Spending a week in the south of France in early October sounds pretty dreamy, don't you think? The sunny warmth, the amazing views and the relaxed atmosphere, it was everything I'd dreamed of and so much more besides.
So would you like to know how I came to be standing and gazing at the above view? Well five years ago, I was asked by a travel company if I would like to be one of the "craft experts" on their popular Stitchtopia craft holidays. As the name suggests, the holidays and retreats are all about textiles, and honestly, the more I learned about the quality of the trips and how well they're organised, the more I knew that I would say YES to pretty much anything. Spend a week in a French Chateau and teach colour and crochet to a group of lovely ladies? Join them on scenic excursions and partake in wine tasting and the such like? Sit and crochet in the sunny garden of a chateau in the French Alpes surrounded by beautiful mountain views? Yes, yes and YES please.
As it happens, when my first retreat launched in the summer of 2018 it sold out within the first 24 hours, and with a growing waiting list I was asked if I would consider doing a second week. So in the Spring of 2019, I went twice to France and did indeed get to stay in a chateau and taste wine and view scenic views and teach crochet - and it was absolutely WOnDErFUL.
The following year, I was due to go and tutor two different groups in Madeira but we all know what happened to travel plans in 2020. The trips were postponed to the following year.....but sadly with the world still in disarray, they too were cancelled. So I still haven't managed to visit Madeira, but in amongst all the chaos of postponed and cancelled holidays, another French retreat was planned for me, which is the one I finally got to take up earlier this month. Hurrah for life finally getting wings again!
The above photo is us - the Stitchtopia Attic24 crochet retreat of 2022. We had just arrived in France after a yawningly early start (Heathrow airport at 4.30am? Yes, it was that kind of early). In the middle of the front row you can see me looking all smiley and blooming ridiculously happy to be feeling waaaaaarm and sunshiney and south-of-Francey. In the back row on the far right is Allison who is the Tour Manager, and she's been with me on all three of my retreats.
Most of the ladies are from the UK, with the exception of one lady all the way from Sydney in Australia and another from the US. Some of them were new to these kinds of retreats, and some had already been on other crafting holidays over the years. It was also a real joy for me because out of the twelve guests, 7 of them had been with me in France in 2019, so I guess my teaching must be OK if they were game enough to come back for more?!
We were spending the week in picturesque Carcassonne, a very ancient medieval walled citadel high up on a hill. We were lucky enough to be staying in one of the handful of hotels right inside the old walls, which meant a short stroll through one of the old stone gates, along the most atmospheric cobbled streets and right into the heart of the old town. I will never forget seeing it for the first time - the above view gives you a flavour of what the main streets of Carcassonne are like, and I could honestly not get over how lucky I was to actually be staying there.
Our hotel was ancient (as you would expect from a medieval town), but the internal modernisation was beautifully done. There was so much character - old stone walls, tiled floors, wonky staircases, twisty-turny little corridors - if you want to take a peek, you can look at the hotel website ((here)) to see some photos of it. Walking into my bedroom made me feel like I was walking into a French film - something about the height of the windows and the way they open fully to welcome the outside in....oh, I fell instantly in love with the Frenchness of it all.
Isn't the view dreamy? I was very lucky to be looking out over the garden from my bedroom and loved the stately lines of tall trees and the bell tower in the distance (with bells that struck on the hour). You can see the low single story building on the right of the photo? Well that was our crochet classroom for the week....
....it had many doors opening directly out to the garden and was the perfect setting. You won't really be able to tell from the above photo, but the week we were there we were blessed with insanely great autumn weather. Loads of sunshine, and beautifully hot days averaging around 25 degrees. When it rained, it came in the night - heavy downpours which made the mornings feel really fresh and clear. It was utter perfection.
We had six full days in France, four of them were filled with crochet and the other two were designated sight seeing days. Breakfast each day was a truly delicious affair - strong café au lait (yaayyy!), and a mouth watering selection of pastries and cake (yes, I discovered that cake for breakfast is a thing in France), rustic breads, continental meats and cheeses, fruit, nuts, yoghurts and granola...oh my goodness. Such a treat, and definitely a great way to start each day.
In the weeks before going to France, I worked on designing a teaching project especially for this retreat - you've probably already seen and read about the Bouquet Cushion (the post is HERE if you missed it). I used the above collection of mini-balls as my starting point and designed a circular cushion....
