Well folks, what a wonderful weekend we had at the Ant Street Inn with our very first Yarn Store Boutique Knitting Retreat! It was quick — just Sunday through Tuesday morning — but what an experience. The retreat was such a hit that we’re already planning the next one: January 18–21, 2026 (and yes, we added an extra day this time!). I must admit, I’m still catching my breath. Dianne and I prepared several of the meals — phew! — and then came the trek up 37 steps with all our supplies (the inn has no elevator). Thankfully, Keith, the gracious innkeeper, stepped in to help with the bulky ice chest. Keith is one of the most warm, friendly, and accommodating hosts you could ask for. Service always came with a smile. The Ant Street Inn itself was just perfect for us. Each guest had a private, beautifully decorated room. Breakfast every morning was included, and the menu had plenty of options — we could order anything we wanted. Throughout the day, the inn offered complimentary Blue Bell Ice Cream (a true Texas treat!), plus coffee, sodas, and water. My personal favorite spot? The big back porch lined with rocking chairs, perfect for knitting or just watching the world go by.
What We Did
So what exactly did we do at this knitting retreat? Well… we ate, we knitted, we napped, we shopped, we sipped a little wine, we played bingo (a huge hit!), and we even did some journaling and crafting alongside our projects. It was the perfect balance of rest, creativity, and laughter. A few of us even made a fun side trip to the Blue Bell Creamery right there in Brenham — because how can you be in the hometown of Blue Bell and not stop by for a scoop (or two) We were also blessed with generous donations from our vendor friends, and I want to give a special shout-out to Urth Yarns, Coco Knits, Bryson Distributing, Rowan (DMC), Berroco, Katrinkles, and Knitting Fever Inc. Their contributions added such a thoughtful touch, and of course, we added our own Yarn Store Boutique twist to the fun.
Final Thoughts
This retreat reminded me, once again, why I love what we do at Yarn Store Boutique. It’s about more than yarn — it’s about friendship, connection, and creating space to slow down and savor the craft we love. A huge thank you once more to our generous sponsors — Urth Yarns, Coco Knits, Bryson Distributing, Rowan (DMC), Berroco, Katrinkles, and Knitting Fever Inc. — for adding so much joy to our first retreat. If you missed this one, don’t worry — we’d love for you to join us in January 2026. Come for the yarn, stay for the rocking-chair chats, the bingo laughs, and the kind of community that feels like family.
Looking Ahead
For our January 2026 retreat, with the extra day, I’ll be adding something new: each morning we’ll either work on a special technique or possibly a full knitting project. Dianne and I are still brainstorming, but we’re already so excited to bring even more learning opportunities alongside all the laughter, food, and fiber fun.