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¡Hola desde Yucatan!
Name: Kaitlyn
Date: April 20
Current Location: Mérida, Yucatan, México
¡Hola a todos!
I’m exploring the Yucatan peninsula this month, and I’ve gotten some great photos of local wildlife. I’ve taken tours through two different mangrove ecological parks, and seen loads of incredible birds and crocodiles!
I also visited Chichen Itza, which I learned is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. I looked them up, and I’ve seen three of the seven so far – Chichen Itza, Christ the Redeemer, and The Great Wall of China. I’m hoping I can add a fourth to the list before the end of the year – Machu Picchu in Peru.
Unfortunately for me, I discovered after I arrived that April and May are the two hottest months here in Mérida, so I’ve been trying to stay under cover during the hotter hours of the day, only venturing out in the early morning or once the sun has gone down. It’s been hitting 100+ degrees every day for the last week and a half, and the coolest day before I leave will still be 90 degrees.
I have had the opportunity to check out several local yarn stores and haberdasheries, however most of them have signs prominently displayed indicating that photos are not permitted. I’ve posted a few from one of the stores that didn’t mind me snapping a few pics. The shops down here lean heavily on lightweight cotton yarns – unsurprising given the heat. There are also plenty of acrylic yarns available, but very little wool. In my experience, crochet and weaving are paramount across Mexico, but you can still find a knitter or two if you start chatting with folks.
Finished Projects
Snowflakes (ongoing)
Working on my annual batch of snowflakes! I don’t have the tools to block them here, but I’ll do them when I’m back in the US in November and get them in the mail to their new homes.
Embroidered Otomi Fish
I found a workshop with a local artist, Mayra, on traditional Mayan embroidery. It’s the embodiment of “easy to learn, difficult to master”. The stitch itself isn’t complicated, but making it smooth and even, determining where to start and stop, are things I definitely need to practice.
Current WIPs:
Jaunty Skirt
I swear I’m making progress on this, but because it’s all the black yarn first, it doesn’t look like I’m getting anywhere! I’ve added an entire other skein of yarn into this since the last update. I’m looking forward to the color change, but this is a really nice mindless project when I don’t want to think too hard about a pattern.
Otomi Sampler
I bought another pattern from Mayra and am working my way through it to keep up with practicing. It also has quite a bit of white space, so I’ll be trying my hand at drawing some flowers and animals and then embroidering them. I’m looking forward to picking lots of bright colors to use!
Up Next:
My next update will be from Colombia, where is it MUCH cooler! Drink your water, wear your sunscreen! Don’t get sunburned like I do!
❤
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WIPs? I Don’t Even Know Her.
Name: Kaitlyn
Date: March 21
Current Location: Portsmouth, NH
Howdy All!
Since I’m at home and have my entire stash of yarn available to me, as well as an entire stack of WIPs I could have worked on, I naturally reached for an existing project that was waiting for me.
…yeah, no. Not happening. I threw on a new project, as I’m wont to do when I have a pile of WIPs waiting. Ripped through a granny square lapghan – my go-to for large balls of color-changing yarn. I did very little else, and had to make some tough decisions about what was going to travel with me as I set off for a solid 8 months on the road.
While in NH, I got to meet my parents’ new dog, Butters. She was picked up as a stray and is the sweetest little old lady! She loves snuggles and hunting squirrels in the backyard.
Finished Projects
Granny Square Lapghan
Whipped this one out during my week and a half at home. It’s currently on its way to its new owner! Fingers crossed they like it.
Current WIPs:
Jaunty Skirt
I’m bringing this one with me to South America, but haven’t worked on it for a few weeks.
Mosaic Knit Ear Warmer
I could have worked on this one… but I didn’t. This one didn’t make the cut for coming with me, so it’s going on hold until November.
Wedding Blanket (mystery pattern!)
This one is still in progress, although I did discover on returning to NH that a full FIVE of the 15 skeins of blue yarn were the wrong weight. I got a refund, although they were out of stock, so I’ll have to wait to get more. I also made the decision to not bring this one with me either. It’s just too big for me to have it with me as I’m moving around so much. I think I’m going to spend a solid month at home over the holidays next winter, so I’ll try to get through as much of it as possible then.
