April knitting holiday in France

We have three guests at La Verderie this week for a knitting retreat, Imogen and Joan from the UK and Betina from Portugal (our first Portuguese guest!) After two weeks of glorious sunshine we are dodging April showers, but that hasn't stopped the knitting and crochet.

Betina knitting the Portuguese way

Betina has brought along a beautiful crochet shawl to work on and a pair of socks, which she knits the Portuguese way with the yarn around her neck, amazing to watch and gives a beautifully even tension.

patchwork bag project

Imogen is learning new knitting techniques, starting with a lace scarf, but has now opted to try a workshop project for a patchwork bag using different patterns and textures.

Joan's shawl

 Joan has brought along a lovely light shawl that she has just finished off and a Kim Hargreaves design (Nat), a fitted cardigan knitted in Rowan Big Wool, she is also like me trying to improve her crochet techniques.

the start of my crochet cushion cover

I am working on a crochet cushion cover in a mix of bright cottons from my stash.
On Thursday I picked up Imogen from the airport and we went into Bordeaux for a couple of hours while we waited for Betina's flight to arrive from Lisbon. After making the compulsory visit to yarn shop La Droguerie, we spent another hour in a wonderful book shop, then back to the airport and home.

chocolate shop in Cognac

the main square in Cognac

On Friday we hit the yarn shop in Cognac, then a wander through the town and a coffee in the square.

flower stall at St Jean d'Angely market

shopping in St Jean d'Angely

the old streets in St Jean

Saturday morning was a visit to the market in St Jean d'Angely then home for an afternoon of knitting and crochet.

Betina with her new yarn bowl

Culli has been busy making yarn bowls, Betina has bought a cherry one and Joan has gone for an elm one.
Sunday's forecast was wet and windy, Imogen came with me for an early morning walk with the dogs and we got soaked to the skin. Everyone opted for a day at home so we had a short beading workshop and spent a relaxing day, chatting with our projects.

Knitting holidays in France - spaces still available

Enjoy an early Spring in the Charente-Maritime we still have a few spaces available on the following three knitting and crochet holidays -

Thursday 20th March - tuesday 25th March 2014 - knitting and crochet holiday with optional workshops on various knitting techniques and basic crochet. For further details click here.

Thursday 27th March - tuesday 1st April 2014 - knitting and crochet holiday with optional workshops on various knitting techniques and basic crochet. For further details click here.

Thursday 24th April - tuesday 29th April 2014 - knitting and crochet holiday with optional workshops on various knitting techniques and basic crochet. For further details click here.

Come on your own to enjoy the company of fellow knitters or bring along a partner or friend (we can also arrange woodturning or painting classes on the same holiday if wanted). The holidays are open to all skill levels.

Painting and woodturning course in France

Pam giving Ann a bit of advice

This two day course with tutors Pamela and Roger Slater has been a great success. We have 4 painters and one woodturner. Ann has chosen to work with oils, having last painted 30 years ago, she is looking forward to having another go. Jen and Pirette are both returning after the course in March for more help from Pam with their watercolours and Jenny is a novice keen to try out acrylics. Woodturner Steven is having a go for the first time and starts with making a spinning top on Saturday and completes a beautiful sycamore bowl on Sunday.
Everyone is exhausted after two days of intensive workshops, but over the moon with the results and so they should be.
The next painting and woodturning workshop at La Verderie is in July, see details here.

Steven sanding his bowl

The finished bowl!



Jenny, Pirette and Jen hard at work




 

Mystery Blanket workshop day 4

It's Sunday morning and a slightly later start to the day.
The weather is awful with torrential rain, wind, the odd sunny spell and rainbows.
Everyone settles down for a full day of knitting, the conversation ranges from condoms to continental knitting. It is great to listen in from the kitchen.
I have been making soup for luch every day which seems to be going down well, followed by salad, bread and cheese.

Culli's least favourite cheese - Goat!

After lunch the sun comes out and a few brave souls venture out for a bit of fresh air and a walk around the block, but soon scuttle back as it starts to rain again. Back to knitting and an even livelier discussion after a glass or two of wine at lunch time.
There seems to be a bit of competition on the amount of squares knitted so far for the Mystery Blanket,  however, the standard is perfect from all, with just a little colour deviation from Gill..................

Oops! I think the one she has her hand over should have
been lighter grey (see below)

Add caption

After a hard day of knitting and putting the world to rights we have apero's around the fire followed by dinner of roasted red pepper with cherry tomatoes for starters, roast pork and dauphinoise potatoes followed by banoffi cheesecake.

Art in France

We have a new website for the painting and woodturning courses in France. www.artinfrance.co.uk is under way, with new images and info being added every day.
The painting courses tutored by Pamela Slater will look at all aspects of drawing and painting using mixed media. The classes will cater for all skill levels, with snall groups allowing for one-to-one tuition.
The woodturning courses tutored by Roger Slater are for beginners to intermediate, with a maximum of only three guests in a group it is a great introduction to this beautiful craft.
for further information on any of the courses email sueculligan@gmail.com

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