Thursday, September 19 
3 - 5 p.m.: Check-in at Hotel UMass and retreat registration desk
6 p.m.: Welcome dinner 
8 - 9:30 p.m.: Late-night knitting and socializing with cash bar in the late night lounge

Friday, September 20
8 a.m.: Breakfast
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Morning Classes (attendees will participate in one morning class):
          - Top Down Aran Cardigans (All-day) with Beth Brown-Reinsel
          - Circular Yoke Sweater Fit (All-day) with Kim McBrien Evans
          - Make a Winterview Scarf with Cecelia Campochiaro
          - Portuguese Knitting with Ana Campos
          - Two-Handed, Two-Color Knitting with Margaret Radcliffe
          - Cabling without a Cable Needle with Nina Machlin Dayton
12:15 - 1:15 m.: Lunch with sponsor presentation
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Afternoon classes (attendees will participate in one afternoon class)
          - Top Down Aran Cardigans (cont.) with Beth Brown-Reinsel
          - Circular Yoke Sweater Fit (cont.) with Kim McBrien Evans
          - Stripe Magic: Easy and Dynamic Social Knitting with Cecelia Campochiaro
          - Finish Like a Pro - Provisional Cast Ons and Grafting with Ana Campos
          - Stripe Tricks with Margaret Radcliffe
          - Duplicate Stitch with Nina Machlin Dayton
6 p.m.: Dinner with cash bar and sponsor presentation
8 - 9:30 p.m.: Late-night knitting and socializing with cash bar in the late night lounge

Saturday, September 21
8 a.m.: Breakfast
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Morning classes (attendees will participate in one morning class)
          - Icelandic Lapopeysa Pullover (All-day) with Beth Brown-Reinsel
          - I Hate Seaming: A Seaming Class for the Rest of Us with Kim McBrien Evans
          - Layered Sequence Knitting (All-day) with Cecelia Campochiaro
          - Toe-Up Socks with Ana Campos
          - Helix Knitting with Margaret Radcliffe
          - Flawless Finishing with Nina Machlin Dayton
12:15 - 1:15 p.m.: Lunch with sponsor presentation
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Afternoon classes (attendees will participate in one afternoon class)
          - Icelandic Lopapeysa Pullover (cont.) with Beth Brown-Reinsel
          - The Long and Short of It with Kim McBrien Evans
          - Layered Sequence Knitting (cont.) with Cecelia Campochiaro
          - Darn It: Repairing Holes in Your Knitwear with Ana Campos
          - Bring Out the Best in Your Variegated Yarn with Margaret Radcliffe
          - Bead Your Knitting with Nina Machlin Dayton
4:30 - 6 p.m.: Boxed Dinner Pick-up followed by WEBS Shopping Spree featuring trunk shows, special deals, and FREE SHIPPING for purchases.
8:30 - 10 p.m.: Late-night knitting and socializing with cash bar in the late night lounge. 

Sunday, September 22
9:30 a.m.: Brunch with Keynote Speaker Cecelia Campochiaro
11 a.m.: Check out of hotel (unless you're in the Sport Package!). WEBS will be open exclusively for all attendees from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. for last minute shoppers!

Make sure you leave extra time before your travel home on Sunday to explore the beautiful downtown Northampton area. Have a late lunch, browse our many clothing boutiques and local artisan galleries, and leave with wonderful memories, friends made, and a resolve to join us for another WEBS Knitting Retreat in 2025!

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help! 
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.
Our offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET (excluding federal and/or Massachusetts state holidays). All calls, voicemails and/or emails will be answered as soon as possible during our standard business hours. We look forward to hearing from you!

Classes with Beth Brown-Reinsel
Top Down Aran Cardigans (All-day)
Friday 9AM - 12PM and 1:30PM - 4:30PM (6 hours)
This unusual type of Aran construction is controversial as to its historic authenticity. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating concept, which results in a stunning garment that is fun to knit. While knitting a small sampler sweater from the neck down, traditional pattern motifs will be worked, including bobbles, traveling stitches, knit/purl motifs, baby cables, background stitches, and more! The neckline studied will be shaped for a comfortable fit by utilizing increases and casting on extra stitches.

