Hooky Retreats

Well today I have something lovely to share, and I hope I can do so without getting too ridiculously over excited.  It's not often that I set out to "promote" myself but I do like to chat to you openly about things that are happening in my life and the joys that come my way as a result of me putting myself out there on the World Wide Web.

You may remember me writing about teaching a crochet retreat in the south of France back in October? I shared my trip to beautiful Carcassonne on my blog, and if you missed it here are the links >>

((Carcassonne Part 1))  and ((Carcassonne Part 2))

It was a wonderful experience that will be forever in my memory.

Carcassonne was actually my third Stitchtopia retreat as I was lucky enough to teach my first two in 2019 when I went to stay in a chateau in the French Alpes. I know, it sounds ridiculously dreamy and so far removed from my rather mundane and humble life here in North Yorkshire, doesn't it? 

I was looking back through my blog archives yesterday and realised sadly that I didn't get round to writing about the chateau retreat. I can't remember the reason why it slipped through the net, but I thought I'd share just a few photos with you today. I based my workshop around mandalas, and used them to teach some elements of colour theory. I created a bespoke yarn kit especially for the retreat, along with three new mandala patterns. The crochet in the above photo used my simple granny mandala pattern, designed as an easy way to experiment with using the colour wheel and learning about hot and cold colour combinations.

I also designed a decorative mandala which could be crocheted onto a small hoop, with some fun dingly dangly bits to add a bit of extra detail. I named this one the Daydream Mandala.

And finally, the third design encouraged the guests to plan their own harmonious colourways for a much larger 30cm mandala hoop. I named this one the Chateau mandala. It was brilliant fun to teach these projects with some practical colour theory lessons to help with planning projects and creating harmonious colour sequences. And I'm sure you'll agree, the finished mandalas look absolutely stunning.

Spending a week on a crochet retreat isn't all about hook and yarn though, as there are excursions and day trips planned into the itinerary. I LOVED going out and about just as much as I loved the crochet time and found it really inspirational.

One of the things I appreciated about going on this kind of trip was the complete relaxation of it all. Everything is organised so well, and we had a fabulous English tour guide with us at all times so that we felt very well looked after. Some ladies came in pairs (two best friends for example, or Mum and daughter) but most ladies come on their own, knowing that they'll will be with like minded souls who share their love of yarn and crochet. It's such a friendly, inspiring and sociable type of holiday experience, and I can highly recommend it.

This year I'm going to be teaching two more retreats on the sunny Portuguese island of Madeira, and I absolutely can't wait. The first trip is next month and I'm busy preparing the kits and working on the pattern and colour lessons for the project I'll be teaching.

When these retreats were announced in January they sold out very quickly and I didn't even get a chance to tell you about them here first! So when we began planning my next set of retreats for 2024 I decided that I really wanted to announce it here on my blog first so that any of you who fancy coming would have a chance to investigate before the Sold Out sign goes up.

Would you like to see where I'm going next year?

I'm veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery excited!!!!!!!!

The first trip of 2024 will be at the very end of June and will take me to Portugal. This is a twin-centre holiday with an amazing itinerary, I mean - Lisbon and Porto - both stunning cities that have been sitting on my must-visit list for a long time. 

The Portugal retreat is now open for bookings and you can find out all the details and dates etc by clicking on the following link >>

https://www.arenatravel.com/holiday/portugal-crochet-retreat

My second trip of 2024 will be in September and I can hardly believe this, but I will be going to Morocco. Yes, Morocco!  This retreat hasn't gone on sale yet but I think it'll be coming up soon. Here is the official blurb I've been given, just so you have an idea of what it'll be like >>

"Lucy, crochet designer and blogger at Attic24, invites you to join her on this 2-centre holiday in Morocco. Experience the rich culture of Morocco as you explore the imperial city of Marrakech and the coastal port town of Essaouira. Accompanied by a local guide throughout, enjoy discovering architectural treasures, spice-filled souks bursting with vibrant colours and enchanting gardens. Stay in the charming 4-star Riad Baraka and Karam in Marrakech and the 5-star Le Medina in Essaouira and enjoy a series of crochet workshops with Lucy and leave with plenty of colourful inspiration."

The lovely folks at Arena Travel who help customers with their bookings asked me to give out their telephone number, just in case you wanted more details about the Portugal retreat, or if you'd like to pre-register interest for the Morocco retreat.

The number is 01473 357036.  

I hope you'll forgive the salesy nature of this blog post, I feel a bit uncomfortable doing any kind of sales pitch here in my lovely Attic space. But these retreats are important to me and as you know I am passionate about sharing my love of crochet and colour.

