This spring we’ll travel to beautiful San Juan Island to explore and celebrate wool and fiber craft. In this four-day creative workshop, you’ll go deep to learn about the sheep-to-fabric lifecycle. You’ll spend your days learning how to prepare fiber, spin it into yarn using a spindle or wheel, dye it in vibrant colors, and weave or knit it into a finished object. Along the way, you’ll visit a local sheep farm, speak with business owners making and selling their own yarn, gain a deeper appreciation of the Pacific Northwest fibershed, and experience the joy of creating by hand the textiles we use every day. Knitters, spinners, weavers, and wool-curious students of any skill level are encouraged to join!

You’ll stay at Saltwater Farm, a 160-acre sustainable woodland retreat that includes hens, rescue goats, vegetable, wine, and flower gardens, and a wood-fired oven. Pantry chefs Brandi Henderson and Neil Duncanson will prepare daily meals, served family-style at the Farm’s Gathering Space.

This 4-Day retreat itinerary includes:

• A visit to a sheep farm and introduction to selecting and preparing fleeces

• Hands-on lesson on with spinning wool into thread on a spindle and wheel, plying

• Hands-on weaving lesson on a rigid heddle loom, warping, finishing a project

• Hands-on lesson on dyeing, using mordants, planning colors, natural vs. synthetic dyes

• Open knitting time where you bring your own projects and yarn; our expert teachers will meet you where you are and help you master a new skill

• Evening discussions about contemporary fiber artists to get your creative juices bubbling

You’ll learn from our experts: Sarah Pope of San Juan Woolworks, local fiber artist Lisa Liedgren Alexandersson, Emily Tzeng of Local Color Fiber Studio, Anna Hosick-Kalahan from local mill Skagit Woolen Works, and knitter Sarah Emerson. This Field Trip will take place March 28–31, 2024. This retreat is geared for adults; we ask that all guests be at least 18 years of age.

Your registration fee for this retreat includes breakfasts, dinners, and all class materials (spinning, weaving, and dyeing). Pricing depends on which lodging option you select. Single-occupancy rooms and double-occupancy cabins are available; if you select a double occupancy room you will be sharing space with another retreat participant. If you would like to book with a friend, you’ll have the opportunity to provide their name after registration and we’ll be happy to place you together.

Cabin nestled in the Woods (booked)

These cabins have a king bedroom on the main level, a queen bed loft, a living room with a kitchenette, and a private bathroom. King bedroom cost: $2,000. Queen loft bed cost: $1,600. Please inquire if you would like to share this cabin with a third guest.

Tiny House by the Garden (booked)

These houses have a queen bedroom on the main level, a full bed loft, a living room with a kitchenette, and a private bathroom. Queen bedroom cost: $1,900. Full loft bed cost: $1,500. Please inquire if you would like to share this cabin with a third guest.

Tiny House in the Woods (booked)

This house has two lofts (one king bed, one full bed), a living room with a kitchenette, and a private bathroom. King loft bed cost: $1,700. Full loft bed cost: $1,700. Please inquire if you would like to share this cabin with a third guest.

Sunrise Suite (booked)

This one-bedroom suite has a king bed, a small living room with a kitchen, and views of the Olympic Mountains. It is located upstairs at the Inn, and guests are welcome to gather downstairs, where there is a spacious living room with a fireplace. Because this lodging option has one bed, it is reserved for participants booking with a friend. Suite cost: $1,700 per guest, 2 guests.

Guest Room (booked)

The guest rooms are located upstairs at the Inn and have king beds and a shared bathroom. Guests are welcome to gather downstairs, where there is a full kitchen and spacious living room with a fireplace. Room cost: $1,400.

Please register by paying a $300 deposit. Once we receive your deposit, we will email you to confirm your lodging choice, number of guests, and invoice for the balance.