Retreat with Nancy Bush

2nd Annual Camas Creek Yarn Summer Retreat at
Camp Tuffit
Nancy Bush brings Estonian knitting to Montana in May of 2010

Everything is finalized at last! We can't believe how exciting it's been to plan the second annual Camas Creek Yarn Summer Retreat with Nancy Bush. We'll be learning some fascinating Estonian color work, lace shawl constructions, and unusual traveling stitches. The retreat will be at the historic and rustic Camp Tuffit family resort on Lake Mary Ronan, in Proctor, MT, on May 21, 22, and 23, 2010.

Nancy Bush is a knitter, instructor, and author who's found her passion studying traditional knitting techniques. She's best known for her work in bringing ethnic Estonian knitting to American knitters through her wildly popular books Folk Knitting in Estonia (1999) and Knitted Lace of Estonia (2008). She's also the author of the beloved sock-knitting books Folk Socks (1994), Knitting on the Road (2001), and Knitting Vintage Socks (2005). Her designs and articles have appeared in Interweave Knits, Spin-Off, Vogue Knitting, and Threads magazines, and she's taught workshops throughout North America and Europe.

We agonized over choosing classes for the retreat because every one Nancy offers is excellent, but we decided at last on the following (all suitable for the intermediate to advanced knitter):

Nordic Color

Friday, May 21, 2- 5 p.m. $45
Estonians use a special inlay technique for decorating gloves and socks similar to embroidery but worked right into the knitting. By knitting a sample, students will learn how to read the charts and work this unique and colorful embellishment.

MATERIALS

Nordic Color

1 skein sport weight wool yarn (120 yards in 50 g) in a light color

and partial skeins of two other colors, a set of #3 (3.25mm) or

#4 (3.5mm) double pointed needles as well as the

usual knitting supplies.

Overture to Estonian Lace
Saturday, May 22, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 4 p.m. $65
Estonia has a lace tradition spanning nearly 200 years. We will learn about their unique stitch patterns, special edging and corner treatments for modern lace, and some very different ways of creating texture in lace.

MATERIALS

Overture to Estonian Lace

One skein fingering or 'baby-weight' wool yarn in a light color

and set of 5 #3 (3.25mm) double point

needles, a #3 (3.25mm) 16" circular needle (optional),

stitch markers. partial skein of worsted weight

cotton yarn and a G or H crochet hook.

Estonian Traveling Stitches
Sunday, May 23, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. $45.
The Estonians have a unique way of creating texture! In this class, we will take a look at the traveling and textured stitches used in both traditional and modern knitted garments. We will learn how Estonian knitters make their stitches move and how the stitches combine to form enticing patterns. We will discuss the many applications of these techniques.

MATERIALS

Estonian Traveling Stitches

1 skein sport weight wool yarn (120 yards in 50g)

in a light color and a set of #3 (3.25mm) or

#4 (3.5mm) double pointed needles as well as the

usual knitting supplies.

Please call the store to sign up for Nancy's classes. We're proud to bring you the woman who single-handedly introduced the nupp stitch to North America! (And if you don't know what a nupp is, you need to take Overture to Estonian Lace!)

You are responsible for making your own reservations with Camp Tuffit. It is an extremely popular family fishing resort with a very loyal following on the shores of Lake Mary Ronan, just a short 35 minute drive south of Kalispell.

Driving directions:

If you are coming from Missoula or points to the east on I-90, take Highway 93 north to Lake Mary Ronan Road. Turn left and continue to Camp Tuffit Road. Turn left and follow the road up the hill, around the turns and into Camp Tuffit.

If you are coming from St. Regis, or points west on I-90, take Highway 135 which is a left-turn off the interstate. When you reach Highway 200, turn left. Turn right on Highway 28. Turn left on Highway 93 north to Lake Mary Ronan Road. Turn left and continue to Camp Tuffit Road. Turn left and follow the road up the hill, around the turns and into Camp Tuffit.

From Kalispell, take Highway 93 south. Turn right on Lake Mary Ronan Road. Turn left and continue to Camp Tuffit Road. Turn left and follow the road up the hill, around the turns and into Camp Tuffit. Or google maps here.

Share a cabin with your knitting friends, or bring along the entire family. This place is designed to accommodate kids, so there's plenty for them to do.

Please make your reservations ASAP to insure getting a cabin. You can call (406) 849-5220 and ask for Mark. Tell him you're with Camas Creek Yarn. Or e-mail info@camp-tuffit.com. There are also wonderful camp sites, so if you prefer camping to cabins by all means bring your RV or tent.