Up Next:
My next update will be from Mexico! See you there!
❤
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Au Revoir, Montréal!
Name: Kaitlyn
Date: February 20
Current Location: Montreal, Canada
Greeting Guys, Gals, and Nonbinary Pals!
The time has tragically come for me to depart from my beloved Montreal! I want to come back in the future, so I definitely won’t be overstaying my welcome and risking my ability to re-enter the country.
I had such a wonderful time here – it’s a beautiful city at any time of year, but winter lets Montreal shine particularly brightly. It snowed nearly every week, which is perfectly conducive to snuggling up with a blanket, hot chocolate, and some knitting.
Finished Projects
Everywear Sweater
It’s done!!
…it’s enormous. Ugh! I’d intended for this to be oversized, but this is a tent! I even did a swatch!
Ah, well. I learned a lot making this sweater, and I can drop it off at a thrift store for someone else to enjoy.
Brioche Cowl
Check this out! I used some of the super soft yarn I picked up on my last trip to NH at The Lamb’s Ear (RIP), and watched a few videos on brioche knitting. After a false start or two, it was a pretty easy rhythm to get into.
Current WIPs:
Jaunty Skirt
Chugging right along. This has become quite a peaceful knit, despite it being in black yarn and a bit difficult to hand for the increase rows. I now understand what other fiber artists mean when they curse black yarn, lol!
Mosaic Ear Warmer
I had plenty of yarn left over after the cowl, so I’m working on a coordinating ear warmer! Bonus: practicing slip-stitch knitting, AKA mosaic knitting.
Wedding Blanket (mystery pattern!)
So it turns out I was sent a ball of the yarn I’m using in the wrong weight. AAARRRGGGHHH!! *shakes fist at the sky in impotent rage* I have to wait until I’m back in NH to check the other balls of yarn, see if any others are the wrong size, and switch them out for the correct yarn weight. It’s nice yarn, so I’ll probably just keep it and add it to my stash. I’ll most likely need to order more yarn anyway, as I realized after I started that I didn’t take the border into account. Mildly frustrating, but not a genuine obstacle.
Up Next:
I’m spending March in the States, and then headed south to Mexico and beyond!
See you all next time, my lovelies!
❤
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Happy New Year!
Name: Kathérine (en français !)
Date: January 10
Current Location: Montreal, Canada
Happy 2026, everyone!
I hope you all had an amazing holiday season, full of happiness and spent with loved ones!
I spent the holidays in NH and DC with family and friends, but now I’m back up in Montreal, knitting away, picking up new fiber crafts, and desperately trying to learn French!
I took an embroidery class at a local makerspace called Les Affutés, which was so fun and calming! I’ve had a “learn to embroider” kit for a while, but learning the basic stitches from a live person and having other folks to chat with while we stitched was way more fun.
Current WIPs:
Squishy Cowl
In the interest of saving space in my suitcase, I didn’t bring this one with me back to Canada. I almost immediately regretted it.
Jaunty Skirt
This is my new mindless knit, as I have 30+ repeats of an increase row every 6 rows. …It’ll be a while.
Everywear Sweater
I need to find shorter circulars to use for this, or get DPNs (*weeps quietly*) so I can finish the sleeves.
Wedding Blanket (mystery pattern!)
Chugging along on the blanket that will go to my friends upon the day of their most joyous union! …it is SO much larger than I’d anticipated it would be. o.O
Up Next:
I’ll be here in the frozen north for another month or so, then back to DC and NH for March. After that? Wait and see 😉
❤
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Crossing Borders
Name: Katie
Date: December 10
Current Location: Montreal, Canada / Laconia, NH
Hello Again!
I went on a minor cross-border adventure over the Thanksgiving holidays to visit my family in New Hampshire, a mere 4-hour drive from Montreal. Crossing into the US was the more exciting bit – I’ve never had my trunk searched trying to get into my own country. This is all very normal. Nothing to see here.
Driving through the White Mountains was beautiful! I wish I had photos, but I’m not very comfortable behind the wheel on the best of days, so I didn’t want to try taking a photo while driving.
