Thursday, September 18 
3 - 5 p.m.: Check-in at Hotel UMass and retreat registration desk
6 - 7:30 p.m.: Welcome dinner 
8 - 9:30 p.m.: Late-night knitting and socializing with cash bar in the late night lounge

Friday, September 19
8 - 9 a.m.: Breakfast
9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Morning Classes (attendees will participate in one morning class):
          - Knocking Off A Garment with Lily Chin
          - Top Down Sweater Construction with Mary Annarella 
          - Master the Magic of Mitered Squares with Nina Machlin Dayton
          - Continental Knitting with Shaina Bilow 
          - Portuguese Knitting: From Basics to Colorwork with Ana Campos 
          - Manipulating Stitches for Gorgeous Fabrics with Bruce Weinstein
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.: Lunch
2 - 5 p.m.: Afternoon classes (attendees will participate in one afternoon class)
          - Join As You Go Knitting with Lily Chin
          - Top-Down, Simultaneous Set-In Sleeve Sweaters with Mary Annarella
          - Bead Your Knitting with Nina Machlin Dayton
          - Intarsia Basics: Painting with Yarn with Shaina Bilow
          - Finish Like a Pro: Steeks and Buttonbands with Ana Campos 
          - Knitting Faster with Combination Knitting with Bruce Weinstein
6 - 7 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 20
8 - 9 a.m.: Breakfast
9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Morning classes (attendees will participate in one morning class)
          - Tips, Tricks and Hints with Lily Chin
          - Double Knitting with Mary Annarella
          - Design a Hat from Measurements with Nina Machlin Dayton
          - Come together: 3 Ways to Join Stitches with Shaina Bilow
          - Toe Up Socks in a Day with Ana Campos
          - Reversible Cables Large & Small with Bruce Weinstein
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.: Lunch with sponsor presentation
2 - 5 p.m.: Afternoon classes (attendees will participate in one afternoon class)
          - Phony Cables with Lily Chin
          - Colorwork Without Stranding with Mary Annarella
          - Fixing Mistakes with Nina Machlin Dayton
          - Entrelac Unlocked with Shaina Bilow
          - Short Rows Three Ways: Yarn Over, Wrap and Turn, German with Ana Campos
          - Herringbone Two Ways with Bruce Weinstein
5 - 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 21
8:30 - 9:30a.m.: Mindful Meditation with Mary Ann Gebhardt
9:30 a.m.: Brunch
10 - 11 a.m.: Keynote Speech with Lily Chin 
12 p.m.: Check out of Hotel UMass (unless you're in the Sport Package!).

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 2026!

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 Lily Chin 
Knocking Off A Garment
Friday 9:15AM - 12:15PM 
Class Description
Have a ready-to-wear garment that you love? Does this garment fit you like a glove? Would you like to interpret it as a handknit or hand-crochet? See how to copy this garment and create a pattern from the original. Learn how easy it is to translate it as a knit (or crochet) without even doing much math!

Join As You Go Knitting 
Friday 2PM - 5PM 
Class Description
Most knitters avoid seaming like the plague. When working garment pieces or different colored strips, sewing seams seems daunting. Learn how to join as you go for many situations, including edgings. Join a new piece to the left of an existing piece, to the right of an existing piece, or to the top or bottom of an existing piece.

Tips, Tricks, and Hints 
Saturday 9:15AM - 12:15PM 
Class Description
Learn all the little secrets to make knitting life easier and better. Find out how to cast on in 2-tail method without running out of the second tail. Join a new skein of yarn or a new color without losing that first stitch. See ways of attaching buttons as you work. Create invisible circular bind offs on a neck where the beginning and end are absolutely imperceptible. Weave in those little ends that are too short to put through a darning needle. Take away lots of small “fix-its” and improve those details.

Phony Cables
Saturday 2PM - 5PM 
Class Description
We love cables but we sometimes don’t like the interruption of actually doing a cable. Learn several ways of achieving a cable look without having to actually re-arrange the stitches. Try out several easier alternatives, including a two-color faux cable and a trim. These are guaranteed to be unique and often much faster with similar results.

Classes with Mary Annarella
Top-Down Sweater Construction
Friday 9:15AM - 12:15PM 
Class Description
This class gives you practice with various sweater types using top-down construction (drop shoulder, set-in sleeve, circular yoke, saddle shoulder, raglan, and compound raglan). We will explore fit considerations for each sweater type as well as how to modify to suit your personal taste and preference. We’ll also give special attention to the placement of short rows to raise the back of the neck of circular yoke sweaters as well as a solution for how to deal with a pesky short row when returning to working in the round.