....and I really love how it turned out. There are twenty four rounds of crochet on each side, and I used the pattern to teach elements of colour design. I have an arts background and in my four years of training (art foundation diploma, followed by a 3 year BA degree in textiles) I learnt a great deal about colour. It's a vast subject with a lot of theory and science behind it, but when I teach I do try and keep it practical and simple and specifically tailored to work with yarn and crochet. We used the colour wheel and learnt about blending and tonal values, and about how to create harmonious colour contrasts and balance.
On the days that we were in the classroom, we split the day in two. Morning sessions ran from 10 to 12.30, then there was a two hour lunch break (essential in France as lunch is a sociable, leisurely affair). Afternoons ran from 2.30 until 5pm.
I loved teaching my project, and I loved watching it come to life in their hands. The ladies were all good crocheters but were keen to learn some colour confidence from me - I guess choosing colours and learning what works can be challenging and not something that everyone finds easy.
I took the above photos at the beginning of day 2, so this is after the first full day of crochet. You can see the centre of the circles are all about soft colour blending, and then we worked with harmonious contrasts for the outer part. Learning about colours that jump forward and those that recede, those that dominate and those that add a gentle touch.
It was funny because I kept reminding the ladies that this was a retreat as opposed to a classroom, and that they were free to take breaks, use the garden, stretch their legs, drink coffee as often as they wished.....and yet my goodness, they worked HARD!
Our lunch breaks were well earned I think, and I know I certainly enjoyed this part of the day very much. Although it was October and the holiday season was starting to quieten down, there were still plenty of tourists around and the cafés and restaurants were buzzing with happy folks enjoying their food in the sunshine. Tables and chairs which spill out onto sun-dappled, cobbled squares is an aspect of southern European life which I absolutely adore. Oh, I LOVE eating outside in the sun and it seems so far removed from our cool, damp British lunch time culture which is very much a cosy, indoor affair.
Every day once I'd finished my lunch, I took a little bit of time just to wander around and soak in the atmosphere of old Carcassonne. As I have zero sense of direction and can't read a map to save my life, I inevitably spent most of my time wandering in a semi-lost daze. However, I soon realised that being in a walled citadel had it's advantages because most of the little streets went round in a circle of sorts, so it was fairly easy to eventually find my way back.
Carcassonne is a ridiculously picturesque place and I took a LOT of photos during my lost wanderings, but I'm saving those for another post.
Back to the crochet and we are jaunting through the week now, with glorious circles of colour taking shape everywhere you look.
It was so inspiring to see how much confidence grew as the days passed....
....and I loved watching the ladies become bolder with their colour choices.
On the last day of the retreat, most ladies had managed to complete both sides of their cushion and started working on their floral decoration.
I'd created patterns for three different types of flowers, some berries, and two different sizes of leaf, but left the final design and composition of the floral bouquets open to interpretation.
I appreciate that there is maybe a little bit of apprehension held in the notion of becoming the Designer of a project. It's one thing to follow a pattern and maybe choose one or two colours here and there, but getting to be in the drivers seat for all of the colour choices in a project could be a little bit daunting?
The ladies on my retreat exceeded all my expectations, and with my help and guidance throughout the week they produced some really glorious work. I felt so proud of them, especially those who had started the week saying that they couldn't "do" colour and had seemed very unsure about all the decisions I was asking them to make. I can tell you in all honesty that they all did terrifically well....you'll see for yourself in a bit when I show you some of the finished cushions.
Even with the five hours a day we were spending in the classroom, the crochet didn't stop once five o'clock ticked around. One of the joys of being in a warm, Mediterranean climate was the fact that we could sit outside in the early evening and enjoy some golden hooky time. It was absolute bliss! In the above photo, I'm sat in the hotel garden working on my own cushion using leftovers from the Fireside blanket. What you can't see in the above photo, just to the left, is the bottle of sparking wine that had been popped open, and the lovely ladies I was spending time with.....all of it combined to make a wonderfully chatty, laughter-filled happy hour.
Crochet is such a wonderfully portable project, it really is the perfect thing to have in your bag when you are out and about. There is nothing nicer than sitting in a beautiful place and chatting to friends while your hands are quietly creating with yarn. In the above photo we were out on a day trip, spending time in a gorgeous little medieval town (I'll show you more in my next post) and had stopped to have a morning coffee. It was a delight for me to see my cushion design "out in the wild", and to to know that the ladies were enjoying it so much. Well, I really hope they were enjoying it - haha - maybe they just felt like they had to get some more rounds in?!
