Saturday, March 27, 2010

Mink Yarn Giveaway!




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:

Chrome64 said...

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!

fuzzy-slipper said...

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.

burnt rain said...

I'm impressed by the colours.. and it all just looks so touchable and soft... hmmm.. lovely.

Perry said...

Humane mink? Sounds awesome!! Love the colors, too.

Red said...

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!

TJJ said...

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.

Unknown said...

I'm going to have to say the laceweight cashmere yarn since it's only $15 for 400 yards! Nice.

Shelley Voight said...

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 :-)

Unknown said...

Since I'm so broke right now, all of it looks lovely, LOL!

Unknown said...

I LOVE the terracotta & purple mink yarns! Beautiful and they look SO soft.

Kate said...

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).

evel dread said...

Affordable and gorgeous!!! I love the apple color especially :) Definitely sharing this with knitting buddies!

Alyrenee said...

I love the thought of purple mink wristwarmers.

Ryn said...

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.

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

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.

Unknown said...

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.

Unknown said...

Tweet.

RoamingKnitter said...

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.

Unknown said...

I'm no mink coat type, but I would LOVE to try this. It sounds wonderful.

oonagh said...

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

R a i n said...

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!

Elaine said...

Oh I'd love to try this. SOunds like it feels wonderful

Elaine said...

Blogged about it at
elaine-knitting.blogspot.com

Sylvia said...

Sheared mink yarn - YIKES!

Unknown said...

As the song goes - me, me, me, me, me. It sounds fab

Chris said...

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.

Carla said...

I'd love to try it. Sounds really soft.

Unknown said...

Mink. To think I could own mink without killing one!

Rachel O said...

I'd love to try it. Some really pretty colors available too.

Unknown said...

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.

Unknown said...

I just heard from a friend that you were giving away mink yarn. I yarn sounds wonderful. I'm in!

beautyredefined said...

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!

Kat said...

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!!

Abby said...

Everything they have is gorgeous! How could one not want to knit with mink??

Jenn said...

What a great idea - the softness of the fur without the need to kill. I love the colors available!

Knitter Kitter said...

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!!!

TinkerTots said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Ann Ryan said...

How interesting! I'd love to squish a sample!

TuttleDB said...

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

Unknown said...

I would very much like to snuggle with this yarn....

JuliaA said...

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.

Heather J said...

I think I am going to dream of that Mink Stole how soft does it have to be.

lotsofhermies on Ravelry

PenelopeRose said...

Oh how lovely! How glorious would that be to knit?! I love the colors that are offered.

Zombie Queen said...

That sunset red is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

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.

ikkinlala said...

I like the idea of ethical mink, and I like that they have a fairly good variety of colours.

Sara said...

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...

Cheshire Bunny Crafts said...

I like the Apple mink yarn. Way cool!


tweet,
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Becca said...

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.

triedandtrue said...

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.

Leah said...

I love the colors of the mink yarn actually. It looks like it would make some really great colorwork projects.

knitmomma said...

I love that Craig found a way to provide mink without harm! Wonderful inspiring business, and lovely looking fiber!

Knitmomma (at) gmail (dot) com

Liz said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

KellieBelle said...

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!

marianne said...

all of the yarns look amazing! I would love to just pet them.

thanks for this giveaway!

Khat (from Ravelry) said...

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.

saskia said...

wow, gorgeous, I like the apple

Sticklingen said...

Mink in Sunset Red. Drool...

Turtle said...

the lace weight cashmere would be lovely to make a shawl from. Wow Mink!! What fun to try!

elendir said...

Imagine a shawl made with this yarn... must be supergorgeous!

Chantel said...

OMG I think I am in love. They are such great rich colors and generous yardage to boot!

Evelyn said...

Mink?!?!! I've never heard of mink yarn!! Sounds awesome!! ;)

Sara said...

Mink yarn, eh? Nice.
I LOVE the colors that the site offers.
And especially.. cashmere.

Deb at Merciful Hearts Farm said...

