Tentative Retreat Schedule
Below is the tentative retreat schedule. To download a copy of the retreat brochure, including the schedule, please click here.

Note all time listed are Eastern Time (ET): click here to add your time zone and convert to your local time, if needed.

Thursday, April 18
6pm: Welcome Meeting with WEBS
7:30 - 8:30pm: Late-Night Sponsor Presentation

Friday, April 19
8 - 9am: Virtual Yoga
9 - 10am: Tea Time
11am - 1pm: Early afternoon classes

• Basic Photography Skills for Knitters with Gale Zucker.
  

• 25 Tips for Better Knitting (all-day) with Edie Eckman.

• No Fear Brioche Stitch with Keith Leonard. 

• Tunisian Crochet for Absolute Beginners with Toni Lipsey.

• Bums and Bellies: Sweater Shaping for Your Body with Kim McBrien Evans. 

• Mastering Short Rows (all-day) with Nina Machlin Dayton.  

1:30 - 2:30pm: Afternoon Sponsor presentation  
3 - 5pm: Late afternoon classes

• Knitting ER with Patty Lyons.

• 25 Tips for Better Knitting (all-day) with Edie Eckman. 

• Flawless Finishing with Keith Leonard.

• Decoding Tunisian Crochet Patterns with Toni Lipsey.

• Boob Camp: Bust Darts for Every Body with Kim McBrien Evans.

• Mastering Short Rows (all-day) with Nina Machlin Dayton.

5:30 - 6:30pm: Evening Presentation/Event 
7:30 - 8:30pm: Late-Night Sponsor presentation

Saturday, April 20
8 - 9am: Virtual Yoga
9 - 10am: Tea Time
11am - 1pm: Early afternoon classes

• Knitting Bag of Tricks with Patty Lyons.

• Unlearn to Knit with Edie Eckman.
  

• Short Rows Revamped with Keith Leonard.
  

• Tunisian Crochet Stitch Exploration with Toni Lipsey.
  

• I Hate Seaming: a Seaming Class for the Rest of Us with Kim McBrien Evans.
  

• Bead Your Knitting with Nina Machlin Dayton.

1:30 - 2:30pm: Afternoon Sponsor presentation
3 - 5pm: Late afternoon classes

• Combination Knitting with Patty Lyons.

• Easy Stitches for Impatient Knitters with Edie Eckman. 
  

• Keith's Mind Blowing Tips & Tricks with Keith Leonard.
  

• Beginner Tunisian Crochet - Lamia Wrap with Toni Lipsey. 
  

• Breaking the Rules: Building Unique Shawl Shapes with Kim McBrien Evans.
  

• Swatching for Success with Nina Machlin Dayton.

5:30 - 6:30pm: Evening Presentation/Event
7:30 - 8:30pm: Late-Night Sponsor presentation

Sunday, April 21
9:30 - 10:30am: Tea time
11am - 12pm: Keynote speech by Patty Lyons

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help! 
Please contact the UMass Conference Services Registration 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). When possible, please contact us by email for the quickest assistance. 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!

Nina Machlin Dayton
Mastering Short Rows (all-day):
Friday from 11am - 1pm and 3 - 5pm
We will learn and practice the 4 most popular short row techniques, understand the purpose and uses of short rows, and learn the formulas needed to substitute one type of short row for another, if the pattern you are making doesn't use your favorite one you made in class! 

Bead Your Knitting: 
Saturday from 11am - 1pm
We will knit a beautiful beaded swatch that will allow us to go over several methods for adding beads to your knitting - a beaded cast on with pre-strung beads, 2 methods of adding beads to your knitting as you go, and a beaded bind off. As a bonus you will get the Brillare Cowl pattern which will allow you to create a beaded cowl using the techniques used in the swatch you made in class! 

Swatching for Success:  
Saturday from 3 - 5 p.m.
A gauge swatch will tell you everything you need to know about the final outcome of the hours you'll spend with some beautiful yarn and your favorite needles. In this class students will dissect the elements of a properly knit gauge swatch including stitch count, row count, fabric characteristics, swatching for even patterned fabrics and uneven patterned ones lace, swatching for patterns knit in the round, and the best way(s) to block your swatches for best results. Your knitting wants you to take this class!

