Knitting Basics workshop at La Verderie

The knitting basics workshop started here on Wednesday. Liz and Barbara flew into Bordeaux airport on a slightly wet and windy April evening, after reviving G&T's and a late supper we all retired to bed ready to get the needles clicking first thing in the morning.

For this workshop we have two residential guests and two day girls, Jackie and Lorraine. None of them are complete beginners, but are keen to learn new techniques and be reminded of a few of the basics. I have designed a patchwork bag using a variety of stitches - 18 patches starting with the obvious easy ones such as garter st, stocking st and rib, then progressing on to stripes, fairisle, cable and beading. Some are working their way through from easy to more complicated, Lorraine decided to jump in at the deep end and go for the complicated fairisle after the first few squares, lots of concentration and some very impressive results all round. As I am tutoring this one Culli is in charge of cooking and doing a grand job, last night we had starters of Kiwi fruit and cream cheese wrapped in parma ham followed by seafood tagliatelle and the most divine chocolate pots.

In this mornings workshop everyone has got to the halfway point on the squares, so this afternoon we are heading off to Saintes for a bit of fresh air and shopping.

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

New Knitting Kits

Yesterday was back to work after a week of having my old college mates Kim and Lesley staying, it was a lovely week of talking, eating, drinking lots of rose wine and doing a few touristy things. I feel inspired to get back to designing some new knitting kits for the KnitKits range and have had the camera out looking for texture and colour.

There are two new kits on the website, The Simple Pendant, a very basic knitted necklace for beginners and a The Lace Lavender Bag, complete with La Verderie lavender.

Lace lavender bag knitting kit



Simple Pendant knitting kit



Learn to knit workshop in France with tutor Sue Culligan

'Back to Basics' is a knitting workshop for beginners and those that need a reminder. The residential workshop will be held at La Verderie in France and runs from Thursday 29th September to Tuesday 4th October. The holiday is designed for a maximum of five guests and the workshops will be spread over four days. The aim of the workshop is to complete a simple cushion cover made from squares knitted in different stitches. We will cover different methods of casting on, how to cast off and work simple increases and decreases, then go on to cover basic textured stitches and colour work.

For full details and programme email sueculligan@gmail.com. The cost of the holiday covers all the workshops, full board including wine with meals, outings to local towns and transfers from La Rochelle, Angouleme, Poitiers or Bordeaux. Book here.