Miss Julie

Julie came in to show us this beautiful cabled throw she has knitted for her daughter Jenny who has just started university. Knitted in Debbie Bliss's cashmerino aran, it is very soft and snuggly - a truly stunning gift and keepsake.

Knitting babes

We had a junior workshop at Jolie on Saturday morning. These knitting starlets were very keen. Nayeli and birthday girl Emily mastered knit and purl, lace work and cable.

Mother and daughter Emma and Tansy joined us too, and were also very accomplished.

Our three knitting musketeers were kept well supplied with birthday cake and treats.

With a well deserved shopping experience at the end. Well done girls!

Not to be outdone.....Ollie has picked up his knitting again and Eddie has just learnt. What a nice quiet occupation for half term.

In Bruges

Dany went to Bruges for an idyllic weekend with Phil to celebrate a certain birthday.

I've never been there before and it was beautiful. A completely unspoilt medieval city. We cycled all over the city trying to spot locations from the film In Bruges and took the obligatory canal boat trip.

Lots of Madonnas in Bruges - in fact over three hundred.

We had to have the obligatory mussels with frites and beer of course.

A riot of colour at Le Pain Quotidien's terrace cafe.

This was my favourite shop in Bruges. Madam Mim, Hoogstraat, 29. I went back three times.

Delicious vintage and homemade items, run by a really sweet couple. Lovely.

Happy days!

Knit and wine

Tuesday 18th October. 7.30 - 10pm.

Mad hatters

Thank you to everyone who knitted a hat or two ...or ten for Age UK. We have dispatched them all to Innocent at 'Fruit Towers'. Special thanks to Sandra and Vicky, Hellie, Paula, Carolyn, Sue F, Diane, Brenda, Mary, Jane and Rosalind.

Hats off....

...and thanks to Brenda, for producing the most hats for the Innocent/Age UK campaign. They are all gorgeous too!

Little Innocents

Mini hats so far for the Innocent smoothie/Age UK campaign.

Cake, coffee and crochet

For lovely Sue N's birthday last Thursday.

Glam chop

Coming soon - new yarn and patterns from Erika Knight.

Linda knitted up these fab fur cuffed mitts from one of Erika's patterns using her exclusive Fur and Maxi wools. Available shortly as single loose patterns for a range of lovely accessories each using 1-2 balls yarn. Eye lashes, model's own!

The big knit 2011

Jolie has supported a charity every year for National Knitting week since we opened in 2005. This year we are supporting Age UK in conjunction with Innocent smoothies.

If you would like to get involved all you need to do is knit a little woolly hat to fit on an Innocent smoothie bottle. These are then sold in supermarkets up and down the country and 25p for every one sold goes to Age Uk.

Patterns are available from http:/innocentdrinks.com/thebigknit Choose from a basic woolly hat suitable for beginners, or try a pineapple, banana, or a woolly sheep.

How about a unicorn - if you're feeling really ambitious?

Or even Jack Sparrow? Or be inspired and make up your own pattern.........

We will be sending all hats dropped off at Jolie on 12th October - not long, sorry, but they are very quick to do - I made two stripey ones in an hour. If you are not local to us you can post your hats directly to Innocent - the address is on their website.

Great for using up scraps of double knitting and 4ply. Happy knitting and for a good cause!