May knitting and crochet retreat in France

We had a small select group for this holiday - with four returning guests. The weather was lovely for most of the week, but ended with a spectacular storm on the way back to Bordeaux.
It was a lovely relaxing time, we managed three outings for shopping and plenty of knitting and crochet.

The countryside looks amazing at the moment, very green from all the rain we have had, dotted with bright splashes of colourful red poppies.

Shopping in Cognac for fabric and yarn

Twins Lesley and Angela were both working on the same project - The Rossylyn crochet blanket by Helen Shrimpton

Coffee and a sticky patisserie from our wonderful boulangerie 

Garter pattern Something Blue by Emma L Willey

Pam was making the Lattice Sampler shawl by Jennifer Weissman

And as well as the garter and various other projects Linda was making a gorgeous crochet table cloth

Knitting and crochet retreat in France

It is the end of the first retreat at Knitting holidays in France - another great week apart from the weather which could have been a bit warmer.
We had six lovely guests from England, Wales, Orkney and the USA, lots of knitting a bit of crochet and plenty of chat.
Our first outing was to Saintes for a bit of shopping and sightseeing

Tuesday was a public holiday so we went to one of the local Brocantes where there was a wonderful mix of bizarre and vintage - I snapped up a bargain buy of 11 balls of pure wool for just 9 euros!

On Wednesday morning we went to Cognac to visit the lovely yarn shop 'My little Mailles' and a bit of shopping in the market.

followed by coffee, cognac and chocolates in the square

On the final day we had a show and tell of all the projects which included a Debbie Abrahams Mystery Cushion, cardigans, shawls and some crochet sea life!

 On the final day everyone made the most of the sunshine.

Salon Aguille en Fete 2018

On Friday we had a snowy journey to Paris for the Aguille en Fete exhibition.
Thanks to the train being delayed it was a bit of a rush, but well worth the visit for some wonderful inspiration and a bit of shopping!

This is a great show for anyone interested in knitting, crochet and stitching. There are stalls selling gorgeous yarns, fabric and accessories plus the most amazing exhibition of Textile Art, the theme this year was 'White: Tradition and passion'.

Gorgeous knitting and crochet kits from Elle Tricote

Maillenameis - super chunky yarn and knitting needles in a van!

Other yarn stores to check out - Debonnaire yarns, Filature du Valgaudemar, Kit et laine, la maison trioctee andlil weasel.