October 2017 knitting and crochet workshop with Carol Meldrum

Thursday was a full day workshop, everyone was frantic to try and finish their projects so it was nose to the grindstone all day.Our friend Moira appeared with a huge basket of figs, which provided a delicious starter for the evening meal of figs stuffed with cheese and wrapped in prosciutto.

Culli sold another of his yarn bowls to Cindy, this one had an amazing interior that looked just like a lemon and a pear.

Friday was the last morning for projects, then a relaxing afternoon in Cognac.

In the evening we had show and tell for all the work done during the week.

Barbara's samples and finished cushion front, in a mix of knitting and crochet

Jacqui worked her way through the knitted samples from the stitch directory

Cindy took her inspiration from a lovely piece of fabric she bought at the brocante on Sunday - a piece of linen with hand painted chickens. She also rattled off a couple of snoods with the yarn bought in Saintes.

Gill C worked on a mix of knit and crochet, producing some lovely samples

Gill P tackled her first piece of crochet, worked her way through some of the knitted samples & made a fish book mark and a case for her sun glasses.

Jan went for a bit of bling in her gorgeous beaded evening bag 

and Jane made a beautiful cushion cover using a variety of knitted stitches

A great week, with lots of laughs and some wonderful finished results. Thank you to Carol for all her hard work!

Late booking offer - knitting and crochet workshop

9th - 16th September 2017
We have spaces available for this fantastic week of workshops with tutor Carol Meldru at the special offer price of £695. The price includes a single room with shared bathroom, full board with wine, 2 full day and 4 half day workshops, materials, outings for shopping and sightseeing and transfers from Bordeaux airport. All you have to do is get yourself to France and we do the rest.

The workshop is open to all skill levels. Carol has designed a gorgeous project that can be worked in either knitting or crochet or a combination of the two. The design will include texture and some colour work.

The venue is a luxurious converted barn in rural France, with a heated swimming pool and comfortable accommodation. Visit our website here for further details.

Learn to knit workshop in France

Knitting and crochet retreat
with knitting workshops tutored by Sue Culligan

2nd - 7th July 2015

at le Logis de la Courade

Le logis de la Courade

The 5-night holiday includes daily workshops on basic knitting techniques, suitable for new knitters or those who need a little reminder. Experienced knitters are also very welcome to join us on this relaxing holiday, just bring your own knitting or crochet project and enjoy the facilities at le Logis. For further details visit the le Logis website here.

May knitting and crochet retreat at La Verderie

The May retreat started with wall to wall sunshine. The three guests Pia, Sue and Janet were sitting in the garden with their knitting a few minutes after arriving at La Verderie.
We spent the first morning relaxing in the sun with our projects. Pia is here to improve her knitting and try and learn the basics of crochet, Sue and Janet are confident knitters, but are both keen to improve their crochet techniques. They have all brought various projects along and are keen to start.
In the afternoon we went into Saintes to the fabric and yarn shop. Sue, Janet and I all bought some Cheval Blanc recycled yarn and Pia bought some sequinned acrylic mohair for scarves.

We had a wander around the town and coffee in the sunshine, then back home for an alfresco supper and a busy evening starting new projects.
On Saturday morning we visit the market in St Jean d'Angely. It is the big market which means that the yarn stall is there, plus everything else from live chickens and geese to colourful baskets.

We buy a some bargain yarn, baskets, fresh seafood, fruit and veg and then back home for lunch and more knitting and crochet.

Janet has started on a bag made from crochet granny squares, Pia is knitting a lacy scarf and Sue is making a Pokemon crochet squirtle!
Sunday and Monday are wet and windy, but nobody seems to care as it allows us to spend plenty of time on our projects. I give a short workshop on knitting with beads, everyone is amazed at how easy it is and are quickly addicted to this lovely technique.

It has been another great week with some lovely ladies, everyone seems to have gone away with new skills and ideas which is really satisfying.

Knitting and Crochet holidays in France

The dates for the next two knitting and crochet retreats at La Verderie are -

Thursday 20th - Tuesday 25th March 2014

and 

Thursday 27th March - Tuesday 1st April 2014

Cost for 5 nights: £325 per head (based on two people sharing a twin room) and £395 per head for a single room.

For further details email Sue

Come and join designer Sue Culligan at her home in the Charente-Maritime for a relaxing holiday, in some (hopefully!) warm spring weather.

The cost of the holidays includes transfers from Angouleme or La Rochelle to La Verderie, (£20 supplement for transfers from Bordeaux), full board, wine with meals, optional workshops and outings to local towns. All you pay for is your travel to France and any expenses incurred on outings.

You are welcomed into Sue and Culli's home as house guests, the comfortable old farmhouse can provide accommodation for up to 5 guests at a time in three single rooms and one twin room. There is a light and airy studio for workshops, a courtyard garden for enjoying the sunshine and comfortable old sofas to relax on in front of an open fire.

The delicious home cooked meals use fresh local produce and dietary requirements can be catered for.

The holiday is open to all skill levels, workshops are optional but if there is a particular technique you would like to learn or improve it is a good opportunity to try it out. Sue has a large library of knitting and crochet books and a stash of yarn oddments to play around with. If you are already competent at knitting and crochet you can share your skill and ideas with other guests. If you have a problem with a project bring it along for some help and advice.

Itinerary (can be changed to suit guests requirements)

Thursday - arrival

Friday - workshop on chosen subject in the morning, shopping and sightseeing trip to Saintes or Cognac in the afternoon

Saturday - visit to the market at St Jean d'Angely in the morning, optional workshop in the afternoon or just relax with your knitting and crochet project

Sunday - visit to a Brocante in the morning and a bit of sightseeing, optional workshop in the afternoon

Monday - day to finish off projects and go over any final techniques

Tuesday - departure

relaxing in the garden at La Verderie

the river at Saintes

Paella supper

the yarn shop in Royan

knitting and crochet sample