What could be better than an extraordinary knitting retreat near Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island in the glorious color of the New England autumn? Beautiful mountains, woodlands and ocean inspired a focus on color, design, dyeing and hand painting in three days of workshops and other knitting events where you will have the chance to try something new and to learn more about your favorite techniques as well as meet other knitters. This retreat for 25 people will be a place for fun and discovery, as well as creativity and concentration.

The Southwest Harbor Public Library offers you the opportunity to work with guest fiber artist and Maine native, Cheryl Potter, now owner of Cherry Tree Hill Yarn in Barton, Vermont. Cheryl is the author of Hand Paint Country, Rainbow Knits for Kids and newly released Ribbon Style as well as the popular Lavish Lace. She has written and designed for Vogue Knitting, Family Circle Easy Knitting, Knitter’s, Knit N Style and Interweave Knits. Her handpainted yarns patterns and kits are sold throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. With her you will learn to conceptualize ideas that can be expressed in color on various fibers.

Classes will be held at various locations in Southwest Harbor including the Library and The Lilac Lily, a beautiful new yarn shop, owned by Chloe Hatcher, on Main Street.

Maine’s Acadia National Park will inspire your creativity, and the camaraderie and inspirational classes will delight both novice knitters and knitting experts.

A visit to Mount Desert Island will provide the opportunity, to explore island hikes in and around Acadia or drive the short distance to Bar Harbor and other island villages.

The retreat will be held at Hutchins Cottages. Your host and Library board member, Kristin Hutchins, has six cozy, rustic cottages located on a wooded ridge above the village of Southwest Harbor. Each cottage has three bedrooms and a comfortable living area heated with a woodstove. Kristin and her staff will start your fire for you in the morning and supply you with firewood as needed throughout your stay.

All cottages are equipped with a full bathroom, which includes a tub, shower and electric baseboard heat.

Kristin is a Culinary Institute of America trained chef. She will be preparing your meals except for Friday evening when you will be free to sample one of the island’s many restaurants.

The kitchens in all the cottages will be stocked with beverages and snacks. Every morning a hot breakfast will be delivered to your door.

One fee covers room and meals, three days of workshops and other events.

Place: Hutchins Cottages, off Wesley Avenue, Southwest Harbor, Maine
Contact: Kristin at Hutchins Cottages
Telephone: 207.244.9687
E-mail: khutchins@acadia.net
Web site: www.hutchinscottagesatacadia.com

Fee: Retreat packages range from $720 to $950

Private room: $950
If you are traveling with a companion and want to share a private room, there is an additional charge of $225.

If both you and your private room companion are participating in the workshops, the charge for the second participant is $495.

Semi-private room: $820
Small private room: $820
Loft room, single occupancy: $720

Included are:

4 nights accommodation

All meals, except Friday night

Breakfast: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Lunch: Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Dinner: Wednesday with hors d’oeuvres and wine;
Thursday at a local restaurant (glass of wine included, cash bar available);
Saturday with hors d’oeuvres and wine

3 days of workshops

Materials for the first dye session

Extra Attractions:

Guided hikes; after dinner entertainment;
Early morning bird watching walk
A half-day and evening free to explore the Island, The National Park and other villages
Fiber exhibit, trunk show, book signing event and more

Reservations:

A deposit of half the package price is due at the time of reservation.
Please make check payable by check to The Southwest Harbor Public Library.
The balance is due June 1, 2006.
Deposits will be refunded if we are able to fill your reservation.

Please mail your check to:

Ravels and Revels
C/o Hutchins Cottages
Post Office Box 665
Southwest Harbor, Maine 04679

Make your reservation today
for Ravels and Revels: Extraordinary Knitting on Mount Desert Island
Wednesday, September 27-Sunday, October 1, 2006
On the quiet side of Mount Desert Island near Acadia National Park

See you at Ravels and Revels in Southwest Harbor in September!