I had not planned another giveaway for this weekend, but a really nice Phat Fiber Phan has asked me to do her a favor and I had no problem obliging. She recently discovered a new yarn and was so smitten that she sent in a skein for me to give away to one of you lucky people!
This yarn is quite unique, there is only one global distributor, and staying true to the Phat Fiber spirit, this company is owned and operated by a sole person, a "little guy" so-to-speak.
This yarn is made of Mink (yes those ferret looking creatures with luxurious coats who unfortunately are still killed for their pelts) 70% and Cashmere 30%. The minks are sheared once a year (much like some sheep, I suppose!) as opposed to killing them, which makes this yarn something to take notice of.
I feel there are a few reasons I should go ahead and feature this company/yarn even though they are not technically "Phat". Perhaps you, like me, are not one for fancy upscale accessories like gold watches and mink stoles but, perhaps you know someone who is. Sometimes it's hard to give hand knitted gifts to people like this, but imagine when you tell them that this knitted/crochet stole was made from ethically harvested Mink. Perhaps you are a person that is very adventurous when it comes to trying new fiber types and are curious about how this yarn knits up. Whatever the reason, here is your chance to explore this new yarn/company and let me know what you think.
Please visit Great Northern Yarns and let me know what you like about what Craig has to offer. You need to hurry as this is just a weekend giveaway!
118 comments:
MINK MINK MINK I THINK I WANT TO KNIT WITH MINK!!!!
We should make a song... of course I KNOW I want to knit with MINK, but THINK rhymes better!
Mink! It seems every other day I learn of a new fibre to knit with. The day before yesterday it was milk. I didn't know there was such a thing as mink yarn. I can only imagine how soft it must be.
I'm impressed by the colours.. and it all just looks so touchable and soft... hmmm.. lovely.
Humane mink? Sounds awesome!! Love the colors, too.
It all looks lovely, and knowing the mink is humanely harvested makes it all that much better! I can just imagine how soft that yarn is. I'd love to be able to give it a try some time!
I really want to touch that yarn. I like many of the colors offered. The newer spring colors like Apple and English Lavender appeal to me.
I'm going to have to say the laceweight cashmere yarn since it's only $15 for 400 yards! Nice.
I love that he is an animal lover and wanted to find a humane way for people to be able to wear mink. It would be an amazing experience to be able to knit mink :-)
Since I'm so broke right now, all of it looks lovely, LOL!
I LOVE the terracotta & purple mink yarns! Beautiful and they look SO soft.
I love the idea of ethically-harvested mink fiber, and blended with cashmere to boot! The colors available on the site are gorgeous (I especially like the Apple and the Coral).
Affordable and gorgeous!!! I love the apple color especially :) Definitely sharing this with knitting buddies!
I love the thought of purple mink wristwarmers.
I love that he has put in the time and the research in order to provide a product that he is happy to pass on to the rest of the knitting community.
Mink is so soft. I have a full length sable mink coat and a cordurary mink jacket. They are very warm. I can just imagine knitting with it. I love the Sunset Red in the 100% cashmere dk weight. The color reallys pops off the page at you. It is so a deep red.
Heathered Plum, 100% cashmere yarn, DK,. I really want to knit with this yarn. this would be a keep project. I don't like anyone well enough to give it away.
Tweet.
Wow, that is something I've never thought of. Shearing a mink. Didn't know it could be done.
The Carribean Sea color in the mink/cashmere yarn is my very favorite of all but it sure was a hard choice.
I'm no mink coat type, but I would LOVE to try this. It sounds wonderful.
this is a really nifty concept!! always more things to spin up into gorgeous yarns......and i love the fact that the skein isn't too short either, and the price isn't exorbitant.
i think this would make a lovely one-skein neckwarmer thingy, just enough to appreciate the fibers.
-oonaghfibersmyth on ravelry
This is great! I would love to try mink yarn and the fact that its sheared is just such a relief!!
Thanks for holding the contest!
Oh I'd love to try this. SOunds like it feels wonderful
Blogged about it at
elaine-knitting.blogspot.com
Sheared mink yarn - YIKES!
As the song goes - me, me, me, me, me. It sounds fab
Mink are such interesting little creatures... but I had no idea they were into knitting!
Ok, seriously... this is a great operation and the yarns look lovely. English lavender is a great idea for a color - on of my favorites and hard to find.
I'd love to try it. Sounds really soft.
Mink. To think I could own mink without killing one!
I'd love to try it. Some really pretty colors available too.
I really like the variety of colors offered and the fact that the animals live in a stress-free environment. I'd love to try it.
I just heard from a friend that you were giving away mink yarn. I yarn sounds wonderful. I'm in!
I love the idea of ethical mink, and I'm really curious to see how the yarn knits up and feels. I really like the apple colorway, but also the heathered purple, which is only the DK weight cashmere. I like the fountain lace wrap kit as well. So pretty!
It is about time someone came up with a yarn of mink! Love it.
I got a peek of this store a while back after someone on Ravelry let the word out. I am in love with the apple cashmere!!