Icelandic Lopapeysa Pullover (All-day)
Saturday 9AM - 12PM and 1:30PM - 4:30PM (6 hours)
The beloved yoke sweaters of Iceland can be worked in a variety of ways. Patterning adorns the yoke, cuffs, and bottom hem of this sample garment. In this class, the Lopapeysa Pullover is knitted from the top down, beginning with options for the neck. Shaping the yoke is discussed and knitted with short rows to better fit the upper body contours. Yarn dominance, knitting with two or more colors in a round, and weaving will be addressed. Designing one’s own Lopapeysa will also be covered, as well as options for creating cardigans.

Classes with Kim McBrien Evans
Circular Yoke Sweater Fit (All-day)
Friday 9AM - 12PM and 1:30 - 4:30 PM (6 hours)
Circular Yoke Sweaters are extremely popular right now, but fitting them to your body can often be a challenge. From necklines to shoulder and bust fit, we'll look at circular yokes and how to shape them to YOU! Take measurements of your own body specific to circular yokes, learn about different ways of shaping yokes, how to determine which method is best for you, and how to convert patterns to your desired method. You will make a map that acts as a guide for making all your future Yoke sweaters, and tricks for getting your best fit yet!

I Hate Seaming: A Seaming Class for the Rest of Us
Saturday 9AM - 12 PM (3 hours)
Do you hate seaming? Me too. Or do I? Garments with seams have more structure, more stability, last longer and withstand the wear and tear of everyday life. But seaming often feels like that onerous task that we loathe to do and avoid at all costs. Not anymore! Let me show you how to set yourself for seaming success.

The Long and Short of It
Saturday 1:30PM - 4:30PM (3 hours)
Whether you're petite or tall, long-waisted or short-waisted, or often need to shorten or lengthen sleeves and hemlines, this class will help! Changing length within a sweater pattern requires an understanding of where it's safe to change the length, and strategies for doing it in proportion to the shape of the sweater. In this class, we will take body length measurements, so that you have a set of references to work with, work with body measurements and schematics to determine where and how to add/remove length in our sweaters, investigate pattern construction, finding ideal areas for making adjustments, explore options for adding and removing length proportionally.

Classes with Cecelia Campochiaro
Make a Winterview Scarf
Friday 9AM - 12PM (3 hours)
Winterview is a textured triangular scarf with a slip-stitch border. It is an ideal small project, an easy sequence knit, and a one skein wonder. In class you will make a small swatch to get to know the pattern, and we’ll discuss what yarns can be used to make one. The pattern is included in the class and no prior knowledge of sequence knitting is needed.

Stripe Magic: Easy and Dynamic Social Knitting
Friday 1:30PM - 4:30 PM (3 hours)
In this class we’ll discuss many different ways to stripe and apply those methods to simple one row patterns. You can stripe with two or more colors, with one or more rows, with solids, with marls... it’s endless. You can even stripe with different textures. You’ll get a chance to swatch a few favorite and reversible approaches that are reliably good and easy and can be applied to beautiful accessory pieces or blankets.

Layered Sequence Knitting (All-day)
Saturday 9AM - 12PM and 1:30PM - 4:30PM (6 hours)
This is an introduction to Cecelia’s new book about reversible knitting. You’ll learn about how reversible patterns work and what makes a stitch pattern easy versus challenging. Reversible patterns can be just knit and purls, can have increases, decreases, cables, and lace. In class you will make at least two swatches that you can make into a scarf or shawl, and with an opportunity to discuss what yarns and colors would complement the pattern. No prior knowledge of sequence knitting is needed.

Classes with Ana Campos
Portuguese Knitting
Friday 9AM - 12PM (3 hours)
Learn how to knit Portuguese style! Portuguese knitting is more efficient and easier on your joints, so it can help reduce strain and fatigue. In this style of knitting, the yarn is tensioned either around the neck or using a knitting pin. This unique method of tensioning the yarn allows both knit and purl stitches to be created with a simple flick of the thumb! After the live workshop, you will receive lifetime access to pre-recorded review videos that cover the basic techniques so you can keep practicing.

Finish Like a Pro - Provisional Cast Ons and Grafting
Friday 1:30PM - 4:30PM (3 hours)
Intimidated by Kitchener stitch? Can’t remember when to knit on or purl off? Level up your knitting and graft like a pro! In this workshop, Ana will teach you two methods for doing a provisional cast-on using a crochet hook, and how to expertly graft your knitting. Rather than teaching you a set of steps to memorize, Ana will show you how to read the structure of your stitches. Learn how to do Kitchener stitch by understanding your knitting, no more memorization! This class is for both right-handed folks and lefties - if you’ve ever been told you can’t graft your projects from the left, this class is for you!

