French Knots Craft Studio

I’m selling two tickets to Sounds of the City on Saturday at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester to see The Undertones, Billy Bragg and The Saw Doctors, £49 each.
It’s going to be brilliant, bought them optimistically months ago hoping that I’d be well enough to go but I’m not.
Please spread the word for me

New home!! Thanks to the hard work of my fabulous family and friends the lounge is already a cosy space for me to relax. Pretty amazing for day three.

It was hard to leave my studio where we created so many happy memories together but once I’m well enough to run workshops again we’ll have lots of good times I’m sure

Beautiful weaving kit with unique vintage wool, it’s been sitting on my shelf for four years and deserves to be enjoyed. Would anyone local like it?

Still passing on things to new homes! Would anyone local like either of these, too heavy to post

Collected

I’ve cleared out the fabric trolley in my studio and have a bag bursting with fabric scraps, would anyone like it?

Collected

Patchwork and appliqué Christmas Stocking kit with vintage fabric and trim, hand dyed fabric and full instructions £15

The destash continues!

Beautiful Box Loom weaving kit with different textured vintage yarns £15

Still sorting out my stash -

Christmas Bauble colourwork kit, pattern and wool. Get ahead with your festive knitting! £12

I’m still pruning my stash ready for moving, would anyone like this gorgeous Lucy Locket/Hambley Moroccan Stars crochet shawl kit?
It has 11 balls of jewel coloured Scheepjes Maxi Sweet Treat, a mercerised cotton, 2mm hook and instructions
£20

This week marks a year since my second Covid infection, despite being fully vaccinated and I’m still struggling with the after effects. It’s hard to believe that it’s a whole year since I ran classes and workshops, went out with friends, went to the supermarket or for a walk. I spend a lot of time resting and it’s frustratingly easy to do too much and set myself back.

I am definitely a homebody and I love being at home but it’s been a tough year with some very difficult days, I’m better than I was though - being bedridden for weeks was awful. So I focus on the small steps forward like being able to get dressed every day now.

My house is sold now and I’m very, very slowly sorting belongings that have accumulated in the 24 years of living here plus a lifetime’s collection of fabric, wool and haberdashery as there is my studio to clear too. Once the packing starts I’ve so many kind offers of help which will be invaluable!
I’m not moving far, just a few minutes away so my youngest will be able to get to his school easily and I’ll be near my support network of much appreciated lovely people who cheer me up and help me out.

Once my health improves I’ll certainly be making a space in my new house for my studio and welcoming you back to classes!

This year has been a hard one for me but luckily the best thing that happened all year was in February before I got Covid again - Ella and David’s wedding was a wonderful day filled with love and happiness, I was so proud to walk her down the aisle and their love for each other radiated from them.
I’ve been ill since the end of March and I have missed seeing you all, running workshops in my studio, sharing skills, chatting and connecting as we get creative. Looking back over weeks and weeks of being housebound seems surreal, most days I’m happy with my own company and I’m certainly a home body but there’s also been days with plenty of tears as I long to get my life back.
My concentration has improved over the last couple of months so I can read, knit and crochet a bit, I know you will all understand what a balm this is, the peaceful meditation of knitting simple stitches, back and forth across the rows. I’m hoping that gradual improvements add up and that sometime next year I’ll be able to get out and about and back to holding a few classes.
Thank you so much to everyone who has kept my spirits up with kind messages, flowers , home cooked meals, offers of help and visits - sorry to bend your ear so much when you come round but I’m used to chatting all day when running classes and, wonderful as Studio Dog is, she’s not the best conversationalist but she keeps me company each day!
I hope you all enjoy Christmas with those you love and may 2024 bring us all health and happiness xx

Would anyone local like two tickets to see Brian Bilston at The Waterside in Sale this Thursday 12/10 at 7.30pm? I bought them earlier in the year and unfortunately I am not well enough to go.

It’s hard to believe that it’s six months today since my life ground to a halt. So many days have slipped past with nothing to distinguish them from the day before or the day after.
Since becoming worse at the end of July I’ve been pretty much housebound with even more time spent in bed so the view from my window has been important. Watching the trees blowing in the breeze, the sunlight changing over the course of the day, lashing rain or clouds scudding across the sky.
Through the open window I can hear the children enjoying themselves in the playground next door and the birds which I like to identify with the Merlin app.
My window on the world.

Thanks so much to everyone who came to the Great Destash yesterday, I really appreciate your support and I’m so glad my treasures have gone to good homes x

Today’s the day! Please come along later to the Great French Knots Craft Studio Destash Sale!

