Well, I'm getting back into my term-time stride again: I've caught up with the washing, tidied up the house from the Christmas bits, started bunny making again in earnest and am now feeling settled after the flurry of unsettledness that dominates during school holidays. I'm also feeling excited at the thought of some new things that are happening here this year. We are planning big changes to the garden which will hopefully make family life a lot easier when Toby is having meltdowns, but more of that another time because today my head is full of thoughts about workshops.
Towards the end of last year a wonderful new craft shop opened in one of my local towns and after chatting with Angela the lovely owner I am now going to be teaching a couple of workshops there. I'm really looking forward to passing on some of my tips for neat finishing techniques. I know I'm a bit unusual in loving seaming and the like but hopefully some of my enthusiasm will help others to enjoy the more fiddly bits of knitting.
The Creative Sanctuary, Hertford, SG14 1AS
My first workshop is on Tuesday February 5th and will be a 3 hour
session making mini bunnies*. I'll be covering various finishing
techniques including mirrored/paired decreasing, mattress stitch
seaming, i-cords and anchored french knots and hopefully everyone will
go away with a finished mini bunny ready for Easter. If you are
interested in booking a place the link is here: Finishing techniques workshop.
The next workshop is in March and I'm planning to make knitted Easter eggs and there will hopefully be a hedgehog workshop in May, but I'll post details about them nearer the time.
If you are in Hertford any time please pop into the Creative Sanctuary and say hello to Angela. She's so knowledgable and entusiastic about crafts and always gives a very friendly welcome to any visitors. You may even bump into me browsing yarn or buying new needles!
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* My free pattern for a mini bunny is here and if you use different weights of yarn and needle sizes you can make a family of different sized ones. The three above were made from chunky yarn on 4mm needles, DK yarn on 3.25mm needles and 4ply yarn on 2.25mm needles.
little cotton rabbits 
looks like a great craft shop….wish it was a bit closer and I could go to the workshop, ali
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Would love to come to one of your workshops later in the year ! I love your knitted bunnies. Katharine
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Just wish the workshop was in Wales!!
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in the world there are not bunnies more cuter than yours, Master¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
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and it’s so sad to live so far from you.I would love to attend to your workshop.Congratulations.
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Hello Julie and a VERY creative and peaceful New Year to you! Isn’t it funny how flipping a page on the calendar and moving into a new year with a blank page can feel so exciting and motivating? Have fun dreaming and plotting your new projects and enjoy the corners of peace you may have when alone in the house.
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Exciting news, finishing seams is always a challenge. You are going to really inspire your students. Enjoy your new venture. Look forward to your garden changes too, I’m looking forward to warmer weather.
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Wish it was a little nearer!! Love your work.
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Looks like a gorgeous shop – enjoy your time there!
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Ooh, wish I lived closer! All the good yarny things are so far away! I hope you enjoy doing the workshops, and I can’t wait to hear about your garden plans. xx
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Fantastic news and what a great way to start the new year. I, on the otherhand have yet to find my 2013 mojo but I can sense it’s near. I can’t wait to discover what’s happening in the garden too xx
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Pena que seja tão tão tão longe!
Sucesso!
Um abraço
Egléa
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What a lovely shop, I’m sure their customers will all be lovely too.I wish I was nearer as I would certainly come.xx
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Your bunnies are legendary Julie, I know that your workshops will be much in demand, and you’ll have such fun!
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Well I bet those workshops are all sold out!!!
How exciting, I wish I was nearer I would definitely be there, it would be lovely to meet you. 🙂
Looking forward to seeing your new bunnies and I’m curious to know what’s happening in your garden .
Happy weekend Julie,
Vivienne xxx
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How exciting for you Julie. It’s quite a coincidence but I was in that shop this morning! There are a few of us who meet on a Friday morning in Hertford for knitting and we often wander up there before heading home. I resisted buying today but there are so many tempting goodies on offer.
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Ohhhh – good luck. That all sounds (and looks) really fabulous.
Everything has been cleared away here too and we’ve found ourselves – reluctantly – back in the midst of routine.
Have a fabulous weekend
Nina x
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How exciting for you, wish we had a wool shop nearby. I am with you on the finishing of knitting, sewing etc,neat stitching makes all the difference. Spread the word Julie, good luck.
louise
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I wish I lived closer so I could attend your workshop, but unfortunately I’m not even on the same continent. I can’t wait to hear what your plans for the garden are.
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Hey, how exciting. Congratulations.
All the best for that.
x
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All the very best in your new venture. My thoughts are with you.
