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!