Top-Down Simultaneous Set-In Sleeve Sweaters
Friday 2PM - 5PM 
Class Description
In this class, Mary introduces you to the top-down, seamless sweater construction where the set-in sleeve is worked at the same time as the upper bodice. That’s right—no seaming! She’ll cover how the construction works, how to modify it to fit your body, and the necessary skills needed for the construction, (i.e. the cabled cast-on, different increases, and a few short rows). We'll be knitting a swatch version of the sweater's sleeve cap in class, preparing you to cast on for your own sweater once the workshop is complete!

Both Sides, Now: Adventures in Double Knitting 
Saturday 9:15AM - 12:15PM 
Class Description
Double knitting is a technique that lets you create 2 layers of reversible fabric at the same time. When working with two colors, you can create a pattern on one side that has the reverse coloring on the other side. And since the technique hides the WS of the fabric, it can be ideal for colorwork patterns with long stretches of a single color.
In this class, we'll work out the basics of casting on for double knitting, working both sides of the fabric, beginning with simple patterning (like stripes) and then practicing with colorwork patterns. The class culminates with working on a knitted coaster in one of two color patterns of your choice.

Colorwork Without Stranding 
Saturday 2PM - 5PM 
Class Description
Up your colorwork game by adding slipped, tucked, and dipped stitches to your knitting toolbox. This 3 hour class explores using these techniques for adding colorwork to knitting without stranding. Different textures result, and there’s no steeking if you want a flat piece. We’ll knit a small sampler as we practice a variety of non-stranded patterns ranging from simple to more intermediate and complex, and showing how you can get a completely different look by changing which side you hold your yarn to when you're slipping a stitch.

Classes with Nina Machlin Dayton
Mastering the Magic of Mitered Squares
Friday 9:15AM - 12:15PM 
Class Description
Mitered Squares can be used to create so many things and in so many ways. In this class we will learn the basics of creating Mitered Squares, learn to join them as you go, as we work on the included pot holder pattern. We’ll delve into the many, many things that you can knit with them – from blankets to garments. You will leave with a formula to create Mitered Squares on your own, as well as as many ideas of how to use them as your imagination can come up with.

Bead Your Knitting
Friday 2PM - 5PM 
Class Description
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.

Design a Hat From Measurements
Saturday 9:15AM - 12:15PM 
Class Description
Together we will go over all aspects of designing a basic hat from measurements using any yarn you choose. We’ll examine the different brims, hat body patterns, and crown decreases, and you will leave the class with a hat designed (and possibly knit as well) as well as the skills and worksheets needed to make as many more as you wish.

Fixing Mistakes
Saturday 2PM - 5PM 
Class Description
Mistakes happen, even to the best of us. In this class we will learn how to diagnose and correct the most common ones - twisted stitches, missed or extra yarn overs, picking up and dropping down our stitches to fix mistakes in stockinette, garter, mixed knit and purl patterns, and even discuss how to fix a mis-crossed cable or simple lace from rows above.

Classes with Shaina Bilow
Continental Knitting is Fun!
Friday 9:15AM - 12:15PM 
Class Description
If you are an English or American knitter – someone who throws their yarn with their right hand to knit – but have been intrigued by Continental knitting and would love to learn or brush-up your skills, this class is for you! In continental knitting, the yarn is held in your left hand and stitches are plucked through one another to knit. Some people feel that this method of knitting is quicker and less stressful on the shoulders, wrists, and neck than the English method.

Intarsia Basics: Painting with Yarn
Friday 2PM - 5PM 
Class Description
Add bold color motifs and designs to your knitting using the popular color knitting technique of Intarsia. Since it allows knitters to add color and shapes where they please, Intarsia can best be described as "painting with yarn". Learn to work with bobbins, read a chart, work duplicate stitch, and create bold blocks of color using Intarsia as you make a mini piece of modern art during this workshop.

Come together: 3 Ways to Join Stitches
Saturday 9:15AM - 12:15PM 
Class Description
What’s the best way to join shoulder stitches? How about the toe of a sock? Have you ever wondered why a pattern calls for one method of joining pieces to another? Let’s put some joins into practice during this workshop while we work a Mattress stitch Seam, graft stitches, and work a 3-Needle Bind Off. We’ll discuss when to use each technique and when you can swap the techniques, too!

Entrelac Unlocked
Saturday 2PM - 5PM 
Class Description
Entrelac is a knitting technique that gives the appearance of interwoven strips of knitting. Learn this interesting technique which includes decreasing, pick up stitches on the RS and WS, and knitting backwards. In this class, we will begin a beautiful scarf or cowl together.

Classes with Ana Campos
Portuguese Knitting: From Basics to Colorwork
Friday 9:15AM - 12:15PM 
Class Description
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! In this workshop, you'll learn the basics of Portuguese Knitting, and then use your new skills to learn stranded colorwork. Portuguese Knitting makes it easier to control the tension of your floats, making for easy stranded knitting!

