Travel with fellow artists, family & friends! In addition to Non-participating guest options, did you know that other workshops are offered this same week! Enjoy the experience together while immersed in different topics! View calendar for details!
Stitch 'n Bitch in Tuscany Not your grandmother's knitting circle with author/instructor Debbie Stoller Cortona, Italy September 2-9, 2009
View Cortona videos
Join Debbie Stoller for a fabulous week of knitting, travel and culture in the heart of Italy! The medeival hill town of Cortona, setting of the film "Under the Tuscan Sun", will be our base as we enjoy the comraderie of fellow knitters while exploring the art of knitting among the chocolates, foods, wines, culture, fashion, landscape and people of Tuscany and Umbria!
Join Debbie Stoller for a fabulous week of knitting, travel and culture in the heart of Italy! The medieval hill town of Cortona, setting of the film "Under the Tuscan Sun", will be our base as we enjoy the camaraderie of fellow knitters while exploring the art of knitting among the chocolates, foods, wines, culture, fashion, landscape and people of Tuscany and Umbria!
This year’s session will be focused on color knitting. We’ll be working up a beautiful knit bag, one that was inspired by a 200-year old Italian knit purse. While working on it, we’ll learn slip-stitch color techniques, fair isle, intarsia, and duplicate stitch. We’ll learn the color technique of double knitting while working on a small project that’s based on the colors found in typical Tuscan pottery. We’ll also have a session on color theory, and you’ll have a chance to work up some color swatches of your own designs. In addition, we’ll be learning how to work up a basic sweater design, so you can see the math that goes into working out a sweater pattern, and that will also give you a much better understanding of already written patterns. And since we’re visiting the lacemakers of Lake Trasimeno, we will do a beginning session on crochet and get started on a really great, simple crochet project that will knock your socks off. If there’s time left, I’ll let you in on some of my favorite “Stitch Dr. Secrets”, for learning how to fix missed stitches, add length to an already completed project, and re-twist mis-twisted cables. In addition to class sessions, we'll visit local Italian yarn shops, as well as take day trips to Florence & Perugia for inspiration. Basic knitting skills are a prerequisite for this class.
Picture Yourself...
among the sights and sounds of beautiful and romantic Tuscany: olive groves, vineyards, centuries-old buildings, winding streets, texture and vibrant sunlight.
Feel Yourself...
in the warm ambiance of Cortona, overlooking Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana, originally fortified by the Umbrians, claimed by the Etruscans, touched by the Renaissance, almost unchanged for centuries, one of Tuscany's jewels.
Experience...
the joy of painting en plein air in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with the expert instruction of a nationally know artist and instructor and the camaraderie of a small group of learners.
Enjoy...
great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas, history and the hospitality of the people of Cortona.
Cortona city center
About Cortona
Cortona is one of the true jewels of the Tuscan “hill towns.” Cortona, which is often called the “City of Art,” has its origin as an Etruscan city that pre-dates Roman times with sections of its walls dating back some 2500 years. As is typical of Tuscan hill-towns, Cortona is a walled city that, for purposes of defense, was built atop a prominent geographical point. The stone buildings and streets not only have the romance, style, and charm that are particular to Tuscany, but also speak of the lives and times Cortona has witnessed. An encounter with Cortona is an encounter with music & art, with history and with spirituality. Getting to know this timeless city is a real rediscovery of our past. Cortona offers testimony to its history as well as an enchanting view of the landscape enclosed by Lake Trasimeno and the Apennine mountains.
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Rome to Cortona September 2, 2009**** Instruction in the classroom and on location Seven nights accommodations in historic Cortona** (Private room & bath) Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano All meals*** (Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner) Daily wine tasting opportunities Day shopping trip to Florence Day trip to Chianti Cashmere A farewell wine tasting dinner Selected workshop materials **Included with "Hotel" plans only. See details. ***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. See details. ****Specific departure time only; to be announced *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans A, C, E, G and Hostel plans I & K only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Most materials for these classes will be provided, but you should be sure to bring along the following: • A basic knitting supply kit, including embroidery scissors, tapestry needle, stitch markers, and measuring tape, stitch holders, cable needle. might like to make a sweater out of, and that you can use for swatching. • A pair of knitting needles (or circular needles, if you prefer to use those) in the size recommended for your yarn, PLUS one size smaller, and one size larger than the recommended size. • Consider bringing other sizes of knitting needles as well, if you can fit them in your luggage. It is HIGHLY recommended that you pack all of your knitting supplies in your check-in luggage, NOT in your carry-on luggage.