Thanksgiving with my family was fun! I hid out at my sister-in-law’s house and didn’t tell my parents I was coming, so I got to surprise them on Thanksgiving day. They were very happy to see me 🙂
I also got to see a LYS called Lamb’s Ear Yarns, which is tragically closing Dec 31. I got some lovely yarns there that I plan to use to make a cowl and some fingerless mitts where I can practice brioche knitting and cables.
Current WIPs:
Squishy Cowl
No progress made here, because I’m frantically working on Christmas gifts for others.
Jaunty Skirt
Technically there’s been a little progress here, but it’s hard to tell with the dark yarn. I have finished the waistband and reached the top of the skirt itself, again, difficult to tell with such dark yarn.
Vortex “Shawl” (read: “blanket”)
DONE AND BLOCKED!! The recipient of this blanket doesn’t have social media, so I’m not worried about her seeing this before she gets it. My blocking clearly needs some work…
Everywear Sweater
The body is done, and I’m working my way down the sleeves!
Wedding Blanket (mystery pattern!)
I’ve started a mosaic blanket, which is going to be a wedding gift for a friend who DOES read my blog posts, so no photos of this one.
Up Next:
Heading south again for the year-end holidays to NH and DC, and then back to my beloved Montreal for a few more months!
I’m enjoying all of the snow up here in the frozen north. I hope you all are enjoying the weather in your own parts of the world! ❤
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The Great White North!
Name: Kaitlyn
Date: November 10
Current Location: Montreal, Canada
Howdy all!
Greetings from my FAVORITE city!!! I haven’t visited in a few years, but I LOVE Montreal! I’ve spent the last several years in locales that don’t get very “wintry” winters, so I was determined to get snow and cold this year. And boy howdy did Canada deliver!
My friends and family all think I’m crazy, but I’m so happy up here!
Being a more northerly locale, Montreal and Canada have their own knitting traditions. I’ve investigated a few of the yarn shops here in the city, and I’m very pleased with the quality and selection I’ve found.
Les Laines Biscottes
I was familiar with Les Laines Biscottes, as I purchased their advent calendar several years ago. It was a really good one, and I loved their sock yarn and colorways. They have several locations in Montreal, but I went to the one downtown in Mile End. It’s a cozy, beautiful space with lots of light-colored wood, yarn spilling off of every shelf, and every gadget and notion a crafter could ask for!
La Bobineuse
This is a sweet little space on Avenue Mont Royal. The proprietress is a kind woman who cheerfully answered my questions and helped me find what I was looking for.
Current WIPs:
Squishy Cowl
Still trucking along. Not currently a priority, with the holidays coming up, but little by little, I’m working my way through this one.
Christmas Shawl
It’s DONE! …almost. I don’t have the tools to block it while I’m on the road. Hopefully I’ll be able to do so while I’m at my parents’ home over Christmas and show off the beautiful eyelets. In the meantime, here’s the un-blocked, squashy version, which is still lovely in its own way!
Jaunty Skirt
This is a skirt from Ririko. I’ll admit, it’s chafing my pride to be knitting a size “2XL”, but this is a Japanese designer, so the sizes run much smaller than those from Western designers. I’m super excited for this, especially as I’ll be spending the next few months in a cold climate. Here’s hoping I’m able to finish it before spring (😭)
Vortex “Shawl” (read: “blanket”)
This is technically a shawl pattern, but I’m using sportweight cotton to make it a blanket for a friend who lives in the swampy south! It gets chilly and damp during her winter, but not truly “cold”, so she definitely doesn’t need a blanket made from wool or animal fibers. This color-changing cotton Twister yarn from Hobbii was just the thing!
Everywear Sweater
This delightful pattern from Blue Sheep Knitwear is my first attempt at the drop-shoulder construction. I have some squishy acrylic yarn I got from Joann’s (RIP 😭)
Up Next:
I’m up here in the frozen north for a while longer, but I’ll be heading “south” again for the holiday season.
Stay warm, and keep stitching my lovelies! ❤
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Back to the States
Name: Kaitlyn
Date: Sept 25
Current Location: Portsmouth, NH
Hey folks!