Finish like a Pro: Steeks and Buttonbands
Friday 2PM - 5PM 
Class Description
Come learn how to steek your knits! It’s not that scary, we promise. In this workshop, you will learn how to create a crochet reinforcement for your steek and how to cut your steek. You'll also learn how to pick up stitches for a button band, and how to always pick up the perfect button band - no more guessing how to space out your stitches! As a finishing touch, you'll also learn how to hand-stitch a ribbon to the inside of your steek.

Toe Up Socks in A Day
Saturday 9:15AM - 12:15PM 
Class Description
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. 

Short Rows Three Ways: Yarn Over, Wrap and Turn, German
Saturday 2PM - 5PM 
Class Description
Find short rows confusing? Not sure what a short row even is? In this workshop, you’ll learn when and how to use short rows, and three different methods for turning short rows: yarn over, wrap and turn, and German.

Classes with Bruce Weinstein 
Manipulating Stitches for Gorgeous Fabrics
Friday 9:15AM - 12:15PM
Class Description
When we put yarn on our needles, we’re not creating a sweater – we are creating fabric. When we sew these fabric pieces together we are creating a garment but until then, it’s all about fabric. And the secret to creating unusual and gorgeous fabrics is to learn how to manipulate stitches and make them do what we want them to do. In this workshop Bruce will show you how to drop, slip, stretch and knit stitches through and around each other to create some truly impressive fabrics. Then you’ll take it another step deeper. Playing with different needle sizes will show you just how much your fabric can change as you adjust the gauge. What can you do with these fabrics? Scarves, blankets, pillows. And yes, even sweaters. Bruce will show you how to adapt these beautiful fabrics into useful and wearable knitting garments and accessories.

Knitting Faster With Combination Knitting
Friday 2PM - 5PM 
Class Description
Have you ever wished you could knit faster? Have you ever gotten tired of wrapping your yarn around your needle for every stitch? Does the finger gymnastics of the standard purl stitch make your fingers cramp? Bruce will teach you tips and tricks to increase your speed no matter how you currently knit. But he’ll also show you how he knits fast using the combination knitting method. It starts with continental knitting where the yarn is all in your left hand. But it goes on from there. You’ll learn the combination purl. And you’ll learn how to deal with stitches that face the wrong way and how to adapt instructions for knitting in the combination style.

Reversible Cables Large & Small
Saturday 9:15AM - 12:15PM
Class Description
Cables are beautiful and they’re fun, but their usage has always been limited to sweaters and other 1- sided projects because while they are gorgeous on the front side, they are usually pretty unappealing on the back. Until now. Bruce will show you the secret to making cables that are totally reversible for scarves and blankets that look amazing – and exactly the same on both sides of the fabric. In this workshop Bruce will show you how to create two beautiful, cabled fabrics; one thick and lush, the other more delicate and sophisticated. Both patterns provided are from his books BOYFRIEND SWEATERS and KNITS MEN WANT. Be prepared to amaze yourself and your friends with these reversible cabled projects.

Herringbone Two Ways
Saturday 2PM - 5PM 
Class Description
When it comes to woven stitches, herringbone stands out as one of the most popular and the most beautiful. The fabric we create looks like it just came off a loom. Bruce has two approaches to create this incredible fabric and this 3-hour workshop is long enough for him to show you both. One is thick, dense, in two colors, and has the famed bone motif on the front and stripes on the back. The second one is single colored and has more drape making a luxurious scarf or even a sweater. But keep in mind that creating a woven fabric on your knitting needles means working every single stitch more than once – entwining them in a woolen choreography that yields a complex fabric that is not easy to unravel to fix mistakes. Bruce will show you the best ways to avoid mistakes in the first place!

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!

Lily Chin (Keynote Speaker) 
What hasn’t Lily done? She was named to the Crochet Hall of Fame in 2015, named a Master Knitter by Vogue Knitting in 1991, and has been involved in some aspect of the fashion industry since age 13. A NYC native, Lily has lived part-time in Los Angeles as well. She’s designed for magazines and yarn companies since 1982. She’s worked for designers from Ralph Lauren to Diane von Furstenberg, from Isaac Mizrahi to Vera Wang. Her work has been on the backs of supermodels and celebrities.
Lily was officially made fastest crocheter in the world in the 2002 international competition. She has authored books in knitting and crochet since 1999 and has online classes and several DVD’s. She writes articles and has been teaching since 1989. Her workshops, lectures and seminars in hand and machine knitting and crochet are conducted worldwide. She’s even had her own line of yarns and patterns from 2005-2008.
Lily has made over hundreds of appearances on television and in print media, from the Late Show with David Letterman to CNN, from the NY Times to the Washington Post. She’s on the cast of PBS’ Knit and Crochet Now tv show for season 13. She is most proud of her teaching skills, using state-of-the-art tech equipment in class so that all can see. Lily’s been teaching since 1989 internationally and for all major shows including Stitches & Vogue Knitting & Chain Links & TKGA, she’s taught every month virtually since May 2020.