Gale Zucker
Fabulous Photos for Knitters: Creating and Editing Images in Your Phone:
Friday from 11am - 1pm
In this two hour virtual zoom workshop, professional knitwear photographer Gale Zucker will lead you through creating and editing gorgeous photos with your phone, images that will tell the story of your knitting beautifully! Gale will live demo photo editing using a powerful and friendly app, available for both IOS and Android.

Toni Lipsey
Tunisian Crochet for Absolute Beginners:
Friday from 11am - 1pm
Join guest instructor Toni Lipsey for a beginner-level introduction to Tunisian crochet. Resting at the intersection of knitting and crochet, Tunisian crochet brings the best of these crafts into a new dimension. Discover the excitement of this addictive technique and walk out of class with your first project - the Geo Potholder, an exclusive pattern from Toni's book The Tunisian Crochet Handbook.

Decoding Tunisian Crochet Patterns:
Friday from 3 - 5pm
Learning to read Tunisian crochet patterns opens a whole new world of creativity! In this workshop, crochet designer and author Toni Lipsey will guide you through how to read Tunisian crochet patterns with ease, with an emphasis on basic stitches, abbreviations, and reading charts.

Tunisian Crochet Stitch Exploration:
Saturday from 11am - 1pm
Dive deeper into the world of Tunisian crochet as you learn 4 unique and beautiful stitches. Master close textures, lacy patterns, and beginner colorwork. Combine those stitches with joining and finishing techniques for a beautiful and unique sampler blanket.

Beginner Tunisian Crochet - Lamia Wrap:
Saturday from 3 - 5pm
Sophistication meets skill-building in the Lamia Wrap, a beginner-friendly triangle shawl pattern. Start with just three stitches and watch your shawl grow alongside your Tunisian crochet confidence.

Patty Lyons
Knitting ER:
Friday from 3 - 5pm
We’ll learn how to read your knitting and master the basics that every knitter needs to know, how to unknit, how to pick up a dropped stitch in stockinette, how to fix garter, how to fix a mistake in a stitch pattern such as rib or seed, and how to fix your stitch mounts to avoid twisted stitches. We’ll also learn a few fancy tricks like picking up a dropped stitch at the end of your row or using a small needle to safely rip down to. Everyone makes mistakes; now learn that it doesn’t have to ruin your knitting!

Knitting Bag of Tricks:
Saturday from 11am - 1pm
Learn how to spice up any sweater with your own stitches. We’ll start with an exploration of what cables and lace do to your fabric. We’ll look at what can make the cast on edge undulate or the side of a stitch move in and out. Next we’ll learn the simple math to insert or replace a stitch panel or detail into existing sweater pattern. Then, after looking at swatches, stitch dictionaries and finished objects for inspiration, I’ll set you on your path to start to play with adjusting and combining to create your custom stitches. After the class you’ll be set for using both graph paper and some imaginative three-dimensional tools to start to lay out your own stitch and even start to swatch it.

Combination Knitting:
Saturday from 3 - 5pm
Have you tried learning continental, but the purl messes you up? Do you feel like you often have uneven tension? Do you have rowing out (your purl row is taller than your knit row). Or perhaps you are already a combination knitter and you’ve ever been told you knit “wrong”, or been asked “what are you doing”, take heart . . . there are no wrong ways to knit as long as we control our stitches. A combination knitter works through the back loop to knit, and the front loop to purl. It can be a fast and easy way to knit, but simple adjustments must be made to follow Western patterns, like how to knit in the round, and understand left and right slanting increases and decreases, and how to work twisted pattern stitches. If you are a Western knitter, then learn the amazing advantages to this knitting methods and how and when you would combine it with your own. If you are a Combination Knitter, learn how to make stitches better and easier for your style.

Kim McBrien Evans
Bums and Bellies: Sweater Shaping for Your Body:
Friday from 11am - 1pm
Using your measurements and worksheets, we’ll look at how to master the fit of sweater patterns to YOUR body, and what those modifications look like in a simplified form.

Boob Camp: Bust Darts for Every Body:
Friday from 3 - 5pm
Learn life changing techniques for those of us with larger chests. Sweaters look best when they fit us in our shoulders and properly accommodate our chest. Bring your yarn, your needles and learn how to choose a size and to construct 2 types of bust darts for your chest, giving you endless choice for modifying any sweater pattern.

