2009

January 15-18, 2009 at TNNA in San Diego, California
This industry show is open to shop owners and industry professionals only. I’ll be teaching 4 classes and doing several book-signings on the market floor. For more information, visit http://www.tnna.org/trade.php

February 5-11, 2009 in Friday Harbor, Washington
The Fifth Annual Visionary Retreat - Self-Publishing for Knit Designers
The first four Visionary Retreats (2005, 2006,2007, and 2008) have been an extraordinarily rich experience for all involved. Cat will teach a 5th group of knit designers how to happily and successfully marry the mechanics of self-publishing with the magic of knit design and creativity. Because of the enormous interest in this workshop, which can only take 6 new people this year (12-14 previous participants are also part of the gathering, collaborating with one another and sharing their accumulated knowledge with the newcomers), all applicants will be asked to answer several questions so that Cat can try to choose the 6 applicants most likely to benefit from the retreat. Applications have already gone out and are due on October 2. If you would like to be added to the list for 2010, please contact Cat at cat@catbordhi.com and put "Visionary Retreat 2010" in the subject line.

February 13-15, 2009 in Tacoma, Washington - The Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat
This unparalled annual gathering of knitting and spinning teachers and of course, knitters and spinners galore, will be celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. I'll be speaking one night, and teaching classes on Saturday and Sunday. This retreat sells out so fast that you must be poised at your keyboard to sign up for the classes of your choice - so get on their email list before then. If you can't get into classes, it is still entirely worth your while to come and spend a few days in the radiance of this gathering, and to enjoy the marketplace. For more information, visit madronafiberarts.com

February 26-March 1, 2009 at Stitches West, Santa Clara, California
I’ll be teaching classes, giving a talk, and along with Lucy Neatby and Sandy Rosner, helping to judge the largest sock contest on earth. We can't wait to be holed up in a room with more handknit socks than any room in history! For more information about the contest and about Stitches, contact http://www.knittinguniverse.com/xrx/events.php

March 13-15 , 2009 near the Skagit Valley, Washington, Camp Yawatink
This knitting retreat is sponsored by Anacross Stitch, a wonder fiber shop in Anacortes, Washington. I'll be teaching lots of sock trickery, ranging from delightfully simple to truly tricky. For more information, contact Anacross Stitch

March 30 - April 5 , 2009, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Sock Camp - Camp KnittyhaHa, in Port Ludlow, Washington
Details of this event are still being developed, but if it is anything like what happened last year, beware if you prefer total peace and quiet! Underwater knitting contests with near-drownings by knitters who preferred to sink rather than stop knitting, a surprise snowfall, a sock monkey-making craze, a museum-quality display of projects brought by each knitter, not to speak of more impassioned sock-knitters and beautiful yarn gathered in one spot than perhaps ever before . . . get lots of sleep before arriving, because you'll use up a lot of energy having so much fun. For more information and exact dates - to be released later in the year- visit bluemoonfiberarts.com.

April 17-19,2009, in Neenah, Wisconsin - Midwest Masters
I'll be teaching three days of workshops. I taught here a few years ago and had a wonderful time - can't wait to return and work with all those wonderful Wisconsin knitters. For more information, contact Yarns By Design.

May 18-21, 2009, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, at Lettuce Knit
I'll be teaching workshops,giving a talk, and having a good time with the spirited and intelligent knitters of Toronto. Contact Lettuce Knit at 416-203-9970 or email at info@lettuceknit.com for more information, or visit their website

May 22, 2009, in New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada, at Shall We Knit?
Friday the 22nd I will be doing an event at Shall We Knit? in Hamburg. You may phone for more information at (519) 662-3636, or email atinfo@shallweknit.com, or visit their website

May 23-24, 2009, in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, for the Kitchener/Waterloo Knitting Guild
I'll be giving two workshops for guild members. If they have any open spaces, I think you can find out about that through Shall We Knit? - see above.

June 4-7, 2009 in Tacoma, Washington, Northwest Regional Spinners Association Conference
I will probably be giving a talk as well as teaching classes. For more information (be patient, it is probably not going to be updated until closer to the event), visit www.NwRegionalSpinners.org

June 10-14, 2009 at TNNA in Columbus, Ohio
This industry show is open to shop owners and industry professionals only. I’ll be teaching classes. For more information, visit http://www.tnna.org/trade.php

June 17-20, 2009 Knitters Connection in Columbus, Ohio
This is the third annual Knitters Connection - a gathering of instructors, vendors, and knitters which offers a wide array of events and classes, yet remains intimate and cozy. I'll be teaching classes, and looking forward to enjoying the wonderful speakers (last year I got to introduce them and that was great fun!). For more information, visit: Knitters Connection Website :: Welcome!

