The charming Tyrolean town of San Martino di Castrozza (1450m) nestled at the base of the Pale di San Martino in the Italian Dolomites.
.JPG) |
| Galina Khmeleva invites you to join her for a fabulous Orenburg Lace Workshop Adventure in the Italian Alps and Venice! Photo: Daniela Anderson |
.JPG) We can't stop raving about the special workshop that Galina created just for our Fiber Summit Series Abroad workshop in 2009. Besides the classes on techniques, patterns, edgings, and grafting, Galina makes sure that every other aspect of this beautiful lace is explored... a pleasureable evening of spinning lace-weight cashmere yarn on a traditional Russian spindle in the hotel's salon accompanied by captivating stories of Russian life and culture; "up-close" examinations of Galina's suitcases full of fabulous shawls, including the ones featured in her books, magazine articles and patterns; Exclusive stash-enhancing "swan-dives" into the mountains of luscious yarn (and shawls!!!) that Galina and George have brought to tantalize us...this workshop truly is an exquisite assault on all of a knitter's senses!Galina was so excited to have ten days to explore calmly all the aspects of Orenburg knitted lace that she designed a special project item exclusively for our workshop that has never been offered anywhere else! This project was a huge surprise for those of us who have taken classes with her before and the new approach to Galina's fabled classes made the experience fresh and exciting!
.JPG) Galina wanted to offer a fun project that easily could be finished while still providing the opportunity for in-depth study on all aspects of Orenburg Lace. Each student goes home from the workshop with a beautiful keepsake of this once-in-a-lifetime workshop vacation in Italy! Galina offers this special project only in our workshops, so you won't want to miss this exciting opportunity! For returning students, Galina has another unique project planned just for you, so make room in your suitcase!Lace students of all levels are welcome in this workshop, but basic knitting skills are required and will not be covered. Chart/ graph reading experience is preferable. Because this workshop includes 18 hours of classroom time plus ten days of quality, one-on-one time with Galina outside of the classroom, knitters with limited lace knitting experience or who have never explored lace knitting will be able to keep up without slowing down the rest of the class. All of Galina's students come away knowledgeable and confident in their skills knitting beautiful, Orenburg Russian Knitted Lace!
|
 shadow adjusted.jpg)
.JPG) |
|
Students plan out individual colors and schematics for Galina's exclusive Orenburg project for her workshop in July 2009. Photo: Daniela Anderson |
|
WORKSHOP CLASSES:
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ORENBURG KNITTED LACE:
This class is designed to provide knitters with an overview of Russian-style lace knitting. Students will be introduced to the unique elements of lace knitting design - from pattern to border to cornering techniques. The ten basic elements that provide the very foundation of russian-lace knitting...mouseprint, cat's paw, honeycomb, etc, will serve as your guide; unique cast-ons and bind-offs, superior shaping using a modified shortrows method, a grafting technique that will "seam" almost magical in in its simplicity and versatility, will provide the necessary tools to achieving lace knitting bliss. And, as always, a class with Galina, will provide an unforgettable cultural experience!
|
.JPG) |
| Happy knitters being spoiled at Cant del Gal! Photo: Bob Wessel |
|
PACKAGE PRICES:
If you are joining us without a traveling companion and would like to share a room, we will be happy to assist you in locating a roommate for the trip. Please read our full Terms and Conditions.
|
|
PROMOTIONS: Place your deposit by November 15, 2009 and receive $100 off the package price and Galina's workshop kit.
If you place your deposit after November 15, 2009 but before February 1, 2010, you receive Galina's workshop kit. We currently are accepting deposits for this workshop, and are offering a special $50 "early bird" deposit to mark your spot in the class. You won't need to put down the full $500 deposit until 120 days before the beginning of the workshop. We keep the class size "cozy," so don't wait to grab a spot before it is sold out! Guests who participate in more than one workshop in 2010 receive a special discount. Please contact us for details. Galina's workshop package includes ONE of the following: a copy of Galina's book, Gossamer Webs: The History and Techniques of Orenburg Lace Shawls; a $30 gift certificate for Galina's products or patterns on her website, Skaska Designs; or a bottle of wine. |
.JPG)
|
|
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY:
As the principal student to Orenburg's lace knitting elite, Galina brings the classic style and revered traditional knitting techniques of Russian lace to her classes. Her unique, inspiring and fun-loving teaching style has made her the guru of lace enthusiasts across the US. And as an extra bonus, Galina's classes are an awesome, unforgettable cultural experience. |
Galina A. Khmeleva, owner of Skaska Designs and author of 
 |
| Galina and some students in beautiful Val Canali during her Orenburg Lace Workshop in July 2009. |
|
|
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!  VIDEO: EMOTIONS OF WINTER
SAN MARTINO DI CASTROZZA, PRIMIERO AND VANOI
Video courtesy of the Azienda di Turismo San Martino, Primiero e Vanoi.
