Knitting with Shaina Bilow in Tuscany

3-10 October 2026 with possible optional trip to Biella in Piedmont on 2 October

You are invited to join us in Tuscany for a private knitting retreat with Shaina Bilow from 3-10 October 2026.  (An optional one day extension to the wool processing region of Biella in Piedmont from Milan may also be made available on Friday 2 October, but this has yet to be confirmed. Please indicate in the booking form whether you might be interested in joining us for this extra day. Pricing TBC). 

We stay for 7-nights on the Estate of Petroio, an historic Tuscan property nestled in the rolling hills outside Florence, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and paths lined with cypress trees.  Centered around an ancient traditional stone building, the property embodies rustic elegance with terraced gardens, sweeping countryside views and a deep connection to local Chianti winemaking and olive oil traditions. 

Our knitting tutor, Shaina Bilow, is also a knitwear designer for her company Shaina Bilow Designs which she founded in 2013.  Renowned for her accessible and joyful teaching style, Shaina will stay with us at the Villa all week teaching a range of knitting skills and creative projects during four days of full-time tuition. For anyone wishing to focus on a particular aspect of their knitting there’ll be a chance to book one-to-one tuition with Shaina (at extra cost, bookable at the property).

The retreat will begin in Florence at 3pm on Saturday 3 October (meeting point TBC) when we will travel by coach to Petroio, the villa where we stay for the week. With exposed beams, thick walls and terracotta floors Petroio blends rustic charm with understated elegance and you’ll find plenty of places around the villa to relax and explore. We’ll gather to knit in a large upstairs room with commanding views over the countryside or on one of several outdoor terraces overlooking the estate.

Our meals of classic Tuscan fare are provided by resident chef Francesco and his team.  He is known for his pasta dishes and mastery with truffles which he incorporates into his cooking with seasonal vegetables and estate-grown wines.  One one evening homemade pizza will be served and on another a BBQ. One one day you’ll make a typical Tuscan dish during a cooking demonstration with Francesco.

Cooking isn’t the only entertainment as the estate offers a range of activities from tennis and pickleball to yoga in the Villa’s studio with Virginia (yoga at extra cost), and trekking through the estate’s 650-acres of vineyards, groves and woodlands with local guide Elisabetta.  A local therapist also offers a range of treatments from facials to reflexology and hair styling. 

The excursions and activities planned during the week include a tasting of local wines and a visit to one of the beautiful places nearby such as the medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano famous for its striking skyline of stone towers or to Siena, one of Tuscany’s most captivating cities rich in artistic heritage. We will also visit nearby nearby yarn wholesaler Borgo de Pazzi where you’ll have the chance to learn about and buy some of their 100% wool and cashmere recycled yarns.

The retreat ends in Florence late morning on Saturday 10 October.

Please note that there will be a maximum of 18 people on this retreat.  We are operating a sliding scale for the pricing which means that the more people who attend the less expensive it will be for everyone. If we have a full house of 18 people then the price for a single occupancy room will be £5000 and for twin occupancy it will be £4000 per person.   The price per person for a group size of 13 people in single occupancy rooms will be £6800 and for twin occupancy £6100 per person.  Please refer to the pricing under Essential Information for more details. 

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KNITTING WITH SHAINA BILOW IN TUSCANY

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