Danube River Knit Retreat 2027

Budapest, Hungary to Vilshofen, Germany

07 - 14 November, 2027

Our Special Guest Knit Instructors

Mary Jane Mucklestone -  Knit Instructor - USA

Laura Nelkin - Knit Instructor - USA

Janette Budge - Knit Instructor - Scotland

Di Gilpin & Sheila Greenwell - Knit Instructors/Designers & Authors - Scotland

Knicoleknits - Knit Instructor/Podcaster - Canada

Deb McDonald & Janine Smith aka Skein Sisters - Yarn Shop Owners - Australia

Experience the heart of Europe on a cozy, creativity-filled exclusive Danube journey from Budapest to Vilshofen, where storybook towns, grand imperial capitals, and charming riverside villages unfold at a relaxed, inspiring pace. Sail through breathtaking scenery while enjoying meaningful cultural experiences, warm hospitality, and plenty of time to unwind and connect with fellow travelers.

Designed especially for knitting enthusiasts, this exciting knit retreat includes four enriching knitting workshops along with engaging fiber-art presentations and onboard experiences.. Guests can browse our exclusive pop-up yarn shop featuring luxurious fibers from Bilum Yarns in Hungary and Di Gilpin from Scotland; perfect for finding beautiful, lightweight treasures to bring home.

LAURA NELKIN

Knit Instructor & Knit Designer

USA

LAURA is a prolific and innovative knitwear designer and pattern maker. She is known for her complex but accessible designs that challenge knitters to think about their stitches in a new way. Taking inspiration from her home in the gorges Fingerlakes Region of Upstate New York, Laura loves incorporating elements into her designs that reference the landscape around her.

Laura has traveled all over the country to teach classes and workshops on some of her favorite techniques. She loves to share her enthusiasm for knitting with others!

Laura has an extensive line of self-published patterns, knitting clubs (The N Club, and Lola's Choice, knit-a-longs, and online classes through Craftsy and YouTube. Her patterns are challenging yet accessible thanks in large part to extensive video tutorials. Laura makes sure that no knitter is ever left behind!

MARY JANE MUCKLESTONE

Knit Instructor, Knit Designer & Author

USA

MARY JANE is a celebrated American knitwear designer, teacher, and author known for her innovative colorwork and contemporary approach to traditional knitting techniques. Based in the United States, she has gained international recognition for creating stylish, wearable knit designs inspired by Scandinavian and Fair Isle traditions. Mucklestone is also the author of several influential knitting books, including Fair Isle Weekend and 200 Fair Isle Motifs, which have inspired knitters around the world with their creative patterns and practical instruction..

JANETTE BUDGE

Knit Instructor & Knit Designer

Shetland, UK

JANETTE BUDGE is a Shetland-born knitwear designer, Fair Isle knitting tutor, and passionate advocate for preserving traditional Shetland knitting techniques. Raised on the Westside of Shetland, she learned to knit at a young age and was inspired by her mother’s work knitting Fair Isle yokes. Through her workshops, designs, and involvement with organizations such as Shetland Wool Week and the Shetland PeerieMakkers, Budge shares the rich heritage of Shetland knitting with students from around the world. Her colourful Fair Isle designs are inspired by Shetland’s landscapes, history, and community, helping keep the island’s knitting traditions alive for future generations

KNICOLEKNITS

Knit Instructor & Youtube Podcaster

CANADA

NICOLE is the creator of Knicoleknits, a YouTube knitting education channel devoted to pattern understanding, smart modifications, and making knitting work in real life  for real bodies, real wardrobes, and real attention spans.

Best known for her no-nonsense approach, dry sense of humor, and snarky side-kick, Oscar the Dog, Nicole teaches knitters how to think their way through patterns instead of following them blindly. Her focus is pattern hacking: adapting existing designs to fit your body, your preferences, and the way you actually wear knits — without turning every project into a full redesign.

HAZEL TINDALL

Knit InstructoR & Knit Designer

Shetland, UK

HAZEL is a celebrated Shetland knitter renowned for preserving and promoting the rich knitting traditions of Scotland’s Shetland Islands. Raised in a culture where knitting was both a practical skill and an artistic expression, she became internationally recognized for her extraordinary speed and craftsmanship, earning a place in the Guinness World Records for the fastest hand knitter. Beyond her record-setting talent, Tindall has dedicated much of her life to teaching and demonstrating traditional Fair Isle and lace knitting techniques, inspiring knitters around the world through workshops, exhibitions, and public appearances. Her work reflects the deep cultural heritage of Shetland textile arts, blending precision, creativity, and generations of island tradition into every piece she creates.

MARIE NEFISCHER

Knit Instructor

AUSTRIA

MARIA

MICHELLE STREICHER

Owner of SPJ Retreats & Retreat Host

Kingston, CANADA

Michelle Streicher is the founder of South Pacific Journets and SPJ Retreats, a boutique travel company specializing in custom luxury travel as well as immersive knit and fibre retreats around the world. With more than 25 years experience in the travel industry,  Michelle is known for creating thoughtfully curated journeys that combine cultural connection, adventure, creativity, and personalized service.



DEB MCDONALD & JANINE SMITH

Owners of Skeiin Sisters & Retreat Co-Hosts

Sydney, AUSTRALIA

Deb and Janine met while working at the Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. They soon discovered their mutual love of yarn.
Becoming frustrated at not being able to find the yarns they wanted in Australia plus the cost and difficulty of ordering overseas, the idea of Skein Sisters was born. Deb and Janine are both so grateful that Skein Sisters has found its place at the heart of Australia's crafting community.

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