KnoT25 retreat 2025
The concept for the Knit on Texel retreats originated from my deep love for knitting and a desire to share this creative passion with fellow enthusiasts. I imagined creating an unforgettable experience, immersed in a cozy and inviting atmosphere, where we could all come together, unwind, learn, swap stories, and revel in our shared love for knitting.
Texel, a captivating gem of an island, nestled in the northwestern Netherlands, has always held a special place in my heart. It’s the place I grew up, and I couldn’t think of a lovelier backdrop for our gathering. To me, it’s the perfect place to bring people together for genuine relaxation, forging meaningful connections, and nurturing our creativity.
Realizing our first two Knot retreats in 2023 and 2024 was a dream come true. It was a privilege to experience the warmth and camaraderie of our guests and witness the dedication of the fantastic KnoT team. And now, we extend an open invitation for you to be part of the next adventure.
For KnoT25, we’ve expanded to a two-week format to accommodate more knitters while still preserving the close-knit, personal atmosphere that so many of you cherished.
KnoT25 Week #1 will take place from June 11th to 15th, and Week #2 from June 18th to 22nd. We’re keeping it an intimate experience, with each week limited to a maximum of 22 knitters. Non-knitting buddies or partners are also welcome to join in for some extra fun!
In the meantime, you will find a KnoT25 thread in the Moonstruck Knits group on Ravelry, where you can join the pre-party fun, and make plans with fellow knitters.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to knit, connect, and create cherished memories together!
Knitting
During the retreat there will be ample time to gather and share our common passion for knitting. We have a lineup of inspiring workshops that will surely ignite your creativity! Natasja will be teaming up with the incredibly talented Florence Spurling to lead exciting, colorful knitting classes that will push your skills to new heights.
We’re also beyond excited to welcome Renske van den Tempel, a former Texel sheep farmer, who will guide us through the traditional Texel wool processing technique known as ‘stroppen’. This unique class offers a rare opportunity to learn a centuries-old craft, deeply intertwined with the island’s textile heritage.
Workshops by Florence
Florence Spurling is a UK-based textile designer known for her innovative knit, crochet, and embellished fabrics. With a Masters in Textile Design from the Royal College of Art, she blends color, texture, and pattern in unique ways to create eye-catching designs for contemporary knitters. Alongside her own collections, Florence collaborates with top fashion brands like Anthropologie, Chloe, Marc Jacobs, and Michael Kors. She’s also the author of Designing Knitted Textiles (2021).
Workshop 1 – Combining Fair Isle and Intarsia: Scout Shawl
In this colourwork focused class, you will explore the key techniques that are used within the Scout Shawl pattern. The main differences between Fair Isle and intarsia will be explored, as well as advice on working with multiple yarns at the same time, and how to achieve a professional looking finish when transitioning between pattern blocks.
During the class, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to tackle projects featuring flat Fair Isle knitting and intarsia with ease. While no prior experience with intarsia is required, familiarity with Fair Isle knitting will enhance your learning experience!
Workshop 2 – Estonian Inlay
Join Florence to explore the beautiful Estonian inlay technique, which creates the look of embroidery through decorative floats worked with contrasting yarn. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics while knitting a small swatch in the round, gaining hands-on experience in forming striking patterns and motifs.
Florence will also share insights on design approaches, materials, and finishing tips, perfect for knitters who are curious and eager to expand their repertoire with new techniques.
Florence’s Instagram and her website give a lovely overview of her beautiful work.
Workshop by Renske
Renske van den Tempel has been a dedicated teacher at the Agricultural School on Texel and a successful sheep farmer for over 25 years. On her farm, she welcomes visitors, offering them a firsthand experience of farm life and wool production. She also developed a popular line of natural lanolin-based creams, which became a key product of her family’s business, now run by her son.
In 2025, Renske will publish her book ‘Living with Wool: Then and Now’, exploring the rich history and modern uses of wool. Through her work, she has shared her passion for wool and agriculture and her contributions have left a lasting impact on the wool industry and her community.
Workshop – Renske will share her background and deep connection to Texel’s agricultural and cultural history, including the significance of sheep farming on the island.
During the workshop, you’ll learn about the use of local sheepskin as a versatile material and dive into the unique wool-processing technique known as ‘stroppen,’ a craft deeply rooted in Texel’s heritage. Together with Renske, you will get hands-on experience working with wool and practicing the art of ‘stroppen,’ preserving this age-old tradition. This workshop is perfect for anyone interested in learning about sustainable materials, traditional crafts, and the cultural history of Texel.
Workshop by Natasja
Workshop – For the retreat, Natasja will create an exclusive KnoT design reserved solely for KnoT25 guests during the event.
The KnoT Design workshop isn’t just about knitting; it’s a hands-on exploration of more advanced techniques to enhance your knitting skills. We’ll also cover how to select the perfect color palette that suits your style while complementing the design.
Through hands-on practice, you’ll gain confidence in these techniques and improve your ability to combine colors effectively.