Thank you for always supporting me, I do appreciate it very much. Normal day-to-day blogging will resume in the next day or two, I've got buttercups to wow you with......I know you'll be on the edge of your seat wating for such thrilling content ;)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ps.......almost forgot to mention.....there is also a UK Attic24/Stitchtopia retreat in the planning for 2024, it'll be a 3 night long weekend kind of thing. I'll give you details as soon as it's all finalised x

 

 

 

Comments

[Sarah Cooley]

These sound wonderful. Can only dream of going! Perhaps sometime you’ll want to do a US retreat or an online one! Have a fabulous time.

[Sarah Haynes]

Oo! I spoke with Abbie at Arena this morning to register my very big interest in the Morocco retreat!

[Karen Bushell]

Do you have any other information of the UK Retreat Lucy? Like what month etc?

[Sabine]

Hi Lucy, I follow your bog since a long time and like it very much. It is no problem for me that you advertice your upcoming retreats. Maybe we meet in Germany or in UK sometimes. THat would be wonderful! I've learned from you to enjoy all the small things in the daily life.
Have a nice day or two or more ;-) Sabine

[Polly]

I am very much looking forward to joining you on the Madeira trip in July. I'm coming by myself and it's reassuring to read that generally so do most people. But I expect to make friends there!

[Kathleen]

Love your work! I have made several of your patterns, and am still on a roll!

[Corinna]

I’ve been following your blog for over 15 years now, and of course I first came here for your colourful crochet inspiration, but I’ve been at least as much hooked on your lovely nature and landscape photos. (I love walking and photographing myself :-))
I knew I wanted to visit the Yorkshire Dales ever since I saw your pictures, and now guess what? Tomorrow me and my partner are going to leave our home in northern Germany by bike, it’ll take us about two weeks to get to the ferry that will take us to Hull, and then we’ll have loads of time to cycle around northern England and Scotland! We love doing long trips by bike, and this time, our choice of the destination was definitely inspired a lot by your blog. Thank you so much Lucy for all this beautiful, colourful inspiration over all these years, I so can’t wait to be there myself :-) ♥ ♥ ♥

[CJ]

Oh my goodness, Morocco, how brilliant. I cycled down through there once, but not as far as Marrakesh. It will be absolutely wonderful I'm sure, no wonder you are excited. Such a vibrant and colourful place. CJ xx

[Jan MacPhee]

Really looking forward to hearing about the UK retreat.
It's always been an ambition of mine to take part in one of these.
By the way I love all your botanical photos from your visit to Dorset - lovely splashes of colour in amongst the pebbles.

[Jane]

Omg, you are sooooo lucky.

[Donna Smith]

I can't come in term time☹️

[Charlotte]

Love seeing your plans, but like Laura K, I have full time care of my 95 year old Mom, and it's very difficult to get any time away. Cx

[Jane McLellan]

It’s your blog, advertise your retreats by all means! I’d love to be able to join you. I shall just read your blog posts.

[Winwick Mum]

Oh, these are going to be fab! xx

[Agnes Du feu]

I would love to join in one of your retreats can't see where I can find out about them, a bit old in the tooth but do like an adventure. crochet is a big passion, look forward to seeing more about the UK one I have enjoyed doing your blankets

[laura k- from the crochet ladies of france]

Id love to come see you in your native UK.... like you right now I am taking full time care of my mum... she has had a fall then a stroke a few weeks later- this caregiving gig is so full on and overwhelming. I miss my carefree time that we had in france together. Please let me know, if you want on whatsapp when the UK thing is happening- I dream that I can fly over and then have my husband meet me when it is done and we can rent a house for a bit somewhere in England and just settle in to a community for a while. I want to visit the shops daily as I manage our meals and toodle around parks and take walks every day in my sun hat or rain coat- can you tell I am dreaming??? lets make this dream come true please!!- laura k

[Paula Wood]

Just Wow! Always wanted to explore Morocco but husband not keen. But Morocco AND crochet! I can come alone as know I will be safe with like minded people. So very excited. Quite new to crochet but drawn to your work Lucy as I adore bright colours so working my way through your blankets.
Only negetative, wish had been aware of retreats sooner as will miss out this year but as a Newby can't be helped but will definitely register interest in Morocco!

[Ann Bartram]

I’m lucky to be joining you in Madeira in September. Can’t wait!

[Susan]

Loved hearing about these retreats & wish you could come further away to the land down under, as you have many followers here. Take care & hugs.

[Katherine]

I just told my husband that I would love love love to come to the English crochet retreat. So can't wait until that one is announced. Lucy, I love your patterns and color work and my family is always wanting me to make one of your blankets. So a whole retreat would be a dream come true.

[Sarah]

What a treat to spend a week with you!!!