands north of Bergen. On route we’ll discover just how important the textile industry was to Norway and some of the steps that are being taken to recover and preserve these traditions for the future. Finally, we’ve combined all this with workshops with Frederica to create the perfect balance of discovery and relaxation, Norwegian style!"
Your Tour Includes
- Return flights London to Bergen including 1 piece of checked luggage
- 2 full day and two half day knitting workshops with Frederica Patmore
- Guided walking tour of Bergen
- 7 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the 4-star Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret.
- Excursions and entrance fees
- The services of an experienced Tour manager who will accompany the tour throughout
Frederica Patmore
Frederica, is a knitting and crochet designer who has been working in the industry for nearly 20 years.
A self-professed sock-knitting addict, it was working as one of Rowan Yarns’ regional workshop tutors that she created the designs for Dorling Kindersley’s series of books. Having grown up with the ability to knit backwards, she loves opening minds to new techniques. After spending three years as a designer and technical editor on the Woman’s Weekly Magazine team before co-founding Love To Knit and Crochet magazine, and creating an online knitting shop which later became The Knitting Network. She regularly creates new patterns and writes and films tutorials for various magazines and books including Prima magazine. Her specialism is in 3-dimensional knit and crochet design with her favourites being socks and toys.
Itinerary
To use our NEW itinerary, simply click a day below and a detailed overview will appear.
Overview
Meet Frederica and your Arena Travel Tour Manager at a London airport for your flight to Bergen. Upon arrival, meet our driver who will transfer us to our hotel for check-in.
Includes Dinner
Overview
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and is surrounded by mountains, hence its name ‘city of seven mountains’. Bergan was the largest city in Norway until the 1830s when it was overtaken by the capital, Christiania (now known as Oslo). What remains of the quays, Bryggen is now a World Heritage Site.This morning we will take a guided walking tour of the city with a local guide.In the afternoon we’ll enjoy our first workshop back at the hotel with Frederica.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
We’ll spend today at the Heathland Centre, located about 30 miles north of Bergen. The centre is beautifully located with Lurefjorden on one side and the main sea route to and from Bergen on the other. The 5000-year-old heathland surrounding the centre is still maintained by local farmers. Here we’ll learn about how the coastal heathlands are managed and enjoy the amazing views over the fjord and mountains whilst we enjoy a lunch made with locally sourced ingredients. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a second workshop with Frederica.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Overview
Full day workshop with Frederica at our hotel.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Overview
First stop on our excursion today is the Hillesvåg Wool Spinning Mill. This family-owned mill was founded in 1898 and has been in the same family for four generations, making it one of Norway’s most long-established wool and yarn producers. Our guided tour will take us through the entire process, from when the wool enters the mill to the finished product. The shop offers yarn for hand machine knitting, hand weaving and crochet and carded wool for felt making.This afternoon we’ll visitthe Museum of Norwegian Knitting Industry. Through our guided tour of the former Salhaus Knitting Factory (1858 –1989) we’ll learn about the history and importance of the textile industry in Norway. We’ll be taken step-by-step through the different production processes from carding and spinning to winding, knitting, and sewing and, from a film about the history of Salhaus, learn about working life in the factory town. Lunch at the knitting museum is included today.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
Overview
Full day workshop with Frederica at our hotel.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Overview
Our excursion today takes us first to Osteroy, an inland island surrounded by beautiful fjords. The island has a strong history of craftsmanship that is still alive today. Our guided tour of the open-air museum, which has afocus on preserving traditional crafts, will take us around the 17th-century buildings and introduce us to some of the crafts and costumes.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
Say farewell to our fellow knitters and transfer to Bergen airport for our return flight to London.
Includes Breakfast
Knitting Holidays
Specially designed for knitters, this Stitchtopia knitting holiday is the ideal opportunity to meet like-minded knitters and indulge in your favourite hobby. Our talented knitting expert will be on hand throughout the holiday and host inspirational workshops with a beautifully designed project to get those needles clicking!
Accommodation
You will be staying at the Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret.
Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret
Overlooking the Tromsdalstinden mountain, this waterfront hotel offers beautiful views and is located in the heart of Tromso.
Hotel Facilities
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General
- 4 Star
- Sauna or Steam Room
Room
- Safe Box
- Shower
- Free Wifi
Accessibility
- Lift
Service
- Gym
Hotel
- Lift
- WiFi Available