Yarn
We are beyond excited to welcome the dynamic duo behind Mominoki Yarn, Chihiro and her partner Lasse, to KnoT25! Founded in 2017, Mominoki Yarn -meaning ‘Fir Tree’ in Japanese- has grown into a beloved brand known for its vibrant, hand-dyed creations. These talented artisans will be bringing their exquisite yarns straight to the retreat, ensuring all your yarnie desires are met. Each skein is lovingly dyed by Chihiro, whose Japanese heritage and artistic vision have inspired their unique offerings.
Natasja has long been a fan of Mominoki’s stunning range of yarns and hues, and we know you will be, too. Even if you’re new to Mominoki, one touch of their irresistibly beautiful skeins is all it takes to fall in love.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of their yarn, but don’t forget to pack light – because we’re sure you won’t be able to resist taking home a few of these treasures!
Accommodation
We will stay at ‘Nieuw Leven’ (New Life), a group accommodation that has won an award for being the most sustainable project in Europe. Without compromising on comfort and indulgences, Nieuw Leven is totally self-sustainable, and is an example for the Netherlands and abroad.
The accommodation is situated in walking distance of Den Burg, the islands main village. Nieuw Leven is surrounded by grazing sheep and from the grounds you have unmatched views over the Texel landscape.
The splendid villas have elegant and warm interiors, consisting of a large country kitchen, beautiful living rooms and spacious bedrooms with en suite bathrooms.
In addition to the private villa gardens, you can make use of the other facilities on site, like the ecological swimming pond with a spacious swimming area and the wellness garden with barrel sauna.
Cuisine
We’re delighted to announce that we’ve once again partnered with chef Karin Gaasterland from Cuisine Carine to curate an exceptional culinary experience. Chef Karin and her wingwoman Barbara Rossbeckova will be preparing our lunches and dinners right in the comfort of our villas, using the finest, locally sourced ingredients from the island.
Karin is not only an accomplished chef but also the acclaimed author of the cookbook, ‘Cuisine Carine’. Her culinary expertise extends beyond her cookbook as she was a co-owner of restaurant Balthazars Keuken, situated in the heart of Amsterdam. Presently, Karin has taken her culinary talents on a global journey, organizing pop-up dining experiences in captivating locations such as Tariva, Mallorca, and Amsterdam.
You can find Karin and her mouthwatering dishes on Instagram.
Specials
Cozy Sunset Knit Night at the Beach Club
Join us on Thursday for an unforgettable evening of knitting, dining, and breathtaking views at one of the island’s most charming beach clubs. Relax with a good dinner as you knit by the seaside, soaking in the stunning sunset over the North Sea.
Island Discovery Tour
Enjoy a half-day guided tour exploring some of the island’s hidden gems as part of the retreat. We’ll visit a local sheep farm, get an exclusive look at the cheesemaking process, stroll over dykes, and wander the charming streets of an old fishing village. Led by Natasja, you’ll experience the island’s most scenic spots. Don’t forget to bring your knitting and a camera to capture the beauty along the way!
Exclusive KnoT25 Swag Bag
Every participant will receive a luxurious KnoT25 swag bag, custom-made for us by the talented Annette Wall of Pink Hazel Bags. While we’re keeping the contents a surprise, rest assured—it’s packed with irresistible goodies you’ll love! Get ready for something extraordinary to commemorate your Texel knitting adventure.
Saturday Pop-Up Shop & Free Afternoon Fun
Saturday afternoon is your time to explore! Whether you want to wander through town, visit a nature reserve, or relax, the day is yours. But don’t miss out on our special pop-up shop! Alongside the beautiful Mominoki yarns, we’re excited to have two special vendors joining us: Annette Wall from Pink Hazel Bags will showcase and sell her latest designs, and Renske van den Tempel will offer her exclusive yarn from her own sheep. It’s a perfect opportunity to treat yourself to some unique, handcrafted treasures—be sure to swing by and enjoy!
Partner Program
Bring along your non-knitting friend or partner—they’re in for a fantastic time too! With so much to explore at our beautiful accommodations and on the island, we offer customized activities to suit every interest. We are offering a partner program consisting of a Wadden Sea shrimp fishing adventure, beachcombing exhibition, a typical Texels wild-life experience and local beer tasting, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whatever their passion, we’ll make sure they have an unforgettable experience!
Texel
The island is only 9 kilometres wide and 25 kilometres long, yet the largest of the Wadden islands, which separate the North Sea from the inshore waters of Wadden Sea. The latter is a UNESCO world heritage site, due to its unique ecosystem. During low tide sandbanks form which attracts loads of different birds and if you get close enough, you will definitely see a seal or two sunning themselves.
The beaches of Texel are beautifully widespread, quiet and perfect for a long walk or a relaxing stroll. With 30 kilometers of coastline, there are lots of different beaches to choose from. On the entire west side of the island the beach borders The Dunes of Texel National Park. The Park landscape is mesmerizing: heather, grass, swamps, woodlands, acres of berries and wildflowers. Don’t be surprised to spot horses, wild cows and sheep.
Texel has seven lovely historic villages. Although each village has its own character and identity, they’re all extremely picturesque and worthy of a visit. You will surely enjoy the small, winding streets, the traditional white houses, the nice shopping opportunities and the many lovely cafés and restaurants.