Amsterdam

Yarn Crawl and Canal Cruise

Welkom in Amsterdam! Welcome to Amsterdam!  Our tour begins after breakfast at our hotel in the creative hub of Amsterdam Noord, known for its vibrant waterfront and artistic spaces. After a hearty start, we’ll ferry across the IJ River to Amsterdam’s Central District for our exciting yarn crawl and visit local shops filled with high-quality yarns and notions.  

Midday, enjoy a pub-style lunch at a cozy “brown café” with a chance to sample Amsterdam’s famous lagers. Then, soak in the city’s charm with a canal cruise, gliding past iconic sites decked out for the holidays. You’ll have free time in the afternoon to explore the picturesque UNESCO World Heritage canals lined with 17th-century houses. In the evening, return to the hotel to rest up for tomorrow’s adventures.

AMSTERDAM

This morning, we’ll ferry across the IJ River for a personalized tour of the Rijksmuseum, led by local guide Merel. Our tour will highlight how wool and textiles have shaped Dutch history and art, from Golden Age portraits to household scenes.

We’ll gather for a delightful brasserie lunch, after which you’ll have free time to explore Amsterdam’s renowned cultural landmarks at your own pace. Options include the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House (advance booking recommended), Museum Van Loon, or Rembrandt House. 

Prefer a relaxed afternoon? Enjoy bitterballen (Dutch Meatballs) or a local lager at an historic café. In the evening, savor dinner in the city or unwind back at the hotel with your knitting projects.

Blommers, Bernardus Johannes. Girl Knitting in the Dunes. c. 1870 - c. 1900, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200108238

AMSTERDAM & ZAANSE SCHANS

All aboard! Today we travel via train to Zaanse Schans, a charming village showcasing life in 18th- and 19th-century Holland. Wander among historic windmills, wooden houses, and workshops where traditional crafts like clog-making and cheese production come alive. 

After a café lunch, we return to Amsterdam, where we’ll have the option to explore more quaint neighborhoods or simply relax with some quality knitting time.

AMSTERDAM

A morning of fiber magic awaits at Stephen & Penelope, one of Amsterdam’s premier yarn shops. Peruse their luxurious fibers, exclusive hand-dyed yarns, and modern patterns. Stephen will join us to answer your project questions and share his expertise. We then head to Amsterdam's Chinatown for a scrumptious lunch, after which, how about a walking tour of Amsterdam's Jordaan district with its charming boutiques and quaint venues such as the Embassy of the Free Mind? Instead, you may prefer to visit one of the remarkable museums. Just be back in time to join us for High Tea Amsterdam-style at 4:00pm - Stroopwafels may be involved!

AMSTERDAM & ALKMAAR

Embark on a journey to the picturesque town of Alkmaar, renowned for its vibrant and historic cheese market. Our adventure commences with a visit to the Dutch Cheese Museum, nestled within the venerable 16th-century Weighing House. Here, amidst the time-honored walls, you'll delve into the rich tapestry of Dutch cheese-making traditions, discovering the secrets behind the crafting of delectable Gouda, Edam, and other renowned varieties. But Alkmaar is also home to Kolchis, a cozy yarn shop offering premium yarns and knitting accessories. Owner Lina will share insights on Dutch wool today and its connection to the country’s rich wool trade history. After lunch at a local café, enjoy time to explore Alkmaar’s charming streets before heading back to Amsterdam.

AMSTERDAM & HAARLEM

Today we travel (by train, once more) to Haarlem, a city with cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a rich textile history. We begin the day at the Cruquius Pumping Station, part of the UNESCO-listed system that drained the Haarlemmermeer lake in the 19th century.

After lunch at the serene Tea House, we’ll spend the afternoon with Geja of DraadKracht. Geja has organized a dyeing workshop where you’ll create your own yarn colorways intended for the yoke for one of Teti Lutsak’s (of Teti's Knit Garden) own patterns. All this and lots of yarns to squish as well!

TEXEL

Trains, a bus and a ferry to the island of Texel are on the agenda today. Texel is the largest of the Wadden Islands (aka the West Frisian Islands), known for its sheep farming and natural beauty.  Once off the ferry, we will be met by our bus and head to Den Burg, the island’s main town. We’ll visit De Witte Engel, a shop specializing in craft supplies and wool. And you'll have time to stop for lunch at a place that catches your fancy and visit some of the other delightful shops in town.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit Texel’s iconic lighthouse, where sweeping views of the North Sea provide the perfect backdrop. Wrap up the day with a specially prepared dinner at our charming island hotel.

TEXEL

After a scrumptious breakfast, we will head to De Waddel, a family-run sheep farm known for its commitment to sustainable wool production. We will spend the morning learning about their process and meet the sheep before a delicious lunch featuring local cheese and farm-fresh ingredients.

In the afternoon, we head back to town for a felting workshop, where you’ll create a project using techniques taught by a local expert sharing her unique design techniques using Texel wool. You can pick some goodies for a quiet dinner at the hotel, or head out to a nearby pub for a relaxed dinner on your own and some knitting time together.

TEXEL

Today we’ll visit the Kaapskil Museum, which showcases the island’s maritime history and connection to the sea along with a remarkable treasure trove discovery including a stunning 17th century gown. We will have lunch together before bidding this island adieu, and  take the ferry and train back to Amsterdam. There will be some time for you to enjoy your last afternoon in the city, exploring more of the neighborhoods before dinner and packing up treasures of your own. 

AMSTERDAM

After breakfast, we will say goodbye to our fellow travelers, new friends and the beautiful Netherlands. Our bags and hearts filled with new treasures, skills, memories, and inspiration to continue our knitting journeys.

Sydney is a knitter, spinner, crocheter, dyer, and felter. She loves to explore how different local cultures work with fiber.  At one time Sydney managed Quail Hill Farm including sheep for fiber and meat as well as pigs, goats, horses, donkeys, too many cats and dogs, plus various types of poultry. She took her sheep wool from shearing to dying, using her own dye plants, to spinning to knitted garments.  Sydney grew up in NYC and Switzerland and is fluent in French, Italian, and German. She worked for many years as a French teacher and mentor in Waldorf Schools. Before that she worked as a financier on Wall Street and she now uses those skills for strategic planning at Rowan Tree.

Knitwear Designer, Philanthropist, and Motivational Speaker Louis Boria (aka Brooklyn Boy Knits) has been in the Fiber Arts industry for over 17 years.  Since his social media fame, Louis has been at the forefront of breaking down gender norms putting out the message that art has no gender. His commitment to the community continues by bringing fiber artists together with projects such as “Hat Not Hate”, “School of Yarn”, and working with Cancer patients in teaching them how to knit as a form of therapy. Louis’ mission of bringing the fiber arts and purpose together is at the forefront of his work.