I Hate Seaming: a Seaming Class for the Rest of Us: 
Saturday from 11am - 1pm 
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.

Breaking the Rules: Building Unique Shawl Shapes: 
Saturday from 3 - 5pm
Contemporary shawls build on tradition, yet defy it openly. Shawls are for all genders and all sizes and are limited only by your imagination. Take what you know about traditional shapes and learn to bend, twist and break those shawl recipes. Learn how to manipulate shape for depth, for length and for colour and stitch play to start creating unique shawls just for you.

Ede Eckman
25 Tips for Better Knitting (all-day):
Friday from 11am - 1pm and 3 - 5pm
Enjoy your knitting more and improve your finished projects! In this fun, fast-paced class Edie will show you tricks to better understand your knitting, avoid frustration, prevent mistakes, and save both time and money. Sometimes we don't know what we don't know, especially as beginning and intermediate knitters. This class features techniques to help grow your skills and provides resources for you to continue that exploration after class.

Unlearn to Knit:
Saturday from 11am - 1pm
You learned the rules: Put your needle in this way, wrap your yarn that way. Now unlearn those rules to gain control of your knitting. No matter how long you've been knitting or what your knitting style, understanding the structure of the knitted fabric and how the stitches are related to one another is the key to becoming an expert knitter. We'll have fun exploring what it really means to take a length of string and turn it into a fabric. If time allows, we'll even "knit back backwards"! You'll leave class with the confidence and ability to fix mistakes, take shortcuts, and be the master of your stitches.

Easy Stitches for Impatient Knitters:
Saturday from 3 - 5pm
Bored with stockinette and garter stitch, but too busy for something difficult? Learn these quick-and-easy stitch patterns to keep your interest and allow you to watch the ball game at the same time!

Keith Leonard
No Fear Brioche Stitch:
Friday from 11am - 1pm 
Brioche stitch is all the rage! Gazing upon a brioche pattern may be intimidating, but this class will break down its components as you begin to master this unique and oddly constructed stitch pattern. Brioche stitch makes for a lofty and squishy fabric that is perfect for sweaters, scarves hats and blankets. Come join the fun and learn some new knitting abbreviations such as "Bark" and "Burp"!

Flawless Finishing:
Friday from 3 - 5pm
Learn to professionally assemble your knitwear from the finishing master, Keith Leonard, owner of Knits All Done. In this class, you will use your prepared swatches to learn Keith’s tricks behind five different seams. You will also learn the correct way to pick up stitches across both the top and sides of our knitting. Be amazed as the magic unfolds and walk away with the proficient skills to finish your knitwear professionally for years to come.

Short Rows Revamped:
Saturday from 11am - 1pm
In this class Keith will teach you how to properly work short rows using two different colors or yarn to create 1 of 24 squares that combined turn into a beautiful afghan called “The Lizard Ridge.” Learn how short rows build your knitting and where to use them in different projects. Disclaimer: Once started, this project will be hard to put down. Be prepared for addiction, laughter and bursts of color!

Keith's Mind Blowing Tips & Tricks: 
Saturday from 3 - 5pm
Is the first stitch of your knitting loose? Do you cast on a new project in both knit and purl? Do you hem the bottom of your knitting? Is your bind off uneven when knitting in the round? Is there a magical loose bind off? How much yarn do you need for the long tail cast on? Why aren’t my stitches even? What is the proper way to measure? Should I slip the first stitch of every row? Find the answer to these questions and many more!

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help! 
Please contact the UMass Conference Services Registration 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). When possible, please contact us by email for the quickest assistance. 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!

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 Instagram @ninamachlindayton.

Toni Lipsey
Toni Lipsey, the designer and instructor behind TL Yarn Crafts, strives to spark others’ creativity through online tutorials and modern, approachable crochet patterns. Toni learned to crochet from her mother as a teenager and has been exploring the possibilities of yarn ever since. She offers hundreds of crochet patterns on her website and thousands of hours of crochet instruction and inspiration on her YouTube channel. When she’s not crocheting, you can find Toni cuddled with her 2 kittens and husband in her Michigan home, binge-watching the latest true-crime thriller. Follow her daily crochet journey on Instagram and pick up her book, The Tunisian Crochet Handbook, and patterns on tlyarncrafts.com.

