Well today is the day. Kickoff of The Craft Session's 2016 retreat. Another year and we can't wait.

It's hard to explain what this weekend means to us. It is the culmination of a year of work, and thought, and intention, but it is also the result of the community we have around us, and the connections we have made. If it's possible, it actually becomes more meaningful as the years tick by.

And in big part that is because of you. It is because of how you follow along with the retreat, even if you live on the other side of the word, sending us well wishes and love. It is because of those of you who have been in the past, or plan to come in the future. It is because of the connections we have made around our joint passion; the practice of making as part of our daily life, and the beauty we share because of it.

And so in celebration of all that connection, we have a few things to offer you who are following along at home.

A Giveaway!
We have a couple of this year's retreat gift bags ready to send out to you, as well as five skeins of gorgeous Shibui Pebble generously donated by Sunspun. We are also lucky enough to have two of my favourite patterns to giveaway from Tessuti. So five prize packs in total with a variety of absolutely beautiful goodies from our sponsors. I have been posting about some of the beautiful things they have sent us on instagram if you fancy having a look.

To enter - all you need to do is leave a comment on this blog telling us about how "making encourages your connection with your community". We will close off comments on Sunday at 9pm Melbourne time and this offer is open internationally.

Another Giveaway!
In addition to that I want to point you over to another sensational giveaway one of our teachers, and sponsors, and all round good women, Kirsten Johnstone of Assemblage has on offer The Craft Sessions at Home Giveaway on her blog. There is a sweater's worth of over $300 of Shibui goodness, and one of her spectacular patterns on offer. Head over to her blog to enter.

Thanks again for the love you are sending our way this weekend and for the community we are lucky enough to be part of. Craft, connection and community is where it's at.

I thought I would leave you with a few photos of last year just to get you in the right mood.

Fel x

PS. I also wanted to add a big thank you for the wonderful response to the Anna Maltz Top-Down Colourwork workshop and her Marlisle workshop. In particular our Country Victoria workshop only has a couple of places left.

I've had quite a few emails asking how good of a knitter you need to be to take one of these workshops .....and the answer is you can be either a rather confident beginner, an intermediate OR an advanced knitter. As long as you can knit in the round and have some experience of colourwork then these classes are for you. You will come away a more confident knitter, about colourwork techniques, top-down knitting and about colour in general. We rarely have access to someone with Anna's unique skills in knitting, teaching and art so take advantage of her while you can. In a good way, obviously!