Join Indie Untangled and Pacific Northwest designer Seth Richardson for a three-day retreat in the Washington wilderness. It takes place from July 27-30, 2026 at the gateway to Mount Rainier National Park.
Our location:
Wellspring Spa & Woodland Retreat
Ashford, Washington
We will be gathering at the Wellspring Spa and Woodland Retreat, a magical property situated just outside the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. This forest setting includes meandering trails lined with emerald evergreens that lead to rustic cabins, outdoor hot tubs, saunas and waterfalls.
In between classes and delicious chef-prepared meals, tuck yourself away in one of the numerous tranquil stitching spots or go on a hike with your new fiber friends. Melt your stress away with an incredible massage in the newly-constructed Greenhouse Spa.
What's included
- Accommodations at Wellspring, which features cozy cabins in a peaceful wooded setting
- Eight delicious meals prepared by Honest to Goodness Personal Chef Services — dinner Monday through breakfast Thursday — along with light snacks, water and soft drinks; alcohol is BYOB
- A lecture and a three-hour workshop with guest designer Seth Richardson
- Shopping in an informal handmade marketplace with the debut of special Knitting Our National Parks colorways
- A welcome gift bag filled with goodies
- Plenty of time to craft in a peaceful, relaxed environment
- Access to 2 miles of wilderness trails at the resort and an organized day trip to Mount Rainier National Park
Flights are not included. The closest airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; Wellspring is a roughly two-hour drive from the Seattle area. If you are flying in, we will help to facilitate carpooling among retreat guests.
Check-in for the retreat will run from 3-5 p.m. Monday. The retreat concludes after breakfast on Thursday, with checkout by 11 a.m.
Attendees are encouraged to attend the Flock Fiber Festival in Seattle from July 31-August 2 after relaxing at the retreat! Flock is a PNW fiber show in its fourth year featuring over 100 vendors as well as classes.
There’s a separate fee for massages and Indie Untangled will reach out to attendees about booking them a few weeks before the retreat.
Classes
Monday Talk: Embracing Creativity: How a Natural Human Impulse Drives Us to Knit Amazing Things
Yes, we’re all creative! Even when we follow a pattern, each of us has a unique perspective and a set of skills that we use to make something a bit different than everyone else. But how does this work, and how can we recognize and encourage our individual creative identities?
In this presentation, designer Seth Richardson will talk about some aspects of creativity and connect them to the fiber arts to look at the different decisions we make when we work on our craft. We’ll also discuss methods and exercises for expanding your creative potential to help you explore new avenues in your knitting or finding your voice as a designer. It’s time to spice up that project queue with something new!
Tuesday Class: Design Your Own Cable Chart
Here we take a playful, puzzle-solving approach to designing your very own cabling creation that you can incorporate into your next project. We will talk about where to find inspiration, and we’ll also explore some common cable motifs and what to consider when mixing and matching different cable maneuvers.
Each participant will receive their very own, reusable charting kit (yours to keep!) to sketch out their cabling concept. We’ll move shapes and symbols around the page to see what works, and then we’ll use yarn and needles to see if the chart can be successfully knit up into a real fabric. Then it’s up to you to apply your design to whatever you like, whether that’s a scarf, a hat, or a sweater. And for those who want to take it to the next level, we’ll discuss some software options to expand your ideas.
Beginner level instruction can also be provided for those who are new to cable knitting or want more experience with reading charts for cable knitting.
Lodging
There are several lodging options at Wellspring. They range from cozy log cabins to an enchanting treehouse. Please note the following:
• The Deluxe and Classic cabins, the Treehouse, the Grace West room and Turiya have one queen or king bed. If you are sharing with another retreat attendee, you will need to be comfortable sharing a bed.
• Makers traveling in a group will be able to spread out in the Three Bears Cottage, which has three separate beds. Camper cabins can be set up with one king or two twin beds.
• If you’re on a budget, we recommend staying in the Loft or Nest of the Tatoosh Lodge. This is a more communal, home-like space, with two bathrooms and a downstairs lounge that will be shared by five guests. You can also stay in the Camper Cabins for a comfortable, upgraded camping experience.
• Guests in Grace West and Turiya can enjoy exclusive access to hot tubs and saunas.
• If you have a feather allergy, please let us know when you book by adding it in the notes section.
