Join Us for the Ultimate Knitting Retreat

Join us for an all-inclusive knitting retreat at the charming Nome Schoolhouse, where you'll spend a long weekend immersed in creativity and learning with renowned instructor Cori Eichelberger (Irocknits Designs). This retreat provides a unique opportunity to enhance your knitting skills in a cozy, historic setting.

Throughout the weekend, you'll explore a range of game-changing techniques, from mastering custom Dumplin’ Bags and stunning Latvian & Vikkel braids, to perfecting Ladderback Jacquard colorwork and unlocking the secrets of Ravelry and expert knitting hacks.

An All-Inclusive Experience

We take care of everything so you can focus entirely on your craft. Connect with fellow knitters, enjoy interactive games, and get inspired by Cori's high-energy teaching style. This retreat promises a perfect blend of skill-building, creativity, and fun—leaving you with new techniques, beautifully crafted projects, and a refreshed knitting spirit.

Retreat Itinerary

Day 1: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 – Welcome & Activities

• Optional Pre-Retreat Fun (Fargo/Moorhead): * Noon Lunch meetup in Fargo/Moorhead

  • 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Optional Shop Hop in Fargo, ND

• 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Afternoon Arrival & Check-In: Arrive at the historic Nome Schoolhouse, settle into your comfortable room, and explore the beautiful surroundings.

• 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Retreat Begins: Kick off the weekend with a Mill tour, a visit to the Nome Yarn Shop, and some autumn fun at the Lost Sheep Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch.

• Evening | Social & Knitting Bingo: Enjoy a delicious supper followed by a casual evening of drinks and Knitting Bingo. Get to know your fellow knitters in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere!

Day 2: Thursday, October 8, 2026 – Techniques & Fun

Morning Session (Choose One):

• Option A: How to Knit a Dumplin’ Bag

  • Description: Learn to knit a custom projekt bag using a seamless checklist pattern. Every round is written out with checkboxes for easy tracking. You'll knit a flat-bottom rectangle in garter stitch, pick up stitches for the body, and work up to a drawstring double-knit top casing. Bonus: Every attendee will be gifted all 13 Dumplin’ Bag Patterns!

  • Materials: Yarn applicable for your chosen pattern (sport, DK, worsted, or bulky).

  • Homework: Cast on and knit the bottom rectangle of the bag; pick up and start the body (if you struggle with picking up stitches, wait for Cori's expert tips!). Optional: Knit to the top before starting the casings.

• Option B: Bold Brilliant Braids – Latvian & Vikkel

  • Description: Take a deep dive into decorative braids. Cori will guide you through creating two-color Latvian braids and one-color Vikkel braids. Learn Cori's signature 2-color cast-on technique as you begin two beautiful hat projects.

  • Materials: 2 colors of worsted weight wool and two 16-inch US 8 circular needles.

  • Homework: Cast on and knit the ribbing for a Choose Your Own Path Hat. Optional: Cast on and knit the ribbing for the Easiest Cabled Hat Ever.

Afternoon Session | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Ladderback Jacquard

• Description: A game-changing technique for managing colorwork floats. This method reduces bunching/puckering, never shows through on the right side, and virtually eliminates yarn tangles. You will learn how to prepare your charts, when to use this method over traditional float-catching, and how to execute it flawlessly. Plenty of practice time included!

• Materials: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in two colors (MC: 70 yds of a light color like cream/beige; CC: 85 yds of a dark/bright color like blue/purple) & US 5 (3.75 mm) 20” circular needles (16” will work, but 20” is recommended).

• Homework: Before class, cast on and work the first 5 rounds of the pattern.

Optional Evening Activity | Skein to Skeins

• Unwind with a lively, interactive game of "Skein to Skeins." Grab a drink from the bar, team up with fellow knitters to tackle knitting trivia and fill-in-the-blanks, and enjoy an evening full of laughter led by Cori.

Day 3: Friday, October 9, 2026 – Leveling Up & Farewell

Morning Session | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Choose One):

• Option A: How to Use Ravelry Like a Pro

  • Description: Discover how to unlock the full potential of Ravelry. Learn to search patterns, substitute yarns effectively, catalog your personal stash and needle inventory, join groups, track projects, and track down discontinued yarns or books.

  • Skills Required: Basic computer skills.

  • Materials: A laptop or Wi-Fi-enabled tablet, your Ravelry ID and password. Notebook and pen.

  • Homework: Sign up for a free Ravelry account if you aren't already a user.

• Option B: Tips and Tricks That’ll Blow Your Mind

  • Description: Packed with invaluable knitting hacks, tips, and shortcuts to make you a more efficient knitter. Perfect for advanced beginners and seasoned knitters alike, these secrets will save you time, energy, and money, ensuring you finish projects you love with less frustration.

  • Materials: Pen and paper.

  • Homework: None.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Farewell & Check-Out

• Wrap up the retreat with final project touches and a casual Show & Tell session. Celebrate your new skills, share your progress, and enjoy a last round of knitting camaraderie.

