Frogwarts Year 6 Special Edition Box

$150.00
by The Black Needle Society

This July, let us spoil you with stitchy goodness inspired by the wizarding world of Harry Potter! You can expect to find an exclusive needleminder, an exclusive set of specialty threads from Colour and Cotton, the Year 6 coffee mug, the pattern for band 6 of the Frogwarts Band Sampler, and MORE!

This year's boxes come with 10-12 high quality and thoughtfully planned items, including items you can use while stitching, and items you can use to decorate your stitching space, and to pamper yourself!

Our digital retreat will begin at 6:30 p.m. central time, July 9 and run through July 13., 2025. It is highly recommended that you treat this like an in-person retreat and schedule time off of work, and do not plan other activities during this time if possible in order to enjoy the full retreat experience. (This is the feedback we receive each year from our new participants).

Pre-orders close January 31, 2025

We are so excited to return to Frogwarts for our sixth year! Thank you so much for joining us at our previous Frogwarts retreat! This year's retreat will be inspired by book and movie six of Harry Potter. We fully intend to provide you with a magical weekend and experience! We have been working hard these last several months to  provide you with as much information as possible before signing up. So let's begin:

Returning to Year 6 of Frogwarts
  • Information PDF to Download when you purchase your spot for Year 6: Be sure to download the information sheet for the Year 6 retreat when you purchase your spot. This PDF has important dates as well as a link to the registration document, and links to purchase and download past Frogwarts patterns and Mugs.
  • Frogwarts Stitching Rooms will be hosted via Zoom: We will once again be using Zoom to host stitching rooms this year (If you are unfamiliar with the stitching rooms, think of these as the tables you sit at and chat with others at an in person retreat). Links will be provided on Facebook daily for access to the stitching rooms. If you do not use Facebook, you can still participate in the stitching rooms. Once you have registered we will collect contact information to provide you with links to the stitching rooms during the retreat.
  • Hogsmeade and Competing Houses: This year, we will be reopening Hogsmeade for students who do not wish to compete in Frogwarts House competitions, but would still like to participate in the retreat. Hogsmeade students will not earn house points during the weekend, but will be eligible to play in and win prizes from Stash Dives, Digital Dives, Quidditch, and our random Prize Bucket. All areas of the retreat will be accessible to Hogsmeade students, and they may participate at their own chosen level.
  • Digital Pattern vs. Physical Pattern: This year, as part of your enrollment process, you will receive a physical pattern by default. If you would like to purchase a digital copy, we will offer it for a 50% discount ($8) closer to the beginning of the retreat.

  • The Owl Post Program: This year, we are offering returning participants and new participants the chance to sign up for what is essentially a pen pal program. This is your chance to meet a stitcher ahead of the retreat to start connecting and building friendships. Not to mention it's always fun to have someone else to plan your retreat experience with. Within our ability, we will keep Owl Post pairs together in the same "competing" houses when the official Frogwarts sorting takes place. Though we would love to send a howler on your behalf, we cannot be held responsible for unresponsive pen pals.

  • More Active Competing Houses: In order to keep our house point system more fair and balanced for year 6, we will not be sorting participants until after they have completed the Facebook Guides quiz. This way, we can more fairly distribute those who actually plan to participate in retreat events.

  • Frogwarts Band Sampler Stitching Challenge: Earn 100 house points by completing the Year 6 Band Sampler during the retreat weekend. Participants will receive the pattern at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the retreat. All participants hoping to earn the 100 points must wait to start the pattern until the given start date and time as provided within the Facebook group.

  • Stitching Challenges: Get ready to count your stitches! We will again be releasing a series of themed stitching challenges inspired by the events of year 6.

  • Time Turner Stitching Challenges: Missed a stitching challenge? Not a problem if you have a time turner handy! This year, we will be bringing back the Time Turner stitching hours to take place during the late night and early hours of the morning (previously unscheduled time during the retreats).

  • Stash Dives: We hope you've organized your stash, and prepared your diving space! Get ready to search through your space for themed items to earn house points.

  • Digital Dives: What can you find on the World Wide Wizarding Web? These solo scavenger hunts across the internet for stitching items will be back, and you'll have more chances to earn house points.

  • Prizes without competition: Not here for the competition? Don't worry, we've still got prizes for you! Join our Facebook Live sessions for the chance to randomly win prizes!

  • Overall MVP, and House MVPs: We will be rewarding the five participants with the highest house point totals with prizes at the end of the retreat.

  • The House Cup: Which house will claim the cup this year? Work together with your housemates to participate in our retreat events, and accumulate the most points at Frogwarts. House Cup winners will receive matching team prizes.

  • And More!
Location, Retreat Info, and Fees
  • Where: Online, via Facebook and Zoom
  • When: July 9-13, beginning at 6:30 p.m. central time July 9
  • Hosted by: The Black Needle Society
  • What's Included: Access to the facebook group, premium and exclusive swag sourced from small makers and independent artists.
  • Fees: This year's Retreat is $150 which covers the cost of your Retreat In A Box, prizes to be given out during the retreat, event staff, planning fees, and payment processing fees.

