A Yarn Dreamer's Tale
I have been captured by Alpacas

My journey began sixty years ago in Berlin, Germany. I entered the United States as a motion picture editor in 1964. After forty-three years in film, and a life with a menagerie that included twelve cats, five dogs, nine geese, several chickens and Jimmy the Rooster, I met Honeycomb the Alpaca. Then the past became prologue.

Her fabulous eyes, gentle nature, incredibly soft fleece, and humming sounds introduced a new phase in my life. I fell in love with this gift from the Andes, and now I have Star of Bethlehem, Queen of Sheba, Alhambra del Fuego, Rhett Butler and Tahitian Pearl providing fleece to create one of a kind hand-spun yarns and garments for you to treasure and enjoy!!!

 

Knit in Paradise (or not far from it!) at Insel Haus B&B on Bois Blanc Island

www.inselhausbandb.com

Yarn Dreamer Knitting Retreats and Workshops 2008/09

Relax - Design - Recharge

Retreat workshops lead by Christa Kindt Newhouse include:

• Personalized pillbox hat with techniques that include i-cord cast on and bind off, two color knitting, bobbles.
• Scarf and mittens with cobweb ruffles.
• Reflections ruana. A color study with bobbles and a not-so-common bind-off.
• Create your own masterpiece (scarf, vest, jacket or pullover) using Christa’s formula.
• Double knit scarf, an introduction.

Guest instructor: Joan Sheridan Hoover

Join Joan for a color-filled weekend. You will learn two-handed knitting if
you don't already know how, make a couple color samplers, learn how to cut
your knitting and begin work on a Fair Isle Hat. This is an intermediate
level knitting class. $50 material fee, includes up to five colors for your
hat and yarn for sampling. Size 3 double point and 16" circular needles
required. Just think: island knitting for the island!

or

Let Joan be your tour guide through the magical world of Cat Bordhi's socks.
You'll make a sample sock to get the feel of things and then follow one of
her patterns for her first sock. If you are ready, you may also design your
own sock based on the book's philosophy. Please bring: New Pathways for Sock
Knitters book, size 5 double point needles and worsted weight yarn for small
sock, yarn and needles for the sock you'd like to tackle (not all her socks
call for sock weight yarn - be sure to check yarn and needle size).

BIO:
Joan Sheridan Hoover is an avid knitter, spinner and weaver. She has
operated Heritage Spinning & Weaving in Lake Orion, MI, since 2000 and is
known for her technique classes and easy-to-follow teaching style. Joan has
been published in several popular fiber magazines and teaches across the
U.S.

Reserve space for you or your knitting group on one of these weekends: *

• May 16 - 18 • June 12 - 14 • July 11 - 13
• August 15 - 17 • September 28 - 20
• November 7 - 9

• Guest instructor: Joan Sheridan Hoover,

• January 2 - 4- 2009, Fair Isle Knitting, • April 3 - 5 - 2009, Cat Bordhi Socks.
*Material fees are not included in pricing and vary per workshop.

• Travel to a secluded island in the Straits of Mackinac - four hours north of Detroit, one hour north of Gaylord and within sight of Mackinac Island.
• Insel Haus B&B is a 7,800 square foot home located on Michigan’s Bois Blanc Island, filled with Persian rugs, antique furniture and interesting artwork.
• Catch the ferry or fly to the island from Cheboygan.
• Escape the rat race! No stress, no pressure, just peace, serenity, knitting and kindred spirits.

• Starting at just $320 per person for lodging, meals and knitting instruction.
SPECIAL: Book the entire weekend for your guild, shop or knitting group and get 11 spaces for the price of 10. PLUS select any one of Christa’s workshops.

For more information: www.inselhausbandb.com
phone 888-634-7393

Come to the island time forgot and write your own description of paradise

 

• Personalize a pillbox hat pattern. Introduction to knitting techniques new to some: bobbles, knitting with two colors and I-cord bind off. Use of color and texture.
• Supplies needed: U.S. Size 6 dp needle, 16" circular needle, stitch markers, tapestry needle. 300 yards Henry’s Attic Prime Alpaca or Peruvian Tweed Alpaca (fingering weight).
• Contrasting colors for bobbles or intarsia if desired.

• Scarf and Mittens with Cobweb ruffles.
• Supplies needed: U.S. Size 9 dp needles and U.S. Size 9 - 24" circular needle, stitch markers, stitch holder, tapestry needle. Alpaca with a Twist - Big Baby, 100% Alpaca, 82 yds/skein. 490 yds.

• Create a Reflections Ruana. Introduction to knitting bobbles, knitting with many colors and special bind off. Use of color and texture.
• Supplies needed: U.S. Size 7 - 32" circular needle, stitch markers, stitch holders, tapestry needle.
• Version 1: Black Alpaca Peruvian Superfine 100% Alpaca, 520 yds, Tweed 109 Peruvian Superfine 100% Alpaca, 490 yds, Charcoal Peruvian Superfine 100% Alpaca, 550 yds, Light Gray Peruvian Superfine 100% Alpaca, 550 yds, 4 contrasting colors of similar weight, 600 yds each.
• Version 2: Charcoal Alpaca Peruvian Superfine 100% Alpaca, 550 yds, Chocolate Peruvian Superfine 100% Alpaca, 550 yds, Tweed 107 Peruvian Superfine 100% Alpaca, 550 yds, Musk Peruvian Superfine 100% Alpaca, 550 yds, Tweed 106 Peruvian Superfine 100% Alpaca, 550 yds, 1 contrasting colors of similar weight, 800 yds.

• Introduction to knitting techniques new to some: bobbles, cables, knitting with two colors and I-cord bind off. Use of color and texture. Personalize a pattern and begin to knit your own masterpiece. (Scarf, vest, jacket, pullover)
• Supplies needed for the scarf pictured: U.S. Size 7, 24" circular needles or 14 inch straight needles, stitch markers, tapestry needle and cable needle. Approximately 275 yds of fingering weight (MC), 109 yds of light worsted weight (CC).

For schedule and reservations for the Ferry ride from Cheboygan and where to park your car call: Plaunt Transportation at 888-752-8687.
To book a flight to Bois Blanc Island during the months of December to the beginning of April call Great Lakes Air: 906-643-7165.

Insel Haus B&B website: www.inselhausbandb.com
phone 888-634-7393.