Knitting and Crochet holidays in France

The dates for the next two knitting and crochet retreats at La Verderie are -

Thursday 20th - Tuesday 25th March 2014

and 

Thursday 27th March - Tuesday 1st April 2014

Cost for 5 nights: £325 per head (based on two people sharing a twin room) and £395 per head for a single room.

For further details email Sue

Come and join designer Sue Culligan at her home in the Charente-Maritime for a relaxing holiday, in some (hopefully!) warm spring weather.

The cost of the holidays includes transfers from Angouleme or La Rochelle to La Verderie, (£20 supplement for transfers from Bordeaux), full board, wine with meals, optional workshops and outings to local towns. All you pay for is your travel to France and any expenses incurred on outings.

You are welcomed into Sue and Culli's home as house guests, the comfortable old farmhouse can provide accommodation for up to 5 guests at a time in three single rooms and one twin room. There is a light and airy studio for workshops, a courtyard garden for enjoying the sunshine and comfortable old sofas to relax on in front of an open fire.

The delicious home cooked meals use fresh local produce and dietary requirements can be catered for.

The holiday is open to all skill levels, workshops are optional but if there is a particular technique you would like to learn or improve it is a good opportunity to try it out. Sue has a large library of knitting and crochet books and a stash of yarn oddments to play around with. If you are already competent at knitting and crochet you can share your skill and ideas with other guests. If you have a problem with a project bring it along for some help and advice.

Itinerary (can be changed to suit guests requirements)

Thursday - arrival

Friday - workshop on chosen subject in the morning, shopping and sightseeing trip to Saintes or Cognac in the afternoon

Saturday - visit to the market at St Jean d'Angely in the morning, optional workshop in the afternoon or just relax with your knitting and crochet project

Sunday - visit to a Brocante in the morning and a bit of sightseeing, optional workshop in the afternoon

Monday - day to finish off projects and go over any final techniques

Tuesday - departure

relaxing in the garden at La Verderie

the river at Saintes

Paella supper

the yarn shop in Royan

knitting and crochet sample

Mission Falls yarns discontinued

Sad news, I have just heard from our supplier that these wonderful yarns and pattern books have been discontinued and will no longer be available once current stocks run out. We still have stock of the 1824 pure wool aran and cotton at a reduced price and these can be ordered here. Our remaining stock of pattern books are also reduced and can be ordered here.

Special Offers

We have lots of special offers for October. Go to the home page at Kangaroo for the latest reductions on Debbie Bliss Amalfi and Eco Cotton Aran. There is a new Addi delivery due this week and we should have the full range in stock again by the end of November.

Mission Falls Knitting patterns

We have two great new pattern books from Mission Falls in stock now. Silhouette has 14 designs for garments and accessories using DK and 1824 pure wool aran and pure cotton aran and Weekend has 8 designs using Mission Falls 1824 cotton.

Vintage Rowan Knitting patterns

I have just found a huge box of Rowan knitting patterns (designed by Kim Hargreaves) stashed away in the roof space. They are all single leaflets and unused. The patterns are for Rowan Magpie Aran, Chunky Chenille, Fine Chenille, Denim and Chunky Fox Tweed. All these yarns are now discontinued except for the denim, however the patterns can all be used with current yarns. See the full selection here.

Debbie Bliss A Tweed Story

A new book of knitting patterns by Debbie Bliss for autumn 2010. A Tweed Story has 7 designs that include women's sweaters and jackets and even a fabulous coat for a small to medium sized dog. The yarns used are Debbie Bliss Fez, Luxury Tweed Aran and Chunky. Order the book and yarns here.

Debbie Bliss Snow Queeen

Snow Queen is another new book of knitting patterns by Debbie Bliss for autumn 2010. The six designs include three jackets, a cabled cape, cabled gilet and a rib and cable dress. The yarns used are Debbie Bliss Como, Fez and Alpaca Silk Aran. Order the book and yarns here.

Debbie Bliss Folk Chic

Folk Chic is a new book of knitting patterns by Debbie Bliss for autumn 2010. The eight designs include cables and fairisle and use Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, Cashmerino DK and Aran. See the designs and yarn quantities here.

Debbie Bliss Land Girl pattern book

Land Girl contains 8 fabulous knitting patterns for women and children using Debbie Bliss Rialto 4ply, DK and aran. The books are in stock now and all the details of materials needed to knit each pattern are on our website - see here.

Summer Sale knitting yarns and kits

The summer sale of yarn and kits has started at Kangaroo, we have offers (for a limited period only) on the following - Hanne Falkenberg knitting kits, Debbie Bliss Cotton DK, Debbie Bliss Eco Aran, Rowan All Seasons Cotton, Rowan Cotton Glace, Rowan Handknit Cotton, Rowan Lenpur Linen, Rowan Milk Cotton DK, Rowan Fine Milk Cotton, Rowan Organic Cotton 4 ply, Rowan Organic Cotton DK, Rowan Revive, Rowan Siena, Rowan Summer Tweed and Kaalund Silk Stralis. The sale price only applies to current stock, so snap up the bargains now!

Amy Butler Belle organic aran and DK wool cotton

We have just received a huge delivery of the two latest new yarns 'Rowan by Amy Butler Belle Organic DK and Aran'. They are both a blend of 50% wool/50% cotton and are just gorgeous to knit with. The rich colour range has been selected by Amy Butler and the supporting patterns in 'Midwest Modern Knits' include a unique mix of fashion, accessories and homeware.

Sale of Debbie Bliss Eco Aran and Eco Baby

We have some special yarn offers for the Easter holiday. There is 10% discount on current stock of Debbie Bliss Eco Aran and Eco Baby and Rowan Milk Cotton DK and Fine Milk Cotton. To obtain the discount enter the codes quoted at the the checkout. All offers end Monday 5th April.

Amy Butler knitting patterns - Midwest Modern Knits

Very excited about the new range 'Rowan by Amy Butler'. I have just got the shade card and the colours are fab. There are two yarns in the range, Belle Organic Aran and Belle Organic DK and both are a 50/50 wool cotton blend. The DK comes in a range of 16 shades and the aran in 12, the lovely vivid shades compliment the colours used in the Amy Butler fabrics. There is pattern support in Amy Butler's Midwest Modern Knits and the designs include lovely flowing garments, accessories and homeware. All due in stock early April.