Artists Open Houses - Hummingbird Studio, Brighton

If you are visiting the Artists open houses in Brighton this month pay a visit to Hummingbird Studio. Open every weekend in May from 11 am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
This lovely exhibition has something for everyone including some of Culli's woodturning.

April knitting holiday in France

The first knitting retreat for 2015 has just ended and a lovely week was had by all with lots of sunshine, laughter and a bit of knitting!

knitting in the studio

Culli is away for 3 weeks so I missed my 'front of house' man, but everything went well. Guests Sue KS and Purl are on their 3rd visit to La Verderie with friends Veronica (on her 2nd visit) and Sue P on her first visit here, so it is a gentle start to the season for me.

he looks so innocent

Buddy is being his usual naughty self, so far he seems to be targetting Sue KS, everything in her knitting bag seems destined for his mouth.
On Monday we had a quiet day at home, sitting knitting in glorious sunshine in the morning and opting for the cool shade of the studio in the afternoon.
Projects on the go are - Sue KS is knitting a triangular shawl in Manos silk blend, kid silk haze and alpaca lace, Veronica is knitting a top down cardi in a lovely soft tweedy blue yarn from Shilasdair in their Highland Inspirations range and is also knitting a couple of rows of a lace shawl in bed every morning with her early morning cuppa when nobody is talking to her! Sue P is knitting a lovely little boys cardigan in Cygnet DK and Purl is knitting a short sleeved cardigan from the Frost Collection by Sarah Hatton and I have pinched a pattern from this book to knit a lovely loose sleeved shrug but as I wanted to start straight away (of course) have used a summer yarn - Rivage by Plassard.

the Roman amphitheatre in Saintes

On Tuesday we went in to Saintes in the morning for a visit to l'Oasis, the big fabric and yarn shop. Veronica and Sue bought between them fabric, yarn and buttons and I bought the Plassard yarn for my shrug. Then on to the Roman amphitheatre for a bit of sight-seeing and a coffee.

cowslips in the woods

Back home for more knitting (and a bit of un-ravelling), then a dog walk through the shady woods.

On Wednesday we went to St Jean d'Angely for a wander around the market, where the girl's bought me a lovely summer top and I bought fresh fish and seafood for supper, then a visit to the yarn shop, dress shop and kitchen shop, followed by coffee in the square and back home for lunch.

shopping in the market

window shopping

 

coffee in the square

On Thursday we had a morning of knitting then drove down to Royan in time for lunch in the marina, savoury galettes followed by ice cream.

Then a walk around the town, starting with the amazing cathedral de Notre Dame, which was sadly closed for renovation so we couldn't show Sue P the stunning stained glass windows, but here is a little glimpse of them -

Onwards around the shops, buying magazines at the Papeterie, lots of window shopping and of course the wonderful yarn shop Bleu Framboise, where I managed to knock a whole tray of beads on the floor with my bag - the sort of customer I always used to hate! However, we made her day with a few sales. A quick dip into the sweet shop for gifts and then back home for champagne to celebrate Purl's 50th birthday on Sunday and tagine cooked on the windowsill followed by creamy croissant pudding.

Bleu Framboise

On Friday morning there was time for a bit more knitting, birthday cake for Purl before an early lunch and then off to Bordeaux for their flight home.

Learn to knit workshop in France

Knitting and crochet retreat
with knitting workshops tutored by Sue Culligan

2nd - 7th July 2015

at le Logis de la Courade

Le logis de la Courade

The 5-night holiday includes daily workshops on basic knitting techniques, suitable for new knitters or those who need a little reminder. Experienced knitters are also very welcome to join us on this relaxing holiday, just bring your own knitting or crochet project and enjoy the facilities at le Logis. For further details visit the le Logis website here.

Knitting holidays in France

A new year and there is lots happening at La Verderie! We still have just a few spaces available for the 2015 knitting holidays in May, September and October, see further details here 

I am tutoring a residential workshop in July for 'Basic knitting techniques' at a beautiful new venue here in France. Le Logis de la Courade is not far from La Verderie and is the perfect place for a luxurious and relaxing holiday. The workshops are aimed at beginner knitters or those who need a little reminder,  however, more experienced knitters are very welcome to come along with their own projects just to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Visit the Le Logis website here for further details.

The new KnitKits website is up and running, I am still adding stock on a daily basis but Culli's yarn bowls are flying out.

