Hello Wonderful Knitters and Crocheters! You may have heard about the upcoming Knitty McPurly Retreat and are wondering what the details are! Read on for everything you will need to know, and drop me an email if you have a question that I have not addressed here.
When and where is it?
The retreat will begin on Thursday evening April 15, 2027 at 4pm and run through Sunday morning, April 18 at 11am in Moon Township, PA which is a short, free shuttle ride from Pittsburgh International Airport.
The hotel is the Double Tree by Hilton Pittsburgh Airport. The inside was renovated in 2020 so it feels fresh and new inside! There is a small indoor pool and fitness room, free wi-fi and free parking.
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/pitardt-doubletree-pittsburgh-airport/
How do I register for the retreat?
When registration opens on September 12, 2026 at noon EST, you can purchase your spot at knittymcpurly.com! (Those of you who attended previous retreats will be offered the opportunity to sign up early for this retreat, but I won’t be doing this for future retreats to give new folks the chance to come!)
How much is registration?
Registration for this retreat is $595.
What do I get with my registration?
The price of registration includes the retreat itself, all classes/fun, a great SWAG bag, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night dinners and Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning breakfasts. We are pretty much taking over the hotel for the whole weekend. There will be knitters and crocheters everywhere!
What is NOT included in the registration?
Your hotel room costs (group rate is $129/night which you could share with a roommate if you want), lunches and travel expenses.
How do I book my hotel room?
After you register, follow the link in the registration listing to go book your hotel room at the group rate of $129 per night. You should book your room right away to ensure that you get one, but you do not have to pay this fee until you check out on Sunday, April 18th.
Can I bring my husband/sister/kids/etc who don’t knit but want to come along?
Of course! You can share your room with whomever you like! The most cost effective way for them to eat is to do it on their own, as the group food is crazy expensive. There is a small restaurant in the hotel with hours for breakfast, lunch and dinner and there are lots of local restaurants and grocery stores. If you want your guest to eat with the group, send me an email after you register and I will let you know how to purchase that.
Who are the teachers?
Retreat participants are the teachers, and in the past they have been AMAZING. Truly top notch, high level amazing. Better than many fancy knitters I have taken classes with.
Are you interested in teaching a class? Send me an email telling me what you want to teach and I’ll put you on my list! It’s not a paid job, but I do offer a thank you gift.
Why aren’t there any famous knitters teaching?
In my experience of attending retreats with famous teachers, I found that the retreat costs were very high and I didn’t get much interaction with the fancy knitters. They mostly hung out together. When I designed my retreat, I wanted to keep the cost at an affordable level and focus on the community of regular knitters. A lot of us know each other from previous retreats, the comments of the podcasts and the club Facebook groups. And if you don’t know anyone, you are sure to leave with new knitting friends! Friends is better than fancy in my book.
If I am local, can I come to the retreat and not stay at the hotel?
You betcha! Just let me know that’s your plan so the hotel people and I are on the same page.
Will you offer a day pass for locals to come for just one day of the retreat?
No. I tried this at the 2025 retreat and it was fraught with unforeseen problems.
What are the local yarn stores near the hotel?
Sewickley Yarns at 435 Beaver St. in Sewickley, PA
Yarn Bits and Bobs at 8105 Perry Highway in Pittsburgh, PA
Moon and Yarn at 605 Lincoln Ave in Bellevue, PA
When will the next retreat happen?
I’m not sure. One of the draws for this retreat is the joy of exploring a new place with new yarn stores, but having to reinvent the wheel in a new place every time makes it hard to do yearly. Right now, I am still on an every-two-years timeline, but I am open to doing one yearly if I could hold it at the same location every time.
Anything I missed? Send me an email at devin AT knittymcpurly DOT com!
3 comments
I agree the classes at Knitty Mcpurly’s Retreats are more fun than others I’ve taken. People are friendly and welcoming. Yes please every year. Same place Ok with me❤️
Nan cook
I agree the classes at Knitty Mcpurly’s Retreats are more fun than others I’ve taken. People are friendly and welcoming. Yes please every year. Same place Ok with me❤️
Nan cook
I wanted to offer a possible solution for knitting retreats every year. I do think you might have mentioned it in one of your videos also. If you used the same place every two years would this lower the time commitment for you? I understand there is a lot going into your retreats.
Have a wonderful day.
Sandy
Sandy