Toe-Up Socks
Saturday 9AM - 12PM (3 hours)
Let go of your sock knitting fears and conquer toe-up socks! In this class, we'll knit a mini sock to learn all the techniques you need for a full-sized sock! We will cover the magic cast on for toes, toe shaping, and how to turn a short row heel. Time permitting, we will also cover some more tips and tricks! You'll leave class with a basic sock pattern to knit a full-sized pair of socks with your new skills.

Darn It: Repairing Holes in Your Knitwear
Saturday 1:30PM - 4:30PM (3 hours)
You got a hole in your beautiful hand-knit sweater, now what? In this workshop, you'll learn various techniques for visible and invisible mending, for holes of various sizes. You'll be able to use these techniques to repair any knitted item, from socks to shawls to sweaters.

Classes with Margaret Radcliffe
Two-Handed, Two-Color Knitting
Friday 9AM - 12PM (3 hours)
Learn this fast, time-honored method of knitting color patterns without having to drop each color and pick up the next. Students will practice both the Continental and English methods of knitting, allowing them to hold two colors of yarn simultaneously. Knitting steeks and cutting for armholes and neck openings will also be discussed.

Stripe Tricks
Friday 1:30PM - 4:30PM (3 hours)
Nifty tricks and inspirational ideas for working knitted stripes. Learn to work single- row stripes without cutting the yarn, how to create reversible striped patterns, ideas for designing interesting striped patterns, coded stripes, integrating stripes into textured pattern stitches, managing your yarn, and dealing with ends. Class is a combination of hands-on swatching and lecture-demo.

Helix Knitting
Saturday 9AM - 12PM (3 hours)
No one will ever find your beginning and end of round. Use as few as two colors or as many as you like. This technique produces perfect interlocking spirals of each color. Class will cover casting on, shaping, and working on circular needles, magic loop, two circulars and double pointed needles.

Bring Out the Best in Your Variegated Yarn
Saturday 1:30PM - 4:30PM (3 hours)
Love that multicolor yarn? Hate the way it looks when you knit it? Whip those hand painted and variegated yarns into submission! Learn to bring out the best in your variegated yarn, how to avoid striping and pooling, highlight desired colors, and emphasize texture. Review a variety of yarns and learn their properties, while knitting swatches to experiment with textured pattern stitches, multiple strands of yarn, and varying stitch counts. Also learn to recognize which garments will work best with variegated yarn.

Classes with Nina Machlin Dayton
Cabling Without a Cable Needle
Friday 9AM - 12PM (3 hours)
Leave your cable needle at home and learn to work cables without an extra tool. Together we will learn and practice how to work 2, 4, and 6 stitch cables, knits over knits and knits over purls, crossing left, right, front and back, all without an extra cable needle to hold our stitches. Students must be able to work from charts.

Duplicate Stitch
Friday 1:30PM - 4:30PM (3 hours)
Duplicate stitch is a way to create beautiful colorwork in our knitting after the piece is finished. We will learn how to do this as well as diving into the other uses it has – for reinforcing your knit fabric, for repairing small holes or worn patches invisibly, and for surprising pathways to understanding and mastering both best practices for sewing shoulder seams on sweaters, and how to graft knitted pieces together. Never pass up a pattern again because it calls for Kitchener stitch!

Flawless Finishing
Saturday 9AM - 12PM (3 hours)
Many a beautifully knit sweater or accessory falls short in the finishing process. We will examine the best practices for the steps that make our projects more polished looking – picking up stitches for button bands, the best buttonholes, seaming (vertical to vertical, horizontal to horizontal, and vertical to horizontal for the dreaded set-in sleeve), blocking, and weaving in ends. Take your projects to the next level by learning the techniques and tricks that make them look impeccable!

Bead Your Knitting
Saturday 1:30PM - 4:30PM (3 hours)
We will knit a beautiful beaded swatch that will allow us to learn and practice many methods for adding beads to your knitting - a beaded cast on with pre-strung beads, beaded yarn overs for our lace knitting, 2 methods of adding beads to your knitting as you go, and a beaded bind off.

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help! 
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.
Our offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET (excluding federal and/or Massachusetts state holidays). All calls, voicemails and/or emails will be answered as soon as possible during our standard business hours. We look forward to hearing from you!

