Many people have emailed me over the past two years about yarn shops in Buenos Aires (about one email a week). I thought I'd just put up this post so that people could get the information on their own without having to email me or add a comment. I love getting emails and comments from all of you, but this will be easier for everybody.
a park in buenos aires | click to enlarge
- The yarn shops are on the 900 block of Avenida Scalabrini Ortiz, 1414 Capital Federal. You will need to take a taxi to get there.
- Yanabey and Moussa seemed to be two of the better shops. Although, there are a lot of yarn shops on the same block, so you can decide which is best on your own.
- Make sure you write down the amount and kind of yarn that you are buying because there are no ball bands (I wish I had).
- The yarn is sold by weight. If you are unsure how much you need for a project, ask, the salespeople will know. You will need to know Spanish... very few people can speak English.
- Llama yarn is great for hats and scarves but too hot for sweaters.
- The yarn is inexpensive but decent quality. I bought enough yarn to make two sweaters and three scarves for only US$40.
- If you live in the the US you should have no problems with knitting needles at US airports or in Argentina. When I went to BsAs I took circular needles (I was still using straights) and didn't have any issues. However, I recently went to London and I saw them taking knitting needles at security in Gatwick. They didn't take mine for some reason... I guess I got lucky. So, check with the security organization in your country.
- Check out Plaza Dorrego street market when you are there. Lots of crafts. I found a great piece of pottery that was maybe US$30.
- This is a great site with good information about the city.
- Here is my original post from December 2004 about my trip.
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Posted by: MOON22Letitia | 15 July 2011 at 02:32 AM
great blog! i live in cordoba, argentina and its funny to read your impressions about my country. dont hesitate to contact me if you need something from here! ill keep on reading.
Posted by: paula | 12 March 2009 at 02:05 PM
Hi! I just wanted to warn you (since I live in Buenos Aires). AVOID Yanabey like it's the plague (except for their "Vegetal silk", it's lovely and gorgeous but a pain to work with because it's so slippery). I don't know what's wrong wjth their spinners/plyers but the yarns SUCK. Sorry to be so blunt but it's the truth (ooops, I just saw a last comment from 2007, lol). Anyways, I tell you from experience, I had to go about 4 times to exchange my yarns. If I have the same problem now I swear I'll throw it to the trash or give it to my cat.
If you guys are looking for good quality yarn, then go for the LHO brand. For great stores: Hilarte, Nube, Moussa, those 3 are the main biggies (they're awsome in Hilarte, they help you with everything, from colors, to textures, yarns, garments, how-to's, absolutely A+)
Posted by: Tres yarn | 25 February 2009 at 12:43 PM
Hi Drew,
I just came back from Buenos Aires, I read the comments on this page which helped me a lot and found the yarn district in Bs As....it was just amazing to see how many different yarn shops there were. I found one that I like so much is called Mi Lana (On Scalabrini Ortiz), this shop had specialty yarns, one more beautiful than the next and the best part were the prices, extremely reasonable!!
The quality of the yarns were excellent; I just couldn't stop buying; I brought back a big suitcase full or yarn; I think I spent no more than $180.00
It did helped the fact that spanish is my mother language so I was able to bargain with some of them.
Posted by: Elizabeth Novak | 04 February 2008 at 03:21 PM
I was in Argentina and Uruguay earlier this year in April. While I didn't look for yarn shops in Buenos Aires, I did seek one out in Uruguay when spending a couple lazy days in Colonia del Sacramento. I got three large amazing balls of yarn for all of $3! And the old couple who own the shop, which is hidden away on a little side street at the back of town, were so delightful, even if they spoke no english and I speak only the roughest of spanish. I really enjoyed being able to knit during the rest of my travels.
Posted by: jennbecluv | 12 July 2007 at 02:45 PM
Hi, Drew - I can't even remember how I came across your blog, but I LOVE IT! It makes me happy. Oh, now I remember, I signed up to have Google send me a list of blogs about Buenos Aires every day, and there you were! I live in BsAs, but do not knit. I tried, and failed miserably. I'm going to try cross-stitching instead. Still, I'm going to bookmark your blog. Check out mine if you want (www.thetangojungle.blogspot.com). Take care, and happy writing! Evie Abat (aka Tango Goddess)
Posted by: Evie Abat | 12 July 2007 at 07:04 AM
Someday I want to visit BA. It's been nearly 20 years since I spoke that dialect with any proficiency, but it's awfully fun to listen to. I'm guessing the knitters there have been fairly busy of late. They just got their first snowfall in the city since 1918.
Posted by: Mel | 11 July 2007 at 02:59 PM