Knitting and crochet retreats at knitting holidays in France

June has been a busy month - the second retreat was another great week with a lovely bunch of ladies. This time it was a group who had all met at various workshops in the UK, but it was the first time they had all stayed together for a holiday. I have never seen so many projects!

We started the week with a show and tell of all the projects, I have never seen so many bags!

The weather was lovely so we were able to cook tagines outside and use the BBQ

And the gin fountain was in use

On Tuesday we had an afternoon in Cognac with a visit to Chateau Otard, the beautiful old Cognac distillery for a tour of the building and a tasting session

Then on to my favourite little yarn shop for some retail therapy

On Wednesday it was a trip to the market in St Jean d'Angely to buy a few baskets

Sunset at The Barn

The projects! Some were finished by the end of the week, some still WIP

September 2015 knitting and crochet retreat in France

On wednesday I took Sandra and Mary into St Jean d'Angely for a visit to the market and a visit to the lovely kitchen shop which quelle horreur was closed for stock taking - Mary very upset!
The market though, was bursting with colour

back home, to find the others enjoying the sunshine, Tania is blocking her gorgeous Norwegian Wood cushion designed by Jane Crowfoot (available to buy as a kit here)

and Mary has finished another lovely shawl designed by Anniken Allis and knitted in Skein Queen Luminosity

Amanda brought along her lovely top down knitted sweater that she was working on here in June

And Sandra has finished her second project of the week a lace and textured cowl in the most beautiful blue

September 2015 Knitting and crochet retreat in France

The weather has been kind to us again for the retreat this week with wall to wall sunshine.
Mary arrived with a gift of a lovely lacy shawl (the Icelandic Spring shawl) she has made for me designed by Helene Magnusson and knitted in Namolio Linen.

By the end of the first day Sandra had finished her first project, a lovely shrug called Allegro by Purl Alpaca Designs.

We have managed one shopping trip so far into Saintes, starting with yarn, pattern books & fabric

closely followed by shoes, no prizes for guessing who bought them...............

Mary bought socks - sparkly and patterned

and Sandra has bought some of my Aslan trends alpaca blend

Pumpkin soup with cheesy toasts for starters tonight from my giant pumpkin