Workshops

For all the workshops, there will be one teacher and three skilled assistants to help you, ensuring personalized guidance tailored to individual learning speeds.

Workshop 1: Embellishing Your Knits

In this workshop, you will explore the techniques used in Claudia's upcoming book, published by Laine Publishing, to show how to embellish your sweaters with embroidery, appliqué, ribbons, beads, and crochet details. Claudia will have sample garments with these techniques so you can see them up close.

You will learn the basics of embroidery, beading, crochet, and hand stitching to embellish a simple piece and turn it into something special, a personalized work of art, a piece of couture all your own! With a focus on developing creative decision-making skills, you will be able to turn any project into a one-of-a-kind piece.

All materials in this workshop will be included except for the following items, which students will need to bring:

  • 10cm x 10cm swatch knit in 100% wool similar to Jamieson & Smith, Isager, Tukuwool, etc. This will need to be knit tightly and evenly and blocked.
  • 20cm (8 inch) Embroidery hoop
  • 3.5mm crochet hook
  • 3.75mm pair of knitting needles (straight needed are best for this workshop)
1 3

Workshop 2: Learn Sashiko Embroidery

Explore the world of traditional Japanese embroidery with our interactive and engaging workshop. Learn the art of sashiko, a beautiful form of embroidery that uses a running stitch method to create intricate patterns inspired by nature. This beginner-friendly technique is not only fun to learn but also portable and perfect for socializing while you work. The skills you acquire can be applied towards mending and restoring damaged clothing, giving them new life and purpose.

All materials are included in this workshop.

1 4

Workshop 3: Mosaic Design

For the retreat, Claudia will create an exclusive Pura Vida design using the mosaic
knitting technique and using all the colours that remind us of Costa Rica. The design and yarn to make it are included in this workshop.

Workshop 4: Andrea's Favourite Knitting Techniques

For this workshop, Andrea will share some of her favorite knitting techniques - things she loves to do and often talks about on the Fruity Knitting YouTube channel. For example, she might show you how to cut up your knitting and graft it back together again to fix mistakes, how to catch the floats and weave in the ends as you knit (even on the purl side of colorwork), or how to cable without a cable needle. She hasn’t finalized the exact content yet, but it will be fun!

1 2

Workshop 5: Embroidered Scissors Holder (Just for Fun!)

During this retreat, everyone will be gifted a beautiful pair of scissors and a kit with the materials to make an embroidered scissors holder. This is a quick 30-minute workshop that we can all do together and have a lot of fun while getting to know each other. It is made using felt fabric.

Gift bag

Each knitter will receive an exclusive Pura Vida Knitting Retreat gift bag. The contents will include:

  • A beautiful (sweater project) drawstring bag made from Japanese fabrics
  • An exclusive Pura Vida design and the yarn to knit it.
  • A signed copy of Claudia's latest book published by Laine Publishing
  • A Sashiko kit
  • An embroidery kit for a scissor holder
  • Assorted sizes of darning needles with a wooden holder
  • Applique patches
  • Other surprise goodies that will be useful on the retreat!