Fun
Postcards from the Knitting Getaway 2025
Dear all,
There’s this long sidewalk that runs from McCrory Auditorium to Simmonds Hall, on the campus of St. Andrews Sewanee School in Sewanee, Tennessee. For a few days in June, it turns into Amazon River of knitters wandering back and forth from class to dorm to auditorium to dining hall, and it’s one of my favorite places on earth.
I post up in the pergola located midway on this sidewalk, and I knit three stitches, then mostly watch people come and go. Everybody has a minimum of two tote bags. The flowy linen game is unmatched. The vibe among these folks, young, old, in between, is one of great ease. Nobody’s in a rush.
Maybe they’re heading off to a class to knit a small chicken with Mary Lou Egan. Or to learn how to knit comfortably with Carson Demers. Or to get with Julie Robinson to design a custom-fit sweater. Or to Gale Zucker’s photography workshop. Or to swim in the lake. Or to come sit in the pergola with the rest of us. Or—for the first time—dance on the lawn in the moonlight.
All this happened last weekend at the Knitting Getaway at Shakerag Workshops. It was really, really fun. Click through the gallery up top for a glimpse.
We’ll be announcing registration for the 2026 Knitting Getaway (a lottery) later this year. We’re already working on the teacher lineup—please stay tuned!
Maybe You Can Get Away Right Now?
The thing is, the folks at Shakerag Workshops have been running workshops for more than 25 years now, and we are so incredibly grateful to Claire Reishman and Christi Teasley for the intelligent, joyful way they bring people together.
In fact, if you’re craving this sort of thing, Session III begins this Sunday, June 15. And—incredibly—they still have openings in several classes: rug hooking, mending, book arts, collage, paper cutting, and pottery. The teachers are world-reputation artists and teachers.
Seriously: your blood pressure will drop 10 points when you arrive in Sewanee. And you’ll leave with new friends, new skills, and a storehouse of joy in your heart.
(Spontaneity is so fun: We had one extremely game Nashvillian claim an empty spot less than 24 hours before the start of the Getaway. Hats off to Kathy, who dropped everything to be there!)
And Our Open House? The Start of a Lot of Fun
On Saturday, we welcomed all sorts of folks—locals, Knitting Getawayers, the lady who photographed my wedding 35 years ago, the three-month-old baby who stole the show in Sewanee—to MDK World Headquarters to enjoy our little new shop, with space to spread out and meet new friends. We’ll be doing another one very soon, so if you’re in the area, please keep your eye out for our next gathering. It’ll be on a Sunday afternoon, in a few weeks.
Meanwhile, sending all the love—Kay and I are feeling very tender about the time we get to spend with you.
Love,
Ann
Although this was my first Shakerag, it won’t be my last. Yes, my blood pressure didn’t drop. I’m still riding the high I had while there. What fun! Thank you for hosting a marvelous time! I loved every minute and ate every bite of that amazing food!
It really is just like the pictures, folks. Thanks for a lovely lovely time, Ann, Kay, Claire, Christi and the Shakerag folks.
It was my second Shakerag. So love it this event. My head is filled with ideas. I hope for next year and to stay for more sessions.
It is a special kind of experience! Almost hard to explain to friends how different this three days is from other knitting experiences. It’s about meeting new and old friends and spending time doing what we all love to. The size of the group promotes this atmosphere —- it is so fun to just talk to the teachers outside of the classroom ! Oh yes —. Classes and food and activities and food and time to sit and knit and food. Thank you Kay and Ann !!!