Patty Lyons
Patty Lyons (http://pattylyons.com/) is a nationally recognized knitting teacher and technique expert who is known for teaching the “why” not just the “how” in her pursuit of training the “mindful knitter”. She specializes in sweater design and sharing her love of the much-maligned subjects of gauge and blocking. Patty teaches nationally at guilds, shops & knitting shows around the country such as Vogue Knitting LIVE, and STITCHES. Her popular classes can also be found on DVD and online at Interweave, Annie’s and Craftsy. She also runs wildly popular video sweater classes on her Ravelry group. Patty’s designs and knitting skill articles have been published in Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, Knit Purl, Knitter’s Magazine, Cast On, Knit Style, Creative Knitting, Twist Collective and Mason Dixon Knitting where she writes a monthly knitter’s advice column: “Ask Patty”. Patty’s designs have also been included in pattern collections from Classic Elite, Noro, Cascade, Tahki Stacy Charles, Sugar Bush and Willow Yarns.

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/

Keith Leonard
Keith Leonard began his knitting journey when he joined a lunch time knitting program in elementary school. Once the knitting bug bit, the itch never went away. After graduating from college, he started a knitwear finishing business called Knits All Done, completing hundreds of finishing projects for clients all over the United States. His finishing expertise organically transitioned into teaching knitting classes, and he has taught his skills to thousands of knitters throughout the country. In 2019 Keith started his own yarn line, yarnsnobyarns.com, and he currently spends his days producing astonishingly vibrant skeins to put in the hands of knitters.

Edie Eckman
Edie serves as a technical editor for yarn companies and independent publishers. Her designs have appeared in Knitters, Interweave Crochet, Creative Knitting, Knit N Style, and many other publications. She has taught at Stitches events, Vogue Knitting Live, The National Needlearts Association, The Knit & Crochet Show, Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair, New York State Sheep & Wool Festival (Rhinebeck), Fall Fiber Festival (Montpelier), and other national venues. Her articles and designs have appeared in many yarn company publications and magazines. Edie is the author of Every Which Way Crochet Borders, Christmas Crochet for the Hearth, Home & Tree, Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs, Socks to Knit for Those You Love, Around the Corner Crochet Borders, The Crochet Answer Book, Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs, and Pincushions to Sew. Together with Judith Durant, she edited Crochet One-Skein Wonders and Crochet One- Skein Wonders for Babies. 

Gale Zucker
Professional photographer, lifelong knitter & maker, Gale tries to combine the two as often as possible. Check out her website here and follow her on Instagram! 

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help! 
Please contact the UMass Conference Services Registration 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). When possible, please contact us by email for the quickest assistance. 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!

General
What is included with the available packages?
Each retreat package includes access to all retreat presentations, sponsor sessions, morning yoga, and tea time with friends, as well as a sumptuous swag bag mailed right to your door and an exclusive free shipping coupon code valid at WEBS. Depending on your selected retreat package, you will also enjoy between 4 to 8 hours of classes: 4 class hours are included with the Merino Package, 6 class hours are included with the Alpaca Package, and 8 class hours are included with the Cashmere Package. There are four class blocks with different classes running during each block and you will be assigned to classes based on the class preferences you provide and your selected retreat package. Classes run Friday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Friday from 3 - 5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., and Saturday from 3 - 5 p.m. (ET).

Can I change my selected retreat package?
Yes, availability permitting you can change your selected retreat package, either decreasing to a package with fewer class hours or increasing to a package with additional class hours. To adjust your retreat package contact UMass Conference Services at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu, or log back into the online registration form using your existing account and click "Edit Registration". You'll then be able to go back through the form and select a different package, and once you reached the "Registration Review" page, all updates will have been successfully applied to your account.

