Since learning some basic crochet (very basic) from my (very patient) roommate, Iris in Cartagena, I have continued to crochet.  I find it’s an excellent activity for all the waiting that goes along with travel.  I crochet in the car when we drive from assignment to assignment.

I need to learn some new stitches but I am getting a lot of practice with my basic stitch.   I have switched to a very large crochet hook (15mm or an “S” hook) and cuddly soft bulky yarns (types 5 and 6).  It makes it easier to see when I make errors and it works up quickly.  Plus, the yarn is so plush and soft feeling.

I made a couple things for my friend’s new baby in Bogota.

 

So when I went to see her – I spent an afternoon in Chapinero checking out the yarn situation.  I was in a large bookstore in Chapinero when I met Ligia Morena Vega.  I was looking at some new sewing pattern magazines (since I am a sewer who crochets) and she was buying crochet magazines.

So I asked her if she knew where I could find some yarns in the neighborhood.. Not only did she know – she took me with her to meet the proprietors and learn more about the crafting classes offered.

That’s one of the things I’ve noticed in Colombia – pull out a crochet hook or start asking about crochet, and instantly you make friends.  I was on the bus to the airport in Rionegro when this happened the first time.  (It’s a long bus ride to Medellin, so I pulled out my crochet..)  Very quickly I made friends with several women  on the bus as we talked crochet.

 

Ligia crochets professionally.  She was buying magazines to use as catalogs for customers who want custom-made clothing, including formal style and elegant ankle length dresses.    Ligia’s husband runs a coffee and chocolate shop nearby on Calle 57 and Carrera 16 – so I will have to stop in and visit on my next trip to Bogotá (and get some pictures of her latest crochet creations too!)

We walked a few blocks to a short street, Calle 56 (with Carrera 13) where there are several stores selling a variety of yarns.  While there was a lot of Red Heart and Lion Brand (especially the Homespun USA – my favorite, at home), I was able to find some beautiful yarns that are made right in Bogotá.

I fell in love with some of the yarns from Lanas Arvi.

One of the yarns is a beautiful tan and turquoise mix..

It’s destined to be a scarf.. This time I might even keep it.  So far, I have gifted away everything I’ve made with the exception of a camera lens bag..

Several of the shops offer crochet and knitting classes.  Todos Lanas and Almacen Mutifibras even print the class schedules on the back of their receipts.

The prices are about the same as Wal-mart (since JoAnn’s and some of the craft stores mark up the yarns quite a bit.)  I also bought two small skeins of a lovely dark purple to make a gift for a friend – and two small skeins of a variegated yarn with the bright yellow, blue and red of the Colombian flag..   All of the other yellow/ blue / red yarns were sold out just about everywhere we looked.  Several owners told us that between Colombian Independence Day (today) and the World Cup – they haven’t been able to keep any of the patriotic colors in stock for the last month.

Embajada de la Coca

During my visit to Bogotá – we sampled some delicious Andean style cuisine at the Embajada de la Coca.  (To read my article on the experience, click here.)

Meet the artist: Isabella Klein

The next day, I spent the afternoon visiting the Klein family.  If the name sounds familiar – it’s because one the sons, Albert Klein, PharmD is a close friend and my co-writer on several of the Hidden Gem titles.  (The Kleins are a talented family; the younger son, Alex plays piano with the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra and the daughter, A. J. is an occasional model.)

(For more about the Bogotá Philharmonic – read this post by a blogger from the University of Texas at Austin.)

His mother, Isabella works as a professional translator as well as teaching English.  But that’s just her job – art is her life.  She works in multiple platforms – mixed media, paintings, photography and artisan crafts.

On today’s visit – we talked about some of her craft work as well as the large craft fairs here in Colombia.  We discussed my ideas for ‘artisan craft style tours‘ where visitors could learn more about the crafting process and Indigenous cultures of Colombia.

She showed me some of her more recent projects – making decorative wooden boxes.  Instead of using the traditional Colombian patterns, she designs her own.

Her mixed media paints are arresting to look at.  Unfortunately, I was too busy admiring them to take any pictures..

But I do have a couple more pictures of the boxes.

I think the next box is just fantastic.. It’s a design that just catches the eye.  I like the combination of blues.

For a portfolio of some of Isabella Klein’s work – click here.

After too few days – it was time to say goodbye to my Bogota friends (new and old) and head back to Medellin to prepare for Colombia Moda..

Of course – it wasn’t all bad – these lovely ladies were at the airport in Rionegro to greet me..  The Aguardiente Girls!!