May knitting retreat in France

Our second retreat this year is well underway. Pat who lives in London arrived at La Rochelle on Friday and Anne (our first French guest), who lives on the outskirts of Paris came into Angouleme by train on Saturday. The weather has been lovely with hazy sunshine and light breezes, we have sat outside in the garden or studio all day. Pat has come for a relaxing week with a sock project and some crochet flowers to make. She is keen to make more accessories and gifts to sell at a Christmas Open House and has been enthusiastically ploughing through my Marie Claire Idee magazines for inspiration. Anne has not knitted for many years and is here for a bit of help and a few reminders so has brought along a simple short sleeved sweater to knit, having spent the morning experimenting with cast on and tension squares she has made a start on the sweater and is doing brilliantly. I am finally working on some new kit ideas for KnitKits.

Pat knitting in the studio

Yesterday Pat and I went into St Jean d'Angely for a quick wander around the market, but otherwise we have been very lazy, enjoying the sunshine, peace and quiet, lots of knitting and sharing ideas.

 

The spring flowers are at their best and provide plenty of inspiration for knitting or crochet, I love the vivid colour of the euphorbia and am determined to try and reproduce this somehow.

Spring at La Verderie

la Verderie

At last Spring seems to be here.

I have just been for a walk with BeBop in glorious sunshine and clear blue skies, it is the day after St George's day and the dandelions seem to have changed overnight from brilliant yellow to white fluffy balls, the bluebells are starting to come out and there is blossom everywhere.

We have a few days rest before the next knitting and crochet retreat at La Verderie which starts on 5th May, there is still one space available if anyone fancies a last minute escape to sunny France? Spend the week relaxing with your knitting or crochet, pick up some new tips or have a go at machine knitting. For further information send an email to Sue or visit the Knitting Holidays in France website here.

April knitting retreat

A section of my crochet throw

On Thursday morning we visited Saintes for a bit more shopping. After a long browse in the stationery and book shop we wandered down through the pedestrianised streets to one of the lovely chocolate shops so that Shelagh and Fiona could buy gifts to take home. In the afternoon the girls from my craft group came along to join us, it was a fairly noisy few hours with 12 of us working on various knitting, sewing and crochet projects and all talking at once, but the new studio proved to be the perfect venue. Fiona bravely started on her Fairisle slipover and managed to do the first block of pattern with no mistakes in spite of the various conversations going on around her.
After supper of chicken stuffed with mushroom and pancetta and tarte tatin we settled down to watch the final episode of Star Wars.

masterclass in picking up for necklines and ribs

start of Fiona's fairisle

Friday was the final full day, sunny but a bit cooler. Fiona was keen to have a go on my knitting machine so I gave a quick crash course. It is a fairly ancient chunky machine that I bought second hand many years ago and was already missing some parts, however, it still works and is a great way of using up the stash quickly. She soon got the hang of working the machine and went off hoping to find one on ebay as soon as she got home. We also had a quick masterclass in picking up and knitting stitches around necklines. After lunch we went to visit Veronique, one of the ladies from my craft group who wanted to show Fiona her beautiful cross stitch samplers and pictures, worked on the finest aida and hardanger.

dancing reindeer

Sheelagh's crochet dishcloth

In the evening we had a final show and tell to see what had been achieved through the week and it was fairly impressive. Shelagh felt that although she had un-ravelled a fair bit, she has finally mastered crochet having completed her dishcloth and made a start on her stripey cushion cover and crochet throw. Fiona had finished the back of her chunky jacket with the intarsia reindeer, started the fairisle slipover, completed a hot water bottle cover and then settled down in the evening to knit bags for the sweets she had bought to give as gifts. I was happy to have completed my little crochet throw and have made a start on a crochet cushion cover.
On Saturday morning we set off early under a cloudless sky for the trip to Bordeaux and their return flight to Luton, it has been a really lovely relaxing week and I am looking forward to the next visitors on the May retreat (we still have one space available for the 4th - 9th May if anyone would like a last minute holiday, see here!)

April Knitting Retreat at La Verderie

We are into day 3 of the April knitting retreat at La Verderie and it is going brilliantly. Mum Sheelagh and daughter Fiona arrived at Bordeaux on Sunday to blue skies and a temperature of 27c, coming from Yorkshire this was understandably a bit of shock for them! It was warm enough to eat supper outside and sit there chatting until after dark.
Sheelagh has come with a plan to master crochet, starting with a simple dishcloth and then a striped cushion cover by Erika Knight, plus a knitted needle case and hot water bottle cover when the crochet gets too stressful. Fiona arrived with a suitcase full of yarn to knit a jacket for her brother, fairisle slipover for Dad and a hot water bottle cover, at the end of the week we will have a show and tell to see how much they have achieved!
On Monday we spent the day in the garden and the studio working on our various projects, I am coming close to finishing my crochet mini throw made from some of my stash of felted tweed. Sheelagh started on the dishcloth and is going great guns with straight sides and even tension. Fiona managed to knit most of the back of her jacket. In the evening after dinner of toulouse sausage and bean casserole, followed by chocolate brownies and raspberry coulis we spent an evening with our knitting and crochet in front of Star Wars IV (the original).

Coffee in Cognac

Tuesday was another lovely sunny day, after breakfast the three of us went into Cognac to visit Tissus Bonnet the fabric and yarn shop. After at least an hour of browsing we all came out clutching goodies, various fabric remnants, yarn, patterns, sewing machine accessories and a kit to make a sewing box, then on to the kitchen shop for a few gifts for Sheelagh and Fiona to take home. After a coffee in the sun we went back to La Verderie for alfresco lunch of salad, cheese and charcuterie. In the afternoon I finally finish my crochet, and at last feel confident enough to say that I can crochet! Fiona finished the back of her jacket and went on to the hottie cover for a bit of mindless relief and Sheelagh made a start on the cushion cover.