That sunset red is a gorgeous color & then, in MINK, no less - - - oooooooh!

Kim Reid said...

Love the Winter White, 100% cashmere, lace, 400 yards, Thanks!!

kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com

Aria said...

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

Raymie said...

I love the idea of knitting with mink! The English Lavender colorway looks very pretty!!

Dawn said...

Wow MINK? How awesome! Gorgeous stuff, just beautiful! Wanna feel it!:)

knittinwolf on Rav

Magan said...

I love the sunset red mink/cashmere and 100% cashmere. Knitting with mink- how intriguing!!

Anonymous said...

i love the mink! but i also love the 100% cashmere in apple.

Mary Jo Martinek said...

I would like to see them shaving a mink - just imagining this small wiggly animal being held downto shave makes me laugh

Kristen said...

Anne Hanson of Knitspot knit a beret with this in purple and it is so lovely. I'd LOVE to try this yarn!

Anonymous said...

Oh, WOW. I'd adore knitting up a a fountain lace shawl from one of their kits. Just...wow. MINK!. :-)

Kathleen said...

Can't decide...... Maybe an artistic ruana made with all of them plus a couple of art yarns made with alpaca and silk.

Unknown said...

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.

Camille said...

Mink? Mink! Mink? I had no idea.
The black cashmere is pretty gorgeous, too.

Amy said...

Wow, the Spiral Hat Kit is awesome. Yeah...mink!

sarah said...

the Mink Scarf with flower design is beautiful!

sadiekate2001 at yahoo.com

amysue said...

The jet black mink/cashmere would be the perfect fiber for a male friend's hat..he's been wanting something simple but soft.

Jean said...

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.

Stacey said...

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! ;)

ikisti said...

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.

Cat said...

The English Lavender and Marigold colorways are so gorgeous. Also, MINK!

superstahr said...

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 :)

helenlam said...

I love the marigold color!

Debbi J said...

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.

Cindy said...

The mink looks beautiful. All colors are nice. but I like the blue.

CindyAnn said...

Great Northern Yarns has wonderful mink.

http://www.greatnorthernyarns.com/servlet/StoreFront
on Twitter

CindyAnn said...

Great Northern Yarns has wonderful mink.

http://www.greatnorthernyarns.com/servlet/StoreFront

Blogger

Anett Kiefer said...

I really really like the heathered plum colourway. But all the other yarns look gorgeous as well.

Heather said...

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.

katyquilts said...

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.

StephCat said...

I think the natural is just lovely.

Cindy said...

Ooh, love the colors
apple, deep forest green, radiant purple, heathered plum, purple opulence

Unknown said...

They seem to have good prices and the colors are awesome. I've love to rug hook with some mink yarn!

alittleweirdo said...

I'd never heard of mink yarn, so thanks for posting this! Liking the English Lavender colorway this morning :)

Rachael said...

It's all beautiful but I love the Sunset Red Mink/Cashnmere.

atthebreakofnoon said...

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

Karen J. S. said...

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.

Echo M said...

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

DG said...

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!

GHouk said...

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.

Diane said...

Would be an interesting yarn to try. Always have a friend or two that deserve the very best!!

Emptyknitster said...

Oh, I can just imagine the soft yarn upon my neck and shoulders! Yes, I'm in!

Kelsey Melissa said...

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!)

SJS said...

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!

EVA SB said...

Wow I almost missed this post and almost missed this lovely yarn.
I love love love the Radiant Purple in mink cashmere

Shibaguyz said...

Jet black! gotta have it!

Lauren said...

Wow - the radiant purple is amazing!

jadecat9 said...

Mink?!? Wowza, there's luxury yarn for you right there! I gotta post this on Facebook for my other knitting friends....

jadecat9 said...

Addendum: I ended up buying their Sunset Red color. They were completely out of their Jet Black....

Anonymous said...

What lovely colors. And, just like so many others, I want to try mink!

Artesanity said...

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

penelope stitch stop said...

I like the forest green mink. I would love to try it. nursetoes@gmail.com