Beth Brown-Reinsel 
As a child and a teenager, making things, be it sewing, crochet, rug braiding, embroidery, macramé, or knitting, satisfied something deep within Beth. She taught herself to spin and dye with vegetal dyes, and took weaving lessons, but knitting had always been second nature to her. Eventually, she started designing garments from scratch, which led to writing and teaching. In the 1980s she wrote many articles for CastOn, the magazine of The Knitting Guild of America (TKGA, now The Knitting Guild Association). After teaching her gansey class for the national guild at two different conferences, she was asked to create a correspondence course on ganseys. Her book Knitting Ganseys was published by Interweave Press. Twenty-five years later, in July 2018, the new edition of Knitting Ganseys, Expanded and Revised was released.

Kim McBrien Evans 
Curiosity and exploration are the name of the game for knitwear designer and indie hand dyer, Kim McBrien Evans. A lifelong love of colour, texture, and pattern prompted Kim to transition from working artist to textile maven. Her knitwear designs are known for their ability to turn an abstract idea into a textile reality while simultaneously fitting and flattering every body. Her yarn company, Indigodragonfly, is renowned for its vibrant colours, offbeat names, and ever expanding plan for world domination. She lives and works in the woods of Central Ontario. Explore Kim's many designs in her design gallery at https://kimmcbrienevans.ca/home/design-gallery/

Cecelia Campochiaro 
Cecelia Campochiaro appeared on the knitting scene in 2015 with her debut book, Sequence Knitting. Knitting was a casual pastime until she had an ah-ha moment in 2010 and realized that interesting textured fabrics could be created by the simple repetition of a sequence of stitches. This idea evolved and led to her writing Sequence Knitting, which is a reference book about this mindful approach to knitting. In the years since Sequence Knitting debuted, she has continued to develop new ideas in knitting. Sequence Knitting is about texture, and her second book, Making Marls, is about color. She lives in Silicon Valley, where for many years she developed specialized microscopes used in computer chip manufacturing. Textiles, photography and the arts have been a lifelong passion running in parallel with her technical life. In high school and college even though her main studies were in the sciences, she studied drawing, printmaking, ceramics, and photography.

Ana Campos 
A life-long love of handmade, in 2008 Ana established Toil & Trouble, a knitwear design company. In 2010, she created her own line of hand-dyed yarns. Ana's love of community and teaching lead her to open Circle of Stitches in 2015. She is also an inaugural member of Vogue Knitting Live’s Diversity Advisory Council. When she is not at the shop, you can find her elbows-deep in her dye pots. Ana brings her practices of mindfulness to the fiber community. She believes that Knitting (or crocheting, weaving, embroidering…) is an invitation to slow down in a world that romanticizes busy-ness. The repetitive nature of knitting helps us drift into a meditative state. Ana has a wealth of fiber knowledge to share, with over 25 years of knitting experience, and is a certified Master Hand Knitter. Ana specializes in fixes and repairs, and can help you fix any sort of project, from scarf to charted lace.

Margaret Radcliffe 
Margaret is the author of the bestselling Knitting Answer Book, The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques, Circular Knitting Workshop, and The Knowledgeable Knitter. She has taught knitting since 1991 and began publishing her designs in a line of knitting patterns under the name Maggie’s Rags in 1997. Margaret's many teaching venues for knitting and dyeing have included the John C. Campbell Folk School, the Madrona Fiberarts Winter Retreat, the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair (SAFF), Knitters’ Day Out, Houston Fiber Fest, the Schooner J&E Riggin out of Rockland, Maine, plus numerous shops and fiber guilds across the U.S. and into Canada. As a teacher, Margaret enthusiastically teaches everything from beginning knitting to garment design, and is acclaimed for her ability to help all knitters to develop their independence and creativity. Her current fiber arts interests include preparing, spinning, and designing handknits using heritage breeds and participation in The Livestock Conservancy’s Shave ’Em to Save ’Em program.

