Jimmy Beans Wool Biggest Little Getaway 2026

Biggest Little Getaway 2026!

Join us for an all-inclusive retreat full of yarn, knitting, crocheting, and learning at the spectacular Peppermill Resort in Reno! Each year we strive to make it bigger and better - truly deserving of the name, The Biggest Little Getaway! Come together with other retreaters who have a passion for the craft, and let your skills shine!

As we prepare to embark on this special journey, we look back and smile at the stitches, laughter, and friendships that have enriched our lives. Your presence has been an essential thread in the fabric of our retreats, and we cannot imagine marking this milestone without you.

This year's retreat promises to be bigger and brighter as we are raising the bar on the experience you've come to love.

  • We're bringing in a stellar lineup of both new and returning teachers, each a master in their craft, who will inspire and guide you on exciting creative journeys.
  • We've also curated an amazing group of guest speakers who will share their insights and stories, adding an extra layer of inspiration to our retreat.
  • Get ready for exciting swag and free gifts to make your retreat experience even more memorable.
  • Special guests joining us for exclusive workshops and presentations.
  • Relax in the private hospitality room, perfect for stitching between classes and late-night gatherings.
  • No need to worry about yarn supplies; all classroom yarn is included – just show up and enjoy!

Be part of the magic and reserve your spot!

Dates:

  • June 17th-21st, 2026

Location:

Voted one of Reno's best resorts year after year, the Peppermill presents a fusion of old-world hotel style, service, and aesthetics with contemporary luxury hotel amenities and excellent service. Classes and dining will take place in a smoke free environment on the second floor.

Cost:

*Single and double occupancy price includes hotel stay, meals and transportation for each individual attending the JBW retreat.

You may cancel your visit with us, with no penalty, anytime before April 15. After April 15, there is a $100 cancellation fee unless we are able to re-book your space. The last day to cancel before not receiving a refund is April 15.

-Pricing includes lodging, all meals, all classes, and all events hosted by our sponsors and partners. Alcoholic beverages are NOT included.
-Prices include taxes, gratuities, and resort fees.
-Cost is payable in full or in payments.
Payment plan is available through PayPal only. Orders placed online with a credit card will be charged in full.
-Those purchasing the Locals Only ticket must have an address within 50 miles.
-Locals Only ticket includes all classes, demonstrations, presentations, meals, transportation, and access to the JBW warehouse, does not include hotel accommodations.

Included:

  • Shuttle to and from the airport
  • Fine dining experience
  • Helpful classes with friendly instructors
  • Special presentations
  • One-of-a-kind swag bags that are filled to the brim with goodies
  • Access to the 21,000 sq. foot Jimmy Beans warehouse

Teacher Lineup

Kate Oates

Kate Oates has spent more than 15 years immersed in the fiber world as a full-time creative. With over 300 published patterns and several books — Grown, Knits for Boys, and Knitting Clothes Kids Love — she’s known for designs that are modern, wearable, and thoughtfully constructed. Kate has a reputation for detail: wide size ranges, customizable options, smart shaping, and clear technical instructions (often paired with video tutorials) are her signature.

She designs adult garments under her own name and whimsically wearable knits for little ones through her Tot Toppers line — inspired in no small part by her four very handsome former “Tot Topper” models. As a teacher, Kate brings more than 20 years of experience to her classes, which are known for their original content, meticulous preparation, and the kind of detailed workbooks that let knitters fully enjoy the learning process without frantic note-taking. Her warm, encouraging style makes complicated concepts feel surprisingly approachable.

Kate is also a neurodivergent, under-abled chronic pain warrior who has weathered more than a dozen surgeries, many tied to childhood spinal injuries. She advocates for others living with limitations while navigating her own, always choosing joy where she can find it — often with yarn in hand.

You can find Kate’s patterns in local yarn shops and online, and she regularly collaborates with publications, yarn companies, and independent makers. She lives in South Carolina with her husband, her wonderful crew of boys, and Hazel, the world’s sweetest dog. When she’s not knitting, teaching, or designing, you might spot the Oates family cheering on Clemson. Go Tigers!

Ben Matthews

A lifelong arts and crafts enthusiast, Benjamin discovered knitting 15 years ago when he accidentally stumbled into a yarn shop in Austin, Texas. After taking an impromptu lesson and struggling through making the world’s wonkiest first scarf (which he still treasures), he never looked back and embraced the fiber arts with zeal. Known mostly for his beanies, Benjamin began designing knitting patterns in 2013 and has published more than 150 patterns and six ebooks, including a collection of Beanie Patterns, My Favorite Beanies Vol. 1. He has collaborated with many yarn companies, including Red Heart, Cascade Yarns, Feza, Malabrigo, and Woolfolk. In addition to knitting, he loves to crochet, weave (both baskets and on the loom), quilt, needle felt, and is falling in love with making braided rag rugs. His favorite part of the fiber world is the community and friends he has made along the way. When not crafting, Benjamin teaches public school and spends as much time on his family’s farm in West Texas as possible.