Looks like a joyous time was had by all! I’d love to be there but have a few impediments these days. Thanks for the fun pictures! And as would inevitably happen when pictures of knitters appear, someone is going to ask about the pattern
of what at least one knitter is wearing: in this case the young (it’s all a matter of perspective!) lady in the left foreground of the chicken-on-the-head picture. Looks like simple, maybe linen, stockinette with an occasional row of eyelets. Just my style! BTW Ann, I don’t know if I ever thanked you for giving us the specs for your orange KSH scarf in the Comments section. So happy to have a starting point from which to swatch. Just now – decks cleared of gifting projects – I am ready to cast on this pick-it-up-whenever-I-have-a moment project. Next will be Something (a shawl?) for all the beautiful skeins of Felted Tweed I garnered from your shop over the years. Maybe even the Spectra sweater another Sewanee attendee is wearing. Thanks for the inspiration!
Gee, I’m flattered that my photo of Ann and Kay in the library with the Natalie Chanin skirts made it into this post! Loved meeting so many cool women. Made new friends. Ate great food. Swam and hiked. Knit. Even helped a young person learn how to knit. ShakeRag is an experience like no other.
Thanks to all who made this experience so special — Kay, Ann, the behind the scenes MDKer’s, Claire, Christi, the behind the scenes Shakeragers, Carson, Mary Lou, Julie and Gale, and all the wonderful knitters who attended. The vibe was so positive. I’ve been thinking about why this year felt so different and maybe it’s because there has been so much chaos in the past few months — so much negative news — so much anger. All of that evaporated at Shakerag. Of course there was talk of politics but for me it was encouraging to hear I was not alone. People do care about what’s going on. But there was other talk — how the new robotic sweeper/mopper works with pet hair, pilates and yoga (strength matters as we age), Alabama Chanin and her fabulous creations, indigo dying workshops, a few grandchildren stories, etc. Shakerag is such a special place and the attendees made it marvelous. I am grateful for all of you!!!
Love the many chicken photos (including the human ones) and that the doggo got two shots! Maybe one day…
Is there a pattern for that sweet chicken???
Signed, one day I’ll win the lottery and be able to go on one of these knitting trips …
Yes for the chicken pattern! Life is so busy, and quilting has taken much space that used to be for knitting, but I would love to try the chicken!
Looks like all was joyous. I miss Claire’s voice urging “conviviality”…
I missed talking books with you, Deborah! maybe next year …
Was there an announcement that it was the Year of the Caftan?
I am so glad I dropped everything. This was my first Shakerag Workshop and it was amazing. I met so many wonderful people and the classes were outstanding! I am looking forward to the opportunity to go again. Now just hoping my name is pulled in the lottery! Thank you Kay and Ann for this wonderful experience!
It looks like it was such a fun Getaway…great photos! Looks like the Shakerag Skirt game was strong too. One of these days I hope to join y’all in Sewanee, and until then, I love the Zoom meetings and workshops…would you please consider having a class for the small emotional support chicken?
This getaway was life changing for me! I feel so honored to have been included, and hope that I will win the lottery again sometime. Thank you for all you both do to make it happen. As Kay said, “I’m still on a cloud”!!!
I was thrilled to be part of the Getaway. It was a dream and a total joy. Thanks to Kay, Ann, Claire and all the Shakerag gang.
And yes, there is a pattern for the chicken coming very soon to Ravelry.
I’m still chewing my husband’s ear off about this retreat. This was a bucket list event for me and I am just thrilled that my name was picked. It exceeded my expectations and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to attend. I hope it will be the first of many times. THANK YOU to Ann, Kay, Claire, and everyone that made it so special.
This was my first Shakerag and what a time! There is nothing quite like talking about knitting all day with others who share your passion and, more importantly, understand. Where else do you get to talk to someone you just met and ask about what they’re wearing or making and ask to touch the fabric! Thank you Ann, Kay, Claire, Christi and all of the staff who made this experience so memorable. Fingers crossed for next year’s lottery!
I won the lottery last year and cherish all the knitting memories and new friendships made. If I never get to go back again, I still feel lucky to have been there.
Talk about winning a lottery, this was definitely a major score. The getaway was just what I needed to amp up my knitting skills, knowledge, and “my people”!
It was an amazing time to socialize and knit with like-minded folks. Thank you so much for the opportunity to attend.