Nina Machlin Dayton 
Nina Machlin Dayton has been knitting and designing, and teaching knitting and design, for over 45 years. Her first professional knitting job was back in the 1980’s when she did hand knitting for couturier designer Joan Vass, and she has never looked back. She is a season 6 Knit Star and leads the team that created and runs the annual Indie Design Gift-A-Long on Ravelry. A native New Yorker, she now lives in the beautiful Pioneer Valley in western Massachusetts, with her family and cats, in an old Victorian house stuffed to the rafters with books, yarn, and all things vintage knitting, crochet, dressmaking, and millinery. You can learn more about Nina’s designs at: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/nina-machlin-dayton or follow her on Instragram @ninamachlindayton

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help! 
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.
Our offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET (excluding federal and/or Massachusetts state holidays). All calls, voicemails and/or emails will be answered as soon as possible during our standard business hours. We look forward to hearing from you!

Retreat Location 
The retreat will be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Attendees will enjoy the cozy comfort and deluxe accommodations of Hotel UMass. Hotel UMass and retreat classroom and meals spaces are all in the Campus Center. The Campus Center and attached Campus Center Parking Garage are located at 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst MA 01003. Click here to obtain turn-by-turn directions from your location. Click here to take a look at a campus map.

Parking at UMass 
Complimentary parking will be available in the Campus Center Parking Garage, located at 91 Campus Center Way in Amherst, MA 01003. Click here to obtain turn-by-turn directions from your location. Upon your arrival to campus, navigate to the garage, take a gate ticket, and proceed to park. We recommend driving down to Level 2 to take advantage of the flat walkway into the Campus Center (as well as our luggage assistance service). Walk up the hallway and enter the Campus Center. Stay to the left to walk through the main concourse. You'll see elevators on your right, across from the Information Desk. Take the elevators up to the 3rd floor hotel lobby. At check-in provide your garage gate ticket to the Hotel UMass desk clerk to obtain a complimentary parking pass, valid for the duration of your visit. Please only park in the Campus Center Parking Garage: parking elsewhere on campus may result in ticketing and/or towing.

Retreat Location 
From the South, via I-91 North
Take Exit 25 in Northampton: From the exit ramp, stay in the right lane to take the first rotary exit, turning right onto Route 9. Travel approximately 4.5 miles to Route 116 North. Turn left onto 116 and go one mile to the UMass exit. Stay to the right as you exit to merge onto Massachusetts Avenue. Stay in the left lane and take a left at the second intersection onto Commonwealth Avenue (the first set of lights is only a blinking yellow light, take a left at the next set of lights). Stay in the right lane and continue on Commonwealth Avenue until you reach a set of traffic lights. At these lights turn onto Campus Center Way. Stay to the left and travel up the hill - you will see the garage entrance on your right. 

From the North, via I-91 South
Follow I-93 to I-495 South. Follow to Route 2 West. Continue on Route 2 to U.S. 202 South. Follow for about 15 miles to the blinking light at the Pelham exit marked “Route 9 and 116 Amherst.” Turn right and follow for seven miles to Amherst center. Turn right onto North Pleasant Street. Stay on North Pleasant Street (you will need to turn left twice to remain on North Pleasant Street, - follow signs to the UMass Campus). As you enter campus you will come to a set of lights. Stay to the left to turn onto Massachusetts Avenue. Follow Massachusetts Avenue through campus until you come to a set of lights. At the lights take a right onto Commonwealth Avenue. Continue on Commonwealth Avenue until you reach a set of traffic lights. Turn right onto Campus Center Way. Stay to the left and go up the hill. You will see the garage entrance up the hill on your right.

From the North, via I-93 South
Follow I-93 to I-495 South. Follow to Route 2 West. Continue on Route 2 to U.S. 202 South. Follow for about 15 miles to the blinking light at the Pelham exit marked “Route 9 and 116 Amherst.” Turn right and follow for seven miles to Amherst center. Follow signs to UMass.

From the East or West, via I-90
Travelers have a choice of four routes:

- Off Exit 63 (Palmer/Ware): Follow Route 32 South to Palmer; take Route 20 West to Route 181 North into Belchertown, and then Route 9 West to Amherst. Follow signs to UMass.

- Off Exit 54 (Ludlow): Follow Route 21 North to U.S. 202 North to Route 9 West to Amherst center. Follow signs to UMass.

- Off Exit 49 (Chicopee): Follow Route 33 North to Route 116 North to Amherst center. Turn left at the light onto Route 9 West. Follow signs to UMass. 

- Off Exit 45 (West Springfield): I-91 North to Exit 19 to Route 9 East to Amherst. Follow signs to UMass.

Traveling by Plane 
If you are traveling to Amherst by plane, the closest airport is Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut (near Hartford). This airport is approximately 45 miles (about a 50 minute drive) from the UMass campus. From Bradley attendees will need to book a shuttle service or rent a car to get to campus (see the transportation options below). 

