Did you know there are craft cruises to ports all over the world? Craft or in this case a knitting cruise with on-board classes and demonstrations is crewing up this spring for the Iberian Discovery Knitting cruise. Your vacation runs May 10 - 21, 2013, on Holland America Lines aboard the Eurodam.
Eurodam's maiden voyage was in 2008. It was refurbished in 2011. The ship is a mid sized vessel with five dining rooms. Ocean views can be seen from 86% of the staterooms. The ship is a mix of tradition and innovation.
Come aboard knitters. You will find up to 18 class-hours of knitting instruction for a range of skill levels. "Learn the 'Westknits' way of designing and knitting as well as everything you ever wanted to know about knitting and wool in Iceland." The instructors are Stephen West and Ragga Eiriksdóttir.
Stephen West lives in Amsterdam and teaches knitting workshops the world over. Enjoy classes with the designer of easy-to-knit and fun-to-wear garments. He is inspired by beautiful natural-fiber yarns, delightful color combinations and simple, clear lines. Plus an interesting shape or detail, as seen in one of his most popular designs, the Daybreak Shawl.
Ragga Eiriksdóttir is a native Icelandic knitting expert and designer and can't wait to bring knitters from all over the world closer to her unique cultural heritage of Icelandic knitting. You will learn Icelandic history and current Icelandic techniques.
While in the Meditteranean ports of Rome, the coast of Spain and Lisbon you will visit the textile-arts community. See displays of beautifully intricate lace and lace-making at the Museum of Popular Art.
Next stop north to visit the St. Peter Port, Channel Islands on the Island of Guernsey. The knitting industry began here in the early 16th century. You will stop by Le Tricoteur Knitwear in St. Peter Port to watch traditional knitwear being produced.
Go yarn shopping in Brussels at Vertias, a haberdashery dating over 120 years. Find all you knitting and crocheting needs here. Enjoy the Royal Art and History Museum, that has one of the largest tapestry collections in the world. Belgium is also famous for its lace. You will meet at Denmark's fantastic yarn shop, Sommerfuglen. The shop carries kits from designers like Vivian Hoxbro, Hanne Falkenburg, Marianne and Helga Isager and others.
Find your sea legs. You have permission to come aboard. Knitters, you are in for a smooth sail and wonderful fiber holiday.
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