Meg Swansen's Knitting Camp
Knitting Camp - 47 years and counting-
Knitting Camp History: Knitting Camp began when Elizabeth Zimmermann taught a week long knitting course at an extension of the University of Wisconsin in 1974. Over time, more weeks were added due to the popularity of the class. The event was named by its participants; knitters stayed in rudimentary dorms during the early years at Shell Lake, in the “up north” region of Wisconsin and later moved to UW in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Knitting Camp became a private event hosted by Schoolhouse Press when Elizabeth passed the torch to her daughter Meg Swansen in the 1980s.
Knitting Camp Today: Meg is a designer, author, and internationally known knitting teacher. Each year, Meg and the Knitting Camp team join knitters at Knitting Camp retreats to explore the nuances of garment construction, techniques, and design. The events include open discussion, instruction related to Question and Answer, Mini-Workshops by campers and guests, and Show and Tell of handknitted items from a multitude of designers. Meg showcases original Elizabeth Zimmermann sweaters and her own designs by request, and Schoolhouse Press sets up a small market with wool for knitting projects.
General Info, Session Descriptions, and Tuition
Summer Knitting Camp retreats are held from Thursday to Monday during July. Arrival is Thursday. Meg Swansen teaches, with assistance from Amy Detjen, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (time to be determined). Camper Show and Tell and discussion, run by event staff (Amy, Ann Fincham, and Heather Black) also takes place each day. The classroom is open for knitting and gathering when class is not in session. The Schoolhouse Press staff (Cully, Michelle, and Eli) takes care of all the details in advance and provides support for the event throughout the weekend. Monday is departure day. Scroll to the bottom to see an estimate of fees.
Knitting Camp - Retreat 1 & 2
In this all levels* camp retreat, we will review Elizabeth Zimmermann's Percentage System (EPS) for circular, seamless garment construction and other Elizabeth Zimmermann basics for knitting yokes, raglans, cardigans, and drop-shoulder styles. For those knitters already familiar with EPS and Elizabeth's books, we will explore additional territory based on individual questions. Handouts for small projects to knit during class help knitters learn new skills or improve on them in two-color knitting, Fair Isle knitting, Aran knitting, double knitting, lace knitting, Armenian knitting, twisted stitch knitting, and more. A few of the techniques covered include: steeks, short rows, shaping, phoney seams, jogless stripes, purl-when-you-can, knitting backwards, variations of I-cord, arranging stitch pattern motifs and texture patterns.
*Knitters who attend this session need to know the basics: knit, purl, cast on, and cast off. Those who attend should have already completed some knitting projects.
Knitting Camp - Retreat 2.75
This retreat typically draws a mix of intermediate and expert knitters for a session comprised of group discussion, instruction from Meg Swansen based on individual garment construction and technique questions, mini-workshops by participants, camper show and tell, and a knitting contest with fabulous prizes (Contest Topic 2024: Inspired by the Masters). During class, we allow the conversation and instruction to ebb and flow based on the desires of the group members; classroom time is loosely structured.
Knitting Camp - Retreat 3
This retreat typically draws a mix of intermediate and expert knitters for a session comprised of group discussion, instruction from Meg Swansen based on individual garment construction and technique questions, mini-workshops by participants, camper show and tell, and a knitting contest with fabulous prizes (Contest Topic 2024: Never Too Late). During class, we allow the conversation and instruction to ebb and flow based on the desires of the group members; classroom time is loosely structured.
Camp Fee: Fee includes four nights of lodging and applicable lodging fees and taxes (except for off-campus attendees), most meals and gratuity, some materials, tuition, and assistant staff salaries. Transportation is NOT included in the fee.
2024 Fees to be determined by the time of the event. 2023 Fees: Single room $1320 per person; Double room $1060 per person; Single with Non-Knitting Companion $1320 per person (meal package available for an extra fee); Off-Campus $825 (lodging not included). Payments may be made in two installments if needed. More information about payment will be available on acceptance.
Location and Lodging/Classroom:
We stay at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Marshfield, WI with all the amenities you expect (fridge and microwave in the rooms, indoor pool/hot tub, wireless internet, basic workout facility, and attached bar and restaurant). During the summer sessions, we have a large conference room for our classes, as well as living room space.
Meals:
Basic meals are served, including a Welcome supper, breakfast, break food, and lunch on each class day, and a Farewell breakfast on Monday. Buffet style meals provide choices for vegetarian and vegan and other diets as needed.
Transportation: (not included in fee)
By air: Madison, WI; Minneapolis, MN; Milwaukee, WI; and Chicago, IL airports all have feeder lines to Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA, phone:715-693-2147) in Mosinee/Wausau, WI (35 miles east of Marshfield). You can rent a car at either CWA or a major airport (CWA approximate drive time: 35 minutes, Madison, approximate drive time: 2.5 hrs; Milwaukee, WI approximate drive time: 4 hours; Mpls, MN, approximate drive time: 3 hrs; Chicago, IL approximate drive time: 5.5 hours)
Questions? Call us at (715) 884-2799 or email.