Everything they have is gorgeous! How could one not want to knit with mink??
What a great idea - the softness of the fur without the need to kill. I love the colors available!
Oh my! What gorgeous yarns he's got! The colors are gorgeous and the price is reasonable for such generous skeins. The fact that the mink is harvested humanely is another huge plus! I'd love to try some!!!
What an interesting yarn! I browsed the whole site and I hope people also stopped by to see the pattern offerings.
The spiral rib hat and mittens both show the gorgeous halo of the yarn but still have really nice stitch definition. I'm quite impressed.
What I love most is that this is giving the mink industry an opportunity to move forward in humane direction. This is one small step, but if it could be adopted more widely in the industry, it would be good for both the farmers and the mink.
Also tweeted as @potentialandexp
Wow, I really want to squish that skein to see how it feels. I really like the Sunset Red cashmere DK and the Marigold mink/cashmere. Very pretty!
Jen
How interesting! I'd love to squish a sample!
I like the Sunset Red. Would love to make a shawl with this. And shipping is reasonable, too.
@TuttleDB
FB
jpbddb at yahoo dot com
I would very much like to snuggle with this yarn....
what amazing yarn--it must be so incredibly soft and warm! i love the deep forest green color--they have some nice colors. :)
i'm glad to see that the minks are sheared like sheep.
I think I am going to dream of that Mink Stole how soft does it have to be.
lotsofhermies on Ravelry
Oh how lovely! How glorious would that be to knit?! I love the colors that are offered.
That sunset red is gorgeous!
I'm putting the Fountain Lace Shawl Kit on my REALLY REALLY WANT list. Can you IMAGINE, a whole lacy shawl made from MINK and CASHMERE?!?!?!? (Too many caps?)
Jess
I love the idea of this yarn, it looks like it has a beautiful halo in the finished objects they have on the site! The apple colorway is especially pretty.
I like the idea of ethical mink, and I like that they have a fairly good variety of colours.
I really am glad that the minks aren't killed to get the yarn! My mind can't even begin to comprehend the softness of mink and cashmere!
Hope I win it...
I like the Apple mink yarn. Way cool!
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I think it's great that someone has come up with an ethical way to harvest this fiber. I'd love to try some! I especially love the natural, and I bet it's really soft.
Mink yarn! I'm picturing how these minks are sheared - I'm guessing it's a talent that one has to learn and practice. The colors are beautiful on the screen, and the yarn looks so soft. I love the greens and reds, but the blueberry is my favorite, I think.
I love the colors of the mink yarn actually. It looks like it would make some really great colorwork projects.
I love that Craig found a way to provide mink without harm! Wonderful inspiring business, and lovely looking fiber!
Knitmomma (at) gmail (dot) com
That's an incredible idea for yarn. Especially since it's in a sustainable fashion. In all honesty, everything in the shop sounds neat just because I'm super curious what this feels like. But, as always, I'm a sucker for deep blues - so any mink in blue looks awesome.
Lizbert
How gorgeous! Ethically harvested mink is such a fantastic discovery, how luxurious it would be to knit!
Kudos to this fellow, and thanks for offering this!!
Chana on Rav
Wow, this is a brilliant idea and so much more affordable than I would have guessed!!!!! Mink for me please, in the blueberry colorway, LOVE IT!
all of the yarns look amazing! I would love to just pet them.
thanks for this giveaway!
Wow! can I say I like it all? If i have to pick I'd say my favorite would be the mink/cashmere yarn in terra cotta or coral probably in the fountain lace shawl kit they sell. That way I could snuggle it all the time without hurting it.
wow, gorgeous, I like the apple
Mink in Sunset Red. Drool...
the lace weight cashmere would be lovely to make a shawl from. Wow Mink!! What fun to try!
Imagine a shawl made with this yarn... must be supergorgeous!
OMG I think I am in love. They are such great rich colors and generous yardage to boot!
Mink?!?!! I've never heard of mink yarn!! Sounds awesome!! ;)
Mink yarn, eh? Nice.
I LOVE the colors that the site offers.
And especially.. cashmere.
That sunset red is a gorgeous color & then, in MINK, no less - - - oooooooh!
Love the Winter White, 100% cashmere, lace, 400 yards, Thanks!!
kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com
Huh who knew? I'd love to try mink and see what it feels like! I like the cashmere-mink in the blueberry and apple colors.
thanks!
knitmit on ravelry
I love the idea of knitting with mink! The English Lavender colorway looks very pretty!!
Wow MINK? How awesome! Gorgeous stuff, just beautiful! Wanna feel it!:)
knittinwolf on Rav
I love the sunset red mink/cashmere and 100% cashmere. Knitting with mink- how intriguing!!
i love the mink! but i also love the 100% cashmere in apple.
I would like to see them shaving a mink - just imagining this small wiggly animal being held downto shave makes me laugh
Anne Hanson of Knitspot knit a beret with this in purple and it is so lovely. I'd LOVE to try this yarn!