Can I register multiple attendees at once?
Registration is accepted on an individual basis, so each attendee must go through the form, enter in their unique details, and proceed through to submit payment: you cannot register or pay for multiple attendees at the same time and cannot add multiple retreat registration packages at once. Because of this, and because of how quickly the retreat can fill, we recommend each attendee goes through and register themselves using their own account. However, if needed, you can register one attendee through the payment submission process and, once that registration is completed, you can go through the form again to register someone else. To do this, first enter in the details for one attendee and proceed through to submit payment via our online payment portal. Next, click "Home" in the toolbar at the top of the page (if you don't see the "Home" button, click to access your receipt which should bring you to a page with this button). Once you click "Home", you'll see a summary of the registration you just completed, and a "Create Additional Registration" button over on the right. Click this "Create Additional Registration" button to be brought to a new, blank form, where you can enter in the details for the next attendee and again proceed all the way through the form to the payment gateway. Do not use your browser's back button and do not replace existing information with another attendee's information: doing so will overwrite the completed registration with this new information, and will not result in multiple people being registered.

When will I receive additional information about the retreat?
When you register you will automatically receive an informational email containing the latest information about the retreat. Leading up to the retreat, you can also expect to hear from us periodically by email with additional updates and instructions on how to access virtual programming, as well as emails related to your class assignments, necessary homework/materials lists, and confirmation of the mailing address to use to ship your swag bag. Please add our email address (registration@umass.edu) to your contacts so you don't miss any of these follow-up emails! We're here to help you get the most out of the retreat, so if you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to us! We can be reached at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.

What is the cancellation policy?
All cancellations must be sent in writing to UMass Conference Services by email (registration@umass.edu). No registration will be canceled and no credit will be issued (eligibility permitting) unless a written confirmation is provided.
For cancellations received more than 30 days from the start date of the retreat (prior to March 28): a full refund will be processed less the non-refundable $100.00 deposit.
For cancellations received less than 30 days from the start date of the retreat (after March 28 but before April 13): a full refund will be processed less a cancellation fee in the amount of 50% of the retreat package + $60.00.
For cancellations received less than 14 days before the start date of the retreat (after April 13): cancellations will be ineligible for a refund and no refund will be issued.

Virtual Retreat
How do I access retreat sessions?
The retreat will be held virtually from April 18 - 21. All retreat events will be held live on Zoom, a web conferencing platform that you can download and use for free. Each retreat session will have it's own unique meeting link, and prior to the retreat you will receive a personalized schedule by email that will include all of the links that you will need, including links for all your classes, sponsor presentations, tea time, morning yoga, and the Sunday keynote. Session will not be recorded so you should plan to attend all events live. Note all listed times are ET (Eastern Time): click here to convert to your local time. In preparation for the retreat, please make sure to install Zoom client for meetings and create an account if you don't have one yet.

This is my first virtual event. How can I prepare?
We know a virtual event can be intimidating, so we put together a whole bunch of information to help you prepare! Click on the "Virtual Retreat Tips" tab above to see our suggestions on how to get the most out of your virtual experience, including how best to prepare yourself and your space prior to - and during - the retreat. You may also find it helpful to check out our detailed Zoom How-To Guide and Zoom Cheat Sheet, which review key Zoom features and functionality. Note these resources are written for those using a desktop or laptop computer, so if you instead plan to join using a mobile phone or tablet some features may be slightly different. If you still have questions, we're here and happy to help: contact us at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102 so we can assist you with getting ready, answer any questions, or troubleshoot any issues! Keep an eye on your inbox as the retreat approaches, too: we'll be sharing pertinent updates and news between now and April, and you can always reply to these emails or give us a call.

What should I do if I'm having trouble connecting during the retreat?
If you're having trouble connecting to your session it may be because the host has not yet started the meeting. If you join the meeting before the host does, you will see a message that says "Waiting for host to start this meeting." In this case, please wait for the host to join, and you should then be brought into the meeting without issue! Sessions will use the "Waiting Room" feature, which puts you and other attendees into a virtual waiting room until the host and co-host are ready to begin. When you join a meeting with a waiting room, you will see a message that says "Welcome! Your session will start shortly." You will then be let into the meeting by the host once they are ready to begin.

If the meeting is in session but you can't connect, don't worry! First, make sure you are connected to the internet. Next, try closing Zoom and then reopen the meeting link included in your personalized schedule email (we will send you all of the necessary links by email prior to the retreat). If this doesn't work, we suggest restarting your device and trying again. If you are still having trouble connecting, please reach out to us at registration@umass.edu with exactly what issues/errors you are experiencing so we can assist you.

