Welsh wool and the Welsh textile manufacturing industry was historically one of the most important industries throughout Wales. However, it was in the Teifi valley and the surrounding areas that the wool industry was at its most prolific. We’ll follow the story of this industry at the National Wool Museum and learn more about Welsh quilts and blankets at the Welsh Quilt Centre. Two full day knitting workshops with Sasha Kagan complete this knitting retreat. Tour expert, Sasha Kagan, said: "I am delighted to be teaching on Stitchtopia's first Welsh Knitting retreat and to share my love of the Welsh countryside and textile heritage with you. Our project is a patchwork cushion made up from 4 intarsia flower motif squares for the front and a moss stitch stripe fabric for the back plus 4 pom-poms as embellishments. Our first workshop features my version of the intarsia technique. You will learn how to carry colours in your R and L hands and weave the background yarn along behind the motifs, how to read colourwork charts successfully, make bobbins and gain confidence. Drawing on my 45 years' experience as a knitwear designer our second session will be my "Design from Nature" workshop where you will learn how to design your own motifs using flowers and leaves as inspiration. These squares can be made into unique home textiles, heritage blankets, cushions coasters etc."
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Make your own way to Llanelli. Your room will be available for check-in from 2pm. Get to know Sasha, your Arena Travel Tour Manager and your fellow guests in our afternoon Knit & Natter session, or over dinner this evening.
Includes Dinner
The National Wool Museum tells the story of the Welsh woollen Industry through working machinery, archive material, hands-on displays and a textile gallery. The museum is housed in the historic former Cambrian Mills which made shirts and shawls, blankets and bedcovers, woollen stockings and socks sold throughout the world. The picturesque village of Dre-fach Felindre in the beautiful Teifi valley was once the centre of the thriving woollen industry, earning the nickname 'The Huddersfield of Wales'. We’ll follow the process from Fleece to Fabric and visit the sympathetically restored listed mill buildings. Since its official opening in 2010 by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall the Welsh Quilt Centre has become an exceptional venue in the heart of the Teifi Valley. The idea to open a centre to celebrate and promote a wider understanding of the Welsh quilt came from Jen Jones, whose obsession with collecting Welsh quilts, blankets and textiles has spanned over forty years. In Lampeter’s historic Town Hall we’ll have the opportunity to learn about the ancient art of Welsh quilts and blankets as well as enjoying other work by local and international artists.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out at 11am.
Includes Breakfast
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!
You will stay for four nights at the Stradey Park Hotel.
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