Knitting with Cocoknits in Portugal

Tuesday 12-19 November 2024

Come away with us on our next ‘terroir’ knitting adventure with Cocoknits to the beautiful and unspoilt Alentejo region of Portugal from 12-19 November 2024. 

We meet in central Lisbon on the morning of  Tuesday 12 November and head to Retrosaria Rosa Pomar, a gorgeous store selling a wide variety of Portuguese yarn,  where we’ll purchase our yarn for the retreat before heading out by coach to Evora, a beautifully preserved medieval town encircled by Roman walls,  1.5 hours east of Lisbon.   Evora is our base for the week - a jewel of a town with great restaurants, interesting artisan shops, stunning churches and museums and the ruins of a Roman temple right on our doorstep. 

We’ll stay at the hotel Pousada Convento de Loios, a former monastery built in 1485 for the friars of Loios.  Old-fashioned charm and service meet modern conveniences at the Convento where your simply-decorated but comfortable ensuite bedroom is a former monk’s cell. There are private and public areas within the hotel where our Cocoknitters can sit and knit to their heart’s content. 

The Portuguese are proud of their artisan traditions and the Alentejo region is famous for cork products,  olive oil, wine and marble production, rustic handmade pottery, hand-loomed blankets and cross-stitched carpets.  On our two excursions we’ll go to a bustling fleamarket in Estremoz and to Monsaraz where we’ll visit an artisan factory which makes bells for sheep (and chickens!) and Fabricaal, a factory where you’ll see wool blankets and rugs being woven on old looms. Take your knitting with you on our trips out as there will be time to sit and knit as well as plenty of opportunities to buy or commission gorgeous and reasonably-priced handmade pieces (they ship!).

Good food and wine is at the heart of Portuguese culture and there are several excellent restaurants just a stone’s throw from our hotel.  We take most of our lunches out and on the menu you’ll find plenty of seafood and game, as well as the famous black pork made from pigs that graze on acorns.  The Alentejo reigon is famous for its  smooth reds and fruity whites and you’ll have the chance at every restaurant we visit to sample the local wines.  

For your knitting project you’ll follow a Cocoknits knitting pattern using Rosa Pomar yarn, made from sheep raised in the Alentejo.  You’ll purchase your yarn when we visit the store on our first day choosing from a wide selection including fingering, worsted and sports weight. No matter whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced knitter you will be in the safe hands of Cocoknits founder Julie Weisenberger and expert knitter Tracy Russell whose full-time guidance will ensure you get the most of your experience. 

For anyone interested in dipping a toe into other cultures this is the retreat for you.  Take time out to explore beautiful Evora between bouts of knitting.  With so many historical and cultural sites on your doorstep and wonderful shops selling local handicrafts you can cover a lot of ground in a 30 minute break. 

“Our leaders, Lizzie, Julie and Tracy were always attentive and attuned to the needs of the moment, which for a group of 16 was very impressive. I look forward to another textile retreat in the future. It has become my favorite way to travel”

Raye Lynn T , United States

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