knitting and crochet workshop in France

This week has absolutely flown by, we are on the last evening of the workshop and everyone seems really happy with what they have achieved.

The studio after a week of crochet

Yesterday was another hot and sunny day, we spent the whole day in the garden and studio working on how to attach crochet to a piece of knitted fabric, then everyone started on their own projects. Veronica is working on a lovely pair of lacy knit fingerless mittens with crochet welt, button fastening and crochet trim, Jacqui made a very pink crochet flower hair slide for her grand-daughter and has started on a super chunky even more pink version of a lace mat which looks amazing, Sue is knitting an envelope clutch bag with a double layer crochet trim, Purl is making a knitted scarf with a picot fan trim, Carol has (inbetween teaching everyone the finer points of crochet) made me a beautiful flower cosy for the coffee pot and I have actually managed to finish a necklace and a jug cover!

 

 

As a group they have all achieved a huge amount this week, varying skill levels proved to be no problem and Carol has provided endless amounts of enthusiasm and inspiration.
Last night it was warm enough to eat supper of chicken tagine and golden croissant pudding in the garden and sit out there until long after dark.
Today has been very hot and humid. Eeryone is now so obsessed with crochet that they were happy to spend the day in the studio working on their projects, until early evening when Culli took Sue, Jacqui, Purl and Veronica to Chantageasse (our Friday night in the pub session), whilst Carol and I stayed here and watched a thunder storm circling around us. The others returned from the bar sounding very merry and we had the final supper of pasta with creamy tomato and prawn sauce, followed by tarte tatin, then an evening of conversation and wine enjoying the cooler air.
Tomorrow a trip to La Rochelle before dropping everyone off at the airport.

knitting and crochet retreat day 5

It is the last full day of the retreat, the week seems to have flown by. We decide to make a quick trip into Saintes so set off straight after breakfast for a visit to Hyper U. Yes, it is a supermarket! However, that was the request. Margaret and Pauline buy clothes and chocolate and I buy a few supplies for supper then we drove up the Amphitheatre for a coffee and some postcards in the little shop. Back home in time for Margaret and Lin to go sloe picking before lunch.
We spend the final afternoon finishing off projects, it is amazing the amount that everyone has managed to produce in just a few days.
Neighbour Gill comes and joins us for supper of melon and parma ham, followed by chicken fricassee and oranges in caramel. As Pauline and Margaret have early starts in the morning we don't stay up late.

Pauline's summer top

Pauline's lace bag

collection of flowers

Lin's crochet shrug

more flowers

The end of another retreat, with three lovely guests. They all exchange email addresses and promise to keep in touch and are even talking about coming back together next year for another retreat at La Verderie.
On Friday morning Margaret sets off early for the drive back to Brittany and Culli takes Pauline to La Rochelle for her flight. Lin is staying on an extra day, so she settles down to crochet more flowers for me. It seems very quiet with just the two of us. Lin is flying back from Bordeaux tomorrow so we are going to set off early and go into the city for some lunch and a visit to La Droguerie.

Knitting and crochet retreat day 4

Some weird and wonderful squash in the market

A foggy start to the day, after breakfast and a quick dog walk we go into St Jean d'Angely. A gentle wander through the market, followed by coffee in the square and back home for lunch.

enjoying the sunshine

The sun breaks through the cloud and it is a hot sunny afternoon, so we sit in the garden and enjoy the warmth. Lin teaches Margaret to crochet, in about 10 minutes she is competently working away at a granny square, why did it take me nearly 6 years to learn how to do this????? With a sudden burst of enthusiasm we all decide to cycle into Brizambourg, after a much needed drink at the bar we manage the trip home with ease and settle down to a relaxing evening putting the world to rights.

knit and crochet flowers

 The pile of flowers is growing.

Knitting and crochet retreat in France - day 3

At last! It has stopped raining, there is a soft autumnal mist in the morning which promises to burn off soon. After breakfast we go into Cognac for a bit of retail therapy, a wander through the indoor market admiring the colourful pumpkins and flowers.

Cognac indoor market

First stop at the fabric and yarn shop for a few purchases followed by a coffee in the square in the sunshine and a trip to Casa for some knick knacks and Christmas gifts.

coffee in the square

It is warm enough for lunch in the garden and everyone moves their chairs into a sunny spot for an afternoon of knitting and crochet.
I bring out the last few boxes of stock that I want to get rid of, everyone has a good rummage stocking up on yarn and buttons.

stocking up on stash!

The projects are all growing fast, Lin finishes her crochet shrug, Pauline has nearly used up the quantity of yarn she brought along for her lace top and Margaret is flitting between her wingspan shawl, chunky jacket, knitted mouse, knitted flowers................
We all decide to start producing knitted/crochet flowers in between other projects, the colourful pile is starting to grow.

After supper of avocado and prawns, tagine and poached pears we go back to the flowers.