Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Northstar Alpacas giveaway!




So the discussion about using quality materials for creating fiber art has continued here at Phat HQ. The observation about someone's use of acrylic yarn to create has led to the idea that perhaps there is a vibrational quality about natural materials that make the finished product more appealing as well. Although Marcus and I are far from creating a scientific study, we like to talk, and this is what has come up. So, if you subscribe to the thought that everything is energy, then it would make sense that clothing or other fiber art created from natural materials (living animal fiber) would have a higher energy or vibration level than mechanically produced petroleum based synthetic stuff. Right?

Maybe I need to go pour myself another cup or organic coffee (with organic soy milk!) and munch on my granola some more, but it makes sense to me :) Anyway, I do talk a lot about the 'vibe' a certain fiber has, and NorthStar Alpacas fiber is very high frequency stuff ;)
The proof is in the pudding.... 10 out of 10 customers who tried North Star Alpacas fiber felt their mood level rise by 82% during the creation process. Ok ok, I made that last statistic up, but it really isn't stretching the truth when I say this is the good stuff!

We're giving away this delicious Alpacarino 75% Alpaca and 25% merino ( the merino makes this alpaca have a bit of memory so really nice to make garments out of!) fiber (4 oz!) just visit North Star Alpacas, find something you love, and write about it in the comments section below. We'll be drawing for a winner later in the week, but don't wait to spread the word all over the interwebs!! We'll count your efforts as extra entries.

64 comments:

sherry said...

Wow...am I actually the first to reply? Way cool.

I love when she posts pics on Rav of the critters that produce the fiber.
As far as some of the combos go...think the baby alpaca/bamboo blend sounds very interesting!

One Sheep said...

I want to be Chris right now because the Alpaca Roving Reserved for Chris is absolutely lovely.

burnt rain said...

The Spring coloured braid is gorgeous. And must be alpaca-y soft... hmmm....

marianne said...

I have a thing for orange and green, so my favorite is the yarn in the Cosmos colorway. thanks for this giveaway!

GHouk said...

The handspun baby alpaca angora bunny and silk yarn looks so soft and luxurious.

Anne-Line said...

The Natural Black Alpaca Roving looks great! And soft. And yummy.

Anonymous said...

I love the Swirled Alpaca Roving. :)

notacat @ rav

lauraelih said...

I like the alpaca roving in Teal, Periwinkle and Fuschia; the yarn sample has just a lovely texture

Galia Lael said...

I can't help but love the natural alpaca fibers. Right now I'm drooling over the baby alpaca - silk - angora bunny roving!

Alpaca Granny said...

This energy theory is priceless, Jessica. That must be why I don't need drugs or therapists to appreciate my good life. Well, that and the positive energy given off by my critters. Thank you so much.

Silver said...

I definitely agree that everything is, and has, energy, quite literally — quantum physics tends to agree with that, I think. ;)

So it seems reasonable different fibers could logically have different energies, too! But I do want to point out that petroleum-based man-made fibers are actually made from plants and animals — just ones that have been dead a lot longer, have gone through some intense processes over a long period of time, and that have been processed chemically by humans on top of that. ;) And without more scientific data to base my idea of it on, I don't have an opinion about what has a "higher" energy or vibration than anything else, or whether higher inherently = better (more doesn't always = better or healthier, after all ;)). But!

That said, I've always thought it makes logical sense that fiber from happy/balanced plants and animals would have a different, probably healthier and more durable energy than fiber from non-happy/unbalanced plants and animals, which is part of why I support sustainability, organic everything, and respectful/sensible treatment for all living things.

It'd also make sense that the energy of a fiber that came recently from an animal or plant, and which has been processed mostly by creative and caring human hands, would have a more "alive" vibration than the energy that comes from fiber made from long, long dead plants and animals and then processed mostly by computer-controlled machines and chemicals.

I also tend to think that because we humans still don't utterly understand how all things are linked and affect each other, when we synthesize something, we don't really know what we're creating and how, as a whole, it works and affects us — long-term, short-term, on every possible level. Heck, we don't even precisely know how things we *didn't* make, that we've had a lot more time to study, affect us on every possible level and over time.

So basically, I agree with you in general concept if not in the exact letter of what you're saying. ;D I'm not being disagreeable, either, I promise — I'm just pointing out that there are Mack-truck-sized holes in the current body of human understanding of how energy works and affects us, and I, personally, find that a fun and exciting idea! I like the fact that there's still stuff for us to learn about and explore.

