Fair Isle Knitting Holiday in Salina, Kansas, October 2-4, 2026

Step inside the Knitting Jenny Studio! 

Jennifer Daley invites you into her home and design studio for a knitting holiday, which includes: 

• The opportunity to meet new knitting friends in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere
  
• All Fair Isle knitting instruction delivered by Jennifer Daley, who lived and worked in Fair Isle, Shetland Islands, Scotland
• Delicious, savory home-cooked meals, lovingly prepared from scratch
• Afternoon tea and coffee with dessert
• A guided walk of the historic district at our doorstep
  
• Guided exploration of traditional Fair Isle patterns, motifs, and techniques
  
• A presentation and explanation of ideal yarn properties for Fair Isle knitting
• A workshop on Fair Isle knitwear design, including color dominance and color theory
• An illustrative presentation on Fair Isle textile history and Shetland knitting tools
• A steeking discussion on how and why to safely cut your knitting
• A Fair Isle knitted hat blocking explanation and demonstration
  
• Knitting Surgery! Bring an existing work-in-progress, if you like, and if you are having difficulty with the pattern, Jennifer will attempt to resolve any knitting issues.
• Your choice of any one Knitting Jenny pattern, which you will be knitting during the holiday, with expert guidance from the pattern designer, Jennifer Daley

Once you've officially registered for the holiday, simply send your Knitting Jenny pattern choice to jenny@knittingjenny.com, and the pattern will be emailed to you.

During the knitting holiday, we will discuss the different Knitting Jenny patterns that each student selected, how the patterns differ, and the many options to use the pattern to create your own design and color preferences. You will learn how to take your hat pattern, for example, and create the exact hat shape or headband you prefer. 

We will knit during the holiday, so please read your Knitting Jenny pattern before arriving on holiday, to ensure you’re bringing all the necessary knitting needles and yarn specified in the knitting pattern. We'll have fun knitting together!

There are no prerequisite knitting skills for participating in this knitting holiday. Jennifer Daley will patiently demonstrate all knitting techniques and colorwork skills required to knit your selected Knitting Jenny pattern. Learn a new technique, or hone an existing skill!

If you instead prefer to knit a different project or your own current "work in progress," please feel free to bring it to knit. Learn new Fair Isle knitting techniques during the holiday, or knit whatever makes you happy. All knitters are welcome at this knitting holiday!

Which holidaymaker will you be? There are two choices!

BOARDING SCHOOL STUDENTS:

Stay overnight in our home with us! Prices start from $1000 per person, depending on your chosen sleeping option, detailed below, and include three nights accommodation in our home in Salina, Kansas, which includes all knitting instruction and presentations, one Knitting Jenny pattern of your own choosing, and home-cooked meals and treats per the schedule, below.

DAY SCHOOL STUDENTS:

Stay overnight in your own home or local accommodation or hotel, but join all holidaymakers at the venue during the day. The price is $500 per person, which includes all knitting instruction and presentations, one Knitting Jenny pattern of your own choosing, and home-cooked meals and treats per the schedule, below.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2026:

2:00pm:
Everyone arrives at the Knitting Jenny studio in Salina, Kansas. Meet and greet!

2:00pm-5:00pm:
Coffee/tea/dessert will be served during Knitting Instruction.

5:00pm:
Day School students depart.

5:00pm-6:00pm: 
Boarding School students get settled into their rooms or rest while Jennifer prepares dinner.

6:00pm: 
Dinner is served to Boarding School students.

7:00pm-9:00pm: 
After-dinner knitting and talking for Boarding School students.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2026:

8:00am-9:30am:
For Boarding School students, free time to relax and enjoy at your leisure with coffee/tea/homebakes for breakfast.

10:00am:
Day School students arrive.

10:00am-12 noon:
Everyone gathers for Knitting Instruction. Coffee and tea available.

12 noon: Lunch is served to all students.

1:00pm-5:00pm: 
Coffee/tea/dessert will be served during Knitting Instruction.

5:00pm: 
Day School students depart.

5:00pm-6:00pm: 
Boarding School students can rest while Jennifer prepares dinner.

6:00pm: 
Dinner is served to Boarding School students.

7:00pm-9:00pm: 
After-dinner knitting and talking for Boarding School students.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2026:

8:00am-9:30am:
For Boarding School students, free time to relax and enjoy at your leisure with coffee/tea/homebakes for breakfast.

10:00am:
Day School Students arrive.

10:00am-12 noon:
Everyone gathers for Knitting Instruction. Coffee and tea available.

12 noon:
Lunch is served to all students.

1:00pm-5:00pm:
Coffee/tea/dessert will be served during Knitting Instruction.

5:00pm: 
Day School students depart.

5:00pm-6:00pm: 
Boarding School students can rest while Jennifer prepares dinner.

6:00pm: 
Dinner is served to Boarding School students.

7:00pm-9:00pm: 
After-dinner knitting and talking for Boarding School Students.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2026:

8:00am-9:30am:
For Boarding School students, free time to relax and enjoy at your leisure with coffee/tea/homebakes for breakfast.

10:00am:
The knitting holiday concludes, and all students depart.

 

THE HOLIDAY VENUE

The knitting holiday venue is the studio of Knitting Jenny in the home of Jennifer Daley. The house is situated in the historic district of Salina, Kansas, where old architecturally significant homes dot the tree-lined brick streets. 

