Workshops with Rachel Illsley
from Unwind Knitwear
9-14 May 2027
For all the workshops, there will be one teacher and a skilled assistant to help you, ensuring personalized guidance tailored to individual learning speeds.
Workshop 1
The Basics of Personalised Fit for Knitted Garments
During the workshop we will cover the following topics:
This structured, well-paced workshop will teach you the skills to modify patterns to fit your individual body. You’ll be guided step by step through personalising fit details such as neckbands, sleeves, shaping, and more, and you’ll finish with the confidence to make every garment truly your own.
- No materials required.
- BUT: You're welcome to bring past projects that you don't like to wear because of the colour choices.
Workshop 2
A Deep-Dive into Personalising the Fit of Circular Yokes
During the workshop we will cover the following topics:
Insightful and hands-on, this workshop guides you towards true mastery of circular yoke knitting. You’ll focus on personalising key construction elements such as short-row shaping, yoke depth, and sleeve positioning. A rare opportunity to try on sample yokes helps bring the learning to life and deepens your understanding of fit and structure.
- Basic knitting skills: casting on, knitting, and purling (decreases helpful but not essential)
- Fingering, Sport or DK weight yarn in different colours
- Knitting needles that match your yarn's weight
- Pens or pencils for sketching your own pattern designs
Workshop 3
Refining and Developing Colourwork Skills
During the workshop we will cover the following topics:
Elevate your colourwork to the next level in this hands-on workshop. You’ll work through personalised challenges tailored to your current experience, whether you’re new to stranded knitting or already advanced. Rachel’s expert guidance and focused exercises will help you refine your techniques and build confidence.
- Fingering, Sport or DK weight yarn in different colors
- Colourwork experience helpful but not required
- Circular needles or DPNs appropriate for chosen yarn
- Fingering to DK weight yarn in two high-contrasting solid colours
Gift bag
Each knitter will receive an exclusive Artisan Retreats gift bag, which will include the yarn and pattern to knit Rachel’s special retreat design!