As many of you know I’m not teaching classes at the moment because I’m struggling with Long Covid, I’m looking forward to getting back to sewing, knitting and crocheting with you all once I’ve recovered.
In the meantime I am having a huge sale of fabric, haberdashery, wool, crafty supplies, craft books etc because I will be moving house and relocating my studio too and of course I have way too many treasures to pack.
Please come along and spread the word too!
It’s Thursday 7th September 6-8pm at 26 St Mary’s Rd, Sale, M33 6SA. Bring cash and a bag to take your goodies home in!

I’ve sorted out a few bits for the Great French Knots Craft Studio Rummage Sale on Thursday evening!

As many of you know I’m not teaching classes at the moment because I’m struggling with Long Covid, I’m looking forward to getting back to sewing, knitting and crocheting with you all once I’ve recovered.
In the meantime I am having a huge sale of fabric, haberdashery, vintage textiles, wool, crafty supplies, craft books etc because I will be moving house and relocating my studio too and of course I have way too many treasures to pack.
Please come along and spread the word too!
It’s Thursday 7th September 6-8pm at 26 St Mary’s Rd, Sale, M33 6SA. Bring cash and a bag to take your goodies home in!

As many of you know I’m not teaching classes at the moment because I’m struggling with Long Covid, I’m looking forward to getting back to sewing, knitting and crocheting with you all once I’ve recovered.
In the meantime I am having a huge sale of fabric, haberdashery, wool, crafty supplies, craft books etc because I will be moving house and relocating my studio too and of course I have way too many treasures to pack.
Please come along and spread the word too!
It’s Thursday 7th September 6-8pm at 26 St Mary’s Rd, Sale, M33 6SA. Bring cash and a bag to take your goodies home in!

Thank you all for your patience waiting for classes and kind messages, I’m still improving though being careful with my limited energy.
Unfortunately I tripped yesterday and now only have one functioning ankle! Some discussion at A&E as to whether or not I’d chipped a bone but either way I can’t walk and it’s super swollen and very painful.
I feel like I’ve watched all of Netflix in recent months so please let me know the favourite thing you’ve watched recently.
I’ve enjoyed 23 Walks, Living, The Loch, Queen Charlotte, Steeltown Murders and I’ve watched some older things that I’d missed when they first came out like Broadchurch and Happy Valley - quite a lot of crime so I’m going to balance it out with some period drama and watch Sense and Sensibility, one of my absolute favourites!

Spending lots of time sitting here in the shade of the acer, listening to the birds and the breeze rustling the bamboo. With a bit of knitting and crochet I’m daydreaming and planning new ideas for French Knots Craft Studio when I’m back running workshops again.
Recovery from the virus is still very slow as I go into week 10, but I’m able to do more each week and I’m listening to my body and prioritising rest.
If you’ve been around a while you might recognise the cushion is the CAL I ran during the first lockdown!

Thanks so much for all your support and lovely messages. Going into week 8 I’m definitely making progress, albeit v slowly. I’m mostly getting dressed and I even left the house a few times last week- hurrah!
Still resting, napping and being careful with my limited energy but so pleased to be heading in the right direction at last.

Beautiful early morning sunlight. Sitting by the back door enjoying the birdsong and peace

For the last few days I’ve been spending my afternoons out of bed and on the settee so that’s progress, even if frustratingly slow progress getting over this virus.

Studio Dog is keeping me company while keeping an eye out for something to bark at!

Few hours downstairs this morning enjoying a different view, I think recovery from the virus is going to be frustratingly slow just like last year! Isn’t this spring sunshine gorgeous 🌸

Today’s ‘birds I can hear in bed’
update - Merlin app has identified it’s a robin and a blackbird. Lovely spring sunshine and blue skies for day 11 in bed with the not-covid virus

I hate having to cancel classes as it’s so good hanging out with you all and it’s how I pay my bills! But I’ve got (another!) virus and I’m in bed with a temperature trying not to be too grumpy.
I’ve been in touch with everyone who had bookings over the next couple of days and I’ll let people know about Saturday classes tomorrow.

I’m looking forward to my Inspired by Bridgewater embroidery workshop at RHS Garden Bridgewater on Saturday April 22nd, we will learn some simple embroidery stitches to create this floral picture and your ticket gives you entry to the garden too - a brilliant day out!
Book here - https://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/RHS-Garden-Bridgewater/ViewEvent?EFID=3744&ESRC=CMS

Got drenched on the way to Castlefield Viaduct but gorgeous spring sun came out once I arrived. A green oasis with some great views over the city