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Hi Julie, how wonderful for you to have a creative outlet to pass on your great knowledge I wish I was in the uk so I could attend, good luck xbrenda
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Ohhhh how I wish I was in England. Best of luck with it Julie. Maybe you could share some of your notes/handouts with us girls who are too far away to attend! I would be happy to pay for them as I do have a lot of trouble with finishing things off neatly, especially when it comes to sewing on legs, ears and heads of things I make for my grandkids. :o> I would be there with bells on if I was closer.
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From the amount of ‘ I wish I lived closer’ comments that I’ve read , myself included maybe you should take your workshop on the road , just a little further north and I’d be there with bells on. Good luck with your new venture x
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Oh How I wish there were not an ocean between us! I’d be there in a heartbeat! I am SURE it will be well attended. So kind of you to share your talents. You are a true Gem Julie. Looking forward to hearing about how the workshop goes. Can’t wait to see the garden transform as well. First winter…then spring…
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Oh how I wish I lived by you so I could got to your workshop. I would love to sit and learn at your knee and then have a sit session in your lovely garden and talk the day away………
Can’t wait to see the changes in your garden and good luck at your workshops. You will do amazing I have no doubt!!
XX00
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I’m sure your infectious enthusiasm will go down a treat. Enjoy your day, the first of many I don’t doubt!
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Eeek! How exciting! I might have to check out that shop en route to VH one day xx
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Oooh, I wish I was closer! 🙂
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Wish I could attend your workshops but I’m in the US. The bunnies are adorable.
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If only I was closer…I’d love to attend one! Flying all that way {from Australia} really isn’t possible though 😀
xox
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Wish the workshops were in Queensland, Australia!
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I hope the locals take advantage of taking classes from you! So wishing I could transport myself from the states to take them myself! Best of luck in your classes!
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I need to move house quick! Oh how I wish I lived closer, it would be a dream to come to one of your clases, you are going to be in great demand Julie, I can tell you that much!
Can’t wait to hear all about your garden plans
wishing you a happy new week
love jooles x
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Hi Julie,
What a wonderfully exciting start to the New Year for you – I’m sure your classes will be a huge success. Just wish I was a little bit nearer to you.
I do get frustrated with my finishing sometimes. I try my best but I only seem to see the worst side of things, but we can be our own worst critics at times. I have great problems with carpel tunnel syndrome now and sometimes my fingers just don’t seem connected to my brain!I persevere with my work but sadly intricate or miniature work seems to beat me. I still love to see all your beautiful work, and wish that maybe one day I could achieve just a fraction of your skill.
Happy New Year and good luck with the classes.
B x
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Congrats on the workshop! I’m jealous of those of you across the pond that get to take your workshop. 🙂 I’ll live vicariously through your blog and updates. 🙂
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The one technique that I am hungry to know is the closing of the top of animal feet. I am fascinated by the whatever it is that makes the lovely closure and clueless as to how to do it. But A) it’s not on the list and B) I live an ocean away and C) I could never afford it till my ship comes in, assuming that it has not sunk already, and the news is just waiting for the right moment to pounce on me.
sigh.
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Happy New Year and Congratulations on a great new venture Julie…hope to come to a workshop in the future! Angela’s shop looks wonderful. It’s on the list! Jenni xx
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Oh Shoot! If only I lived closer to you — I would LOVE to take a class as I really dislike the fiddly bits. Good Luck with your classes — I hope they’re tons of fun!
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Oh Good Luck , great to start the year with a new project. I wish you both well. Now I need to do some calculations…….Best wishes
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Happy New Year (I am so behind with well wishes…).
Dream job or what!? The shop looks like a lovely space to work. How will you resist all that yarn? I like the sewing up part of projects as well, but I know a lot of people don’t.
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So exciting – lucky local people! That does look like a wonderful craft shop. Hmmm. Is there a cafe nearby? I feel a plan coming on …
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Hi Julie,
Sounds like you’re New Year is getting off to a good start. I think you will enjoy passing on all your knowledge and the workshops sound like a great way to do just that. I am still knitting this end and having spent a lovely afternoon in my garden on Saturday it then proceeded to snow all over it.
Look forward to hearing more of your plans in weeks to come.
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how lovely and exciting Julie! Teaching at workshops is so much fun!!
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Oh, how I would love to participate in one of your workshops! Alas, I’m in Iowa in the USA! It all sounds like so much fun…
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How wonderful it would be to be able to come to one of your workshops Julie! I wish you lived nearer! Lucy xxx
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I love the bunnies, so cute! Will definately be making them for Easter. I have nominated you for an Inspirational Craft Blogger award. You can find out more about it here http://knitstitchsew.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/insiprational-craft-blogger/
Verity x
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I’m so happy you have these workshops to look forward to Julie and only wish I could attend one! Happy 2013 to you. x
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oh so wish I lived nearby! Catherine x
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