Cool Wool Retreat
Spend 4 nights with us at Beskidzka Apartments.
September 2nd - 6th 2026
4 Days of relaxing while Crocheting and Knitting in the forest in Poland, with 3 incredible teachers helping, guiding and teaching you. Take on a few new projects while learning new techniques.
Escape from the world, nourishing your soul with your craft and your body with good food and company.
After the success of the last retreat, Cool Wool and Beskidzka Apartments are teaming up again to give you a 4-day relaxing break.
A quiet, relaxing and idyllic house backing onto the woodlands. Listen to the soothing stream while you knit or crochet your hours away and choose between the house, the garden, or sitting by the stream!
We strive to make your stay with us unforgettable. Our goal is to send you off with not only a full stomach but also a heart filled with joy, a suitcase packed with treasures and memories that will be so fond you will want to come back again!
⬇️9.8 now!
What We Did Last Time
2024 was the maiden voyage for retreats hosted at Beskidzka Apartments, and we packed in knitting, crocheting, eating, drinking, laughing, shopping, walking, and ice cream!
Carol Ibbetson will be presenting an exploration of Xandy Peter’s knitting techniques
In this knitting workshop, we will explore some of the amazing ways Xandy works with colour. From a modified I-cord (easy) to stacked increases and decreases (a bit more challenging) there will be something for every level of ability.
If you have tried some of her construction techniques before and got frustrated, don’t worry! She has some great tips for you to make things easier. Yarn, stitch markers (essential) and handouts will be provided.
Please bring a circular 4mm needle with a long cable, used to make working stacked stitches much easier to handle!
What you’ll make:
This will depend on how adventurous you are! Anything from a wall hanging to a coaster is possible.
What you’ll learn:
How to work a very easy modified I-cord stitch or lattice stitch to create an unusual look to your fabric.
How to work stacked increases and decreases to create amazing shapes in your knitting.
Nessa Hubbard will be presenting the Beaded Knitting & Crochet Workshop
In this workshop, you can choose to knit or crochet — whichever craft you prefer. You’ll make a small project and learn how to apply beads to your work to add texture and sparkle. The same beading method is used for both crafts, showing how beautifully it translates across techniques. All materials are provided, including yarn, beads, and a handout with clear instructions. If you enjoy both knitting and crochet, you may have time to try the other version too.
What you’ll make:
You’ll create a small, beaded project of your choice — either a bracelet, bookmark, or headband — in your preferred craft (knitting or crochet).
What you’ll learn:
How to pre-string beads onto your yarn in a planned sequence before starting your project.
How to work the beads into your stitches as you knit or crochet, using them to highlight motifs or create surface pattern.
Jenny Street will be presenting a Tunisian Crochet & Sashiko Stitch Workshop
In this workshop, we’ll slow down and explore the mindful rhythm of two time-honoured crafts - Tunisian crochet and sashiko embroidery. As you move between hook and needle, you’ll create a small pouch that blends texture, pattern, and calm intention. Tunisian crochet offers a grounding base, while sashiko’s flowing stitches echo the steady rise and fall of the breath - a reminder to pause, exhale, and reconnect.
Through gentle guidance, you’ll be encouraged to work at your own pace, noticing the subtle dialogue between breath, movement, and making. Each stitch becomes an act of presence - a quiet meditation in yarn and thread. All materials are provided, along with a handout so you can continue exploring these soothing techniques at home.
What you’ll make:
A hand-stitched Tunisian crochet pouch embellished with sashiko-inspired embroidery - a small, tactile keepsake of stillness and flow.
What you’ll learn:
How to work foundational Tunisian crochet stitches to create a steady, textured fabric.
How to apply sashiko-style embroidery to crochet, using simple motifs and mindful repetition.
How combining two slow crafts can deepen your connection to process, patience, and creative flow.
This retreat focuses on upskilling yourself, and relaxing... It's a small, intimate group, and with three teachers, you will have plenty of time for knitting and crochet, refining your techniques, and finishing your projects.
What Is The Itinerary for 2-6th September 2026?
Wednesday 2nd September
Arrive in Krakow - if you have booked a car transfer from Paula, please ensure your flight is an AM arrival.
We will make our way to Beskidzka Apartments via the town so you can do some shopping and pick up some bits and pieces, you get the afternoon to yourself, relaxing by the stream or grabbing a few hours' sleep before our evening meet up at 7 pm, where we will do formal intros, and we will have some pierogi (Polish Dumplings) for you.
Thursday 3rd September
Enjoy a nice breakfast in the apartment and be ready for the first of the learning sessions at 10 am taught by Nessa she will walk you through the Beaded Knitting & Crochet Workshop.
At 2 pm, we will go to the Beskidzki Raj restaurant and enjoy a lovely meal out. We will return just after 4 pm to finish your learning from the morning and relax in the apartment.
There is the option of a lovely walk through the forest from Beskidzki Raj and down our road if you wish to burn off those calories after you eat (no need to decide today)
Friday 4th September
Enjoy a nice breakfast in the apartment and be ready for the second of the learning sessions at 10am, taught by Carol from Cool Wool School. She will guide you through Xandy Peter’s knitting techniques.
At 2 pm we will go to Castle Restaurant and enjoy a lovely meal out, back just after 4 pm to finish your learning from the morning and relax in the apartment.
We have a special guest this evening, Layla will be dropping in and running a mindfulness session
Saturday 5th September
Enjoy a nice breakfast in the apartment and be ready for the third and final of the learning sessions at 10am taught by Jen who will guide you through the Tunisian Crochet & Sashiko Stitch Workshop.
At 2pm we will go to the Szafran restaurant and enjoy a lovely meal out, back just after 4 pm to finish your learning from the morning and relax in the apartment.
We have a special evening planned; let's head to the stream, light the fire, and enjoy sausages or marshmallows cooked over the fire to round off your relaxing few days, laughing under the stars.
Sunday 6th September
Today it's home day, the car will be heading to the airport in the morning, and if your flight is later in the day, why not visit Krakow for the day before you head home.
Some events in the afternoon/evening may need to be rescheduled due to weather conditions, we will keep you updated but you will still enjoy everything listed.
Full Board!
We aim to provide you with the best Polish eating experience possible.
Polish meal times differ from those in England, so meal times may seem foreign.
Breakfast - by 8 am
Second breakfast (snack/sandwich, etc)- around 11 am
Obiad (main meal) around 2 pm - this will be in a restaurant, out each day.
Kolacja (evening snack) after 6 pm...
You can help yourself to the food and drink in the apartment for breakfast, snacks and evening meal or purchase extras for yourself.
The apartments will also have tea, coffee, milk, water and juice available.
The apartments will have Breakfast and Kolacja provided for you to help yourself. I can offer a complete list of what will be available. If you have any food intolerances, please let me know before booking.
However, Obiad (your main meal for the day) will be served in 3 fabulous restaurants close to us. Your cost includes your main meal and one drink.
How about a pick-up?
I will be meeting Carol on Wednesday morning, 2nd September 2026. Once her flight time is confirmed, I will keep you informed. If you arrive within this time bracket, I can take you to Beskidzka Apartments. There will be an additional charge for this £20 each way, this will be on the order form once the deposit has been confirmed.
Alternatively, I will happily help you arrange private transfers (from £120) or assist you in booking train tickets to Sucha Beskidzka from the airport.
This also applies to return journeys on Sunday 6th September
