Knit One, Cruise Too!

The age-old handicraft of knitting is experiencing a renaissance as a younger generation rediscovers its social and creative appeal. Knitting has become cool!  And in today’s digital world, more and more people are embracing the artisanal, the do-it-yourself, and the handmade.

Knitting is easy. It appeals to both men and women of any age, and it’s creative, meditative and sociable. Plus there’s the fashionista factor: knitting encourages self-expression and individuality.

Way-advance notice:  For the next New Year’s Eve, award-winning river cruise line, AmaWaterways, will ring in  2015 with a new theme, innovative and charming – a Knitting New Year’s Cruise on the Danube River from Dec. 27, 2014 – Jan. 2, 2015 aboard the three-year old,161-passenger AmaBella.

“Knitting appeals to a great swath of age groups these days, and we thought it would be a fun and creative outlet for our guests,” says Kristin Karst, Executive Vice President and Co-Owner. “This cruise will bring together a community of knitters and give them opportunities to learn new techniques, find inspiration, and show off their personal style and creativity.”  It will showcase the latest in luxury yarns, fashion trend forums and new stitch patterns, and techniques. Acclaimed textile expert Barry Klein, owner of Trendsetter Yarns in Los Angeles, will host.

In the southern Bavarian Forest, push off onto the Danube from Vilshofen, a Gothic fairy tale of a city centered on a time-capsule Old Town. Guided tours (at no extra cost) of each port city: Linz, Vienna (birthplace of apple strudel,) Bratislava, Budapest and in Austria, an in-depth tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey founded in 1089.
New Year’s Eve will be one of music, dancing and champagne midnight toasts.

Amenities abound. One of the most advanced ship designs in the river cruise industry, the AmaBella features spacious staterooms (many with balconies), multiple dining areas, a swimming pool and fitness room, free bikes, cooking demonstrations and onboard musical performances. Very well-priced starting at $2,799.

“Young knitters may be using the same techniques and equipment as previous generations, but their use of Facebook and Twitter to form online communities and share patterns is a distinctly modern twist,” added Karst. “Think of this cruise as an onboard knitting meetup for people of all levels, from beginners to advanced. It will definitely be a unique and fashion-forward way to ring in 2015.”