Retreats & Gatherings / Arts and Crafts Workshops / Crochet & Connection: A Hook & Book Retreat in Portugal
Crochet & Connection: A Hook & Book Retreat in Portugal
Join Lee Sartori, author and founder of CoCo Crochet Lee, in this magical and immersive crochet retreat. Learn new techniques while you bring one of the iconic designs from Lee’s Disney villains crochet book to life, all amidst the stunning seaside town of Ericeira.
Treat yourself to 5 days/6 nights of stitching in one of the most beautiful corners of Portugal. Price starts at €1935. Don’t miss out on our shared room deal - save up to €975 each when booking for two!
A brief look at the itinerary:
-
• No need to stress about transportation - we have it covered. We will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to O House, ensuring a stress-free transition.
• Settle in, unpack, relax, and enjoy the hotel amenities or explore Ericeira’s charming streets and stores.
• In the evening, we’ll have an opening circle where we will connect and get ready for the days ahead. Then, you’ll enjoy a delicious welcome dinner prepared by our private chef.
-
• Start your day with an optional Stitch and Chat, where you can crochet, get to know your cohort, and ease into the morning with creativity and community.
• For your first workshop, dive into a hands-on exercise on cables, honing your skills with insider tips and tricks. Lee will walk you through her tried-and-true methods for flawless cable stitches, teaching you how to read cable charts, manage post stitches, and maintain stitch definition across a wide range of projects. Once you have mastered cable stitches, you will be able to play with unique textures and dimensions in your work.
• Relax, chat, and enjoy a tasty lunch prepared in-house by our private chef.
• In the afternoon, venture into the beautiful natural landscapes of Ericeira, where inspiration abounds at every turn. In this Guided Nature Walk, you will slow down, finding creative inspiration and renewal in the vibrant ecosystem and panoramic views.
• In the evening, return to O House, where you will have time to rest before helping yourself to a hearty dinner cooked in-house by our private chef.
• Each evening will be reserved for one on one stitching time with Lee (by appointment). Ask your burning crochet questions, work on a particularly challenging stitch, or simply stitch with Lee. This is an invaluable opportunity to work directly with a crochet expert, and may be exactly what you need to level up your crocheting.
-
• In the first workshop of the day, learn how to seamlessly integrate colors into your projects. This colorwork deep dive will teach you how to precisely manage yarn changes and maintain tension as you switch colors. No matter which type of project you take on, these techniques will help you tackle color changes with confidence and skill.
• Relax and enjoy a tasty lunch prepared in-house by our private chef.
• In the afternoon, kick off the main project of the retreat: an amigurumi Ursula from The Little Mermaid. This project is ideal for intermediate crocheters looking to expand their skills with 3D shaping and assembly. Using Lee’s original pattern, continue to sharpen your skills as you bring Ursula to life, one step at a time. In this workshop, you will focus on Ursula’s arms, practicing essential shaping techniques and stuffing tips. After the class, enjoy a well-deserved rest before helping yourself to a hearty dinner cooked in-house by our private chef.
• After dinner, Lee will host more one on one stitching sessions by appointment.
-
• Continue to work on Ursula, watching the iconic Disney villain take form with precise stitches. In this workshop, you will stitch Ursula’s tentacles, learning to refine your seam placement and maintain consistent stitch tension.
• Venture to Sintra, a magical town nestled in the forested hills, fantastical castles dotting the landscape. You are sure to find inspiration and wonder in the whimsical streets, fairytale forests, and storied palaces.
• Return to O House to refuel with a delicious dinner in-house, and then join Lee for one a one-on-one stitching session, or enjoy relaxing free time as you wind down for the night.
-
• To start your day, choose between a cozy morning Stitch and Chat or a rejuvenating sunrise nature hike.
• Take the first half of the day to explore Ericeira at your own pace - embark on a cafe crawl, walk the beaches, or simply relax by the pool. This is your free time to rest, reflect, and soak in your surroundings.
• After lunch in town, dive back into your crocheting with the next steps in Lee’s Ursula Pattern - forming Ursula’s body. This session will cover shaping techniques for larger forms, as well as useful strategies for efficiently attaching body parts. Learn how to create smooth contours, resulting in a polished piece that reflects your hard work and learning.
• End the day with a hearty dinner at O House, followed by one-on-one appointments with Lee and free time.
-
• Jump into the final workshop of the retreat, learning the ins and outs of Tunisian crochet, a special stitch that produces textured and knit-like fabrics. Alongside your cohort, you will learn how to work forward and return passes, manage tension, and see how stitch structure impacts drape and texture. Unlocking the Tunisian crochet is a great way to elevate your crochet game.
• Enjoy a satisfying lunch at O House prepared by our private chef.
• Celebrate the cumulation of the retreat with a wine tasting at a local vineyard, where you will treat yourself to delicious Portuguese wines while you enjoy your newfound community.
• Gather back at O House for a celebratory dinner cooked by our private chef - a moment to share stories, memories, and gratitude.