Registration, and after you Enroll

  • You will receive a download with your purchase (if you cannot access the download from our website, a link to the download will also be provided on your emailed receipt.) This download contains registration information, which also contains links to access the Facebook Group. REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE YOU ARE ADMITTED TO THE FACEBOOK GROUP.
  • IMPORTANT: When purchasing the retreat listing, be sure to include an email address you check on a regular basis.
  • Those who purchase this box will have the opportunity to purchase the Year 2,3, 4 and 5 band samplers and the years 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 coffee mugs in order to complete the set if they choose. Links to these items will be provided privately and after all sales have closed for the year 5 retreat.
  • If Gifting this box, please include contact information for the recipient. You must purchase all boxes separately.
  • We ask that you check in on the Facebook group regularly after registration as we plan to host several online events leading up to the retreat.

     

    What is Frogwarts?

    • Frogwarts is a competitive cross stitching retreat

    • It is entirely digital, and hosted primarily via Facebook

    • Each year hosted is inspired by the events in the corresponding book and movie

    • Each participant will receive a box of cross stitch and lifestyle items themed to the year’s events as well.

    What are the “Houses”

    • Frogwarts breaks down the four overall houses from the series (Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin) into further “competing” houses.

    • The competing houses are named after locations in and around the Frogwarts Castle.

    • Competing houses contain 8-12 students working together to earn house points by participating in the various activities of the retreat. If your competing house has the most house points, your team will win the House Cup and the prizes associated with it.

    What events are there at Frogwarts?

    • Stitching Rooms are like tables at an in person retreat. We host these via Zoom, and you are invited to come in and video chat (or chat with just your microphone if you're more comfortable with that) with other Frogwarts attendees.

    • Stitching Challenges are the most popular events at the retreat. Throughout the weekend, we will host themed stitching times where you can keep track of the number of stitches completed in an hour, and submit proof of your stitches (photos) for house points. Past themes for the stitching hours have been: Stitch on a piece with Gryffindor House colors. Stitch on a piece with mirrored motifs. Stitch on a piece for Christmas or Winter. Etc. If you choose to not stitch on a piece that fits the theme, you can still compete in the stitching hour, but we will require more stitches for each house point earned.

    • Stash Dives are in home scavenger hunts. We will release a list of items you will want to search for in your space. Each item found earns a house point. There is a time limit to search, and post for your house points.

    • Digital Dives are internet based scavenger hunts. Similar to the stash dives, we will release a list of items you will want to search for across the internet. Screenshot these items and upload to submit for house points. Again, there is a time limit to search.

    • Quidditch is a team version of our Digital Dives. You can choose to volunteer for a Quidditch team, and you will be placed in a private chat to work with other stitchers to find scavenger hunt items across the internet.

    • Facebook Lives can have opportunities to win random draw prizes from our general prize bucket. Items include patterns, floss, stitching notions, fabric, etc. Participants who are present at the time of the Facebook Live are chosen at random to receive a prize.

    How do I learn to do all of the things for the retreat?

    • Katie and Laura will host a series of “Guides” within the Facebook group that will walk you through the how to’s and rules of each game and event. These will be posted 2-3 weeks ahead of the beginning of the retreat.

    • This year, a second set of guides will be available, but not required, which will explain how to use the various functions of Facebook that we use during the retreat. These will be available in the group when you join.

    • This year, we will host practice rounds of each game prior to the start of the retreat. These are optional, and are not for any house points. Although prizes may still be awarded!

    What are the rules of Frogwarts?

    • Frogwarts is a safe space for all. Be Kind and Tolerant always. Any hate speech or bullying in regards to any topic will result in a permanent ban from the current event, and any and all future Black Needle Society items, boxes, retreats, etc. Topics include: Age, gender, sexuality, race, religion, experience level, etc.

    • Cod of Conduct:
      • I will treat all fellow participants and hosts with kindness, compassion, and patience. I will not speak negatively of any other stitcher within this group, or use my influence to put others down.
      • I will not hold other stitchers to the standards I hold for myself. I understand everyone stitches at their own pace, the best they can, and within a schedule that works best for them. I will not tell anyone they are not welcome, or ask anyone to leave a stitching group. If this is reported, I understand I will be removed from the Facebook group instead, with no refund.
      • I will not argue with the judgements of headmistresses or prefects (house points will be deducted this year as needed.) I understand judgements are made for the retreat at large, and are not made on a case by case basis.
      • I will not behave with unsportsmanlike behavior, or try to find loopholes to avoid doing what is asked of me as a competitor. If my actions are deemed to be unsportsmanlike or cheating by a prefect or headmistress, I understand I will not receive credit for my submission(s), and will be subject to removal from the entire grading process (not eligible for competitive prizes) or removal from the facebook group depending on the severity of my actions.
      • NO PRIZE IS WORTH GETTING UPSET OVER. The best prize anyone walks away with from this retreat are the friendships built and connections made.
      • I will not post negative or harassing comments aimed at hosts or prefects about the dates materials are shared with the group, including: Supplies Lists, Digital Pattern Links, Stitching Challenges, House Sorting Sheets, etc. I understand team BNS is hard at work in the background leading up to this retreat, and will share this information when they are able and ready of their own accord.

    Do I have to participate?

    • No. You choose your level of participation: Whether that is participating in one or two events, not attending the retreat at all, but still purchasing a box, or participating in Every. Single. Challenge. You decide what will bring you the most joy during these four days.

    • Please let us know if you do not plan to participate so we can make sure that those who do participate in the retreat have housemates also working to earn points, and do not feel discouraged and alone in their efforts.

    I still have some questions
    Send an Email at help@theblackneedlesociety.com.