AUSTRALIA  2027  

3 Night Weekend Knit Retreat

with

Patty Lyons from the USA

02 - 05 July, 2027

Fully Hosted by

Michelle Streicher

SPJ Retreats - CANADA

Deb McDonald & Janine Smith

Skein Sisters - AUSTRALIA

Small Group - Maximum 30 Participants

DOUBLE OR TWIN ROOM - $2,499 CAD per person based on double occupancy

SINGLE ROOM - $3,099 CAD - limited single rooms

Don't have a roommate?

No worries, we can pair you with another solo traveller looking to share a twin bed room!

Join SPJ Retreats, Patty Lyons and Skein Sisters for an unforgettable knitting retreat in the beautiful Hunter Valley, Australia.

Escape for a wonderful weekend of knitting, friendship, wine and inspiration, surrounded by the beauty of Australia’s oldest wine region.

This exclusive 3-night retreat includes two inspiring knitting workshops with the fabulous Patty Lyons, an intimate ‘Ask Patty’ session where you can get answers to all those burning knitting questions, plus a fun and relaxing wine tasting at one of the Hunter Valley’s premier wineries.

It’s the perfect opportunity to slow down, connect with fellow knitters and enjoy a truly special weekend away.

Unless you’re joining us for our extended Australia Knit Retreat with Patty Lyons, this Hunter Valley Weekend Retreat will be your only opportunity to learn from Patty in Australia in 2027.

Places are limited and bookings are essential. Secure your spot today!

PATTY LYONS

Knit Designer, Teacher and Author

Patty Lyons is one of those knitting instructors who has developed a cult following among serious knitters, and for good reason. She is an American knitting teacher, designer, author, and technique expert whose particular gift is explaining why knitting works, rather than simply telling you which steps to follow.

Her teaching philosophy is essentially “learn the why, not just the how.” She calls this developing the “mindful knitter.” Rather than having you blindly follow a pattern, she teaches you to understand what's happening with your stitches, gauge, fabric, shaping and fit. 

Her particular specialties include:

• Gauge including how to make gauge 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
• Customizing patterns
• Understanding your knitted stitches

Her approach is notably practical. Student testimonials repeatedly emphasize that she gives them the information needed to diagnose problems and make their own decisions rather than simply rescuing them from mistakes.

Her upcoming book, Patty Lyons' Knitting ER, is scheduled for October 2026. The concept is wonderfully Patty: a knitting “emergency room” full of repair tutorials and solutions for everything from dropped stitches to problems discovered after binding off.

Patty will be teaching at our Weekend Knit Retreat in the Hunter Valley followed by this delightful 23 Night Knitting Adventure in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

Don't miss your chance to learn from Patty and travel with her Downunder.  Space is strictly limited to 20 for our 23 Night adventure.

MICHELLE STREICHER

Owner & Retreat Organiser

SPJ Retreats, CANADA

Michelle is the creative heart behind SPJ Retreats, bringing together memorable knitting and fibre adventures in some of the world's most inspiring destinations.

With more than 26 years of experience in the travel industry across Australia and Canada, Michelle enjoys creating thoughtfully curated South Pacific holidays and knitting retreats that celebrate the creativity, traditions, and culture of fibre arts from around the world. Her greatest pleasure is connecting like-minded people through shared experiences and a love of travel and making.

One of the questions she's asked most often by retreat guests is, "Do you knit?" The answer is an enthusiastic yes!



Michelle discovered her love of knitting when her eldest child was just six months old while living in Australia. Keen to build a solid foundation, she enrolled in two three-month knitting courses at the local college in Armidale, where she developed the skills and techniques that continue to shape her knitting today. What began as a desire to learn the craft well gradually grew into a lifelong passion, one she now enjoys sharing with knitters from around the world through every retreat.

DEB MCDONALD & JANINE SMITH

Yarn Shop Owners

Skein Sisters, AUSTRALIA

Skein Sisters is Australia's ultimate yarn destination.  The product of years of planning by friends (and your co-hosts).  Skein Sisters opened its doors in the inner west of Sydney, Australia in April 2017. Nine years later and the shop and webstore is a customer favourite, occupying a special place at the heart of Australia's crafting community.

In 2003, they realised a dream with the launch of their own range of exquisite, hand-dyed yarns.  Skein Sisters Yarns has a very special place in their hearts as it was always part of the initial plan when they first envisioned what Skein Sisters was going to represent in the yarn industry.  Today they have multiple ranges with plans for more bases, colours, clubs, special releases, patterns and lots, lots more.

All created with sustainability and decreasing our environmental footprint in mind.  They send yarn oll over the world.   Go and visit them in person or check them out online - they're so glad you're now a part of their Skein Sisters family.