Archive: Paris Adventures!

Archive: Paris Adventures!


Colour, Yarn and Oh la la!
 
Bonjour! I hope you are all well.  Up here in the Peak District snowdrops and crocus have started to poke their delicate little heads from the mud and it's so lovely to see.  I have just come back from Paris where the mimosa bouquets are all yellow and delicate, and bright spring flowers are displayed outside the florists. What a joy after what feels like a very long winter. 
I have just returned from visiting my daughter, who is working for a year in Paris as part of her degree. I'll confess to flitting off to Paris from time to time, but this time it was her 21st Birthday, so I went to see her for a birthday hug.  I do love taking inspiration from the beauty of the city, it's galleries and of course there's a huge amount of colour inspiration!  

I always love staying in an Airbnb when I travel for a couple of reasons; firstly to keep the cost down and secondly because I really like to see the interiors of French homes (OK, I'm nosey) and...it feels less like a work trip in another hotel.

This time I stayed in a quaint little apartment high up on the 4th floor. It was super compact and very cleverly designed. 
So, let me share some colour inspiration with you.
Colourful street life and a classic Parisian sky line.
Beautiful curtains and crochet gorgeousness in daily life.
Artwork at Musée de l'Orangerie - Monet, Picasso, Matisse and so much more.  And Jean Paul Gaultier's amazing knitted dress inspired by Marie Antoinette (at the 80's exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in the Louvre Palace) is stunning.
Yarn stop finds and Parisian flea market treasure!  Note mohair gorgeousness.
The fresh and the colourful!
I loved watching these women crocheting on the train, the younger woman learning and being taught. Everything was ripped out one minute and re-learnt the next. We've all been there - like learning to drive. Frustrating but a life long passion when mastered!
If you want to see a few more scenes and sounds you can watch on Tik Tok here, I don't want to bore you but just share with you the inspiration behind my colourful yarns. Some are dyed up, already awaiting the Buxton Yarn Gathering.
February Market News 
Back to Manchester - I will be in Chorlton tomorrow (18th) from 10am - 4pm and I will have the amazing Alice Caterpillar Mittens by Suzie Johnson with me.  These are a great fun knit and I have paper patterns available too, as well as some fabulous colour suggestions and combinations.

Unfortunately, I won't be in Chorlton in March as I will be taking part in the fabulous Buxton Wool Gathering on market day.  If you are able to come to Buxton then book a ticket in advance - links below.  Only one hour from Manchester Piccadilly by train and car, and it will be a great day out for all yarn and fibre enthusiasts. 
Your Makes!

Thank you for sharing your knit / crochet projects with me. I really love seeing how you choose to use my yarns.
 
Polly has knit two pairs of socks with one skein of BFL sock yarn.  425m gave her enough yarn for an adult pair of socks and another for her 8 year old daughter.  How gorgeous are these? Sock twinning is a thing!

Julie has used a skein of boucle to knit one of Heike's One for All shawls, a free pattern with the link below.  It's beautiful Julie. Thank you.
I have started a Nuuk in Toddbrook Dam DK (pattern linked below).  I love this blue and I love a Nuuk, so this is a perfect combo for me!
After my January newsletter where I shared images of balaclavas and hoods, Park Williams has released her gorgeous Big Bow Bonnet pattern.  I love everything about this photo, reel and pattern.  The colour combination is gorgeous, the bonnet fun and all in all it just makes me smile. It really is beautiful.  The bonnet uses merino singles and mohair strands knit together. Both are available in my shop and more colourways will be coming very soon.  Pattern link below.
Look at this gorgeous bandana by Refined Knitwear.  The dark colourway is two mohair strands held together using only 32gm and the pale is a single strand using only 16gms of mohair.  Link below to this pattern, beautiful.

Mohair is one of my favourite yarns to dye. It picks up dye like no other yarns - just gorgeous.
When I last left you the nation was racing to finish everything on a Sunday night to watch the Happy Valley finale. Did you enjoy? 

Blimey I did, and my favourite quote?  "I think I might have singed one of your crochet blankets".
Pure genius acting and writing. The link is below - scroll to 1hr 8mins and 53seconds for those immortal words!
Don't forget the wonderful Cole and Cole soaps are free with all February purchases. Online, in person and at Wiseheart and Wild. They smell and wash divine!
Handy Links and Resources

Patterns 
Big Bow Bonnet by Park Williams
One for All pattern by Made with Loops
Nuuk Sweater by Jonna Hietala 
Ernest Balaclava by Jonna Hietala
Aurora Bandana by Refined Knits 

Shop and Hints
Shop Addi Needles and Hooks at Mamie and Florrie
Handy Knitting Needle Conversion Chart
Learning to Knit and Crochet - Handy Tips and Resources
Mamie and Florrie Shop
Mamie and Florrie on Tik Tok
Cole and Co. Hand Made Soaps and Fragrance 

Event Information
Mamie and Florrie Events
Buxton Yarn Gathering - Tickets
East Anglia Yarn Festival Tickets 
Wonderwool Wales - Tickets

Extras
Happy Valley - I may have singed one of your crochet blankets - 1hr 8mins in.
Please keep sharing photos of your creations using Mamie and Florrie yarn. It is so lovely to see what you make. Why not use the #mamieandflorrieyarn hashtag and others can get inspiration too. 

Thank you and until next time, Spring is a coming!

Amy xx
Mamie and Florrie Shop
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