Chateau de Crazannes

Today our morning trip was to the beautiful Chateau de Crazannes. We were the only three on the guided tour and although our lovely young guide insisted she spoke no English, between my garbled translation, her very animated explanations in broken English and the written translation we learnt a lot about this amazing building and grounds. The original chateau was built in the 14th and 15th centuries and was the inspiration for Charles Perrault's tale of 'Puss in Boots'. It has been host to various royals over the centuries including the Black Prince and is now open to the public all through the year and is a Chambres d'hotes.

After lunch we settled back into our projects. Sheelagh now has four on the go, Fiona finished her hottie cover and has started the fairisle slipover and I have started a baby sweater. Tonight, Star Wars episode V!

Knitting and Crochet retreat in France - February 2013

The retreats and workshops for 2012 have only just ended, yet we already have lots of bookings for, next year, with three of the holidays already fully booked.

However we still have spaces for -

21st - 26th February - knitting and crochet retreat at La Verderie.

Stash!

This is a 'knit'n'natter' that lasts for 5 days, the ultimate winter break. It is open to all skill levels and there is no set project, but I am on hand to help with any technical problems. The Charente-Maritime in February can be unpredictable, it could be cold and frosty nights with bright and warm sunny days, or rain! Either way we have a large roaring fire to snuggle up in front of, lots of yarn stash to rummage through, knitting needles, beads, patterns, books and magazines, some bracing country walks and good rustic home cooking with lashings of wine to wash it down. There is space for up to 5 guests, so the holiday can be booked for a small group or come along on your own and meet some new knitting companions.

There will be optional outings to Saintes, Cognac and St Jean d'Angely for yarn shops and chic French interiors, food markets, street cafes and a bit of history. There is also the wonderful Alpaca farm near Ruffec, meet the gentle animals and purchase luxurious yarn in natural shades, woven shawls, scarves, throws and Alpaca duvets and pillows.

The total cost of the holiday is just £285 per head for a twin room or £355 for a single room, this includes full board with three meals a day plus wine, outings and transfers from Angoleme and la Rochelle. Your travel to France and transfers from Bordeaux airport are not included in the price. For further details visit knitting holidays in france or email sueculligan@gmail.com

Knitting Basics workshop, final day

By the end of Sunday morning most of the patches on the bags were finished and the ends sewn in, time for a lesson on pinning and blocking followed by a long leisurely lunch in the garden then back to knitting bases for the bags. A demo on picking up and knitting stitches and how to make a neat finish around the neck of a sweater, then the final leg of knitting the sides and strap for the bags.

Monday was the last day of the workshop and at lunch-time everyone had completed their bags except for  sewing up the side seams. Considering this was meant to be a workshop for beginner's I think the results were absolutely fantastic. The knitting basics workshop is mainly for encouragement and convincing students that they can go on to knit just about anything, as they all left clutching yarn and patterns, enthusiastically looking forward to the next project hopefully I have achieved just that (but will they sew up the final seams on the bags I wonder....?)

Culli and I drove Liz and Barbara back to Bordeaux airport with a quick detour into Ikea on the way back for light bulbs and a new rug for the sitting-room. Today it is back to catching up on emails, pattern checking and a  new window for the kitchen so currently every work surface is covered in junk, I should be painting window frames and doors but it is freezing cold and raining and there is a huge pile of laundry to be done....... Looking forward to the next knitting retreat already, but with just a week to go there is a lot to be done.

Learn to Knit workshop in France with tutor Sue Culligan

11th - 16th April 2012

If you have an urge to learn how to knit, or want to brush up basic knitting skills join tutor Sue Culligan on this residential course at La Verderie in France. The course is designed for a maximum of 4 guests with workshops held over 4 days. The cost of the holiday (£295 per head for a single room or £225 per head based on two sharing a twin room) covers all the workshops, materials, full board, outings to local towns and transfers from local airports and stations. Travel to France is not included in the price.
We will go through all the basics of knitting to cover casting on and off, different stitches and simple colourwork with an aim to create a knitted patchwork cushion cover during the course.
See further details of the accommodation here and for full details of the course email sueculligan@gmail.com or BOOK HERE

Learn to knit workshop in France with tutor Sue Culligan

'Back to Basics' is a knitting workshop for beginners and those that need a reminder. The residential workshop will be held at La Verderie in France and runs from Thursday 29th September to Tuesday 4th October. The holiday is designed for a maximum of five guests and the workshops will be spread over four days. The aim of the workshop is to complete a simple cushion cover made from squares knitted in different stitches. We will cover different methods of casting on, how to cast off and work simple increases and decreases, then go on to cover basic textured stitches and colour work.

For full details and programme email sueculligan@gmail.com. The cost of the holiday covers all the workshops, full board including wine with meals, outings to local towns and transfers from La Rochelle, Angouleme, Poitiers or Bordeaux. Book here.

Domino knitting workshop

We have just finished a great workshop with Fiona Morris as tutor. The concentration levels from upstairs could be felt through the floor, I wish I could hav joined in, but have spent the day updating new stock arrivals on the website. If you would like to try some modular knitting we have some fabulous books in stock - Knit to be Square and Domino Knitting by Vivian Hoxbro.