July 11-12, 2009 Yorkshire Yarns in Lakewood, Washington
I've been trying to fit my friend Sonya and her shop into my workshop schedule for a few years now and am so glad to have firm dates at last. I'll be doing a workshop each day - for more information, contact Sonya at info@yorkshireyarns.com, or visit their website

July 25-26, 2009, Northwest Needle Market, Tukwila, Washington
This is for the most part an industry-only event, but they may feature one evening which is open to everyone for a fashion show, special presentations, and a design contest which any knitter may enter. For more information, click here, keeping in mind that the 2009 update probably won't be posted until a few months ahead of the show.

August 6-9, 2009 in Portland, Oregon - SOCK SUMMIT!
I expect this event to go down in knitting history as one of the most significant gathering of the century. Imagine thousands of impassioned sock knitters thronging together in this beautiful city's convention center, with a vendor area of approximately 200 sock-focused everything, with spinning, dyeing, knitting, designing, walking while knitting, everything you can imagine going on for four days. These legendary teachers will be with us: Barbara Walker, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Anna Zilboorg, Nancy Bush, Judith McKenzie-McCuin, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee - need I go on? I do - there are 40 teachers. To learn all their names and get updates on the event, visit the Sock Summit Website. I have been wondering for months what the rest of Portland is going to think as their city is inundated with insouciant sock knitters. You know that scene in the first Harry Potter where the muggles are all wondering why there are owls flying everywhere, even in daylight? It will be about like that. And yes, we have magic wands - both double-pointed and circular, made of fine woods and metals just like Harry Potter. If only he had thought to knit with his wand! I could go on, but instead - come join us and see for yourself. Bring your magic wands and fibers.

September 11-13, 2009, Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival
This is my Wisconsin year - I'm back again! I'll be teaching classes and wandering the barns breathing lovely lanolin and petting sheep. For more information, visit wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com

September 14, 2009, in Madison, Wisconsin - Madison Knitters' Guild
If you're a member of the guild, they will give you information on my class.

September 25-October 1, 2009, I'll be in Georgia teaching at three different shops.
More information to follow.

October 18-23 and October 25-30, 2009, Island Knitting Retreats in Friday Harbor (San Juan Island), Washington
I particularly love doing these retreats and sharing the beauty of the island where I am so fortunate to live. These two retreats will take place in a beautiful setting, (have a look) on a lake in a forest with eagles, ravens, occasional foxes, clean fresh air, wonderful food, and best of all the company of knitters over a relaxed and lovely 5 nights and 4 days. The lodge itself has about 10 luxurious rooms (with fireplaces, jacuzzi tubs, free wifi) and there are also cozy cabins which may be shared with a friend. We are in the off-season, so I have arranged for very good rates. Afternoons will be free for exploring the island - there are alpaca farms, hiking trails, beaches, a lovely small town, anoutdoor sculpture museum, a yarn shop, whales, harbor seals, and more. Depending on the ferry schedule, we may be able to spend a day on a ferry using it as a floating classroom. There will be bountiful time to learn lots of knitting techniques, get plenty of one-on-one instructions, make new friends, relax, and make yourself at home on a beautiful island. To add your name to the email notification list, email me at cat@catbordhi.com Please put Island Knitting Retreat 2009 in the subject line. Note: Last year both retreats sold out in 48 hours, to my astonishment. I will keep a waiting list, so do not lose hope. I expect to send out email notifications sometime in the spring.

November 13-15, 2009, in Houston, Texas at Yarns 2 Ewe
I'll be teaching 3 workshops - for details, contact Wendy at wendy@yarns2ewe.com

November 17-18, 2009, in Austin, Texas at Gauge Knits
I'll be teaching 2 workshops - for details, contact Karlie or Allison at gaugeclasses@gmail.com

November 20-21, 2009, in Plano, Texas at Woolie Ewe
I'll be teaching 2 workshops - for details, contact Pam at pamjohnson11@aol.com

2010

January 7-11, 2010 at TNNA in Long Beach, California
This industry show is open to shop owners and industry professionals only. I’ll be teaching classes and signing books on the market floor. For more information, click here.

January 13-14, 2010 at Compatto Yarn Salon in Santa Monica, California
I'll be teaching two days of workshops. For more information or to put your name on a list, contact Nancy Hannah at ndhannah@gmail.com.