• Check-out is at 1:00 PM. Say your goodbyes and head home with a refreshed knitting spirit!

Cori Eichelberger is a former high school English teacher to at-risk students, whom she also taught to knit. She has spent 20 years teaching beginning knitting and technique classes and co-authored the knitting pattern book: Minnesota 52: 16 Knits Inspired by the Road (2017) and wrote Knitword: 8 Designs to Celebrate the Knitter (2021). Her high energy classes are extremely popular at yarn stores and retreats throughout the United States. Cori has had a YouTube knitting vlog since 2018 with an emphasis on inspiring knitters, sharing knowledge and making you laugh. You can find her colorful designs on Ravelry and her website at www.irocknits.com  

https://irocknits.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/irocknits/ 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8B-_kB2QaQgjn2xEyQKL7g

Bold Brilliant Braids

One extra US 8 (4.5 mm) 16-inch circular needles (US 6 or 7 work will also work) Homework: Begin knitting 2 hats, you will need 3 skeins of yarn in different colors (contrasting 1 light and 1 dark) worsted weight yarn (50 gram leftovers work fine.) 

Make Your Projects Shine: Knitting with Beads

US size 4 16-inch circular needle 

1 skein (approx. 220 yards) DK weight yarn 

1 skein (lace weight) mohair optional 

1 piece Superfloss will be provided by the instructor  

Optional: small crochet hook US Size 10 or 1 mm https://www.amazon.com/Small-Crochet-Ergonomic-Handle-Crochets/dp/B09JYN9MMD/ref=asc_df_B09JYTVDW2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=563684670886&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11677700581684162392&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019644&hvtargid=pla-1636235965848&th=1  

60 – 6mm or 8 mm beads (any color you like with fairly large hole, your yarn must fit through the hole when pulled through by the floss) 

 *** BEADS available: 8 mm Pearl Beads (approx. $3.50) are available online at Joann Fabrics: https://www.joann.com/8mm-round-pearlbeads--cream-colored--80pcs/2642627.html  as well as Michaels ($5): https://www.michaels.com/bead-landing-whitepearlbeads/M10442742.html?dwvar_M10442742_count= 325 or from any online or local bead shop: https://www.firemountaingems.com/ https://artbeads.com/ 

 Homework: Holding DK weight (and mohair together), CO size of your choice for either cowl or hat and work 1 x 1 ribbing for 7 rounds.

Your Instructors and the Nome Schoolhouse do much to prepare for your arrival. To honor the work that we put towards your place in the class there is a firm time frame around when and how refunds are given. Tickets may be transferred to another person upon approval by the Nome Schoolhouse.

You can read our cancelation and policy by clicking here >> https://nomeschoolhouse.com/refund_returns/

By making a booking with us, you signify your agreement to adhere to these terms.

Day 1: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 – Welcome & Activities

• 12:00 PM – Optional Meet Up & Lunch (Fargo/Moorhead)

• 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM – Optional Shop Hop (Fargo, ND)

• 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Afternoon Arrival & Check-In at the historic Nome Schoolhouse

• 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM – Retreat Begins: Mill Tour, Nome Yarn Shop visit, and Lost Sheep Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch

• Evening – Welcome Supper, Drinks, and Knitting Bingo

Day 2: Thursday, October 8, 2026 – Techniques & Fun

• Morning Session (Choose One):

  • Option A: How to Knit a Dumplin’ Bag

    • Homework: Cast on and knit the flat-bottom rectangle. (Optional: pick up and start the body, or wait for Cori’s tips).

    • Materials: Sport, DK, worsted, or bulky yarn.

  • Option B: Bold Brilliant Braids – Latvian & Vikkel

    • Homework: Cast on and knit ribbing for Choose Your Own Path Hat. (Optional: cast on and knit ribbing for Easiest Cabled Hat Ever).

    • Materials: 2 colors of worsted weight wool, two 16-inch US 8 circular needles.

• 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch & Free Time

• 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM – Afternoon Session: Ladderback Jacquard Colorwork

  • Homework: Cast on and work the first 5 rounds of the pattern.

  • Materials: DK/Light Worsted yarn (MC: 70 yds light color, CC: 85 yds dark/bright color), US 5 20” circular needles (16" also work).

• Evening – Supper followed by "Skein to Skeins" (Interactive Knitting Trivia & Games at the bar)

Day 3: Friday, October 9, 2026 – Leveling Up & Farewell

• 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Morning Session (Choose One):

  • Option A: How to Use Ravelry Like a Pro

    • Homework: Create a Ravelry account if you don't have one.

    • Materials: Laptop or Wi-Fi-enabled tablet, login info, notebook, and pen.

  • Option B: Tips and Tricks That’ll Blow Your Mind

    • Homework: None.

    • Materials: Pen and paper.

• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Farewell Showcase, Show & Tell, and Project Wrap-Up

• 1:00 PM – Final Check-Out & Departures