October 2019 knitting and crochet retreat
The last week of the year and it is looking decidedly autumnal here with wind and rain. We have a full house with 10 guests, most of them met here last year and booked to come again as a group.
We have been to Cognac for yarn shopping at My Little Mailles, to the market in St Jean and then on Friday we visited the Puce de Couturieres in Aulnay The puce is open just 2 days a month and is brilliant for bargain fabric, trimmings, buttons and yarn - you even get a free cup of coffee and cake!
After the puce we took Jean, one of the guests on a surprise visit to the Poitou donkey sanctuary. Jean volunteers for the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, so was very happy to see a few of her four legged friends. We didn't have time to go on a tour, but got to see a few of the donkeys and spend some money in the shop.
At the end of the week we had a show and tell of all the work everyone had done through the week.
Jean's collection of donkey key rings and egg cozy's for the Sanctuary shop.
Jan's sweater, knitted with some yarn she bought here in Saintes 2 years ago.
Jan's lovely intarsia cushion from the Debbie Abrahams 25 cushions to knit book. She made this for the charity she supports in Spain so at then end of the week we raffled it - and the lucky winner was Vicky.
Vicky's colourful socks
Tracey's gorgeous socks and a donkey! We had a couple of impromptu workshops during the week - Gina did a workshop on Tunisian crochet and I did one for Dorset buttons, Tracey went on to make this lovely mug warmer.
Jan's fluffy scarf and another cushion cover adapted from Jane Crowfoot's Mystical Lanterns blanket.
Sue's soft snuggly snood
Vicky's lace scarf
Kate's crochet cardigan with a lovely vibrant fairisle yoke
Jean's lovely textured shawl (and a Dorset button!)
Maxine's multicoloured scarf, I love this yarn.
Chris nearly finished a cardigan for her grandson, started a blanket and made two Dorset buttons
Maxine's snood and Gina's Dorset buttons made into earrings
Gina's blue crochet sweater for her son and Maxine's scarf and snood
Gill's Kim Hargreaves cardigan and two Dorset buttons
On Friday evening we had a 'Secret Santa'. Some beautiful hand made gifts for everyone.
A great finish to a busy year.
We have been to Cognac for yarn shopping at My Little Mailles, to the market in St Jean and then on Friday we visited the Puce de Couturieres in Aulnay The puce is open just 2 days a month and is brilliant for bargain fabric, trimmings, buttons and yarn - you even get a free cup of coffee and cake!
After the puce we took Jean, one of the guests on a surprise visit to the Poitou donkey sanctuary. Jean volunteers for the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, so was very happy to see a few of her four legged friends. We didn't have time to go on a tour, but got to see a few of the donkeys and spend some money in the shop.
At the end of the week we had a show and tell of all the work everyone had done through the week.
Jean's collection of donkey key rings and egg cozy's for the Sanctuary shop.
Jan's sweater, knitted with some yarn she bought here in Saintes 2 years ago.
Jan's lovely intarsia cushion from the Debbie Abrahams 25 cushions to knit book. She made this for the charity she supports in Spain so at then end of the week we raffled it - and the lucky winner was Vicky.
Vicky's colourful socks
Tracey's gorgeous socks and a donkey! We had a couple of impromptu workshops during the week - Gina did a workshop on Tunisian crochet and I did one for Dorset buttons, Tracey went on to make this lovely mug warmer.
Jan's fluffy scarf and another cushion cover adapted from Jane Crowfoot's Mystical Lanterns blanket.
Sue's soft snuggly snood
Vicky's lace scarf
Kate's crochet cardigan with a lovely vibrant fairisle yoke
Jean's lovely textured shawl (and a Dorset button!)
Maxine's multicoloured scarf, I love this yarn.
Chris nearly finished a cardigan for her grandson, started a blanket and made two Dorset buttons
Maxine's snood and Gina's Dorset buttons made into earrings
Gina's blue crochet sweater for her son and Maxine's scarf and snood
Gill's Kim Hargreaves cardigan and two Dorset buttons
On Friday evening we had a 'Secret Santa'. Some beautiful hand made gifts for everyone.
A great finish to a busy year.