Knitting Retreat, Sievers School of Fiber Arts

October 2025 was a great time to visit Washington Island, WI.  I was there to attend my first-ever knitting retreat.  An intermediate knitter at best, I was game to attend a retreat with fellow knitters!  It was a great experience all around.

The "Open Studio Knitting Retreat" took place from Oct. 7th - Oct. 12th.  I journeyed to Washington Island, WI one day ahead of time.  I stayed at the Inn at Frog Hollow, a charming B & B I'd stayed at before. The entire experience was wonderful.  Fellow knitters at the retreat were very welcoming.  Many have been attending this retreat for years.  The retreat typically fills quickly once registration opens.  There was an instructor-lead knitting class running concurrently in the other studio. Those knitters were friendly as well. The staff at Sievers is top notch. Don't hesitate to go there if the chance arises!

I took the Washington Island ferry on October 6th, arriving a day ahead of the retreat.  The day was initially blustery.  The weather improved upon arrival on the island.  I drove around on the island.  I visited Schoolhouse Beach.  Eventually I stopped in at the Sievers School of Fiber Arts gift shop.  It's simply the best gift shop around, especially for those who are into fiber, basketry, and other handmade goods. 

Photos are pure eye candy!  Some show scenes from Sievers, the world’s cutest dog spotted outside a gift shop, the Inn at Frog Hollow, signage at the knitting retreat, and, riding on the ferry to and from Washington Island.  Oh, and there’s a “class” photo too!  I'm in the row that's standing. I'm wearing an orange print shirt.  Last photo shows the two shawls I worked on while at the retreat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All text and images ©️Suzanne Myers Otto

September Happenings

Calling all fiber artists!  If you’re available September 7th - 10th, consider attending one, or both, of these events!

The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show and the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival have overlapping dates.  Both are excellent events offering classroom instruction, exhibits, and massive vendor malls!

All text and images ©️Suzanne Myers Otto

John C. Campbell Folk School 2023

THIS could be the year that you visit the awesome John C. Campbell Folk School!  I was 

lucky enough to take a one week workshop there last month.  The school is located in Brasstown, NC. Brasstown is in the southwest corner of the state.

I learned some new techniques in the Shibori Dyeing class taught by Emily Ayers.  Following are some photos from my most recent trip to Brasstown.  I have now taken three classes at the Folk School.  I’ve also taught two classes there. 

I made a dress and harem pants several months before traveling to Brasstown.

I used Kona PDF (prepared for dyeing) cotton for those garments.  See before and 
after photos below.

I purchased a white jacket from St. Vincent’s here in Madison before heading to 

North Carolina.  I didn’t pay much for it.  I thought it would be a good candidate 

for dyeing.  And it was!

I also dyed some cotton fabric yardage, a silk scarf, and a pair of socks!  It’s

pretty obvious that I love the turquoise range of color!