Get your backstage pass to where wool becomes yarn. On this one-of-a-kind fiber nerd road trip, we’re heading behind the scenes at four working wool mills across the Northeast. Step inside the spaces and see the makers, machines, and processes that bring wool to life as the yarns you love (and share every moment with a group of fellow knitters who get it). Each mill has its own history, its own rhythm, and its own way of transforming fleece into yarn.
You'll experience the full journey, guided by the people who make it happen. On this tour, you’ll get an immersive look at four mills keeping regional wool systems moving. Every stop reveals a different voice in the world of American wool processing. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of the yarn in your hands, new friends, and a stash of inspiration (and maybe a few new skeins) to knit your way through. Which yarn will you audition next?
Four mills. One unforgettable journey!
The retreat starts in Grafton, Vermont, at the Grafton Inn on Monday, September 14th at 4pm and ends Friday morning, September 18th at 11am (checkout time).
What's Included in the Retreat?
- Locally sourced goodie Bag with supplies to knit the retreat design by Laura! It will include a skein of yarn from all 4 mills and promises to be an epic Laura knit!
- Knitting workshop on the retreat design with Laura Nelkin
- Day trips to Harrisville Designs, Junction Fiber Mill, Green Mountain Spinnery, and Alchemy Fiber Mill on a fully equipped comfy coach.
We’ll have stops in Brattleboro, Quechee (who else wants to visit King Arthur Flour?), Easthampton, and Harrisville. - Four epic knit nights
- Accommodations - 4 nights at the Grafton Inn, a charming historic Inn in the quintessential New England town of Grafton, VT
- Food and Meals - 4 full breakfasts and 4 full dinners. Lunches will be on your own in various mill towns! (Alcohol not included.)
SCHEDULE (subject to change)
Monday Sept 14th
4pm- Check-In
5pm- Welcome and Retreat design reveal
6:45 - 8pm- Dinner
8 - 9pm- New England Woolen Industry talk with Peggy Hart from Bedfellow Blankets
9 - 11pm- Knit Night #1
Tuesday Sept 15th
7:00 - 8:30am- Breakfast
9am- Get on the bus to head to Green Mountain Spinnery
12pm- Lunch on your own in Brattleboro
1pm- Back on the bus to Alchemy Fiber Mill
4pm- Dinner and wine tasting at Black Birch Vineyard (a winery with SHEEP!)
8 - 11:00pm- Knit Night #2
Wednesday Sept 16th
7:00- 8:30am- Breakfast
9am- Morning Class with Laura to learn all about the Fiber Mill Nerd retreat design
12pm- Get on the bus to head to Harrisville Designs (Lunch on your own in Harrisville)
3pm- visit Walpole, NH and Burdick Chocolates (because your honey might not want a skein of yarn)
6:45 - 8pm- Dinner at the Grafton Inn
8:00 - 11pm- Fashion Show and Knit Night #3
Thursday Sept 17th
7:00- 8:30am- Breakfast
9am- Get on the bus to head to Junction Fiber Mill
12pm- Lunch on your own at King Arthur Flour
1pm- Afternoon in Quechee (visit waterfall, shopping, etc!)
6:45 - 8pm- Dinner at the Grafton Inn
8 - 9pm- KEYNOTE TALK with Jill Draper of Jill Draper Makes Stuff
9 - 11pm- Knit Night #4
Friday Sept 18th
7:00 - 8:30am- Breakfast
11am- Check out
Getting To/From the Grafton Inn
PRICING
- SINGLE KNITTER- $3,475/person
- SHARED KNITTER- $2,775/person (must be ok sharing a king bed)
- SHARED NON-KNITTER/with tours- $2,650/person
(if your partner wants to join us for meals and tours) - SHARED NON-KNITTER/no tours- $2,050/person
(if your partner wants to join us for meals, but not go on the tours) - $1,000 nonrefundable deposit to guarantee your spot, balance due 7/1/26
THE BOLD FINE PRINT
- SCHEDULE AND INSTRUCTORS SUBJECT TO SLIGHT CHANGE.
- $1000 DEPOSIT IS NON-REFUNDABLE. Final Payment due by 7/1/26.
REGISTER!
A form will be linked here on April 25th if you want to REGISTER for the Northeast Mill Nerd Tour.
Lola's Choice members will get early dibs on registration on April 21st!
Space is very limited and filling it out does not automatically register you for September 2026's Fiber Mill Tour.
You will hear back from us SOON if we have a spot for you!
Any Questions?
There is a thread in my Ravelry group here.
