Knitting & Quilting Retreat Celebrates 20 Years
12.06.2024 - Adult Conferences, Conference & Retreat, Giving to Kanuga, Kanuga Stories, Our Programs, Staff Stories, Worship at Kanuga
A STORY OF FAITH AND FIBER:
Varian Brandon’s Knitting and Quilting Retreat Celebrates 20 Years
On a crisp western North Carolina day in 2003 while accomplished knitter and instructor Varian Brandon, originally from Columbia, South Carolina, was on a family Christmas retreat at Kanuga, she came across two knitters. One was a guest knitting during breakfast, the other an employee knitting at the front desk. “I didn’t know it at the time, but my brother had already spoken with each of them about the idea of developing a knitting retreat. I’ll never forget the lovely powder blue sweater Mary was making at the front desk. She said, “I hear you’re creating a knitting retreat!” I thought to myself, “So, I guess I am.””
Two years later, Varian led her first knitting retreat at Kanuga, and welcomed nearly 30 people from across the country. In 2008, a quilting component was added to the program and Varian began hiring additional professional instructors. By 2015, more than 100 were attending, most of them returning each year. “Attendance dropped off after the pandemic, but we are now growing again.” The 2025 retreat takes place January 16-19 at Kangua.
Many have been coming to the retreat since its beginning years. “This retreat has become so much more to people than learning skills. It’s a community. Sisters, mothers, brothers, daughters, fathers—of all generations—come to enjoy each other as well as being immersed in their craft. For some, it’s a faith community as well. At Kanuga, there is always the opportunity to deepen your faith in whatever way you feel is best for you personally. For some that means attending a service in the chapel. For others it means connecting with nature during a walk around the lake. Many times I have heard from participants that the experience of this retreat is healing, that it soothes losses they experienced throughout the year.”
Varian’s family has been connected with Kanuga for several generations. Her mother, Betty Varian Crews Brandon waited tables at the original Inn. Betty’s brother, Johnny Crews, was a friend of Kanuga’s founder, Bishop Kirkman Finlay, who would often offer Johnny rides from Columbia to Kanuga. Johnny worked on the building of the Chapel of The Transfiguration. “Every time I’m in there I see those handprints on the ceiling and think that one of these is probably Uncle Johnny’s,” said Varian’s brother, John Brandon.
“I always heard about Kanuga growing up,” Varian says. The family came to Kanuga for parish weekends with Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (then Trinity Episcopal Church) in Columbia, and John worked on summer staff and served as a board member. Varian and her husband, Bruce Hunt, served on the board of visitors. The family has supported Kanuga since its inception.
Kanuga is a nonprofit affiliated with The Episcopal Church, with a mission to serve as a gathering place for all people to connect with each other, nature, and the Creator. Its Episcopal roots are the foundation for hospitality to all people regardless of religious preferences. The Rev. Jennifer Deaton, chaplain for the Knitting & Quilting retreat, says, ““I had been to knitting retreats before and knew how wonderful it was to be surrounded by other people who also loved fabric and yarn and needles—to tell stories while stitching through the afternoon, to learn from each other, to laugh together, to encourage and help each other. We do more than make scarves or sweaters or quilts—we are made new by our time together.” The Rev. Deaton serves as rector of two Episcopal churches in the Mississippi Delta and has come to the Kanuga retreat for decades.
Of the retreat experience, Varian says, “It’s wonderful to see how people feel when they’re here. It means so much to my heart and my spiritual journey to be part of Kanuga and this retreat.”
Varian lives in Saluda, North Carolina and teaches knitting across the United States from Raleigh to Pittsburgh and Washington state. See more info on her website: BrandonKnittingDesigns.com.
Registration is open for the 2025 event:
Kanuga.org/Knitting
January 16-19, 2025
Day commuter, lodging rates, and financial assistance are available.
Kanuga, located on 1,400 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Hendersonville, North Carolina, is an inclusive gathering place for all people to connect with each other, nature, and the Creator.