Attendees may find additional flight options into Logan International Airport in Boston, located approximately 95 miles (about a 2 - 2.5 hour drive) from the UMass campus. While more flight options are typically available into Logan, please remember to account for extra travel time to campus. Please also be sure to organize transportation to/from the airport to campus in advance of your arrival. From Logan attendees may book one of the shuttle services below, rent a car, or travel by Peter Pan Bus. Click here for Peter Pan bus ticket purchase details and scheduling. To ensure appropriate bus service to/from campus please select "Boston (Logan Airport), MA" as your "From:" destination and "Amherst UMass, MA" as your "To:" destination. 

Transportation Services 
Shuttle services and/or rental cars should be arranged prior to your travel. Please note there are no standing shuttles that run each day between Bradley/Logan and the UMass campus so additional arrangements must be made in advance.

- Valley Transporter, 413-253-1350
- Seemo Shuttle, 413-586-1120
- Exclusive Car Service, 877-695-4665
- Bluebird Transportation, 413-221-4512
- Enterprise

Traveling by Bus 
Amherst and the surrounding area are serviced by Peter Pan Bus Lines, Greyhound and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA). The most convenient service is offered by Peter Pan, so when possible those traveling by bus should book a Peter Pan bus ticket using "Amherst UMass, MA" as the destination (note the "Amherst Center, MA" stop is in downtown Amherst and will require additional travel to arrive on campus). Greyhound offers bus service to nearby Northampton, MA, located about a 20 minute drive from campus. From Northampton attendees should plan to travel to campus via a taxi service, Uber/Lyft, or PVTA bus.

Traveling by Train 
Amtrak provides passenger rail service to nearby Northampton, MA, located a 20 minute drive from the UMass campus, and Springfield, MA, located a 30 minute drive from the UMass campus. For schedule information and to purchase tickets, visit Amtrak's website and select "Northampton, MA (NHT)" or "Springfield, MA (SPG)" as your arrival destination.

If you take a train to Northampton, MA, you will then need to take either a bus or taxi to the UMass campus. Both PVTA and Peter Pan buses service the area, but the bus stops are not located at the train platform and will require about a 7 minute walk. If you prefer, you may use one of the many local taxi services or Uber/Lyft. We encourage you to carefully plan your trip - including bus or taxi services - prior to your arrival as the Northampton train platform is not a train station and phone access, area maps, bus schedules, and bus tickets will not be available once you arrive. If you decide to take a train out of Northampton, remember to purchase your return ticket online prior to arriving at the platform. The train platform is located at 170 Pleasant Street in Northampton, MA.

If you take a train to Springfield, MA, we recommend booking a shuttle service, such as Valley Transporter, to get you from Springfield to Amherst. Bus services, including Peter Pan, are also available, but will require about a 15 minute walk from the train station to the bus stop. The train will arrive at the Springfield station building, located at 66 Lyman Street in Springfield, MA. This station building does have a waiting room, ticket office, quik-trak kiosk, and payphone, but we do still encourage you to plan your trip, including services from the train station to campus, prior to your arrival.

Getting Around Campus and the Area 
There are multiple transportation options to get you from campus to amenities and attractions in the surrounding area. Amherst center, with local shops, restaurants, and small convenience stores, is a 15 - 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive from campus. If you find you need to visit a grocery store, large retail store, or pharmacy during your stay, numerous options are located on University Drive and Russell Street (also known as Route 9) in neighboring Hadley, about a 5 - 10 minute trip from campus by car or bus. Retailers include CVS, Big Y, Stop and Shop, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Target, Walmart, JC Penney, Marshalls, and more.

Local buses, operated by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA), run regularly between Amherst center and the University, with additional services traveling throughout the Pioneer Valley, including Northampton, Springfield, and Greenfield. If you'd rather take a car, UMass has partnered with Zipcar and Enterprise to bring on-demand car sharing services right to campus. The area is also serviced by a variety of cab companies, including Uber, Lyft, Taxi Express, Tik Tak Taxi (413-256-4500) and Celebrity Cab (413-253-7330). There are also a number of bicycle rentals around campus, including Laughing Dog Bicycles and Hampshire Bicycle Exchange.

