Nordic Knitting Retreat
June 11–16, 2026 | Porvoo, Finland
A Nordic summer retreat for knitting and food lovers — in the season of endless light.
Booking opens on February 8, 2026 at 00:00 AM (EET) here.
Our summer retreat takes place in the historic town of Porvoo, on Finland’s southern coast and home to Säie Wool and your hosts, Eija and Chita. In mid-June, just before Midsummer, Finland is at its brightest: long, luminous days, soft evenings and nights that barely grow dark at all.
Porvoo is known for its beautifully preserved Old Town, cobblestone streets and the river winding through the heart of the city — as well as for its outstanding restaurants. This retreat is for those who love knitting, appreciate exceptional food and are curious to experience something a little different — including a memorable excursion into the Finnish archipelago.
Expect a touch of adventure, long summer evenings, plenty of knitting and deep rest — not least thanks to nights spent sleeping like a queen at our Michelin-Key-awarded hotel.
The Experience
Our aim is to invite you into a five-night Nordic escape — a gentle immersion into Finnish way of living, thinking and knitting. A pause from everyday life, shaped by calm, craftsmanship and shared moments.
Over five carefully curated days, you’ll enjoy shared knitting, exceptional food, guided excursions and the ease of having everything thoughtfully arranged for you — with a cosy Knitting Lounge as a shared base for knitting, conversation and quiet moments throughout the retreat.
We are aiming for a small, intimate group of around 10 participants, allowing for a relaxed pace, personal connections and shared moments.
Our Official Partner
We are proud to have Laine Publishing as the official partner of the Nordic Knitting Retreat.
Laine is an internationally recognised knitwear magazine and publisher, known for its thoughtful approach to knitting, design and storytelling. Their work celebrates craftsmanship, creativity and the slower rhythms of making — values that align closely with the spirit of this retreat. Having Laine as a partner brings an added layer of connection to the wider international knitting community and reflects our shared commitment to quality, inspiration and meaningful experiences.
Meet Our Special Guests
One of the highlights of the retreat is a shared knitting afternoon with two beloved voices from the Finnish knitting world: Sari Nordlund and Veronika Lindberg (KutovaKika).
During this dedicated afternoon, we will slow down, knit together and enjoy open, relaxed conversation in an intimate setting — an opportunity to spend time side by side, share stories and draw inspiration from their work and creative journeys.
Sari Nordlund is one of Finland’s most internationally recognised knitwear designers, known for her timeless and elegant designs. Her work is characterised by beautiful textures, thoughtful details and carefully considered fit. She is especially admired for her lace and textured knitting, where classic aesthetics meet modern wearability.
Veronika Lindberg, also known as KutovaKika, is a knitwear designer and content creator celebrated for her approachable, joyful and practical knitting patterns. Her designs combine clean shapes, everyday functionality and the simple pleasure of knitting. Veronika’s warm and encouraging presence has made her a much-loved figure in the knitting community, both in Finland and internationally.
This is not a formal workshop, but a moment of shared presence — knitting, conversation and connection, woven naturally into the rhythm of the retreat. You’re welcome to bring a knitting question, a small challenge, or simply your curiosity about knitwear design and the creative process.
Where You’ll Stay
During the retreat, you will stay at Runo Hotel, located in the very centre of Porvoo, just steps away from the Old Town and the river. Awarded a Michelin Key in 2025, the hotel offers a warm and refined setting for rest and relaxation.
Porvoo’s reputation as a food destination is well deserved, and the retreat includes carefully chosen dining experiences at some of the town’s most loved restaurants, including Salt, Sicapelle, Sinne and Vår, a Michelin star restaurant.
Porvoo, the Archipelago & a Sense of Place
Porvoo is one of Finland’s oldest towns — a charming riverside destination where history, culture and contemporary Nordic design come together. Cobblestone streets, independent boutiques and a relaxed rhythm give the town its distinctive character.
While our days in town focus on culture, knitting and shared meals, one of the highlights of the retreat is an excursion into the surrounding archipelago. There, sea, islands and open horizons offer a striking contrast to the town setting.
A glimpse of what’s waiting for you:
Moving Through Porvoo
Porvoo is best experienced on foot. Over the course of the retreat, we will walk through the Old Town’s cobblestone streets, between the hotel, the Knitting Lounge and nearby restaurants, as well as during our archipelago excursion.
Participants should be comfortable walking approximately 3–5 km (2–3 miles) at a relaxed pace on some days. The terrain may include uneven surfaces such as cobblestones, natural paths and gentle hills.
The pace of the retreat is unhurried, with plenty of time to pause, rest and enjoy the surroundings — but a basic level of mobility and comfort walking outdoors is important in order to fully enjoy the experience.
What’s Included
The retreat is designed so that you can fully relax and focus on the experience. Included in the retreat:
- Private group transfers from Helsinki Airport on arrival (June 11, 2026) and departure (June 16, 2026)
- 5 nights’ accommodation at Runo Hotel, Porvoo
- Daily artisan breakfast (awarded Best Hotel Breakfast in Finland)
- 4 lunches and 5 dinners at carefully selected restaurants
- Access to our Knitting Lounge, with coffee, tea, refreshments and light bites
- A cosy knitting afternoon and conversation with knitwear designer Sari Nordlund and Veronika Lindberg (KutovaKika)
- A behind-the-scenes visit to the Säie Wool dye studio
- A full-day archipelago excursion in the Porvoo archipelago (weather permitting)
- A day in Helsinki, discovering the city through a knitter’s lens
- A visit to Garnfest Porvoo, a small and carefully curated knitting festival
- The official language of the retreat is English.
Please note: Group airport transfers are arranged at scheduled times for arrival and departure. Should you wish to make your own airport arrangements, we kindly ask you to let us know in advance.
Not Included
- Flights or other transportation to and from Helsinki
- Beverages are not included with restaurant meals.
- Travel insurance
We reserve the right to make minor adjustments to the programme if necessary.
Pricing & Payment
Single Room: €4,329
Shared Double Room: €3,529 per person (share a room with another fellow participant)
Shared Double Room: €7,058 per room (one Knitting participant €3,529 + non-knitting partner / friend €3,249).
Non-knitting partners are welcome to participate in all meals, excursions and shared activities.
Deposit: €200 payable at registration
The retreat is charged in EUR. Once the deposit has been paid, an invoice for the remaining balance will be sent to you within five days.
The invoice is payable by bank transfer and is due five days from the invoice date. This payment method is required in order to apply the Finnish VAT rate of 25.5%.
Confirmation & Cancellation Policy
The retreat will be confirmed once the minimum number of participants has been reached, and no later than mid-March 2026.
You may cancel your participation until March 1, 2026.
The deposit is non-refundable.
After March 1, 2026, no refunds will be issued.
Exception: In the unlikely event that the retreat does not take place, all payments made will be fully refunded.
Travel insurance is not included in the retreat fee. We strongly recommend arranging comprehensive international coverage with your insurance provider.
If you have any questions, please contact us at hello@saiewool.fi.
A warm, intimate knitting retreat shaped by Nordic culture, thoughtful hospitality and genuine presence.
Porvoo photos by Eleni Paspati.