Between travel and a family wedding, it’s been longer than I’d expected. I tragically got incredibly sick in Portugal, so I saw very little outside of my hotel room. I’ll have to make another trip back to the country later to check out their yarn as it didn’t work out this time.
I’m now back in NH celebrating my brother’s wedding and hanging out with family for a few weeks. I’m ducking down to DC for a brief visit before I head to Montreal for a few months.
It’s always a strange feeling, coming back to my hometown. The bittersweet sensation of familiarity mixed with permanent loss is a struggle to deal with. I try to focus on meeting up with friends, who I’m always happy to see. I also try to visit my town the way a tourist might, so I can appreciate it for what it is now, rather than focusing on how it’s changed.
One of those changes? THERE’S A NEW LOCAL YARN STORE IN MY HOMETOWN!!!!!
…but it’s closed for the next few weeks and isn’t opening until after I leave…
C’est la vie.
Current WIPs:
Squishy Cowl
Trucking along on this one. It’s soft and squishy, which is the main point. It’s my go-to project for when I’m in meetings or classes and want to keep my fingers busy but don’t have the attention to spare for a more in-depth pattern.
Christmas Shawl
I’m taking another stab at the Whippoorwill Shawl from Carina Spencer. My first one came out incredibly small, as I didn’t swatch or make any attempt at matching the recommended gauge. Will I learn anything from this? Absolutely not!
I’m using red and green Alpakka yarn from Sandnes Garn, also picked up in Sweden.
Aztecana – BebaBlanket
I can FINALLY show off my Aztecana blanket, designed by the amazingly talented BebaBlanket. I had to keep this one under wraps, as it was a gift for my brother and sister-in-law for their wedding. It’s finally been delivered, so now you get to see it, too!
Up Next:
I’ll be spending the winter in Montreal, so I’m very excited for snow, yarn, and some seasonal excitement!
See you all next time! ❤
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Estonia – Land of the Haapsalu
Name: Kaitlyn
Date: August 10
Current Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia has a beautiful old town. It’s the perfect place for a stroll, wandering in and out of shops. And many of those shops had yarn!
Most of the stores asked me not to take photo or video, so please enjoy some lovely, scenic views from Tallinn and the surrounding countryside!
Eesti Käsitöö Maja
These are a local chain of Estonian handicrafts. Filled with beautiful souvenirs and gorgeous Estonian sweaters, they also have several small shelves of Estonian wool yarn. I picked up some Haapsalu lace yarn here in classic white, as well as a multi-color pack.
Domus Linum
A tiny shop tucked away along the tragically-closed Knit Market, this tiny souvenir shop has an entire wall dedicated to lace weight wool. I picked up some more lace yarn here.
Wool & Woollen
A classic little yarn store with a wide range of lace weight yarns available. I picked up a fabulous, sparkly lace yarn here that I’m excited to turn into an evening shawl.
Karnalucks OÜ
An absolute MUST for any fibercrafters or sewists visiting Tallin, Karnalucks is a veritable warehouse of sewing supplies and yarn. The entire first floor is dedicated to fabric, patterns, and sewing notions. A small landing up the stairs contains a sewing machine repair shop, and the then yarn takes up the entirety of the second floor. Aisle after aisle of yarn, boxes and bag of it piled up on every surface. I could have visited this store alone and been well-satisfied with my trip to Tallin!
Current WIPs:
Squishy Cowl
My own “design” if we’re being generous. I’m using a broad shaker rib (AKA – lazy brioche) to create a wide, squishy scarf that I will attach at the ends and make into a cowl. I’m using the beautifully soft Alpakka Silke from Sandnes Garn (it’s blue, I promise, even if the lighting in the photos doesn’t agree!). I’d originally intended to use it for a lacy scarf, but really didn’t like how that was turning out. I’m also much happier and more relaxed working on the simply 4-stitch repeat of the cowl.
Up Next:
I’m off to Lisbon, Portugal for a real vacation, although I certainly intend to duck into some of the local yarn shops while I’m there J
See you all next time! ❤
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Farewell, Stockholm!
Name: Katie
Date: July 28
Current Location: Stockholm, Sweden
I’m headed off for a new country today. It’s always exciting, but I’m also sad to say goodbye to one of my favorite cities. I would move to Stockholm in a heartbeat if it made sense, but it’s a very expensive city, and getting residency in Sweden is a beast.