Throughout the week, I made sure to take time each day to go around the room and share everyone's progress. I think we can learn a huge amount by working alongside others but also learning to view our own work with an objective eye so to speak. However, even though we'd been looking at each others work every day and discussing the progress, it was still a wonderful surprise to see the cushions all together at the end of the week.
WOW, they looked FanTAStic!!
Here we are on the last day, all happy and hookered out!!
↑↑ This was the first cushion to be crocheted together and declared finished, and it received a well justified round of applause and a beautifully glorious ta-dah moment in the hotel garden. Bravo Donna!!
Since we've come home we've carried on our crochet chatter via WhatsApp and I've really enjoyed celebrating the visual ta-dah's. Don't the finished cushions look amazing? They've turned out even better than I could have imagined, and I think it's so interesting to see how such different cushions came from the same pattern and the exact same collection of yarn. They each have their own personalities and represent a lot of joyful creativity, and I'm so happy that I was a part of the journey.
So - how do you think I enjoyed my week in France?? Do you think it made me happy right down to my toes? If you answered "yEs" then you would be absolutely right - I enjoyed it so so much that I really didn't want to come home! I remembered how much I enjoy teaching, how fulfilling it is to watch one of my own designs come to life before my eyes, and to see how much pleasure and confidence it can give to others. And of course it was pure bliss being transported up through the clouds and deposited somewhere warm and sunny for a while - that sunshine and clear golden light made my heart and soul insanely happy.
I hope you've enjoyed this little insight into what a Stitchtopia crochet retreat with me looks like, it really was a super experience from start to finish. In my next post I'll take you walking so that you can see more of Carcassonne, it's honestly one of the most picturesque and atmospheric places I've ever been to.
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ps, I've had lots and lots of requests on my social media for details about future retreats and how to find out about them. I'm going to be doing another one abroad next year and am just waiting for confirmation of the dates and finalising details before it's released on the Arena Travel website. I'll be sure to tell you as soon as it's available for booking, both here on my blog and on my Facebook/Insta pages too. Maybe you might be tempted to come with me for some sunshine hooky next year?! xx
Hola.
disfruto cada vez que paseo por tu blog,es muy encantador, viajo contigo , por las fotos, me siento en los ligares que vas, es tan explicito y encantador los comentarios.
Gracias por esos paseos encantadores.esas fotos refrescantes y hermosas.
saludos.
Posted by: EULALIA PALOMEQUE | October 01, 2023 at 05:22 AM
I Would love to go next time
Posted by: Pamela Copenhaver | January 03, 2023 at 01:05 PM
What a fun trip to the “South of France!” I’ve subscribed to the travel website so hopefully will get updates about future trips. If your post isn’t the best advert for a craft trip to a beautiful place with a top flight teacher, then I don’t know what would be. So glad that you got the snafu worked out with your web host. That can be so frustrating. The pictures are wonderful, as usual. I’ll be watching for an announcement for the next one and hopefully can get my bid in quickly so I can join in your group of travelers!
Posted by: Linda in Texas | November 12, 2022 at 03:07 PM
So glad I can see the pictures now.
Posted by: Jane McLellan | November 05, 2022 at 03:48 AM
count me IN!
Posted by: Lisaj | November 05, 2022 at 01:31 AM
All the pillows are beautiful! i love reading your posts about your travels : )
Posted by: Liz | November 04, 2022 at 04:47 PM
Glad to finally see all the lovely pictures from Carcassone. Looks like everyone had a fun and creative break.
Posted by: Abby | November 04, 2022 at 07:59 AM
Had to laugh at your realizing you couldn't get lost in Carcassonne as it was walled. First time in Lucca, Italy, my friend and I left the car in the first spot we found and went walking and shopping and then realized we had no idea where we parked the car, but it too is a walled city, so we had to find it eventually...(why did I buy that big heavy plant?????)lol
Posted by: Helen Mathey-Horn | November 01, 2022 at 08:55 PM
Hi, as always a lovely blog, however, like many of your other readers I am unable to see the photos in any of your blogs. I am currently working on your Moorland Blanket, but haven't been able to work on it for some time, as I am unable to see the photos. Feeling frustrated.
Hope you can get this sorted.
Posted by: Bārbel | November 01, 2022 at 07:30 AM
I think there is still a problem with your blig, since I can’t see any of the photos 😢. All your other blogposts are having the same thing; I can’t see photos there either. I hope it gets sorted, because I love your posts and can’t wait to read and see all about your trip.