• We’ll close the night under the stars with a cozy bonfire - the perfect ending to an unforgettable journey.
-
• Enjoy a slow breakfast together, and take pride in your achievements over the course of the retreat. After several days of hard work, you will have expanded your crochet tool belt, equipped with new techniques to tackle tricky projects.
• We will transfer you to the airport for your departure, ensuring a stress-free transition back into your day-to-day life.
-
Do I need to have previous crochet experience?
This retreat is designed for intermediate crocheters, so participants must be familiar with basic stitches.What can I expect to learn from these crochet workshops?
Lee’s workshops are designed to equip intermediate crocheters with new stitch techniques and confidence. You will learn and practice cables, colorwork, amigurumi, and Tunisian crochet, building on your abilities and exploring together. As you piece together the retreat’s main project—Ursula—you will practice stitch tension, stuffing and shaping technique, and seam placement. You will also have the chance to ask Lee your most pressing crochet questions, learn about her creative process, and gain invaluable insider knowledge into the world of crochet design, stitching, and book publishing.Do I need to bring my own crochet materials?
Nope! We will provide complete crochet kits with everything you need for Lee’s workshops. However, you are more than welcome to bring your current project to work on during your down time, or during the daily Stitch and Chat.
Do you offer airport transfer?
Yes! Airport transfers are included in the ticket price.What does a typical day look like?
Although each day looks different, there are some core themes and activities throughout each day of the retreat. Each day starts with an optional morning Stitch and Chat, allowing you to ease into the morning with community and relaxing stitching. We provide a continental breakfast each day, which is then followed by a art workshop, O House activity, or free time. We will then have lunch cooked in-house by our private chef, followed by another activity block, which will either be another workshop, activity, or free time. Finally, we wrap up with dinner at 6 PM and one-on-one crochet sessions with Lee.Where can I find your Terms and Conditions?
For detailed information about our policies, including booking terms, cancellations, and liability, please refer to our full Terms and Conditions. You can access them by clicking here.
-
🧶 Expert Crochet Instruction - Take your crochet to the next level by diving into new techniques and patterns. Lee’s experience and guidance, alongside group lessons, skills workshops, and 1:1 coaching will elevate your crochet and leave you with the skills you need to tackle future patterns, designs, and complex projects. This retreat is perfect for intermediate crocheters who are looking to up their game, whether it be through refining their amigurumi technique, mastering stitch tension, learning about stuffing technique, or more.
🏰 Fantastical Palaces and Historic Towns - Let the magic wash over you as you explore Sintra’s stunning cobblestone streets, ornate castles, and sprawling estates.
🌊 Stunning Coastlines and Nature Walks - Embark on an energizing creative reset amidst the rugged beauty of Portugal’s coastline, riverbanks, and walking trails. In this place, away from the hustle and bustle, your imagination will run wild, leaving you feeling inspired and ready to create. Whether on the Guided Nature Walk or personal exploration, you will get acquianted with awe-inspiring natural beauty.
🍷 Local Gastronomy and Wine Tasting - Enjoy authentic Portuguese dishes, explore local wines at a beautiful vineyard, and savor the flavors of the region. Treat yourself - you deserve it.
👋 Community - Connect with a group of like-minded artists. Learn, explore, and relax together as you immerse yourself in a shared passion in a peaceful and picturesque location.
-
🍽️ 6 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches & 5 Dinners— Savor delicious, locally sourced meals prepared by our private chef. From energizing breakfasts to satisfying lunches and exquisite dinners, every dish is crafted to fuel your body and delight your taste buds.
🛏️ All Rooms & Amenities— Included in your package is a stay in one of our exclusive suites at O House. Designed with elegance and comfort in mind, these suites feature modern amenities and stylish décor, providing the perfect sanctuary to relax, recharge, and appreciate the little things.
🚐 Seamless Local Transfers— No stress, no hassle! We take care of your transportation to hikes and activities, so you can focus on making the most of your time in paradise.
✈️ Effortless Airport Transfers—Arrive and depart with ease thanks to our round-trip airport transportation, ensuring a smooth and stress-free start and end.
📚 A Signed Copy of Lee’s Recent Book: Disney Villains Amigurumi — Get access to 21 of Lee’s original patterns with the help of this exciting book. Learn about Lee’s creative process, both when it comes to crocheting, and authorship.
🎁 Complete Project Kit — No need to stress about bringing supplies - we will provide you with crochet swag bags, custom-made for this retreat. The swag bag will include:
All of the yarn you need to create Ursula (yarn from WeCrochet)
Furls Crochet Hooks
Yarn from Lion Brand Yarn
Additional exciting notions and tools
Are you ready to take your crochet to the next level through expert guidance, all while exploring Portugal’s wonders, renewing your body and mind, and connecting with like-minded artists?
Prices start at €1935, with a shared room deal - save up to €975 each when booking for two! Come create, recharge, and connect in a setting designed to inspire.