Nordic Fisherman Sweaters with Donna Kay (SEP 15-19)
*OPTIONAL BOARDING HOUSE ROOM RESERVATION (THIS HOLDS YOUR SPOT, ROOM FEES + TAX DUE AT THE END OF YOUR STAY)
September 15 - 19 (TUE-SAT, 9 AM–4 PM)
Hand knit sweaters were part of the traditional dress for fisherman in the 1800s. The Nordic coastal regions have a rich heritage of beautiful and functional garments. You’ll be inspired by the timeless designs and stich patterns from Norway, Sweden, Iceland and the Faroe Islands that you can incorporate into your own classically patterned sweater. As a professional pattern designer, Donna Donna will guide you through the construction techniques as well as planning and customizing a garment. The class projects will use Harrisville Designs Shetland or Highland yarns. You’ll begin your sweater in class and leave with a complete plan to create you unique fisherman sweater at home!
Skill Level: Advanced beginners. Open to knitters with some sweater experience and who are comfortable working with circular needles.
Materials List: Circular needles (32”) in the sizes needed for the yarn you choose, stitch markers, scissors, pen and pencil.
*If you reserve a room in the Boarding House, your room fee is due at the end of your stay. Please scroll down to read more important information about the Cheshire Mills Boarding House.
Cancellation Deadline: 7/21/2026
MEET YOUR TEACHER
DONNA KAY, a knitting instructor and designer for over thirty years, is also an accomplished handspinner. Known for her patient teaching manner, she delights in sharing her knowledge and passion for "folk" knitting with her students. Donna is also a freelance knitwear designer and author for publications such as Interweave Knits, Spin Off, PLY, and her company, Tree of Life Designs. She resides on a farm in New Hampshire with her husband, horses, a flock of sheep, and a growing herd of spinning wheels.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Please note our 2026 cancellation and refund policy includes a non-refundable $100.00 registration fee per workshop. In the case you must withdraw, you have 8 weeks prior to class for a full tuition refund, less the registration fee. After this date all payments are non-refundable, no exceptions. Thank you for your understanding!
Have a question about a HD workshop or class order? Email hdretail@harrisville.com.
Single Rooms, $70 Per Night
Alternative Dining & Housing
Students may bring groceries from home when staying at the boarding house. In addition, Harrisville General Store is conveniently located in the heart of our small village. A quick walk from both the boarding house and Harrisville Designs Retail Store & Studio, it offers a variety groceries, pre-made local food options and a short order menu available 8am-2 pm for breakfast and lunch sandwiches, burgers, BLTs, etc.
Harrisville is a short drive from Peterborough (15 minutes away) and Keene (20-25 minutes away); both offer a nice variety of grocery stores, hotels, shops, and restaurants.
Additional accommodations in Harrisville are available at Aldworth Manor and the Harrisville Inn and at local Airbnb’s including the Harrisville Guest Suite. Peterborough accommodations are available at Cranberry Meadow Farm, the Riverhouse Hotel, and the Little River Bed and Breakfast. Options in Keene include the Carriage Barn Inn, the Best Western Plus, the Fairfield Inn & Suites, the Holiday Inn Express, the Courtyard by Marriott, and Days Inn. We also suggest searching Airbnb and Vrbo.
Location
About Our Workshops
Nestled in the heart of a historic textile village, workshops at Harrisville Designs take place in the Bethuel Harris Mill. Built in the 1830s as a spinning mill for locally raised wool and located at the end of the canal, it originally operated on water power. Today, it’s home to our first-floor retail store and spacious second-floor workshop studio. Year after year students are greeted by sunlit windows, fresh air, and tranquil views of the mill pond and preserved industrial brick buildings.
Workshops vary in skill levels and lengths. Enrollment is limited to ensure each student is immersed in the atmosphere of a working studio rather than a classroom. Most scheduled classes meet from 9 am to 4 pm; however, the studio is open to students 24 hours a day while their class is in session. Looms are provided in the weaving classes, and woolen yarn and other materials are included unless otherwise noted in the materials lists online. While taking a class, students receive a 10% discount on HD items in our store, including looms! (Excludes sale and consignment items)
Have a question about a HD workshop or class order? Email hdretail@harrisville.com.