IMO, it's much more fun to think there are still adventures of knowledge to be had, than to think we humans know everything already and we're right about everything, which is what some people (not you, of course!) seem more comfortable believing. But really, who likes a know-it-all? ;)

So, er, yeah. Even by my overly detail-oriented and unproven theory, I bet North Star Alpacas fiber has some great energy. ;D And I want some! Because I've been drooling over their hand-dyed alpaca for years, now! ;)

Now that I've written a comment as long as your post, maybe I'll go have a cup of tea ... with organic half and half. ;D

Silver said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Silver said...

Sorry for the multiple times I posted my first comment, BTW — Blogger kept giving me a weird error that said something was too long, so I thought it didn't work. Phooey. ;)

But this comment also has a purpose: I tweeted about the giveaway @starncrossbones. Yay. :D

Diana, Fiber Fancy said...

Luxurious Roving - Baby Alpaca - Silk - Angora Bunny - 2 ounces sounds like an absolute dream.

Melrose said...

Oooh, I've been eyeing up the natural black alpaca roving for a few days now! Maple's fiber is spectacular.

Jessie said...

A few years ago I got totally hammered on Rav for being a fiber snob. But I still am - just, perhaps, more quietly. :)

I have been a long-time customer of Maple's, and I have always loved her pure alpaca fiber. Years ago, I didn't spin yet and I had her spin it up for me. I am partial to white!

But, I must say, the alpaca/silk/angora blend is quite appealing, too!

elendir said...

I love everything in Maple's shop!

(I'm also Facebooking about this...)

Anonymous said...

I love her Tequila Sunrise colorway for July!

Jess

Pam ~ CraftyQsPlace said...

I'm in love withb the roving she made for the may box.

Kristin said...

I really like the Swirled Alpaca Roving - Dark Fawn/Black/Light Fawn.

Kristin
AboutToDie on Twitter

K8erpillar said...

I'm all about the Alpaca/Merino blend in the Spring II colorway. And the hats... gorgeous!

Sploops said...

Love the hand dyed alpaca roving in Sky Blue, and Celeste's - Emerald.
re-tweeted as @sploops

Dagny said...

can I roll around in the pink and blue fleece? It looks like a soft cloud of happiness!!

Unknown said...

Mmmm, that swirled alpaca roving looks delicious!

On the "fiber energy" discussion ... I think it's absolutely true that natural fiber has a different metaphysical presence from acrylic or other man-made fibers. That, and simply the feel of it evokes a different reaction in our subconscious. In my case, it makes me hungry, and makes me want to rub it on my face like a cat.

Tara A said...

Everything is very pretty! If I have to pick a favorite I would have to go with the Spring II colorway, I'm just a sucker for greens.

Angie S. said...

I love alpaca and I can't get enough of these colors lately http://www.etsy.com/listing/50528932/hand-dyed-alpaca-roving-2-ounces

Magan said...

I've been all about the blues and greens lately, so I'm totally coveting the blue/green dyes alpaca and Spring II Alpaca/Merino roving.

AnneMarie said...

All of Maple's fiber is lovely, but Pollux's roving in Teal, Periwinkle, and Fuschia really speaks to me. Beautiful, Maple!

Rachael said...

Love the mulitfiber blended batt!

yarnmagic on ravelry said...

Spring II looks great to me - handdyed alpaca/merino in beautiful green leaning towards blue and yellow. I'd also quite like to try baby alpaca with silk and angora.

Jessey said...

Baby alpaca fleece...SQUEEEE!

All For Love Of Yarn! said...

I love the alpaca/merino undyed yarn, that way I can do anything with it my heart desires at the moment! Just gorgeous!! ~ Angela

Allison said...

How about those FOs? I love seeing some personal knits, even if they're not from handspun.

Like the Skinny Alpaca Scarf -- so cute!

SJS said...

I just can't get over all that naturally cute energy that alpacacs exude! My dyed favorites from the shop are the alpaca-merino blends in Nike and Osiris. As for undyed, I really like the swirled rovings in light fawn, dark fawn, and black. The resulting marled yarn looks so distinctive.

Zombie Queen said...

I really want the natural black alpaca roving!

Facebook- Angelica Rodriguez Macklin

Anonymous said...

The alpaca/bamboo blend looks really nice - I haven't seen that one anywhere else!

Angele said...

the Luxurious Roving with Baby Alpaca Silk Angora Bunny id my favorite what a snowy silky combo

Jennifer said...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50736691/hand-dyed-alpaca-roving-2-ounces. Of course I love this. Its pink / blue/ lavender!

