Indie Untangled’s first retreat will take place from August 7-10, 2023 in Ashford, Washington, at the gateway to Mount Rainier National Park!
This will be a weekend focused on exploration and discovery, from learning the new skills and being inspired this beautiful natural setting. There will be plenty of time for knitting, creating, hiking and fostering friendships.
Our special guest is Lindsey Fowler of Larkspur Knits, whose book Salt & Timber is inspired by the Pacific Northwestern coast.
Our location:
WellspringAshford, 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 through emerald green forests that lead to rustic cabins, outdoor hot tubs and waterfalls.
What's included
- Accommodations at Wellspring, which features cozy cabins in a peaceful wooded setting
- Eight chef-prepared meals by Honest to Goodness Personal Chef Services — dinner Monday through breakfast Thursday — along with light snacks, water and soft drinks; alcohol is BYOB
- Two classes/workshops with designer Lindsey Fowler of Larkspur Knits and a colorwork pattern that will debut at the retreat
- Shopping in an informal handmade marketplace, with access to special Knitting Our National Parks colorways
- A swag bag filled with goodies
- Organized knit/craft nights and plenty of knitting time in a peaceful, relaxed environment
- Access to 2 miles of wilderness trails at the resort and to Mount Rainier National Park, which is 4 miles away (we are working on an organized trip to the 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, we will help as much as possible to facilitate carpooling among retreat guests.
Attendees are encouraged to attend the Flock Fiber Festival in Seattle on August 5 & 6 before relaxing at the retreat! Flock is a new fiber show in the PNW featuring over 50 vendors.
Classes
Behind the scenes of Salt & Timber
Lindsey will pull the curtain back on the publication process for her book, Salt & Timber, inspired by the Pacific Northwestern coast and released by Laine Publishing in fall 2022. Participants will also learn how to create a capsule collection for their wardrobe from the book’s 15 cozy designs, using different color palettes to create a distinct style and vibe.
Marled Colorwork
Lindsey will walk you through her unique method of stranded colorwork using fingering-weight yarn held double to create an original DK-weight cowl, which Lindsey will release at the retreat. Seen above is the technique used on her Spice Blend Cowl.
The small-group class will cover choosing colors from scrap yarn or mini skein sets and how to control color dominance when using marled yarns. During the class, the participants will work on a smaller “cup cozy” version of the cowl. The class may include some stranded colorwork basics depending on the participants’ skill level. If there is enough demand, we may hold a Stranded Colorwork Basics workshop prior to the retreat via Zoom.
Lodging
There are several lodging options at Wellspring. They range from cozy log cabins to a magical treehouse. Please note the following:
• The Deluxe and Classic cabins, the Treehouse, the Grace West room and the Nest 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 up to six guests.
• Spa services have been suspended due to COVID, however guests in the Grace West room enjoy exclusive access to a hot tub and sauna.
• 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.
• 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 - Tieton, Tioga
Double Occupancy: $1,400 per person
Single Occupancy: $1,900 per person
Wellspring’s newest log cabins are sure to set the standard in the 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 full kitchen with fridge, toaster and gas stove/oven.
Classic - Tahoma, Tenaya, Tuolumne
Double Occupancy: $1,200 per person
Single Occupancy: $1,700 per person
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: $1,300 per person
Single Occupancy: $1,800 per person
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: $1,250 per person
Double Occupancy: $1,500 per person
When Baby Bear left the nest and Mom and Pop moved to a smaller den, Wellspring inherited their family cottage. Decorated with pine paneling and unique log furniture, the rustic cottage interior includes a Mama-bear size kitchen, with fridge, toaster, stove/oven and microwave, living and dining room, wood-stoves, private bedroom with four-poster bed, a queen sofa bed and a daybed, a private bathroom with shower, jetted tub and even a washer and dryer.
The Grace West Guestroom
Double Occupancy: $1,550 per person
Single Occupancy: $2,050 per person
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!).
The Nest
Double Occupancy: $900 per person
Single Occupancy: $1,300 per person
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
Price: $950 per person
The upstairs loft of the Tatoosh Lodge is accessed by a staircase. Each person will have their own curtained space with two twin beds. Although downstairs you may sip wine and feel like a grownup, under your covers upstairs you and your loft-mates may succumb to the giggles as you stretch out the day under the light of bedside reading lamps. There is a shared bathroom on the lower level of the lodge.
The Tatoosh Loft is ideal for solo travelers on a budget.
Camper Cabins - Trail's End, Tumbleweed
Double Occupancy: $1,000 per person
Single Occupancy: $1,200 per person
Camper Cabins are located in a quiet forested area about a 3-4 minute trail walk away from shared bathroom facilities and parking. Bathrooms include showers and a bar-size fridge. Each cabin can be set up with two twin beds or one king.
