September knitting and crochet workshop at knitting holidays in France

Our knitting and crochet workshop with the lovely Carol Meldrum has just come to an end. We have had a week of sunshine and stitching. We had decided to make this workshop a design your own project but all the guests opted to make Carol's gorgeous book cover, choosing a colour scheme from inspiration they had found our brought with them.

The workshop started with a lesson on colour theory and how to use a colour wheel, then a few sample swatches.

 

The week before the workshop started Culli and I finally moved in to the cottage next door to the Barn. It has been brilliant living on site at last, I have been enjoying early morning walks with the dogs as the sun comes up and can pop home to find things any time during the day.

On Tuesday we went to Cognac for the compulsory yarn fix at 'My Little Mailles', then Wednesday morning a wander around the market and some fabric and sweet shopping in St Jean d'Angely.

By last night everyone had finished their book covers.

Carol's sample book covers

Eileen's book cover, inspired by a rug from Afghanistan

Robyn's book cover

Katherine and Clare's book covers inspired by the colourful designs by Gudrun Sjoden

Mandy's book cover inspired by a plate from Morocco

Katrin's book cover

And some of them even had time to make some crochet tubs

Aguille en fete - Paris

We had a great day in Paris on Thursday at the Aguille en fete expo, it was very busy and very hot, but well worth the trip.

Lots of gorgeous yarn, fabric & trimmings.

Plenty of yarn bargains to be had at the morelfilshop

Luxurious mohair/cashmere & silk blends from La Ferme d'Amalthee

graded yarns in vibrant shades from Lafeefil

Plenty of opportunities for knitting and workshops

Beautiful knitting and crochet kits from Elle Tricot

Familiar faces at Toft Alpaca

Lestricoteursvolants.com – Falklands merino wool dyed in Wales

Rachel John's wonderful chunky knits and broomstick needles

A fascinating stand with machinery from the button museum and demonstrations of how mother of pearl buttons are made

And the artist's exhibition with displays of sculptural knitting and crochet, wall hangings and pictures.

Some brave knitters taking part in the speed knitting competition.

A great day out, we came back clutching bags of shopping and brimming with inspiration.