Monday, January 5, 2009

Feliz Año

Happy New Year! I hope that everyone, despite the requisite stress that comes with this time of year, had a wonderful and restful holiday season and got to take some time off. I don't know about you, but I was certainly ready to reflect on 2008, set some resolution-like goals, then file it away and start afresh with a new year.

This year I was supremely lucky to start off the year in a most amazing place. After a few lovely days spent in Turlock for Christmas, my whole immediate family took off for a week in Argentina and Uruguay, and I just got back on Saturday. With the corresponding blog silence, I feel that I have a ton of things to share!

So, first things first. The topic I perhaps feel most strongly about at this moment...

South American Yarn is Amazing


Seriously. I mean, we all know the wonders of Malabrigo and Manos del Uruguay, right? What I did not know until I reached the southern hemisphere is that amazingly gorgeous yarns like the two aforementioned M's can not only be had for next to nothing, but flow bountifully, too! I mean, Buenos Aires has its own YARN DISTRICT for heaven's sake. Yes, a yarn district. The 1000 and 900 blocks of Ave Scalabrini Ortiz in the Palermo district were a beautiful place to be for this knitter. Here are the two where I spent most of my time...

The first was an artisan's shop, with hand dyed and spun yarns, plus beautiful buttons hand made from leather, wood, and ceramic. Look at this wall, with mouthwateringly colored wool dripping from its shelves!


(No, I am not with child, it's just my shirt.)

I desperately wanted to take home one of these small-child-sized hanks of what I think may have been llama, but there was no way it could have fit into my small suitcase.



But I did come away with some pinky-grey...



And brilliant purple...



I think it looks a little bit like Terra, but more rustic (and only $9 for 1/3 a kilo).



The next place where I could possibly take up residence was Yanabey, at 925 Scalabrini Ortiz, with its massive wall of yarn...



I've never been a huge fan of the acrylics, but they were so beautifully done here I was extremely tempted to bring some home. But alas space was limited so I stuck with wool, buying some Malabrigo/Manos-like loveliness in blue,



cranberry,



and pink...



just look at the subtle semi-solidness! (Also note that all of this cost ~$45).



We weren't in Uruguay for very long, and it was on the new year's holiday, so unfortunately the yarn shops were closed. However, I did pick up a hand-woven scarf/shawl at the one boutique that was open, which I think may be the most beautiful thing currently in my possession.



Again, the yarn made me drool.



Needless to say, it was a little difficult coming back to a place where the skies are grey, the sun sets before 5pm, and my days do not involve buying kettle-dyed yarny goodness for $4. At least 2009 got off to a most excellent start!

25 comments:

Renee said...

What a wonderful holiday you had!! A yarn district?? Be still my heart. Love the stash you brought back, happy knitting.

Clumsy Knitter said...

Wow...color me jealous! If I ever make it down that way, I'll remember to bring an extra bag. ;-)

Anonymous said...

omg such pretty yarn!!! ^_^

the Lady said...

Whoa, super-cool!

Thea said...

I'm hugely jealous! Those shops look amazing, the yarns are lovely and your scarf is way cool.

In fact, it seems like it would be way easy to make a way cool scarf to wear about town in the US for those of us who can't travel down....Malabrigo, garter stitch, and woven ribbons?

At Home Mommy Knits said...

Fantastic yarns! So jealous.....:)

Susan said...

A girl could go happily mad there! What a great trip!

Claudia Bugh said...

Wonderful trip!!! Thanks for sharing all the amazing photos. Do you know I was in Buenos Aires but that was before I was into knitting ~ now I must go back!

The men must have gone wild for you over there ~ those latin men sure know how to firt!

Enjoy all that fabulous yarn and your gorgeous scarf!

Philigry said...

oh, that sounds like fun! that wall of yarn is awesome! wow!
happy new year!

erngrn said...

some of those made my mouth water!!

Aline said...

What fabulous photos.

Happy New Year!

Teresa said...

Wow, how absolutely gorgeous! I love your yarn pics. I think I know where I want to travel next. I love the woven scarf too. So lovely and unique, with the ribbon accents :)

LizKnits said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip and what a bounty of beauty you brought back to remember it by!

sheepish one said...

what a trip!
not that i don't totally dig on hearing about yarny goodness, but how was the food?!?
happy new year to you, and happy knitting!

Aesderina said...

wow that's amazing!! Now I will have to plan a trip to go there for sure.. knitters heaven:)

Anonymous said...

How stunning! What lovely yarn - I think you showed admirable restraint ;)

Philigry said...

hello again!
I wanted to answer your question on the donuts. they were good, but not quite worth it. They were very cakey, and i was looking for the airy, melt in your mouth type....

Anonymous said...

HIL!!! You would be so proud of me, I learned how to knit. Im kintting my first scarf, its a bit long but its cute.... I feel really cool now.

Unknown said...

One more reason why "travel more" is on my list of resolutions for the year. I can't wait to see what you create with this beautiful yarn.

Eliza said...

that sounds like heaven! I can only imagine.

Eliza said...

and thanks again! :)

Anonymous said...

oh_my_goodness. that yarn is beautiful! so excited to see what it becomes. happy new year!

B's Momma said...

I'm a jealous...really really jealous...that's another vacation to add to my list. I can't wait to see what you make out of your finds!

Anonymous said...

Wow! That is just gorgeous. It's enough to make me want to buy a plane ticket to South America right now.

I love the picture of the yarn just dripping from the shelves, but I'm curious - is it as much of a headache to ball that yarn as it looks like? I think I would cry if my beautiful new South American yarn got tangled beyond all hope!

Sara said...

Gosh, I spent a week in BA over the summer and I had had no idea there was an entire yarn district. Color me sad! Oh well, I suppose it's as good an excuse as any to go back down there. I, too, was impressed by the quality of the acrylics in South America. I bought some incredibly soft super-bulky acrylic with the intention of making slipper-booties for myself, but I just haven't gotten around to it...