Expect a warm welcome, a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of time to enjoy crafts you love. During your stay, you can take part in a changing programme of workshops and activities, share ideas with fellow makers or simply settle into a cosy corner with your knitting or crochet. With comfortable accommodation, delicious food and no pressure to follow a fixed schedule, the weekend is yours to enjoy at your own pace.
Friday 2nd October
Arrival - Friday 2nd October at 2pm
Departure - Sunday 4th October before 3pm
Ability Level - All Abilities
Accommodation - Two Rooms - Room 1: Double & Single Bed / Room 2: Double Bed
What To Expect
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Try something new, nurture your creativity, and make a piece you’ll love long after the retreat ends, all from the comfort of our welcoming workshop room with its cosy wood burner! A full itinerary will be emailed to you two weeks before your arrival.
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We have two welcoming guest rooms: a spacious ground-floor room with a double and single bed plus en-suite, and a cosy upstairs double room with a private bathroom next door. Each room can accommodate single or double occupancy.
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While our menus change with the seasons, your daily dining schedule will remain the same, with breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner served throughout your stay. A full menu and itinerary will be emailed to you two weeks prior to your retreat.
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A little bag of woolly supplies and treats to make your retreat extra special.
Accommodation
Guests at The Dorset Yarn Retreat will stay at Moortown Farmhouse, a warm and characterful country home with two comfortable guest rooms. The bedrooms are light and inviting, with comfy bedding, pretty fabrics, traditional furnishings and views through elegant sash windows.
The farmhouse also offers welcoming communal spaces in which to relax and unwind. A dedicated Yarn Room provides a cosy and comfortable setting for group yarn activities, with plenty of space to gather, create and share ideas.
Room 1
This bright and sunny triple aspect room is on the ground floor. It has a stylish ensuite bathroom with a luxury brass rainfall shower. This room can sleep up to three people and we can configure the beds to suit you.
Tea & coffee making facilities are available in this room.
Room 2
Located on the first floor, this cosy bedroom can sleep up to two people, configured to your preference. Next door is the shower room for your exclusive use. Please note that there are stairs to the first floor, then three steps down to the room. This is an old and quirky house, but we think you will love it.
Tea & coffee making facilities are available in this room.
At The Dorset Yarn Retreat, we welcome Day Guests.
We can recommend nearby accommodation (our top choice is actually next door!) so that you can participate in the retreat, even if our accommodation is full.
Please contact us for more details.
Retreat Activity
Join us for our seasonal retreat activity! This month: knitting dinky pumpkins stuffed with our very own Dorset Down wool! Knit your pumpkin using your own preferred small circumference method or take advantage of learning the flexi needles method which we will be demonstrating. This workshop will teach you how to use three flexi needles to achieve a small circumference in knitting. Simple and elegant, we are a huge advocate of this innovation and keen to share it. Flexi needles will be provided for use at the workshop but you can, of course, choose to use DPNs or magic loop to complete your project.
Itinerary
Each month's retreat with a variety of workshops, activities and projects, the basic itinerary will be the similar. Here is an example of what you can expect from your weekend with us at the Dorset Yarn Retreat.
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Arrive at any time after 2pm. We want you to have plenty of time to settle in! When you are ready tea, coffees or soft drinks - as well as some cake and scones - will all be available for you to enjoy wherever you choose.
At the Dorset Yarn Retreat things can be a little weather dependent, but there are lots of cosy, or shady, spots for you to relax in. Friday afternoon is time for you to explore and make yourself at home. The Dorset yarn Retreat does not provide alcohol however you are very welcome to bring your own which we can chill for you if required.
Pre-dinner drinks from 6pm where we will provide soft drinks and nibbles, the dinner is served at 7pm in the dining room. You can expect two courses - a hearty home cooked main and a sumptuous dessert. We can cater for all dietary requirements and preferences. Second helpings are always available at the Dorset Yarn Retreat!
After dinner you are free to do as you please; walk in the garden, say hello to the sheep, sit by the fire for knitting and a drink, or get a good night's sleep in preparation for doing whatever you please tomorrow.
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Breakfast is served at 9am. You can expect a wide range of fruit, oats and toast as well as cooked breakfast options. We serve our very own eggs and honey, and seasonal fruit and vegetables at the Dorset Yarn Retreat. We use locally sourced ingredients wherever we can.
At 10:30am we will hold a workshop group activity, or introduce a project we can all have a go at over the weekend. Tea and biscuits will be available at 11am.
Lunch is at 12:30pm. This will be hearty soups, sandwiches or light quiches, plus a sweet treat to help see you into the afternoon.
After lunch we will settle down again to some serious business! This may involve picking up where you left off in the morning, discussing the projects you have brought with you, finding a quiet spot in which to concentrate on a tricky bit or nattering away over some stockinette... it is up to you, there is no rush.
Again, at 6pm it is drinks and nibbles time, with dinner served at 7pm.
After dinner is relaxing time. We might decide to take a stroll, play some games, have a quiz or just simply chat and knit some more. Or, if my daughter is in charge, watch Sheep Detectives again! This helps make the Dorset Yarn Retreat so unique - you decide how you want to enjoy your time.
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Breakfast is served at 9am.
At 10:30am we will have the Dorset Yarn Retreat WIP Surgery. We would like you to bring a project (or projects!) that you have laid down for whatever reason and, as a group, we can work together to motivate you to transform your WIP into a finished object. Or at the very least, offer tips, guidance and a way forward for those pesky projects holding your creativity back.
Lunch on Sunday will be at 1pm and will be substantial enough to fuel you up for your return home.
Departure is by 3:00pm on Sunday - don't forget to say goodbye to our girls in the paddock. We hope that you will have enjoyed your stay so much that it won't be long until you see them again!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Not at all. We welcome guests of all abilities, from complete beginners to experienced knitters and crocheters. Some workshops may be aimed at particular skill levels, and this will be clearly stated in the retreat details.
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No. Everything is optional. You can join a workshop, spend time with other guests or simply find a comfortable spot and work quietly on your own project.
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Your retreat includes comfortable accommodation, delicious meals and access to the scheduled workshops and activities. Full details of what is included will be provided on each retreat page.
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Please bring your favourite knitting or crochet projects, along with any needles, hooks, yarn and notions you may need. We also recommend comfortable clothing, slippers and something warm for relaxing outside.
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You can expect generous, comforting meals made to be enjoyed together. Menus may change with the seasons, and further details will be shared before your stay.
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Our accommodation is comfortable, cosy and designed to help you feel at home. Room arrangements and facilities will be explained on the individual retreat page before you book.
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This will vary between workshops. Each retreat listing will explain whether materials are included or whether you need to bring anything with you.
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Travel information, directions and parking details will be sent to you before your stay. Please contact us if you would like advice about travelling by public transport.