Cocoknits in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, UK

Monday 22 April - Tuesday 30 April 2024 (8 nights/9 days)

We’ll meet in Richmond-upon-Thames, near Heathrow airport, and travel by coach to Devon to the Natural Fibre Co, experts in fibre processing and the only British company that spins both wool and worsted yarns.  After touring the mill and seeing how shorn fleeces are turned into yarn, we’ll go next door to Blacker Yarns where you’ll find a wide selection of yarns to choose from including a special edition range from sheep raised in Cornwall. Cocoknits founder Julie Weisenberger, expert knitter Tracy Russell will both be there to advise and guide you on the best yarn to purchase for your Cocoknits sweater project.  You might also like to pick up a hank of ecru yarn for the natural dye workshop we’ve got planned at our hotel.

With yarn purchased our next stop is the Boskerris Hotel, a charming and privately-owned boutique hotel in Carbis Bay which will be exclusively ours for the 8-night stay.  The hotel has commanding panoramic views across the bay and all the bedrooms are ensuite, some with glorious ocean views. We’ll take most of our meals at the hotel with dishes made-to-order by chef Steve Block who uses top quality produce and fresh ingredients. The Boskerris is just a 3-minute train ride from the pretty town of St Ives. With its quaint cobbled streets and fisherman’s cottages, St Ives is known for its surf beaches and thriving art scene and there are many galleries and independent shops including the famous Bernard Leach pottery. 

You’ll choose your Cocoknits pattern in advance from your copy of the Cocoknits Sweater Workshop or from their website as a downloadable pdf. With 5 days’ full-time tuition from Julie and Tracy included in the retreat you’ll have time to make real progress on your knitting project.  You’ll soon see the benefits of the top-down seamless knitting method pioneered by Julie and appreciate the ease with which you can adapt your pattern for a perfect fit.  

We’ve planned a number of trips and activities during the week including a trip to St Ives and a visit to the Tate St Ives art gallery and Barbara Hepworth sculpture museum.  On one afternoon at Boskerris we’ll enjoy a dyeing session in the garden with a natural dye expert and on another day we’ll explore the local countryside and eat lunch in a traditional Cornish village. On our way back to Richmond on the last day we visit Fernhill Farm,  a holistic eco farm in the Mendip hills where owners Jen and Andy will demonstrate blade shearing and wool handling in their shearing shed.  We arrive back at the Richmond hotel in the late afternoon when the tour ends.

Our busy Cocoknits retreat in Cornwall will be full of interesting trips, great countryside and ocean views, delicious food, new knitting skills learned and guaranteed fun and laughter along the way.

“Julie and Tracy were wonderfully patient and very helpful and fun. I learned several improved knitting techniques I’ve put to good use with my other knitting projects. The retreat was well organized and thoughtfully planned. The best knitting adventure I’ve ever been on!”

Lynne G,United States

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