Reservations 877·97·CRAFT  (877·972·7238)

14-Day ~ British Isles Knitting Cruise (Aug 2022)

Holland America Line


Start Date:

   

August 14, 2022

   

End Date:

   

August 28, 2022

British Isles Knitting Cruise (Aug 2022) ~ Knitting Cruises Description

14-day British Isles Knitting Cruise with Lucy Neatby
August 14-28, 2022


Beginning and ending in Rotterdam, this 14-day British Isles adventure aboard Holland America's Volendam visits this region during the peak of summer when the weather is at its best. This cruise visits many favorite ports, including Portland (Weymouth), Guernsey, Falmouth, Ilfracombe, Liverpool, Dublin, Isle of Skye, Kirkwall, Invergordon, and Edinburgh. This itinerary gives travelers a chance to steep themselves in the rich history of the region and learn about knitting traditions. Shop for yarn in charming shops, walk through beautiful gardens, learn about unusual geology and take in dramatic seascapes and coastal scenery. Enjoy a cold local brew in a pub or take high tea at an outdoor cafe and knit a few rows. There is no better way to see the British Isles than on this 14-day mid-summer cruise.


While onboard, Lucy Neatby will be offering a range of knitting classes where she will share tons of great tips and techniques that will give knitters a deeper understanding of knitting. Courses will include such popular topics as ambidextrous knitting, increasing your confidence and how to manage disasters when steeking, the ins-and-outs of double knitting, as well as tons of hot sock tricks. No matter your skill level, Lucy will help everyone kick up their skills a few notches!


British Isles Knitting Cruise Highlights


  • Stay in Rotterdam or Amsterdam before the cruise and comfortably travel by rail to explore.

  • In Amsterdam, visit world-class museums, take a historical canal cruise, see floating flower markets and go yarn shopping.

  • Tour iconic 18th-century windmills in Kinderdiijk or visit the quaint town of Delft known for its scenic canals and Delft Royal Pottery.

  • Plan a venture to Stephen & Penelope's yarn shop in Amsterdam, home of Westknits.

  • Visit the Guernsey Folk and Costume Museum, where visitors can walk through 250 years of island history, including a collection of traditional Guernsey costumes and Gansey sweaters.

  • Knit a souvenir hat and matching scarf designed exclusively for the group by Janine le Cras group using Gansey patternings such as cables, nets, and ladders.

  • See Exmoor ponies and horned sheep in Ilfracombe.

  • In Liverpool, tour the Tate Museum of Modern Art, enjoy learning about the Beatles' hometown, and have a cream tea.

  • In Dublin, meet local knitters and designers, possibly including Kieran Foley.

  • Enjoy traditional Irish tea in the medieval section of town at The Constant Knitter yarn shop in Dublin.

  • Shop for beautiful Irish wool at This is Knit Yarn Shop, housed in a gorgeous 18th-century mansion in the heart of Dublin.

  • See the Book of Kells and enjoy a pint of Guinness in Dublin, Ireland.

  • Visit one of Scotland's most famous medieval churches, St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.

  • Shop for Orkney Knitwear and yarn at the Judith Glue shop in Kirkwall, near the cathedral.

  • Spend the day in the heart of The Highlands in Invergordon. This area, known for its rich Scottish heritage, is most known for Loch Ness, lush greenery, the sound of bagpipes, and rare breed sheep farms.

  • While visiting The Highlands, meet local knitters from Ripples Crafts and Loch Ness Knitting while shopping at a pop-up fiber market featuring popular indie-dyers as Black Isles Yarns, TJ Frog, Artisan Threads, and more.

  • Shop for souvenir yarn at Ginger Twist Studio and Kathy's Knits in Edinburgh.

  • Walk the Royal Mile through the heart of old Edinburgh (South Queensferry), Scotland.

  • Be mesmerized by the drumbeat at the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Holland America Line gets a limited number of tickets, so book early!