Litet Nystan
Officially my favorite yarn store in Stockholm, Litet Nystan is located in Södermalm. A knit rainbow flag hangs over the door, and the floor-to-ceiling shelves are stuffed with yarn. There’s a spacious feel to the store, despite it being crammed with shelves and displays of yarn and notions. I picked up some more yarn here – my first taste of Sandnes Garn!
Fingerborg
Just a few blocks from Litet Nystan, Fingerborg is a tiny little yarn shop whose proprietress can always be found behind the counter knitting away on one project or another. A smaller selection due to size constraints, but you can find many high-quality yarns here for your next project!
Makeri 14
Located in Stockholm’s famous Gamla Stan neighborhood, Makeri 14 is a little yarn shop down one of the many winding, narrow streets. A small but beautifully curated selection of yarn awaits!
Søstrene Grene
A homegoods store that I never would have stopped into if it hadn’t been for a post from Kutovakika. The store is floor-to-ceiling wood with a very rustic, homey feel to it. They have a small selection of yarn and notions available, beautifully displayed in baskets, shelves, and cubbies.
Current WIPs:
Advent Scarf
On the last mini skein (day 8), so this will soon be put on hold and then I need to decide if I want to knit a cowl or a tank top for my next project…
Up Next:
I’m off to Tallinn, Estonia, land of the Haapsalu shawls, for a few weeks. We’ll see what kind of fiber-related shenanigans I can get up to there 🙂
See you all next time! ❤
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Greetings from Finland!
Name: Katie
Date: July 20
Current Location: Helsinki, Finland
I decided to spend a long weekend in Finland. The weather was beautiful, and I had access to AC for the first time in over a month, which was a nice change.
I also made my first ever video, which you can watch HERE. Who says elderly millennials can’t learn the hip new technology?
Helsinki is a clean, quiet city, with lots of restaurants, shops, and parks. Ice cream carts are on nearly every corner, and there are some particularly aggressive seagulls at the piers. Tragically, I lost a cone of delicious raspberry sorbet to the winged thieves!
Helsinki also had loads of yarn available, as knitting is a deeply ingrained local tradition. I stopped at a number of local yarn stores, and was delighted with the range and variety available at all price points.
Sunday Knitting Club
My first stop as it was just a few blocks from my hotel. A cool, quiet space with clean white shelves and large windows. They have little tables and booths set up where you can settle in to work on a project and chat with others. I particularly liked their rack of several dozen sample knits, each clearly labeled with the yarn and pattern used. I also appreciated the number of books available for purchase.
Snurre
Easily my favorite stop in Helsinki, Snurre has lovely, large windows and floor-to-ceiling shelves full of yarn! I visited twice and purchased yarn here – I’ll finally be trying out a Knitting for Olive yarn (Pure Silk) and will see what all the fuss is about!
FiinaNeule
Right around the corner from Snurre, this tiny little shop is overflowing with yarn! It’s quiet, cozy, and makes you want to dive face first into all of the beautiful yarn!
Villi Solmu
A handicraft store in Porvoo, just an hour from Helsinki, I was impressed with the range of yarns available in this tiny shop. There were also a large number of handknit items for sale, created in-shop by the owner herself!
Local Grocery and Department Stores
Finland is the first country I’ve visited where the grocery stores have yarn available. Gotta say, I really love it!
Current WIPs:
Advent Scarf
Nearly through all the mini skeins I brought with me, so it will soon go on hold until I can get back to the States to get the rest of the yarn.
Completed Projects
Drops Summer Halo Tee (Attempt #2!)
Finished!! I’m very pleased with how this came out, but I have come to the conclusion that any wool or alpaca projects must be designed to have a layer under them. Even this super soft alpaca yarn is very itchy to me.
Up Next:
I’m headed back to Stockholm for a bit before I head to Tallinn, Estonia for a few weeks and then Lisbon, Portugal. Catch you soon!
Do you have any suggestions for yarn- and fiber-related stops I should make in any of these cities? Let me know!
See you all next time! ❤
Have Yarn, Will Travel 