Abuelita Yarns

In Uruguay we are lucky to have 4 seasons. Winter is one of them, and it is the coldest season of the year. We recieve it with Autumn, where we can feel how temperatures decrease but it is the 21st of June when we oficially welcome winter for 3 months. This year it seems that it has caught us by surprise! We had to turn our heaters on, put an extra blanket in our bed and prepare to fight winter with our warmest scarves, hats and gloves!

That is why I know that this is the perfect time to dust our skeins and knitting needles and start some projects to treat ourselves! Although the obvious would be to knit or crochet socks, scarves or hats, you can take a step forward by making your own customized jacket, leg heaters or huge blankets. They will be cherished by the one that wears them!

People does not go out much, they prefer watching a movie or gathering to dinner than going out to dance or to outdoors events. Fog and mist are everywhere, so you can run away from them and make the most of that: gather with friends and family, make some tea or hot chocolate and strat knitting and crochting! Also, as felting demands very hot water, it is perfect to use your hands.

It goes without saying that you cannot stay only with the earth color palette; on the contrary, you have to take risks and play with striking colors!! In winter the sky is greish all the time and the night is longer than the day so let’s ligh it up! Combine, mix and match, making sure to show your true colours.

Get your inspiration from winter landscapes, such as leafless trees, the beautiful gelid drops of dew fall on the green turfs, the deep-red colours of rising sun, wet paths and streets, rain & clouds, etc. These will surely foster new ideas for projects and color combinations!

Eugenia Larriera

On June 3^rd we had the pleasure of attending ISABEL HENAO’s press conference held at Hotel Radission in Montevideo, Uruguay. Personally, it was a day to pay attention and learn, because this colombian designer under 30, who is likely to conquer fashion world, has heaps to bring to the table.

Her philosophy, as written in her website, is “the search for the intrinsic expression of each material, process, form and line, and its poetic content. The use of fashion as an art form that comes alive on the body.” This is reflected by the fact that, among other things, she is inspired by materials and their exploration, and how they fit the woman’s body. She makes women feel delicate, colorful, and I dare say, a moving art piece.

Stella and Isabel with Abuelita Yarns tops. Great colors!!

This has as a consequence that every piece she does is unique, like she is. She does everything by hand, and is helped by a group of women who work on her workshop. Manual processes such as dying, embroidery, pleating and knitting are some of her signature styles, which are her vision of how to combine art with fashion to perfection.

She uses materials like no one has used them before and knows how to make them more beautiful than anything else. But do not rush, her philosophy is not just in her colthes; she knows how to make a statement in her runway shows too. She knows how to trap you in her fantastic, colorful and delicate world, where everything has a purpose.

These women know what they want: Abuelita Yarns!

Isabel is a woman who avoids conformism and loves searching and experimenting. She is not content with mass prouction because she believes in working hard in each piece she does and finding inspiration in even the most amazing things. She works with a metodology that fits her perfectly, but she works very hard to have great results. She is againts those who say that inspiration comes only by accident, because, although she thinks this too, she belives in searching as much as you can to find it. She works with her hands, and she works with her brain, and works with her art, until she meets her own muse.

Stella, María Inés and Isabel, beautiful women with beautiful yarn

To sum up, I congratulate this inspiring woman who knows how to turn the most simple things, into master pieces.

By Eugenia Larriera

If you want to know Isabel Henao’s feminine, romantic and vanguard looks enter http://www.isabelhenao.com.co/

In the pictures you will be able to see Isabel Henao; Stella Balián, Abuelita Yarns owner; and María Inés Strasser, a very imporatnt uruguayan fashion figure and the responsible to bring Isabel to Uruguay http://institutostrasser.com/. Thank you María Inés!

“Happy Earth Day. Remember that even the smallest details count. Do something for the land now,” said the Earth Day Network.

Today is being held the 40th edition of the Earth Day. This very important day was created due to the help of U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson fight, who established this day to create and promote a common awareness of the problems that the Eart has to go throgh because of humans lack of care. This day aims to ring a bell on the importance that pollution, conservation of biodiversity and climate, to name a few problems, have on the well being of the Earth.

It is very important to highlight that the Earth Day is continued by the people and communities themselves, and it is not “controlled” by political demands nor religious, ideological or racial movements. This reflects the power that societies have among the world and show that if we gather arround good projects with honest and caring ideas we can do whatever we want!

For instance, awareness must be raised about the non renewable natural resources and their management, as well as the promotion of environmental education in schools and other institutions. Also, recognition of the value of the participation from citizens in the regular activites must be congratulated!

As for the 21^st century, this great movement for the Earth Day has also had its place in the cyberspace, where virtual communities arround the globe have made their statement! Let’s thank all those who have already expressed their support!

An ecologist said that “The Earth is our home and the home of all living things. The earth itself is alive. We are part of an evolving universe. We are members of an interdependent community of life with a magnificent diversity of life forms and cultures. We are humbled by the beauty of the Earth and we share a reverence for life and the sources of our being … ” So, as the Earth Day Network asked: let’s be an active part of the environmental network!!

Eugenia Larriera

Abuelita Design first collection

Gracefull, subtle insinuations to winter comfort; classic yet trendy garments; essentials pieces that a smart wardrobe shouldn´t miss.

This warm clothes belong to a marvelous collection designed by Mariana Fernández and crafted with Abuelita´s best merinos.

Mariana is an uruguayan architect, but her true passion is hinted on the audacious switch of necks and sleeves and the full volumes of the garments: Mariana is also a theatrical technician and has designed customes and wardrobes for many plays, as well  as film productions.

Relieve comprises the developement, design and execution of knitted garments and handwoven textiles, entirely made with the finest yarns from Uruguay.

Abuelita Yarns is very proud to present you this Collection, and we hope you like it as much as we do! DOWNLOAD THE FULL BOOK HERE

If you wish to know more about this collection,
or make an order, write to us, and we will
promptly get back to you.

Holidays are arriving to Uruguay, and all over the world, and eveyone is thinking what to give to their beloved ones. I believe that these are times when we should stop and think, not in what we want to give, but in what others what to recieve.

Leaving aside the material and physical gifts, they want to recieve our love and care. Therefore, what would be better than making something by ourselves? It is said that when we do this, the present we give adquires much more value to who we give it. In addition, we will highlight as the person who took the job to make something for them.

There was a study carried out in Uruguay and the figures show that 94% of uruguayans feel good when they make a present. Moreover, 76% of the interwied ones state that when they recieve something which was made for them they feel happy and special. If we think, this is what we want to achieve. We want that the other person feels like they are someone important to us and that they deserve something made by us. Not only it shows that we care for them, but also that we pay attention to them; something that in this rat race world becomes difficult.

To sum up, everyones loves to recieve presents, but the ones which makes us feel better and loved are the ones that were thought for us, those presents where we can see a loving person who knows us and tryed that we had something special. So, this is a good day to start making your own presents!

This is from Rachel John. She does extreme knitting!! She uses huge needles and a from 5 to 1000 strands! Like that is how she makes this beautiful rugs!
www.racheljohn.co.uk

Their mother wouldn’t let them out without their hats! LOL

This is a dress that Sharon Silverman made with our Abuelita Baby Merino Lace, you’ll see that it is wonderful! “I love the yarn! Very nice quality, lightweight, no splitting, evenly dyed throughout”… Thank you Sharon!

This was made by Sarah London Textiles (http://sarahlondon.wordpress.com/) and won the award for the wonderful colors! These shiny colors are very appealling and stiking!

This was made by Meeks Sandy Girl and wins the award for the most exotic outfit! It is very good and original! It is like someone has a flower arround their neck!