What Happens at a Men’s Knitting Retreat?
Can you picture yourself arriving at a beautiful retreat center tucked into the mountains or set along a quiet lakeshore. You check in, find your room, and head to the common area where a handful of guys are already sitting together. There are needles and hooks clicking, yarn unwinding, conversation flowing. Within minutes, you’re part of it. That’s what a men’s knitting retreat feels like from the very first moment.
Our retreats are typically four-day, three-night getaways held at scenic venues across the U.S. and beyond. Each regional retreat is organized independently, so no two are exactly alike but they all share the same spirit: a relaxed, supportive community built around fiber arts, learning, and genuine connection with other guys who share your interests.
A Typical Day
While every retreat sets its own agenda, here’s what a typical day might look like:
Mornings tend to start easy. Early birds might gather in the central room with coffee or tea. Some of the retreats offer yoga or a morning hike or even a walk to a nearby cafe for both exercise and caffeine. Breakfast is then served as the group starts to come alive a bit more, with the opportunity for more coffee, and open knitting/crochet/socializing time. Mid-morning usually brings a workshop or demonstration, led by a fellow attendee who’s sharing a skill they’re passionate about.
Afternoons are more flexible. Some retreats organize outings — a trip to a local yarn shop, a visit to a nearby sheep farm, or a hike through the surrounding area. Others leave the afternoon open for free knitting time, one-on-one help, or just exploring the venue and its amenities and grounds.
Evenings bring everyone back together. Dinner is communal, and afterward the group often settles into a big social knitting session — the kind of relaxed, unhurried evening where you can work on your project, swap stories, and enjoy the company. Some retreats add evening activities like show-and-tell, yarn swaps, or campfire gatherings.
Workshops — Learn from Each Other
One of the things that makes these retreats special is that the workshops are led by our own attendees. We prefer to highlight the talents of the guys who volunteer to teach what they know, and the range of topics is impressive. Workshops can include
- New techniques
- Garment construction
- Learning a new craft like weaving, tatting, or dyeing
All of the workshops and/or expert tables are presented in a supportive and fun-loving way that supports the true purpose of the retreats…fostering community.
The Community — Why Guys Come Back
Ask anyone who’s been to one of these retreats what the best part is, and they’ll almost always say the same thing: the people.
There’s something about being in a room full of guys who share your passion for fiber arts that’s hard to replicate anywhere else. Many attendees describe it as the first time they’ve been around other men who truly get it…who understand the satisfaction of turning a ball of yarn into something beautiful, and who don’t think it’s unusual at all.
The guys who attend come from all walks of life and from all over the world. Some have been doing fiber-crafts for decades. Some picked it up last week. Some are retired; others are in their twenties. What they have in common is a love of the craft and an eagerness to spend a few days with like-minded people.
Most of our attendees come back year after year. Friendships that start at these retreats carry on between events through group chats, online knit-alongs, and meetups at fiber festivals throughout the year.
First-Timer? Here’s What You Should Know
The excitement of introducing a ramkin (young ram, or new guy to a retreat) never gets old. Our first time at a retreat was magical and we love seeing that magic happen each year with newcomers.
You don’t need to be an expert. Seriously. We’ve had guys show up who just learned to cast on the week before. The retreats welcome all skill levels, and there’s always someone happy to help you learn.
You don’t need to know anyone. Most guys come solo to their first retreat. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming from the start — you won’t feel like an outsider.
It’s not just knitting. Crocheters, weavers, spinners, and anyone interested in fiber arts are welcome. If yarn is your thing, you belong here. Even if yarn crafting is an aspirational goal, you will feel right at home.
There’s no pressure to participate. Want to skip a workshop and just knit by the lake? Go for it. The schedule is there for you, not the other way around.
Financial assistance is available. Several regional retreats offer scholarships through the Millard Fontenot Memorial Scholarship Fund. Cost should never be the reason you don’t come. The retreats are run on a not-for-profit basis to try and make it as affordable as possible to be a part of this amazing group of guys.
The Venues
Our retreats take place at some genuinely beautiful locations. The venues are chosen for their scenery, their communal gathering spaces, and their ability to give the group a sense of being away from it all. Past and current retreat locations include:
- Easton Mountain Retreat Center in the Adirondack Mountains, Upstate New York
- The Oak Creek Lodge in Santa Margarita, California (Central Coast wine country)
- YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina
- Pretty Lake Camp in Mattawan, Michigan
- Dumas Bay Centre in Federal Way, Washington (Seattle area)
- Château Pech Redon in Southern France
Most venues include meals, comfortable accommodations (ranging from private rooms to shared cabins), and outdoor spaces to enjoy between sessions.
Ready to Join Us?
Check out our upcoming scheduled retreats to find one near you. Events are held throughout the year in multiple regions, and new locations are always being explored.
Spots fill quickly — several of our 2026 retreats have already sold out. Add yourself to the email notification list so you’ll know the moment registration opens.