The Experience
An Introduction to Natural Dyes of the Region and Lao-Tai Textiles
We’ll be visiting Studio Naenna, a distinguished collective of women artisans in Chiang Mai, Thailand, dedicated to producing sustainable, fair-trade textiles that celebrate traditional craftsmanship. Founded by Patricia Cheesman, a renowned textile expert and author, she has committed her life’s work to extensive research and to indigenous crafts which have significantly influenced the field. The women of Studio Naenna, organized under the "Weavers For the Environment" initiative, empower themselves through artistry while ensuring fair trade for their skilled labor. Patricia’s pivotal role as a lecturer at Chiang Mai University and her acclaimed publication further underscore her lifelong dedication to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Traditional Lanna Wood Carving Village and Workshop with Master Artisan Noppadol
We'll be visiting Baan Tawai wood carving village to meet Noppadol Khamlae, one of Thailand's most celebrated wood sculptors. Noppadol's work is rooted in the Buddhist and Lanna traditions of northern Thailand, where intricate hand carving using teak and rain tree has been a cornerstone of local culture for centuries. His craftsmanship has earned international recognition in 1994 he carved a gilded Buddha statue from a 3.5 metre maple log, gifted to the city of Munich, which now stands as the first free-standing holy statue of Buddha in Europe. Noppadol continues restoring Thai temples and runs a carving school and guesthouse for artists committed to developing their craft.
A Community of Makers, Artists, and Craftspeople at the Foot of Doi Suthep
Baan Kang Wat which translates to 'house beside the temple' is a close-knit community of independent artists, makers, and craftspeople tucked just outside Chiang Mai's old town at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain. Every studio and workshop here focuses on local, handmade, and sustainable work: ceramics, jewellery, watercolour, woodcut printing, weaving, and slow fashion, all made by the people selling them. Founded with the deliberate intention of building a creative neighbourhood rather than a market, it is the kind of place where artists invite you to watch them work, join a class on the spot, or simply wander and let something catch your eye.
Explore Beyond the Retreat. The Best of Chiang Mai at Your Own Pace
Chiang Mai has been a hub for artists, makers, and craftspeople for centuries and that creative energy is everywhere once you start looking. Between the retreat's organised excursions, you will find textile markets, independent galleries, ceramic studios, and coffee shops run by designers and artists who chose this city precisely because of what it inspires in them. The Old City temples, the night bazaar, the street food, the mountain light all of it feeds into the same feeling. Northern Thailand has a way of changing how you see colour, texture, and craft. You will notice it in the fabrics at the market, the way light hits the temple walls at dusk, and in the work you produce when you finally sit down with your needles. Chiang Mai does not just provide a backdrop for the retreat. It provides the raw material.
Sample Agenda
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Enjoy a full breakfast spread indoors or al-fresco.
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Participate in a scheduled TKR excursion. Meet in the lobby and join the private transport to visit an incredible artist or workshop that defines Thailand’s history and culture.
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Depending on the day, you’ll either settle back at the resort to order lunch and knit the afternoon away, or head into town for a long, slow lunch at one of Chiang Mai’s award‑winning restaurants.
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Afternoons are for wandering a little further. Depending on the day, that might look like driving up into the hills to watch the sun set from a temple overlooking the city, drifting through a tucked‑away gallery or exhibition, or visiting another pocket of Chiang Mai’s creative scene.
Each outing is chosen to show you a different side of northern Thailand’s craft, culture, and landscape with plenty of time built in to pause, take photos, and let it all filter back into your knitting.
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Go for a massage, a little afternoon snooze or a dip in the pool!
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Gather for a full dinner and drinks prepared by the resort’s best chefs. The menu is a mix of Thai and Western cuisines.
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End the night with a cosy knit night, complete with teas, hot chocolate and a selection of Thai desserts.