Jennifer (and her husband) look forward to welcoming you to their home at 102 Overhill Road. A historic dwelling built in the architectural style of French Renaissance Revival, the home was built in 1926 by renowned architect, Charles William Shaver (1890-1961), the first registered architect in Kansas. 

On this page, the photograph of the home was shot by Jennifer after a rare snow blizzard in January 2025.

Another photograph here features Jennifer and her husband at their front door, awaiting more than 400 trick-or-treaters on Halloween 2024. 

The knitting holiday venue includes no children, pets, smoking, or alcohol.

Please bring house slippers or indoor-only shoes to wear inside the house, for comfort and well-being and to help maintain clean floors, upstairs and downstairs. Thank you!

Boarding School Students’ sleeping options and prices:

The following sleeping options and prices are available for the three-night holiday during October 2-4, 2026:

OPTION A:
$1000 per person, based on single occupancy:
Downstairs on the main floor, a single (twin) bed (brand new) is situated inside the lounge area adjacent to the kitchen and Knitting Jenny studio. This sleeping option is in the main area (not in a closed bedroom), and the bed is situated against the wall, like a day bed. During the day, this sleeping option is in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle (where most of our knitting instruction occurs), but during the evenings, it is a large quiet peaceful space. The upside of this sleeping option is that it is on the main floor (so no climbing stairs to sleep), and you will have easy access to the kitchen, all the comfy chairs in which to sit and knit, and the entire downstairs area of the house.

OPTION B:
$1200 per person, based on single occupancy:
Downstairs on the main floor, a single (twin) bed (brand new) is situated inside a bright room, which is adjacent to the kitchen area (where most of our knitting instruction occurs). This is a room unto its own, with two doors (one interior and one exterior) and nobody in it (or going through it) but you. This room, also known as "the Orangery" for its glass windows, has two walls of windows, including two French glass doors that lead into the kitchen area, and one French glass door that opens to the back of the house. There are no window shades in this room, so therefore there is less privacy but more sunshine!

OPTION C:
$1300 per person, based on double occupancy:
Upstairs on the first floor, a guest bedroom that is smaller (though not small) with hardwood floors, one wall of windows, a built-in desk, a large closet, and a brand-new queen size bed with brand-new mattress, big and comfy!

OPTION D:
$1500 per person, based on double occupancy:
Upstairs on the first floor, a special guest bedroom that is large with hardwood floors, a Juliet balcony overlooking the front lawn, two walls of windows, and two separate antique single (twin) beds (with brand-new mattresses) and matching solid maple bedroom furniture built in 1930. This is a special bedroom that we call "Jenny's Room" because all the furniture and decor is from Jenny's happy childhood bedroom, though updated!

BATHROOMS:
There are three bathrooms in the house, all of which are shared. The first bathroom is downstairs, which is a half bath with sink and toilet. The second bathroom is upstairs, which is a full bath with sink, toilet, bathtub, and shower over bathtub. The third bathroom is upstairs, which is a full bath with two separate sinks, a separate toilet with its own door, and a walk-in shower. 

Travel to Salina, Kansas:
United Airlines operates one direct flight each day from Chicago and Denver into Salina, Kansas. The Salina airport is 7.5 miles from the knitting holiday venue. It is possible to fly into Salina, not rent a car but instead take an Uber (or other rideshare) directly from the airport to the knitting holiday venue.

For Boarding School students: If due to travel logistics, you need to arrive into Kansas a day early, you are encouraged to obtain a hotel for one night in downtown Salina, Kansas, which is 1.9 miles from the holiday venue. Staying in downtown for a night will allow you to experience the walkable downtown area.

A Note about Salina, Kansas:
The vibrant downtown Salina area is centered on Sante Fe Avenue, which is 1.9 miles from the knitting holiday venue. It is a walkable stroll, from knitting venue to downtown, along the sidewalk, straight down Iron Avenue to Sante Fe Avenue. In downtown Salina, there are many restaurants, bars, hotels, a historic theatre, and other sites. 

Twenty-two miles from Salina is the town of Lindsborg, Kansas, often called Little Sweden for its Swedish heritage. If you have time, Lindsborg is worth a visit, along with other Kansas towns. There's a lot to see and experience in Kansas!

Day School Students:
There are many hotel and other overnight accommodation options in Salina. Your own online research can discover the best options for you. 

 

RESERVATION POLICY:

A deposit of 50% is needed to confirm the booking.

The remaining balance is due 30 days before your knitting holiday begins.

Payments:

Payments can be made on this page in $250 increments. For example, to make a $500 payment on this page, simply select a quantity of 2. 

Alternately, contact Jennifer Daley to mail a paper check in the post, or arrange a bank transfer, or hand-deliver cash. 

Food:

When registering for the knitting holiday, please notify the host of any dietary restrictions or culinary dislikes. 

Cancellation Policy:

If you need to cancel after paying the deposit, the following cancellation charges will be applied: 

• 10% of the full holiday price is non-refundable, to cover preparation costs incurred.
• 50% of the full holiday price is refunded if cancelled 22-59 days prior to the first day of the holiday.
• There is no refund for cancellations 1-21 days prior to the first day of the holiday.

 

CONTACT THE HOST:

Jennifer Daley
102 Overhill Road
Salina, Kansas 
67401
Telephone: +1 (785) 577-8776
Email: jenny@knittingjenny.com