General

How do I get to the retreat?
The retreat will be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Hotel UMass, classes, and meals will all be held in the Campus Center. The Campus Center and attached Campus Center Parking Garage are located at 91 Campus Center Way, Amherst MA 01003. Click here to obtain turn-by-turn directions from your location. It is also a good idea to have a campus map handy for your arrival. Click the "Travel & Parking Information" tab above for more details on the best way to get to campus.

Where do I go when I arrive on campus?
Upon your arrival you should come to the Campus Center (we recommend you arrive between 3 - 5 p.m. on Thursday). Campus can be confusing to navigate, so we recommend taking a look at a campus map. Complimentary parking is available in the Campus Center Parking Garage, located at 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst MA 01003. Travel to the garage, take a gate ticket as you drive in, and park (and take your gate ticket inside with you!). We recommend driving down to park on Level 2, where there is a flat walkway into the Campus Center. Walk through the walkway, enter the Campus Center, and stay to the left to walk through the main concourse. You will see elevators on your right, across from the Information Desk. Take the elevators up to the 3rd floor Hotel lobby. You will then be able to register, pick up your retreat materials, and obtain your room key and a discounted parking pass. 

What time are check-in and check-out? 
Check-in is available anytime after 3 p.m. on your date of arrival. We recommend all attendees aim to arrive between 3 - 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, to allow plenty of time to check in, pick up your retreat materials, and get settled before the 6 p.m. Welcome Dinner. If you cannot arrive during this time period, please let us know. Check-out is by 11 a.m. on your date of departure. After you check-out on Sunday, don't forget that WEBS will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for some last minute shopping (with free shipping)!

What do I need at check-in? 
Upon your arrival, you'll have two stops to make - retreat registration, and hotel check-in (both located in the Hotel UMass lobby, 3rd floor Campus Center). Stop at the registration desk to pick up your retreat materials, and stop by the hotel front desk to pick up your room key. At registration, you will just need to provide your name, but when you check-in at the hotel you will need to provide a valid picture ID and a credit/debit card for incidentals. A $50.00 deposit will be held for incidentals, but will be released at midnight on the day of your departure. 

Is wireless internet available?  
Yes, complimentary wireless internet login credentials will be provided upon your arrival. You will receive one username/password from UMass Conference Services at the registration desk and another username/password from Hotel UMass at hotel check-in. Both credentials will work throughout campus. 

Is the UMass Hotel non-smoking?  
Yes, all rooms are non-smoking. Similarly, effective July 1, 2013, the entire UMass Amherst campus adopted a tobacco-free policy (the use of any tobacco product including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and e-cigarette/vapes are prohibited indoors and outdoors on the UMass Amherst campus grounds). 

Reservations

I would like to stay a day early/leave a day later - how do I extend my stay?
The Worsted and DK retreat packages include three nights lodging (checking in Thursday, September 19; checking out Sunday, September 22). If you would like to arrive/depart outside of these dates please contact UMass Conference Services at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu to inquire about availability. Note: reservations are being handled by UMass Conference Services, so guests should not contact Hotel UMass directly to adjust a reservation. 

Can I add a roll-away, fridge or crib to my reservation? 
Yes. To request a roll-away, fridge or crib please contact UMass Conference Services at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu. Cots and fridges are each $10.00 per night, but cribs are complimentary. Note: reservations are being handled by UMass Conference Services, so guests should not contact Hotel UMass directly to adjust a reservation. 

I would like to reserve the double room package - how do I request a specific roommate?  
Attendees who select the DK Package should enter the name of their requested roommate (if they have one) when they register. There will be a specific "Requested Roommate" box for this purpose. We recommend that everyone interested in rooming with a particular person register and pay separately.

I would like to bring a guest - what do I need to do?  
Space in the hotel is limited, and the room block is first reserved for the 120 retreat attendees. If you are traveling with a companion who will not be attending the retreat, but would like to stay in the hotel, please contact the UMass Conference Services Registration Team to inquire about availability and pricing (413-577-8102, registration@umass.edu). Please note booking the double room package means that you will be sharing the room with another retreat attendee - it does not reserve the entire double room for your use and/or cover the fees to bring a guest. In the past we have been able to accommodate guests for an additional fee, but it is all based on the exact breakdown of bookings and room types, so cannot be guaranteed. 

