Knitting, crochet and textile holidays in France

Happy New Year!
Back to blogging at last with a revised list of dates for workshops and retreats in 2012

For full details visit www.knittingholidaysinfrance.com

If you live in France and would like to attend on a daily basis without the full board please contact sueculligan@gmail.com for prices.

The venue

Courtyard at La Verderie

La Verderie is the home of knitting designer Sue Culligan and is situated in South West France, close to the towns of Cognac and Saintes. Sue runs regular residential workshops for 4/5 guests and knitting retreats for up to 5/6 guests in the comfortable old farmhouse in the heart of rural France. The workshops are led by expert tutors and cater for all skill levels, with small groups allowing for one to one tuition. For a more relaxing holiday the knitting retreats are designed for single travellers or small groups where like-minded people can enjoy each others company and swop knitting tips and patterns. There is no scheduled tuition on the retreats, but Sue is on hand to offer help and advice with any knitting problems. The full board at La Verderie includes delicious meals cooked with local produce and plenty of wine. Outings to colourful markets, elegant chateaux and French yarn shops are included in the holiday.

We are happy to accommodate two or more guests for a Knitting Retreat on alternative dates to the ones suggested below. Please email sueculligan@gmail.com with suggested dates.

2012 workshops and retreats

22^nd-28^th March - Knitting Design Workshop at La Verderie with tutor Debbie Abrahams

£425 per head based on two sharing a twin room (£70 single room supplement) (FULLY BOOKED)

11^th-16^th April – Knitting Basics Workshop at La Verderie with tutor Sue Culligan

£295 per head based on two sharing a twin room (£70 single room supplement)

(5 spaces available)

25^th – 30^th April – Knitting Retreat at La Verderie

£225 per head based on two sharing a twin room (£70 single room supplement)

(3 spaces available)

NEW CROCHET WORKSHOP WITH TUTOR JANE CROWFOOT

Colourwork Crochet

5^th – 12^th May - Crochet Design workshop at La Verderie with tutor Jane Crowfoot

£425 per head based on two sharing a twin room (£70 single room supplement)

(4 spaces available)

24^th – 29^th June – Knitting Retreat at La Verderie

£225 per head based on two sharing a twin room (£70 single room supplement)

(FULLY BOOKED)

16^th – 22^nd September – Knitting and Crochet design workshop with tutors Jane Crowfoot and Debbie Abrahams at Chateau St Julien l’Ars, Poitiers, France

£725 per head based on two sharing a twin room (£100 single room supplement)

(FULLY BOOKED)

TEXTILE WORKSHOP - BONDAWEB FOR BEGINNERS WITH TUTOR KIM THITTICHAI

Bondaweb for Beginners

26^th September – 1^st October – Hot Textiles workshop – Bondaweb for beginners with tutor Kim Thittichai at La Verderie

£425 per head based on two sharing a twin room (£70 single room supplement)

(4 spaces available)

TEXTILE WORKSHOP LUSCIOUS LAYERS WITH TUTOR KIM THITTICHAI

Luscious Layers

3^rd – 8^th October – Hot Textiles workshop – Luscious Layers with tutor Kim Thittichai at La Verderie

£425 per head based on two sharing a twin room (£70 single room supplement)

(3 spaces available)

Visit Kim's blog to see more of her amazing work

21^st-26^th October – Knitting Retreat at La Verderie

£225 per head based on two sharing a twin room (£70 single room supplement)

(5 spaces available)

The cost of the holidays includes full board with wine, workshops (if applicable), selected materials for the workshops, 10% discount on any purchases made from KnitKits during the holiday, visits to local towns and transfers from *local airports or stations.

*La Verderie – La Rochelle airport or Angouleme station (return transfers from Bordeaux or Poitiers can be arranged for a supplement of £15)

*Chateau St Julien – Poitiers airport or station (return transfers from La Rochelle or Bordeaux can be arranged for a supplement of £20)

NOT INCLUDED: your travel to France, refreshments on outings and entrance fees to museums, exhibitions etc.

Local market stalls

Sample programme for knitting retreat at La Verderie

Day of arrival	Arrive at Angouleme/La Rochelle/Bordeaux/Poitiers Transfer to La Verderie, meet your fellow guests over aperitif’s followed by dinner.
Day 1	A relaxing day at la Verderie with your knitting. Explore the local lanes by foot or bicycle, browse through the library of knitting books and be wined and dined in style.
Day 2	Optional visit to the massive street market at Rouillac (27th of every month). This bustling market is held once a month and takes over the whole town. The stalls include everything ranging from live animals, regional food and drink, clothing, haberdashery, buttons, yarn, homewares, plants and flowers.
Day 3	Relaxing morning with your knitting. Afternoon visit to the Alpaca farm near Ruffec. Meet the gentle herd of Alpaca’s and purchase the luxurious soft yarn, gorgeous woven shawls, duvets and pillows.
Day 4	Optional visit to Chateau Roche Courbon. This beautiful Chateau is known locally as the sleeping beauty’s castle. The ornate interior has painted beams and furniture dating back to the 17th century. The formal French gardens pre-date those at Versailles and feature terraces, geometrical flower gardens and lawns, fountains and a small lake. Return to La Verderie for a late and leisurely Sunday lunch and more knitting.
Day of Departure	Return transfers to your chosen airport or railway station.