Anonymous said...

I adore alpaca fiber - wonderful! the handspun natural colors is perfect.
Thank you for the opportunity.

Stacy R. said...

The Baby Alpaca Fleece from Masque; it looks so soft. :)

crittlet said...

I love the colors in her July Phat Fiber - Tequila Sunrise.

Shanny said...

Everything is so fluffy and delicious! I love that there are some FOs made from her yarn available for sale so I get an idea of what a final product might look like with this yarn.

PenelopeRose said...

Oooh, I'm loving the colors in the Many Mixed Fibers - Roving - 2 ounces - Samples in May PhatFiber Box!

Cheshire Bunny Crafts said...

Ooo! I love Maple an her alpaca! It is soooo soft and lovely! Just a dream to spin!
I'm jealous of Larae... baby alpaca, silk, angora roving?! Mmm.

facebook
tweet
blog

monica said...

I LOVE the blue/green roving! Actually I love all of it! Now i am going to go and order something!

Misskatydid on Ravelry said...

I'd love to try their swirled alpaca mix. I have never spun alpaca so i'm sure it would be a fun experience.

InJuneau said...

I am all about the blues and greens, so I love the Hand dyed Alpaca Roving in blue and green from Pollux's white fleece with Jacquard dyes - (Sky Blue), and Celeste's (Emerald) and the Hand dyed Alpaca/Merino Roving - 2.2 ounces - Spring II.

Kristen said...

I love this: Hand dyed Alpaca/Merino Roving - 2.2 ounces - Spring II.

Jan L said...

I really like the idea of blending some merino in with the alpaca. So, the one that really caught my eye was the Tequila Sunrise.
Oh, and look at that! It's the July Phat Fiber sample. Really need a box now!

Carlin said...

I <3 alpacas. I think my favorite today may be the hand dyed roving with Pollux's white fleece with Jacquard dyes - Sky Blue, and Celeste's - Emerald.

T. L. Howl said...

Truly partial to the natural black alpaca fiber.

It is definitely high-energy, high-quality fiber, and materials do affect your mood; I make crochet toys and have a slew of acrylic fiber I started out with. Now that I spin (and realized there is access to far more local/homemade/homeraised/small business-created resources), I am transitioning, and it just makes me that much more motivated and satisfied with the end product.

They say pets are good for your mental health--so is good fiber!

Tera said...

Hand dyed Alpaca/Merino Roving - 2.2 ounces - Patriot is so pretty...I love alpaca fiber!

redzshadow said...

The Baby Alpaca Fleece from Masque looks wonderful! I bet it is super soft!

Heidi B said...

oh my goodness it all looks so soft!!! great for stufties???

Crane Farms said...

I love the many mixed fibers batt!

Heather J said...

I love the Alpaca Merino Top called Tequila Sunrise.

SovereignCrux said...

Hi there. =)

When I saw the 100 Percent Alpaca Handspun Yarn - 184 yards in Emerald/Blue/Ivory I immediately thought of this hidden creek near the house in which I grew up. The color of the foliage, the peekaboo sky and the serenity of the small inlet.

The colors are beautiful yet not in-your-face bright..A very beautiful harmony.

unhallowedashes@comcast.net

Kim R said...

The Spring II roving is beautiful!

Judy said...

Put the word luxurious in the name of a roving, and I have to look. No surprise then that the alpaca, silk and angora roving would be my fav!

Karen(faeryl) said...

I'm completely enamoured with the blue/green dyed alpaca roving from Pollux and Celeste. The tones are beautiful and it looks so soft! :-)

Turtle said...

love that sky blue alpaca roving!

EVA SB said...

I love this
http://www.etsy.com/listing/42980388/hand-dyed-handspun-alpaca-yarn-174-yards
Hand dyed / Handspun Alpaca

Grandmatutu said...

When I "shop" for fiber, I want to be inspired, brought into the story, and transported away. I went to the Etsy store for North Star Alpacas. What a fantastic journey they have created . . . the blue skies, green grasses, brown forest floors . . . just really lovely. I own a CSA alpaca share from a Texas farm and adore alpaca, so I hope I win this contest . . . the more alpaca on my wheel the better!!

CaffeinatedFrenzy said...

I'm loving this hand dyed roving...
http://www.etsy.com/listing/50736691/hand-dyed-alpaca-roving-2-ounces
The colors are so pretty and fairy-like, and it looks so squishy soft!