Name: Kaitlyn
Date: August 10
Current Location: Santiago, Chile
Hello from the western slopes of the Andes mountains!
I’ve been in Chile for a few weeks, and it has been a huge relief to be back in a country where I speak the language! Santiago is a gorgeous city with some of the most stunning views.
The Chileans understand fiber culture – two of the yarn shops I visited were in A MALL. An honest-to-goodness MALL, with a food court and clothing stores and everything. I helped myself to some utterly delightful yarns while here: some deliciously soft cashmere and some acrylic yarns that had some eye-catching black and gray marl colors.
Other yarn shops in the city are very in-line with yarn shops in other Central and South American countries – loads of stock, but nearly all of it behind counters and requiring asking to see or touch anything that catches your eye. Santiago shops were also very “display-forward”, with massive elaborate explosions of yarn in their front windows.
I did a day trip to the coast to visit Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, two cities tucked between the beaches and hills of the Chilean coastline. Valparaíso was stunningly beautiful, with colorful houses and murals and street art of all kinds.
It took a while, but I did get to Inca Lagoon, a beautiful mountain lake just a few hours outside of Santiago. Heavy snows and avalanches kept the roads closed for 36 days, but I did sneak onto a tour to see the place just before flying out to my next stop.
Finished Projects
The Jaunty Skirt is technically here… kinda
Ok, so I haven’t found elastic yet to complete the waistband, but the skirt itself is technically done, so I’ve decided it can go here.
Current WIPs:
Finnish Silk Tank Top
I’ve made my 5th start on this tank top, and I think I’ve got it! (knock on wood)
I’ll definitely put in a lifeline before I get to the bust shaping and straps, but so far, so good! Knowing my timing, this lovely summer top should be ready just in time for Halloween!
Cable Socks from Slay Knits
I’ve learned how to do cables!!
I picked up some beautiful Malabrigo yarn in Brazil, and I picked this sock pattern because I could learn multiple new techniques: cables, toe-up socks, and a German short row heel.
Dreamy Seas Shawl from Denise E.M. Bartels
Working on a cotton shawl/scarf with some of the yarn I picked up in Bogotá. This should come out with a whirly-twirly pattern on it, although I think I have a few more rows to finish before it becomes obvious.
Up Next:
I’m here in Chile for another week or so, then I’m headed back east to Argentina! See you in Buenos Aires!
❤
Have Yarn, Will Travel 
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