Posted by: Saskia | November 01, 2022 at 07:01 AM
After some time having trouble loading your blog, today I can load it but I cant see any photos :(. I really love your post and pictures, been following your post for years, its colorful and delightful and bring happiness to me. Hope the problem gets sorted soon :).
Posted by: baning | November 01, 2022 at 06:48 AM
I can’t see any photos either. Hope the problem gets sorted as I was so looking forward to seeing the visuals.
Posted by: Ann | November 01, 2022 at 06:17 AM
I haven't read this post yet but like Ann Duke, I can't see any of the photos:( There seems to have been some trouble here for a few weeks now - missing pictures early on and more recently error pages and security checks?
I hope your platform isn't on the fritz!! CAn't wait to read this! Byee!😀
Posted by: Simon | November 01, 2022 at 12:22 AM
Hiya...love reading your adventures and currently just started the Meadow blanket. Trouble is I now, for some reason, cannot see any photos on your blogs...or the guidance for the cal. Help!!! Is it something to do with 'typepad' or have I accidentally done something to my settings?
Posted by: Ann Duke | October 31, 2022 at 09:33 PM
What a gorgeous week in a gorgeous place! If I lived in the UK I'd be popping over to France as often as possible. I may have to put one of your crochet retreats on my bucket list. I'm also super in love with all the beautiful cushions created by the group!
Posted by: Louise | October 29, 2022 at 11:59 PM
Totally!!! "...maybe they just felt like they had to get some more rounds in?!" As you were aware, having my back badly compromised by a 30hr plane journey just to get to London, unfortunately I missed parts of the afternoon sessions, & so wanted to keep the momentum going!
I SOOO loved my time with you & my fab friends from UK & US, both in the 'classroom' & out & about in that fabulous part of the world, so different to Sydney Australia. My time away with you all was wonderful, the cushion glorious & I can't wait until next time!!!
Posted by: Kristine S | October 29, 2022 at 11:33 PM
Outside my window it's grey and drizzly, but inside, it feels warm and sunny -- all because of you and your gift for being able to transport us to where ever you describe and happen to be enjoying. You, Lucy, are such a bright spot in the Universe, and we are all so fortunate to know you!
Posted by: Debbi Robertson | October 29, 2022 at 10:10 PM
Ohhhhhh my! That looks like sooooo much fun!!!! I love that colorful box of tiny skeins -- like a new box of watercolors! Thinking I'll find a creative retreat in the middle of this winter at someplace warm for sure! (It would be very fun to participate in a "Lucy" Retreat but being in the States it might be prohibitively $$$ -- c'est la vie) All the cushions turned out gorgeous!
Posted by: Annie Chermak | October 29, 2022 at 09:03 PM
Dear Lucy
I have been following your vlog for years now - since before Little B was born.I wonder if you have cone across the trilogy written by Kate Mosse? The books are set in Carcassonne in mediaeval times and she has done a huge amount of research to base the fiction books upon.
Thank you for so many colourful and delightful posts.
Posted by: Lesley Moreland | October 29, 2022 at 08:38 PM
It all looks absolutely fab, Lucy! I'm curious though - didn't the clock tower bell keep you awake all night?! X
Posted by: Jools Morgan-Jones | October 29, 2022 at 07:00 PM
It looks like so much fun!!! Would love to go on one of these trips! Maybe one day I’ll be able to fly over from New Zealand to come on one. I have looked at these sorts of trips before, I can’t remember the company name I was looking at but they did all sorts of craft trips. One of the trips that I remember reading about was a trip to the Shetland Islands to learn all about Shetland knitting which is something I’d also like to do. Mind you I’m not sure how capable I’d be at Shetland knitting but would love to see the islands anyway! Think I’d book one of yours first though the weather does look so much nicer than the Shetlands and I LOVE your crochet! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I can see you’ll be in hot demand for these trips now :)
Posted by: Angela | October 29, 2022 at 06:59 PM
Yea! Great blog. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Susan | October 29, 2022 at 06:38 PM
What a lovely description of our week. It's not an overstatement to say its one of the most glorious weeks I've spent, surrounded by wonderful people in a glorious location, all being creative and doing something we love. It was a pleasure to spend the week with you Lucy.
Posted by: Donna Brush | October 29, 2022 at 04:45 PM
I loved reading this! It looks like such a lovely place and to spend time doing your favourite thing in such beautiful surroundings is a treat indeed :) xx
Posted by: Winwick Mum | October 29, 2022 at 04:11 PM