• We will serve a buffet-style breakfast, lunch, light snacks and dinner during the retreat. Your room will have a refrigerator, so feel free to bring additional snacks since there is no room service or store on the property (but don’t worry — there will be plenty of food!).
• Your total retreat price is based on the accommodations you choose.
Keep in mind that because we are in the middle of the wilderness, the property is more rustic than your standard hotel. Wellspring offers a very basic wifi network that is accessible in its covered open air gazebo, but it’s not guaranteed to reach inside cabins. Cellular reception is not guaranteed. Take the opportunity to truly unplug!
Deluxe - Tamarack, Tieton, Tioga
Double Occupancy Total Price: $1,600 per person
Single Occupancy Total Price: $2,100
Wellspring’s newest log cabins set the standard in rustic luxury category. Combining all the elements that make a weekend getaway a dream vacation, these cabins feature a handcrafted king feather bed set before a massive river rock fireplace, private bathroom with jacuzzi tub and a full kitchen.
Classic - Tahoma, Tenaya, Tuolumne
Double Occupancy Total Price: $1,400 per person
Single Occupancy Total Price: $1,900
Each of these classic log cabins evokes childhood memories of woodland fairy tales. Behind high peaked windows and robust log construction awaits the comfort of a queen feather bed and the warmth and romance of a glass-fronted fireplace. Private bathroom, sitting area, bar size refrigerator, coffee maker, simple dishware and microwave. Tuolumne comes with a wheelchair ramp.
The Treehouse
Double Occupancy Total Price: $1,600 per person
Single Occupancy Total Price: $2,100
Perched 15 feet above the ground between two large fir trees is a tiny little house built for two. Snuggle up in a queen bed in the treetops. Below, in the skirts of the host firs, is the open-air “green room” with table and chairs, a few steps away from your private bathroom with shower. Includes coffee maker, small fridge and microwave and simple dishware.
The Three Bears Cottage
Triple Occupancy Total Price: $1,450 per person
Double Occupancy Total Price: $1,700 per person
Decorated with pine paneling and unique log furniture, this cottage includes a private bedroom with four-poster bed, as well as a queen sofa bed and a daybed. You and one or two of your besties will share a private bathroom with a shower and jetted tub, along with a living and dining room.
Double Occupancy Total Price: $1,750 per person
Single Occupancy Total Price: $2,250
This restful space invokes a strong feeling of oneness with its natural forest surroundings. Outside, the sound of falling water and a forest pond; inside, the comfort of a queen feather bed. Includes coffee maker, microwave, bar-size-fridge and simple dishware.
Grace West guests enjoy exclusive use of the hot tub and sauna (unless you are willing to share with your new retreat friends!).
Turiya
Double Occupancy Total Price: $1,750 per person
Single Occupancy Total Price: $2,250
This peaceful space has a private Zen garden with waterfalls and pools at your door. There is a queen bed, private bathroom, coffee maker, microwave, bar-size fridge and simple dishware.
Turiya guests enjoy exclusive use of the hot tub and sauna (unless you are willing to share with your new retreat friends!).
The Nest
Single Occupancy Total Price: $1,500
This uniquely romantic little room has all the features of any respectable nest: second-story height, a view of the stars and a snuggly feather queen bed suspended from the ceiling. As part of The Tatoosh Lodge building, The Nest has a separate entrance and private downstairs bathroom with shower. Includes coffee maker, small fridge and simple dishes and glassware.
Tatoosh Loft
Total Price: $1,000
The upstairs loft of the Tatoosh Lodge is accessed by a staircase. Each person will have their own curtained space with two twin beds (one to sleep in and one to put your stuff on). In the evenings, enjoy a shared living area with plenty of comfy seating to work on your latest project. There is a shared bathroom on the lower level of the lodge.
The Tatoosh Loft is ideal for solo travelers or a small group on a budget.
Camper Cabins - Timbuktu, Trail's End, Tumbleweed
Double Occupancy Total Price: $1,150 per person
Single Occupancy Total Price: $1,350
Camper Cabins are located in a quiet forested area about a 3-4 minute trail walk away from bathroom facilities and parking. Two private bathrooms, each with a shower and toilet, are shared among the three camper cabins. Each cabin can be set up with two twin beds or one king.