Christmas Open House in Brighton

Open from 10 am to 4pm on
Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th November 2014

Friday 5th, Saturday 6th, Sunday 7th December 2014

Friday 12th, Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th December 2014

For the perfect Christmas gift visit our old mate Kim's Christmas Open House in Brighton. This exhibition offers a wonderful selection of Christmas Gifts including wood (a selection of Culli's yarn bowls!), textiles, knitted accessories, felt, jewellery and glass. See below for directions.

October knitting and crochet retreat in France

The October knitting and crochet retreat started on another beautiful warm and sunny day. I drove to La Rochelle to meet Catherine, Alison and Dorothy who all flew in from Southanpton. Dorothy and Alison had a really early start flying from Aberdeen and Catherine came from the South of England. Culli picked up Jane from Bordeaux and the other two guests Cate and Pam opted to hire a car, Cate has lived in the US for the last 30 years and came to spend a week with her sister Pam, knitting!

We sat and enjoyed the sunshine for the rest of the afternoon and soon got stuck into food, drink and lively conversation.

On Friday after a leisurely breakfast we started on various projects. Catherine has brought along a sock project called ‘socks on a plane’ the ideal choice for a holiday knit, a cowl and a crochet throw. Jane is working on a calf length crochet waistcoat, a gorgeous retro design in a smoky blue bamboo blend. Dorothy has started on a fairisle beanie in lovely subtle Shetland shades. Alison is knitting an Artyarns kit for a lacy shawl in a gorgeous yarn that comes ready beaded with tiny sparkling beads. Pam is knitting a cardigan and Cate is working on a lacy shawl pattern that needs a bit of concentration.

After lunch we made the compulsory trip into Cognac for a visit to Tissus Mercerie. There was much excitement over the fabric, Cate buying linen remnants to make table cloths and aprons and Catherine bought a lovely polka dot fabric to make table mats.

Back home for more knitting and crochet in glorious sunshine, followed by apero’s and supper of smoked salmon pate starters, moussaka then home grown rhubarb with ginger crumble. More knitting in front of the TV and then bed.

On Saturday Cate and Pam went off to Angouleme to pick up Cate’s niece Rachel who is studying at the Sorbonne and is staying just one night with us. The rest of us went into St Jean d'Angely for a wander around the market and a bit of sightseeing with some retail therapy for Alison and Catherine who both bough sparkly tops, then a coffee in the square another yarn fix in the little yarn store and a quick stop at the supermarket for pate and more wine!!

Back home for lunch followed by a fairisle workshop for Catherine who picked it up straight away, then a quick dash indoors as it clouded over and started pouring with rain. We had  a noisy supper filled with laughter and conversations ranging from the olympics to cannabilism(!), whatever happened to good old knitting……..?

Sunday started with very different weather, a clear morning with bright sunshine and a cold wind, no more autumn mists. By lunch time it had warmed up and we were back out in the garden for an al fresco lunch while Cate drove niece Rachel back to Angouleme for the Paris train, clutching her nearly finished scarf. We had an impromptu workshop on knitting with beads, which everyone loved churning out colourful swatches, then tea and birthday cake for Dorothy and Cate who coincidentally shared the same birthday. After a dinner of Sunday Roast and strawberry cheesecake we settled down to watch Downton Abbey.

Monday morning was cool and grey, but in spite of the forecast of rain we decided to brave the elements and go to the all day market in Saintes. First stop was the umbrella stall, then a coffee and a bit of knitting another brief scurry around the market, a stop at the supermarket on the way home, then after lunch the final afternoon of working on projects.

It has been another fantastic week that seems to have gone far too quickly, with lots of laughs and plenty of knitting and crochet. Jane’s crochet waistcoat is growing fast, maybe not quite the finished project she was hoping to take home but it looks amazing. Catherine has started her chevron crochet throw, in lovely aqua tones. Pam is on to the second sleeve of her sweater, Dorothy has quickly knitted a chunky hat in between her Shetland fairisle hat, Alison has finished her lovely lacy shawl with the ready beaded yarn and Cate has started another scarf project.

Everyone has ordered wooden yarn bowls from Culli and Cate has gone back to Boston clutching a lovely spalted bowl that he turned on Sunday. 

On Tuesday morning they were all off back home, it is sad to think that there are no more guests until next Spring.
To see available dates for 2015 holidays click here