January 16-18, 2010 at Anacapa Fine Yarns in Ventura, California
I'll be teaching two days of workshops. For more information or to put your name on a list, contact Lois Varga at Lvarga@sbcglobal.net

February 4-10, 2010 in Friday Harbor, Washington
The Sixth Annual Visionary Retreat - Self-Publishing for Knit Designers
The first five Visionary Retreats (2005, 2006,2007, 2008, and 2009) have been an extraordinarily rich experience for all involved. I will teach a 6th group of knit designers how to happily and successfully marry the mechanics of self-publishing with the magic of knit design and creativity. Because of the enormous interest in this workshop, which can only take 4-6 new people this year (14-16 previous participants are also part of the gathering, collaborating with one another and sharing their accumulated knowledge with the newcomers), all applicants will be asked to answer several questions so that I can try to choose the 6 applicants most likely to benefit from the retreat. If you would like to be added to the list for 2010, please contact me at cat@catbordhi.com and put "Visionary Retreat 2010" in the subject line.

March 5-7, 2010 on Saltspring Island, British Columbia, Canada
I taught on this beautiful island years ago and am so happy to be returning. For more information or to put your name on a list, contact Mary Paddon at mepaddon@shaw.ca

March, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois
I'll be doing some workshops for the Windy City Guild and for Wooly Lamb Yarn. More information to follow.

April 14-15, 2010 at Needlework Unlimited in Minneapolis, Minnesota
I'll be teaching two days of workshops. For more information or to put your name on a list, contact Karen Rumpza at krumpza@AOL.com

April 17, 2010 at the Minnesota Knitters' Guild event, the Yarnover, in Minnetonka, Minnesota
I'll be teaching classes and will also be the keynote speaker. For more information, visit their website.

April 30 - May 2, 2010 at A Knitted Peace, in Littleton, Colorado
I taught here years ago and have always wanted to return to this exquisite knitting shop.For more information or to put your name on a list, contact Jane Dickinson at aknittedpeace@comcast.net

July (exact dates not yet set) at the Golden Gate Fiber Institute
We shall be gathering for nearly a week in the glorious hills perched above the Pacific Ocean in California. By some miracle of humankind's innate goodness, this mound of salt-sprayed earth has not been preserved even though it overlooks the entire city of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and with really good eyesight you might indeed see China from here. Details have not yet been firmed up but wizardess Morgaine Wilder has been hosting legends here biannually for a while now, and is cooking up the details of this one. For more information, click here.

September 24-27, 2010 at City Knitting in Grand Rapids, Michigan
If you are ever traveling anywhere near Grand Rapids, stop in at this shop and plan to stay for hours. I hesitate to put into words what is happening here becasue words cannot possibly do justice. It is one of the warmest, most welcoming, inspiring, positive, kind, peaceful, and wonderful shops of any kind I have ever had the pleasure of being in. Lorilee Beltman, the owner, tells me that her customers say it is the "Cheers" of knit shops, and that does fit, except they are even better. Anyway, I am so happy to be coming back - contact Lorilee at lorilee@city-knitting.com for more information,or visit the shop here.

October 17-22 and October 24-29, 2010, Island Knitting Retreats in Friday Harbor (San Juan Island), Washington
I particularly love doing these retreats and sharing the beauty of the island where I am so fortunate to live. These two retreats will take place in a beautiful setting, (have a look) on a lake in a forest with eagles, ravens, occasional foxes, clean fresh air, wonderful food, and best of all the company of knitters over a relaxed and lovely 5 nights and 4 days. The lodge itself has about 10 luxurious rooms (with fireplaces, jacuzzi tubs, free wifi) and there are also cozy cabins which may be shared with a friend. We are in the off-season, so I have arranged for very good rates. Afternoons will be free for exploring the island - there are alpaca farms, hiking trails, beaches, a lovely small town, anoutdoor sculpture museum, a yarn shop, whales, harbor seals, and more. Depending on the ferry schedule, we may be able to spend a day on a ferry using it as a floating classroom. There will be bountiful time to learn lots of knitting techniques, get plenty of one-on-one instructions, make new friends, relax, and make yourself at home on a beautiful island. To add your name to the email notification list, email me at cat@catbordhi.com Please put Island Knitting Retreat 2009 in the subject line. Note: Last year both retreats sold out in 48 hours, to my astonishment. I will keep a waiting list, so do not lose hope. I expect to send out email notifications sometime in the spring.