Will the retreat be recorded?
No, retreat classes, presentations, and all other sessions will not be recorded. Please plan to attend all retreat events and classes live!

Classes
How do I sign up for classes?
The registration for the Spring Retreat will be a two-part process. The first step will be registering for your preferred retreat package. Registration will open at 12 p.m. EDT on Thursday, February 29. Then, at noon on Wednesday, March 20, registered attendees will be able to submit class preferences by returning to this page, logging back in to their account, and entering the first and second class choices for as many class hours as selected. Detailed instructions will be emailed to registered attendees prior to March 20. Click the "Class Description" tab above to learn more about the classes being offered!

I didn't get the class I wanted. What can I do?
Some class sizes are limited and typically 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 class preferences on March 20. If we are unable to add you to any of your top choices we will automatically place you on the waitlist for your preferred class(es) 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, some classes have homework and/or materials lists, as well as class specific handouts. All of the information that you will need will be provided as an attachment to your class assignment email, followed by any necessary updates, patterns, download links, etc., as the retreat approaches.

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 needed please send along a detailed email to us at registration@umass.edu and we would we happy to help, or connect you with the appropriate person who can further assist you.

Payment
What are my payment options?
A minimum non-refundable $100.00 deposit is required to secure your registration. During registration you can select to pay this deposit, your full balance due, or any amount in between. Payment is accepted via this online registration page by Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express credit or debit card.

If you do not select to pay the full balance due during your initial registration, all remaining fees are due by the close of business (4 p.m. ET) on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. You can create your own payment plan to periodically submitting additional payments online, by phone, or by check. Additional instructions are included in the informational email you will receive after completing your registration.

For questions related to payment and/or to discuss alternate payment options, please contact us at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102!

What is the payment deadline?
You must submit a minimum non-refundable $100.00 deposit to secure your registration. If you do not pay in full during your initial registration, all remaining fees are due by the close of business (4 p.m. ET) on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

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!

Are you new to virtual learning?
We're happy to help you navigate this new adventure! We have put together tips and tricks, a how-to guide, and a cheat sheet to make your experience as seamless as possible. Please review the information below and contact us if you have any questions (registration@umass.edu, 413-577-8102).

Prepare Before the Retreat
Check Your Internet Connection
To get the most out of each session, it is important to use reliable internet! If possible, ask others in your home to stay off of the internet when you are in a session to minimize the devices connected to your network. If your wireless internet frequently lags, kicks you off, or is generally unreliable, try to use a wired connection right from your computer into your router, and keep your camera off as much as possible. You could also see if there is somewhere else you can go for internet access, such as the home of a family member or friend, a library, or a local café. Some libraries offer free outdoor wi-fi, allowing you to connect from a nearby parking lot or outdoor space.

Unsure about your internet speed and reliability? Do a quick test of your internet speed on Google! This test will let you know your internet speed and how well it can handle multiple devices connected at the same time, video conferencing, and more.

Download Zoom and Create an Account
All retreat sessions will be held live on Zoom, a web conferencing platform that you can download and use for free. To use Zoom, first visit https://zoom.us/download click the "Download" button under Zoom Client for Meetings. We recommend downloading Zoom onto a device with a larger screen, such as a laptop or desktop computer, instead of using your phone or tablet. In addition to downloading Zoom, you will need to create a Zoom account if you do not yet have one. You can create an account by downloading Zoom and then opening the Zoom app. This will bring you to a login screen, and on the bottom right you can click the "Sign up for Free" button. You can also create an account by visiting https://zoom.us/signup. It's a relatively easy process to download Zoom and create an account, but it does take a few minutes so make sure to do this before the start of the retreat!

Choose Your Device Carefully
If you have multiple devices, we recommend downloading Zoom onto the one with the largest screen, such as a laptop or desktop computer, so that you can easily see what is going on. When possible we don't recommend using your phone as it will be difficult to see what is happening on such a small screen, plus phone calls, emails, and text messages could be distracting. The features and functionalities of the mobile version of Zoom are also slightly different, so please note that our guide and cheat sheet are not fully applicable to the mobile version (and also vary slightly from Zoom features/functionality on tablets). Lastly, for some classes and guided social events you will want to be following along and, in some cases, actively knitting: be sure to use a device that can stand on it's own so you can keep your hands free!