New this year, a block of discounted rooms are availably at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Hadley. How do I book my stay? 
The Sport packages does not include lodging, but this year WEBS has reserved a block of discounted rooms, off-campus at the Comfort Inn & Suites at 400 Russell Street, Hadley, MA 01035. Guest will make their own reservations by calling (413-582-0002) the Comfort Inn & Suites by August 12, 2024 or until spaces fill.  In order to receive the contracted group rate, guest must identify affiliation with WEBS - America's Yarn Store. All reservations made by individual call-in will be automatically guaranteed by credit card, for late arrival.  If guest do not check-in, the credit care will be charged one night, room and tax.  Please contact Comfort Inn & Suites at 413-582-0002, with any questions or if you need to adjust your reservation.   

Special Requests

I have a dietary restriction/food allergy - what should I do? 
During registration you will see a box labeled "Dietary restrictions, food allergies, accessibility needs and/or special requests". Enter any dietary restrictions and/or food allergies in the box. Please be as detailed as possible so we may pass along your needs to the UMass Catering staff. If we are unable to accommodate your needs we will contact you to let us know and to discuss alternate options. If any additional needs come up between now and the retreat, or if you would like to expedite your initial registration, you may always return to this online page, log back into your account and adjust any dietary needs at a later date.

I have limited mobility/accessibility needs - what should I do? 
During registration you will see a box labeled "Dietary restrictions, food allergies, accessibility needs and/or special requests". Enter any mobility and/or accessibility needs in the box. Please be as detailed as possible so we may assess your needs and make any necessary arrangements (i.e, assign you to a handicapped accessible room, provide handicap parking options, etc.). If we are unable to accommodate your needs we will contact you to let us know and to discuss alternate options. If any additional needs come up between now and the retreat, or if you would like to expedite your initial registration, you may always return to this online page, log back into your account and adjust any mobility/accessibility needs at a later date.

Classes

How do I sign up for classes? 
To maximize the speed of your service, online registration is done in two parts. First you will register for the retreat, selecting one of the three packages: single room, double room, or no hotel room. Starting at 12 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, July 10, all registered attendees can return to this page, log back in, and will see two new pages asking for class preferences. Attendees will submit their first and second choices for each class block right online. Class assignments will then be sent out within two weeks of the preferences being submitted.

I didn't get the class I wanted - what can I do?
Class sizes are limited and some classes are very popular, so while all attempts are made to put everyone into their first choice for each time block, unfortunately it is not always possible. We strongly recommend you take a look at all of the class descriptions and try to find two for each block that are of interest to you so that you can enter in accurate first and second choices. If you are placed into your second choice for any block we will automatically place you on the waitlist for your first choice and contact you if a spot opens up. You can also contact us at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102 to see if space is open in any other classes that might be of interest.

Is there any homework or materials for my class(es)?
Yes, classes oftentimes have homework and/or materials lists. This information will be sent out with your class assignments. If any updated information becomes available regarding homework or materials we will email you to let you know.

I have questions about a class description, skill level, homework and/or materials - can someone help me?
Sure! If you have any questions about a class description, skill level, homework and/or materials please send along a detailed email to registration@umass.edu. We will then provide additional information and/or connect you with an appropriate party who may offer further assistance. 

Waitlist

What if I am put on the waitlist? 
The retreat fills fast, but if you are put on the waitlist don't despair! In previous retreats over 50 people have ultimately been moved off of the waitlist and into the retreat. Once space fills, this page will automatically switch over to a waitlist. The closer to noon ET on Thursday, June 20, that you add yourself to the waitlist the better your chances - when a cancellation is received we will consult the waitlist and move the first person in based on the date/time they were added to the waitlist. This is done on a rolling basis as cancellations are received so we do not have a firm timeline on when a notification might go out, but we will keep moving people off the waitlist up until the time of the retreat if needed. Please feel free to periodically check in with us to see if there has been any movement, and remember that most cancellations are received around the August 16 payment deadline. 

What if my friend/travel companion/requested roommate is put on the waitlist?
See above! If you selected a double room package and your requested roommate ultimately does not get into the retreat we can either assign you to a double room with another attendee or, if space permits, switch you to the single room package. If your travel companion does not get into the retreat and you would prefer not to travel alone, let us know! We will gladly send a notification out to other attendees from your area to see if anyone would be interested in being your travel buddy.

For Additional Retreat Information 
For more information please visit the WEBS website or click here to view the retreat brochure!

For Registration, Payment, or Hotel UMass Related Information 
Contact UMass Conference Services at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu.