Hunter Valley Knit Retreat 2027 with Patty Lyons
Hunter Valley, NSW · 2–5 July 2027 · with Patty Lyons
We have got something special to tell you about. In July 2027, Janine and I are co-hosting a knitting retreat in the Hunter Valley with the wonderful Patty Lyons – the American teacher, designer and technique expert whose whole philosophy is ‘learn the why, not just the how’. If you have ever wanted to actually understand why your gauge, your fit or your cables behave the way they do, rather than just being told which row to knit, this is the retreat for you.
Three nights at the four-star voco Kirkton Park, right in the heart of Australia’s oldest wine region. Two three-hour workshops with Patty, plus an intimate ‘Ask Patty’ session where you can bring her your trickiest knitting questions. A wood-fired pizza dinner with a pop-up wine tasting, a three-course lunch with paired wines at one of the Hunter Valley’s premier wineries, and – because we could not resist – our own little Skein Sisters pop-up yarn shop for the weekend.
Places are strictly limited to 30, and unless you are joining Patty’s longer Australia-wide retreat later in her visit, this is your only chance to learn from her in Australia in 2027.
What the weekend holds
- Three nights in four-star accommodation at the voco Kirkton Park, Hunter Valley
- A la carte breakfast daily, including barista coffee
- A welcome wood-fired pizza group dinner with a pop-up wine tasting from a local winery
- Two morning teas and one afternoon tea
- A light lunch on the full workshop day
- A group three-course chef’s table lunch with paired wines at a premier Hunter Valley winery, including coach transfer from the accommodation
- A welcome bag
- Two three-hour knitting workshops with Patty Lyons, plus a three-hour ‘Ask Patty’ session
- Our own Skein Sisters pop-up yarn shop for the weekend
Your teacher
Patty Lyons, teaching at the 2027 Hunter Valley retreat.
Patty Lyons
Knitting teacher, designer, author and technique expert, USA
Patty is one of those knitting instructors who has developed a cult following among serious knitters, and for good reason. Her particular gift is explaining why knitting works, rather than simply telling you which steps to follow – she calls it developing the ‘mindful knitter’. Rather than having you blindly follow a pattern, she teaches you to understand what is happening with your stitches, gauge, fabric, shaping and fit.
Her particular specialties include:
- Gauge, including how to make it work for you rather than treating it as an annoying preliminary chore
- Sweater construction and fit
- Pattern reading and pattern troubleshooting
- Fixing knitting mistakes
- Blocking
- Cables and other stitch techniques
- Circular knitting
- Brioche
- Customising patterns
- Understanding your knitted stitches
Student testimonials repeatedly say the same thing: Patty gives them the information to diagnose a problem and make their own decisions, rather than simply rescuing them from a mistake.
Her upcoming book, Patty Lyons’ Knitting ER, is due out in October 2026 – a knitting ‘emergency room’ of repair tutorials and solutions for everything from dropped stitches to problems discovered after binding off. We hope to offer a pre-order closer to the date, with a chance to have your copy signed by Patty at the retreat.
Where you’ll stay
The voco Kirkton Park sits right in the heart of the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region, an easy drive from Sydney. Expect vineyard views, four-star comfort and everything within an easy stroll of the workshop room.
Who is behind it
The retreat is organised by Michelle Streicher of SPJ Retreats. Deb and Janine are your yarn store hosts on the weekend, bringing the pop-up shop and making sure everybody has a great time. The teaching is in Patty’s hands.
How to book
Twin/double room: $2,499 CAD per person. Single room: $3,099 CAD (limited). Travelling solo? We can pair you with another knitter looking to share a twin room, so you are not paying the single-room price.
Bookings, room categories and the full itinerary are all handled by SPJ Retreats.
Phone 1-855-607-2869 · enquiries@southpacificjourneys.com
Space is strictly limited to 30 participants.
Got a question about the crafting side of the weekend? Come and ask us in the shop, or email info@skeinsisters.com.au. We would love to have you with us.
Deb and Janine x
Bimbadgen, one of the Hunter Valley’s premier wineries.