The video is narrated in English and presents the history and culture of San Martino di Castrozza as a celebrated and cherished alpine ski resort town.
VIDEO: EMOTIONS OF SUMMER
SAN MARTINO DI CASTROZZA, PRIMIERO AND VANOI
"Emotions of Winter" can be found in our section below describing our winter workshop. Video courtesy of the Azienda di Turismo San Martino, Primiero e Vanoi.
The video is narrated in English and presents the history and culture of San Martino di Castrozza and the surrounding valleys.
VIDEO: EVENTI DA FAVOLA
SAN MARTINO, PRIMIERO AND VANOI
Video courtesy of the Azienda di Turismo San Martino, Primiero e Vanoi.
This video is a compilation of the people, seasonal activities and cultural events in the region.
Many of our outings, such as our private visit to the cheese factory and our visit with the knitting, crochet and handspinning ladies' group (5:12 on the counter) are represented in this video.
|
.JPG)
.JPG)
|
|
|
WHAT MAKES A KNITTING TRIP WITH THE ALPINE ADVENTURE AGENCY SO UNIQUE: The Alpine Adventure Agency is unique in providing Italian cell phones to each paying guest for use during your vacation. You will not need to worry that your own phone will not work in Italy. We supply one to each paying guest with 5 Euro already on the card. You can buy more minutes for your phone easily in most stores. We have made instant concierge service and assistance possible with important phone numbers already programmed into the phones, including mine, the hotel, local transportation companies, and medical assistance. I am just a phone call away to assist you with any needs or requests. Upon request, we provide hiking poles to each guest. Upon request, the hotels' kitchens and the restaurants we will be visiting can accommodate any dietary need with advanced notification. We get to do many special activities that have been created just for my groups, thanks to my family's personal friendships with various business owners in the region. We hired a full-time consultant who specializes in outdoor/ nature photography to help our guests take incredible pictures. He will be present for most group activities, taking the group to the best locations to take pictures, giving advice on using your equipment, and showing you where to stand to get those amazing shots of your dream vacation. Ken and Daniela Anderson, your lead guides, are certified to provide first responder care and be the first link to help until professional emergency personnel can arrive in case of an emergency. They are not EMT's, paramedics, doctors or nurses. Daniela and/or Ken accompany all organized group activities and are certified in American Red Cross Standard First Aid and CPR/ AED (automated external defibrillator) for the Professional Rescuer. |
|
Participating in cooking demos with top chefs is a highlight of our morning excursions! Photo: Daniela Anderso |
 |
We will enjoy many fun group activities during Galina's March 2010 workshop, including a traditional sleigh ride in this authentic, traditional Trojka. Photo: Girovagando in Trentino -Agh. |
| We hired a full-time consultant who specializes in outdoor/ nature photography to help our guests take incredible pictures. Photo: Courtesy Alessandro Simon Photography. |
|
The Alpine Adventure Agency vacations are all-inclusive of your lodging and meals as described in the daily itinerary, and all expenses and transportation incurred in direct relation to the specified group activities as stated in the vacation package. Transfer to and from the Marco Polo Airport (Venice) and San Martino di Castrozza is included in your package. Expenses incurred during your free, non-scheduled time, including meals, are not covered. Wine degustations are optional and can be added when you book your trip. Click here to read our full Terms and Conditions. |
 |
|
Galina and some students head out for an exciting morning excursion around the Italian Alps! Photo: Daniela Anderson |
 |
| Three of Daniela's dearest friends in the world, the internationally renown yodeling trio, the Beatrich, will serenade us in an after-dinner private concert during the workshop. They even will teach our group how to yodel! Photo: courtesy of the Beatrich. |
 |
| The town of San Martino di Castrozza at twilight, with the Pale di San Martino exhibiting the Enrosadira in the background. Photo: Renzo Boschetto, Alpine Guide with the famous Aquile di San Martino. |
|
|
| CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE DAILY ITINERARY WITH PICTURES! |