Cecilia Campochiaro

Cecelia Campochiaro appeared on the knitting scene in 2015 with her debut book, Sequence Knitting. Knitting was a casual pastime until she had an ah-ha moment in 2010 and realized that interesting textured fabrics could be created by the simple repetition of a sequence of stitches. This idea evolved and led to her writing Sequence Knitting, which is a reference book about this mindful approach to knitting.
In the years since Sequence Knitting debuted, she has continued to develop new ideas in knitting. Sequence Knitting is about texture, and her second book, Making Marls, published in 2020, is about color. In Making Marls, the technique of working multiple strands together as one is explored as an approach to colorwork. Her third and newest book, Reversible Knitting, is a stitch dictionary of stitch patterns that
look the same on both sides that debuted in 2025. Cecelia lives in Silicon Valley, where for many years she developed specialized microscopes used in computer chip manufacturing. Textiles, photography and the arts have been a lifelong passion running
in parallel with her technical life. In high school and college even though her main studies were in the sciences, she also studied drawing, printmaking, ceramics, and photography. Not only is she interested in the arts and knitting, but also in books. Books have been the primary mechanism for knowledge transfer for over a thousand years. One of her missions is to honor that tradition and create books that are both informative and are also beautiful objects in and of themselves. Makers love beautiful things, and Cecelia feels strongly that books should be as lovely as tools and yarns.
Today she is fully dedicated to the fiber world and “unventing” new ways to make amazing handknit fabrics.

Romi Hill

Romi Hill lives on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern Nevada, where the high desert nights are cool and the air is clear and crisp. A lifelong crafter and knitter, she is inspired by the natural surroundings in her corner of the world, and her designs have an organic flow. She specializes in lace of all weights, and her patterns are known for their knitterly details. She loves sharing her knitting knowledge - acquired through study, the generosity of other knitters, and lots of mistakes and experimenting - and regularly posts tutorials on Instagram and YouTube.

 

Romi's lace book from Interweave Press: “New Lace Knitting” features timeless patterns for garments and accessories. Her work has been featured in numerous magazines and books, and knit by thousands. Check out her eBook collections and subscriptions on Ravelry where you can see her full pattern collection. Find her on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube at @‌RomiDesigns, and “Romi” on Ravelry.

Lee Sartori

Lee Sartori is the crochet designer behind CoCo Crochet Lee. Author of several popular crochet books, most recently ‘Disney Villains Amigurumi’, she can be seen as a guest host on the popular PBS/CreateTV Show Knit and Crochet Now, and a featured instructor on SkillShare where she demonstrates fun crochet skills and patterns. Lee’s passion is designing modern, wearable garments, and adorable amigurumi. Lee lives in Halifax, Canada with her two children Noël and Conan, her amazing husband Sean, her adorable bunny Neville, and four cats. You can find her work on her blog and on social media, where she posts fun and whimsical takes on crochet.

Allison Hoffman

Allison Hoffman is a crochet artist and the designer behind Crafty Is Cool, known for her highly detailed amigurumi dolls of pop culture icons, celebrities, and TV characters. Her work has been featured in tv shows, commercials, and magazines. She’s written three books and produced licensed crochet kits for Yo Gabba GabbaGolden GirlsFriends, and The Office. In addition to designing, she collaborates with yarn companies and teaches crochet classes, inspiring crafters to develop their skills. Through Amigurumi | Crafty is Cool , she shares patterns, tutorials, and expert guidance, making amigurumi fun and accessible for all levels.

Tamara Kelly

Moogly is world-famous for fresh. modern, and approachable crochet designs - as well as a little knitting and crafting! On Moogly you'll find over 600 free crochet patterns, right and left-handed video tutorials, giveaways, and more. Designer and crochet instructor Tamara Kelly is the author of Quick Crochet for the Home, and a leading industry expert.

Vincent Williams

Vincent Williams is the designer and instructor behind @‌visuvios_crafts , which was born from his longing for stunningly timeless knits that’ll keep you warm in the coldest of mid-winter horse pastures. When he isn’t crafting, he’s working with dogs, horses, and playing music. So if you ever see him without headphones and a tapestry crochet design in the works, you are truly in for a treat! Join all the crafty vibes of his maker journey on Instagram and visit www.VisuviosCrafts.com for cozy creations, monthly Maker Mood playlists, and fun patterns for makers just like you!