After three months in Argentina we are packing up the backpacks and heading back to Washington State. The finished items that I’ve knitted are being stuffed in the little zipper pockets of the backpack or shoved down deep. I’d like to get them back to give to family members. It was a fantastic trip!

Between our climbing trips I have plenty of time to rest and knit. There’s been a few days on this trip that I haven’t even left the apartment. Since the beginning of our 3 month trip to Argentina I’ve been working on my toddler sock pattern off and on. Now I need to take the little socks back to Washington and try them on my grandbaby. Once I have the pattern written like I want I will post it here.

After finding a yarn shop in El Bolson I thought this might be my last chance to buy some Argentine yarn. So the next day I went back and got two skeins of black mohair. These are sold in unlabeled skeins so I really don’t know the yarn content. Being that I don’t speak Spanish and the woman at the yarn shop didn’t speak English, I’m not sure what I have here. It’s very soft but I think it’s got some regular wool in it. Either way, I love it. On our way back from Piedra Parada I saw Cashmere Goats near the road. Other than that, I haven’t really seen fiber producing animals here in Patagonia.

Finally, a yarn shop!

We arrived in Esquel, Argentina a few days ago. So far this seems like a wonderful town. Still can’t find a shop that sells wool yarn. I probably need to let that dream go. I’m still working on designs (to be published later) using the yarn I have. Stash is running low. God forbid that a yarn snob like me would have to use acrylic.

Mmmm mate! I love a bitter drink. I love caffeine. No wonder I would take to mate. I’ve been busy working on my El Chalten Mittens and Fingerless Mitts pattern. Maybe I’ll keep these for myself.

Knitting is the perfect supplemental activity while trekking in Patagonia. There’s a lot of waiting for the right weather window before hiking or climbing. Knitting fills the time when you can’t hit the trails. Also, my husband and I rock climb and hike so much we need to take full days off where we don’t exercise at all. Otherwise we get worn out.

Since I’m planning on publishing my El Chalten Mittens and Mitts pattern I’m making them in every size to get it right. I’m my own test knitter for now. We didn’t bring a computer or tablet with us on this 3 month trip so I’m keeping notes on paper. It’s working okay for now. I’m making this post on my phone.

It’s 2020 and I’m in Patagonia. I’ve developed an interest in knitting pattern design so I’m working on a few in my down time. Inspired by Patagonia colors, I bought a few skeins to get me started. Once I hash out the patterns I will share them.

It turns out January first is an actual holiday here in Argentina. We got up early to catch a bus to go rock climbing but it turns out there are no busses running today. Now I’m just going to relax at our house in Bariloche and work on my knitting patterns. Tomorrow we travel to El Chalten.