ouirgane amongst the olive trees

Right after i landed in Marrakech in the morning, I stored most of my luggage at hotel Chambres d'Amis. Together with my friend Ank, we traveled to the atlas mountains in her old baby blue Renault 4 the same morning.

We went to the mountains to prepare the Marvelous Marrakech workshops in peace and moreover to escape the heat wave in Marrakech and to spend a few laid back days together.

After a short stopover at the river we traveled on to our final destination Ouirgane. It's a peaceful Berber village situated in the High Atlas mountains in the heart of the Toubkal National Park at about 1,000 metres above sea level. The Oued Nfis River flows through the valley of the commune. The village itself lies on the eastern bank of the reservoir and barrage which dams the Oued Nfis river. The village is set amongst olive trees.

I can't think of a better place to start a new moroccan adventure.

marvelous marrakech workshop preparations

Final preparations for the Marvelous Marrakech workshop are in full swing. Have been working on the last details for the workshop program this afternoon. Next to a bunch of sunflowers from the Villa Augustus garden and enjoying the late summer sunshine in my studio.

I can't wait to return to Marrakech and I'm super excited to meet everyone!

In exactly two weeks from now we will kick off with the traditional welcome dinner on the roof terrace at Chambres d'Amis!

before it all starts

Getting used to medina lifestyle, that's what my first days in Marrakech are meant for. Fact is, I am already used to it within 5 minutes.

As a matter of course i also need these first days to get 'things' ready for the workshops, to make the last reservations, to cycle, to shoot photos with my camera, to drink a tea on a terrace at ease and to prepare and arrange the wool stock for the cool crochet workshop.

This season, some of the workshop participants are already dropping in a few days in advance, causing a super relaxed holiday atmosphere on the roof terrace at the plunge pool, before it all starts...

palme d’or

To ignore the freezing cold outside, I went for a golden palm this morning...
(after my weekly run; unfeasible! despite wearing double running trousers and thermo shirts, woolen gloves and a beanie)

A chic version of the palm I made last week, the c c p p, that is to say cool crochet palmtree pattern or cool crochet petit projet

Still a bit of testing for the cool crochet workshop, which is coming up in April.

c c p p

c c p p

cool crochet palmtree pattern

and moreover

cool crochet petit projet

I'm working on some crochet projects & patterns for the cool crochet workshop in April.

Every day a new project, a new crochet technique and a new place to explore in Marrakech.

I drew a palm tree on graph paper, slightly smaller than the palmtree I designed last year. Remember this one?

Simply because it's nice to finish a small daily project, so we have a lots of time for other pursuits, such as having a delicious Moroccan lunch, enjoy the surroundings and relax.

This afternoon I nestled myself with hook and yarn on the daybed, to check how long it takes to make this project. Well piece of cake, the cute palmtree is cool crochet project approved.

hello from marrakech

Today we made a bicycle tour through la Palmaraie. It's so green and peaceful.

In the medina it is a challenge, but so much fun. Just outside the medina you can enjoy a relaxed ride.

This bike ride was a 'test drive' in preparation for the Green Gardens workshop.

You can follow me on Instagram @woodwoolstool

wool experiments

Wool experiments for the upcoming COOL CROCHET WORKSHOP in Marrakech.

Color-testing on the Japanese hanger that I bought today at Pantoufle in Rotterdam.