September knitting and crochet retreat in France

Another great week of knitting and crochet at La Verderie.

The weather has been fantastic with hot sunny days, but a hint of autumn chill early in the morning.
We had 5 guests for this retreat. Regular visitor Sue brought along her hubby Ian for a bit of wood-turning, first time we have had a knitter arriving on a motorbike!

Pat was on her second visit to La Verderie and arrived rather more sedately on the train and sisters Fiona and Ann flew in to Bordeaux.
Everyone seemed to get on brilliantly and it has been a lovely relaxing week.

They all had a variety of projects to do. Sue brought along a lovely pattern for a lacy cowl with a picot edging.

Fiona knitted a pair of mitts on the first day, then launched into making a lovely shrug like mine from the Rowan Frost collection (which I have finally finished!).

Ann wanted to learn to crochet and after doing just a few rows of double and treble crochet progressed to a granny square, then on to flowers and leaves with an air of confidence that made her look like she had been doing it for years.

Pat was making some lovely knitted Christmas baubles and searching my magazines and patterns for new inspiration.

We did a lot of shopping.............. First stop in Saintes at l'Oasis, coming back with bags crammed full of yarn and fabric remnants at half price, then in St Jean d'Angely where sadly one of the little yarn shops is closing down, but there were some bargains not to be missed and finally on the last day a trip to Cognac for more yarn and fabric.

We also managed to fit in a visit to Egreteau our local cognac producer for free tastings and a few purchases of cognac and pineau.

Ian turned a lovely wooden bowl under Culli's tuition, and Culli sold more hand turned crochet hooks.

Ian and Sue stayed on an extra couple of days before leaving on the bike for Saumur so we spent the last day in Royan with a visit to our little boat and galettes for lunch on the harbour edge.