Mary Annarella 
Mary Annarella (Lyrical Knits) started knitting as a college student when she really wanted a round-yoked, Icelandic pullover but couldn’t afford one. She bought some yarn from a tiny shelf of craft supplies at a local Woolworth store (remember those?) and practiced casting on using chopsticks since she’d forgotten to purchase needles.
Mary's knitting life got a lot of upgrades since those knitting-with-chopsticks days: beautiful hand-dyed yarns are readily available; interchangeable needles rocked her world; and she's been publishing her own outstanding knitting patterns since 2010. She's a sweater girl who's passionate about helping knitters get a great fit and loves designing accessories that play with geometry and fun, easy-to-knit construction. She takes particular delight in seeing knitters learn from her work to create something that makes them happy.

Nina Machlin Dayton
Nina Machlin Dayton has been immersed in the world of knitting, designing, and teaching for over 45 years. Her journey began in the 1980s with her first professional role, hand-knitting for renowned couturier Joan Vass, and she hasn’t looked back since. A Season 6 Knit Star, Nina also spearheads the team behind Ravelry’s annual Indie Design Gift-A-Long, a beloved event for the knitting community.
Originally from New York City, Nina now resides in the picturesque Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. She shares an old, book-filled Victorian home with her family, her cats, and an impressive collection of yarn and vintage treasures related to knitting, crochet, dressmaking, and millinery.

Shaina Bilow 
Shaina Bilow inspires joyful knitting through engaging workshops and thoughtful designs. In her workshops, you’ll find a patient and encouraging instructor who loves seeing the “lightbulb moments” as students start understanding tricky techniques and learning new concepts that they can apply to their knitting projects.
For over 20 years, Shaina has had extensive experience in the knitting industry as a teacher, yarn shop employee, yarn shop owner, professional knitwear finisher, knitwear designer, small-batch yarn dyer, and more! Shaina has worked with thousands of knitters and brings an expert understanding of the craft to her workshops, helping students advance their skills while having a great time.

Ana Campos
Ana Campos was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and now makes her home in the Witch City (Salem, Massachusetts). She is a founding member of Vogue Knitting's Diversity Advisory Council and is committed to increasing equity and access in the fiber world. Ana brings more than 20 years of knitting experience to her yarn shop, Circle of Stitches, and to her workshops, which she teaches across the U.S.. As a teacher, her focus is on the technical aspects of knitting, and she strives to empower her students to create pieces they love.

Bruce Weinstein
Bruce Weinstein learned to knit while he was an advertising creative director in New York. Having already published a number of cookbooks, he discussed the idea of a men’s knitting book with his agent and the book KNITS MEN WANT: The 10 Rules Every Woman Should Know Before Knitting For A Man, was published. The success of that book led to BOYFRIEND SWEATERS: 19 Designs For Him That You’ll Want To Wear. Bruce’s passion with yarn is creating fabric. He loves to use woven and textural stitches as well as the slipped stitch and duplicate stitch technique, using multiple colors, to create gorgeous fabrics. In each of his workshops, Bruce will go over how to turn these beautiful colorwork fabrics into sweaters, cowls, blankets, and more. His patterns are best sellers on Ravelry as well as his own website www.bruceweinstein.net.

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 91 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.
The UMass Campus Center Parking Garage is now gateless. Upon your arrival to campus, navigate to the garage and 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.

If you are a commuter, at registration check-in you will scan a QR code to register your vehicle, which will give you complimentary parking. Once done, you will be able to drive in and out of the garage for the duration of the conference. The #1 most important thing you need is your license plate number. Plan to give yourself some extra time so that you can take care of parking before you check into the conference. You have 20 minutes starting when you enter the garage with your vehicle before you’re in violation.

If you are staying at Hotel UMass, please go directly to the hotel front desk (3rd floor) once you park - be sure to bring your license plate information. 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. During check-in you will also register your vehicle, the hotel staff will enter your license plate detail into the parking database. This will take care of your parking for the duration of your stay. You will be able to drive in and out of garage without doing anything further through the day you check out. You have 20 minutes starting when you enter the garage with your vehicle before you’re in violation.  

Please only park in the Campus Center Parking Garage: parking elsewhere on campus may result in ticketing and/or towing.

Traveling by Car 
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 91 Campus Center Way, Amherst MA 01003.
The Campus Center Parking Garage is gateless and ticketless. 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 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 information on how to register your vehicle for complimentary parking. Make sure you have your license plate number with you. 

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 18, 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 12 p.m. on your date of departure. After you check-out on Sunday, don't forget that WEBS will be open for attendees. 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 18; checking out Sunday, September 21). 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 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 (413-341-1556) the Comfort Inn & Suites directly to book your room.  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 413-341-1556, 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 2, 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.