Oh, WOW. I'd adore knitting up a a fountain lace shawl from one of their kits. Just...wow. MINK!. :-)
Can't decide...... Maybe an artistic ruana made with all of them plus a couple of art yarns made with alpaca and silk.
The colors are lovely. I love the saturated jewel tones. The photos seemed a little dark (on my screen at least) but the yarn still looked lovely and soft.
Mink? Mink! Mink? I had no idea.
The black cashmere is pretty gorgeous, too.
Wow, the Spiral Hat Kit is awesome. Yeah...mink!
the Mink Scarf with flower design is beautiful!
sadiekate2001 at yahoo.com
The jet black mink/cashmere would be the perfect fiber for a male friend's hat..he's been wanting something simple but soft.
Once I read how the Mink's fur was harvested, that go my attention, I love that the animal's life was not taken. It would be an incredible experience to able to knit with this and I would want to take it to show other knitters at my work and knit group.
O M G!!! Did you see those scarves? How cool is that!?! I can't decide if I need Coral or Marigold Minky yarn. I can not believe the price for the yardage. We need to keep this little secret to ourselves! ;)
Its great that he has come up with a way to use the lovely fiber the mink has to offer without hurting the little guys. The blueberry looks great.
The English Lavender and Marigold colorways are so gorgeous. Also, MINK!
Nice yarn, lovely colors and the prices aren't that expensive considering the fiber. I might just have to try out a skein for a cowl or something :)
I love the marigold color!
Oh the Caribbean Blue or the Coral;;;both are so pretty. But then so is the English Lavendar and the Natural. Just imagine the softness of the yarn! Thanks for showcasing this yarn.
The mink looks beautiful. All colors are nice. but I like the blue.
Great Northern Yarns has wonderful mink.
http://www.greatnorthernyarns.com/servlet/StoreFront
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Great Northern Yarns has wonderful mink.
http://www.greatnorthernyarns.com/servlet/StoreFront
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I really really like the heathered plum colourway. But all the other yarns look gorgeous as well.
Wow! I just can't imagine how soft the mink/cashmere yarn would be. I think that's the perfect "special" gift for someone. 230 yards -- you could make a cowl or hat with a single skein.
Blue for my mother, amethyst for my aunt.... hmmmmmm.
Oh my goodness! Th mink yarn sounds wonderful. And it's avaliable in Sunset Red!!! What could be better than mink and red? Knowing that it is harvested, instead of killing the minks, that's what is better.
I think the natural is just lovely.
Ooh, love the colors
apple, deep forest green, radiant purple, heathered plum, purple opulence
They seem to have good prices and the colors are awesome. I've love to rug hook with some mink yarn!
I'd never heard of mink yarn, so thanks for posting this! Liking the English Lavender colorway this morning :)
It's all beautiful but I love the Sunset Red Mink/Cashnmere.
I love the thought of little naked minks running around a farm :P plus, mixing it with cashmere--how could it get any better? thanks for the contest.
atthebreakofnoon on ravelry
I liked how original this idea is - wow! what a neat thing to do. I liked that he offered both dyed and natural. I like it so much I think I want to buy some.
O M G! I would love to knit or crochet with MINK, I know how soft it is, and the blend...mmmmmmm... and no mink blood on my "hands" they get to give another coat! I never understood why people couldn't just use the fur, instead of the Mink's life...but now someone is thinking outside of that horrible box!
Shadedfears on Ravlery
Thanks for featuring this even though it's not "phat." I love the idea, the mink yarns look luscious (especially the reds), the cashmere doesn't look too shabby either, and I want a pattern for that flower scarf!
Wow. That is so interesting that you can shear a mink. I'm very curious to try this yarn. I added it in the natural color to my wishlist.
Would be an interesting yarn to try. Always have a friend or two that deserve the very best!!
Oh, I can just imagine the soft yarn upon my neck and shoulders! Yes, I'm in!
Wow, that yarn looks gorgeous. My favourites are the Apple colourway, in both the 100% Cashmere Lace and the Mink/Cashmere yarn. Gorgeous stuff. (Plus the Cashmere Lace isn't that expensive... Now I'm tempted!)
Sheared mink? Wow! That's so amazing! I don't know if that's allergenic, so I'd err on the side of cashmere, Purple Opulence laceweight, specifically!
Wow I almost missed this post and almost missed this lovely yarn.
I love love love the Radiant Purple in mink cashmere
Jet black! gotta have it!
Wow - the radiant purple is amazing!
Mink?!? Wowza, there's luxury yarn for you right there! I gotta post this on Facebook for my other knitting friends....
Addendum: I ended up buying their Sunset Red color. They were completely out of their Jet Black....
What lovely colors. And, just like so many others, I want to try mink!
That's brilliant! Instead of killing tha poor things just brush and spin into yarn :D
I would love to knit this! I'd make a skarf for my mom, she would love to wear guilty free mink around her neck ;) My father was a mink farmer when I was a kid. Didn't go that well though, and my mom couldn't bear the thought of wearing anything that cute as those geourgious animals <3
I like the forest green mink. I would love to try it. nursetoes@gmail.com
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