Practice with Zoom 
If you are new to Zoom, we recommend taking advantage of some of the many resources available to familiarize yourself with how to use it! We have created a detailed Zoom how-to guide, as well as a Zoom cheat sheet for your reference. You can also practice on your own by joining a test Zoom meeting here, or checking out some of Zoom's beginner tutorials here. If you have any questions or need a little more support, please don't hesitate to contact us - we're more than happy to help you get squared away before the retreat (registration@umass.edu, 413-577-8102)!

Create a Special Retreat Space
Find an area of your home where you will be comfortable, and ideally one that is private to minimize distractions. Arrange a comfortable chair in front of your screen. Set your screen up on a table, stand, or desk, so that you can easily see it while having your hands free to knit. Create a little kit to keep all of your supplies organized and easy to grab, and fill it with your knitting supplies, class materials/homework, drinks, snacks, a notebook, a pen/pencil, and whatever else you might need. If you decide to have your camera on, consider the camera angle and the background your teachers and fellow students will see. You may want to prop up your screen so that the camera is at or above eye level for a more flattering angle. Consider what others will see behind you, and perhaps rearrange or spruce up the space a bit. During the retreat, remove distractions and background noises by closing the doors and windows to your space, silencing your phone, and asking your family or housemates to be mindful of when you will be attending retreat sessions.

During the Retreat
Get Ready for Your Sessions
"Zoom fatigue" is all too real - it can be tough to sit in virtual session after virtual session, even if we have some of the most engaging hosts and teachers around! It helps to prepare yourself and your space in advance, and to get mentally and physically ready the day of. Consider stretching or going for a walk before a block of sessions begin. Leading up to the session, give yourself enough time (at least 15 minutes!) before the start of the session to get your device up and running and make sure your audio and video are working. Know when your classes begin, and what additional events you would like to attend. Be sure to setup your space in the days leading up to the retreat (see the "Create a Special Retreat Spot" section above!) and have anything that you might need during the session close by - you don't want to miss anything because you have to go grab some supplies or a drink! If you decide to have your camera on, keep in mind the instructor and other attendees will be able to see you, so make sure you are camera ready! This is also helpful if you need to get up and grab a supply from somewhere else in your home (we've all seen the videos of the mishaps that result when someone on camera forgets that they aren't quite dressed appropriately!).

Stay Muted (except during dedicated Q&As!)
When you join a session you should automatically be muted. Please stay muted unless you have a question or need assistance to avoid broadcasting any unexpected background noises to all of the other participants in the meeting. On the bottom meeting toolbar you will see a microphone icon: if there is a red line in this icon that means you are muted, and you can click this icon to request to unmute if needed. You can also utilize a number of other communication methods in Zoom while staying muted, such as the Chat feature or Reactions (take a look at our how-to guide and cheat sheet for more information!). Your instructor might have their own specific requests regarding how attendees should make comments or ask questions, so the exact protocol to follow may vary depending on the class or session - we recommend logging in a few minutes early to make sure you don't miss any special instructions made by that session's host!

Take Advantage of Time In-Between Sessions
The retreat is packed full of great events. Review the schedule to get a sense of when you will have some breaks or blocks of down time, and take advantage of these! When you have a break, try to get up and stretch. For longer breaks, consider taking a short walk to get some fresh air and recharge. These are also great chances to replenish any supplies, drinks, or snacks in preparation for the next session!

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!

Questions, concerns, or need some assistance? We're here to help!
We are so excited you will be joining us for the virtual WEBS Spring Knitting Retreat! A virtual retreat might be a new adventure for you, but we are committed to doing all we can to provide you with the best experience. If there is anything you need or anything we can assist with, either before or during the retreat, please contact us at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.

Below are some links you might find helpful as you prepare for the retreat:

Virtual Retreat Brochure
Virtual Retreat Zoom Guide
Virtual Retreat Zoom Cheat Sheet
Download Zoom Client for Meetings (or click here)
Sign-up for a Zoom Account
Zoom Resource Library
Zoom Test Meeting
Internet Speed Test