Silver Sun Alpacas (and sneak peek into February's box)

Tonight, I sit curled up on my couch, listening to a subtle din of ice hitting the roof, the road, and unfortunately, the power lines. After braving the madness of the grocery store for last-minute necessities (hot cocoa, a loaf of french bread, and old movies)I actually mustered cleaning the kid's room, finishing dishes, laundry and made a creamy potato soup for dinner. I feel a bit like royalty as I sit here in my now tidy home, the silver glow of my laptop screen reflecting off of my (new yay!)glasses, and the sterling sound of ice glazing and encasing every surface outside.
Which brings me to the subject of this post- the gorgeous carded batt of "Ice Queen" Silver Sun Alpacas sent in to the January box.
This sample was so puffy, soft, and generous it was all I could do, not to keep some for myself! I know some of you are already experimenting and spinning this luxurious fiber, and I'm sure most (if not all) of you who've had a sampling of this, will surely head back to the store for more.
Speaking of their store, it is gorgeous. The array Ricky offers up is absolutely amazing and trust me, you WILL find something you need there. I ache to purchase one of the several fiber clubs she has listed! How perfect would this day have been if waiting for me in the mail box, was a bundle of puffy alpaca fiber to play with on my forthcoming snow days! Ricky is currently taking wholesale bids (I hope to distribute some of this fluffy goodness soon) for those of you wishing to purchase by the pound!
Speaking of pound, have you seen the Mega Bombshell 1lb of spinning fiber she offers?! It says it's for the "Fiber Zealous"- which is what I will be legally changing my middle name to once I can shovel out of here.
Okay, the news you really wanted to hear: Silver Sun Alpacas has sent in more gorgeous batts for February! !
I'm pausing so you can make the obligatory YES! hand gesture. No piccy's but think Their lovely "Ice Queen" Batt only- "Wine".

Squee!!!

"Life in the Phat Lane" A guest review of January's "Sitches" Box by ZombieCat

What follows is an excerpt from a phan's blog:

"So (waaayyy) back in December I caught wind of this yarn and fiber sampler box that this wonderful woman, Jessie, was going to be putting together. She'd be getting sample skeins and batts, stitch markers and balms, needles and bags, and all the wonderful things that go along with this great lifestyle. Each month indie crafters would send her their samples in the theme (I LOVE themes!) for that month.
January's theme was "Wintery Mix", and on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 8:22pm (during knitting group, what better time?!) the limited amount of boxes went on sale at Phat Fibers etsy site. Your humble blogger (that would be me), was able to procure a box (there were two available, a fiber and yarn box, and a yarn only box. I went for the latter.) and now I present to you, my spoils:


From left to Right:

BunkyBoBo's Superwash Merino Sock in Hera (10g); Melissa's Kre8tions, no info on color or fiber content but it looks handspun and ranges from yellow to red, about worsted weight (4.5g); The Fuzzy Bunny 100% Wool, light sport weight (10g/25yd); Whorled Peace, 3 mini skeins of handpainted sock yarn (total weight 2.8g); Chocolate Princess 100% Wool in Early Winter, dk weight (9g); Wildethyme handspun Wool/Mohair/Tussah Silk, bulky thick 'n thin, and a beautiful purple beaded stitch marker (8.5g); Hedgehog Fibres 65% Merino/20% Bamboo/15% Silk sock yarn in Water Edge, super, super awesome soft (4.3g)



From L to R (and top to bottom): Moonlight and Laughter 100% wool in Leaves of Grass, bulky weight (2.4g), 75% Merino/25% Nylon sock yarn in The Golden Road (1.7g), BFL roving in Deep Lake (3.6g), and an adorable orange glass stitch marker; Crazy4Dyeing Jolly Sock, 100% Superwash Merino in Glacier (13.4g); Yarn Candy by Melissa dark and light blue smooth, metal/enamal stitch markers (and a 20% off discount code which is why they're upside down); Tracy Rios handspun Mohair/Wool/Cotton yarn (11.5g); Turtle Cove Farm Turtle Feet (75% Superwash Merino/25% Nylon) sock yarn in Ice Flower (10g/46yd); SummerStar Creations stitch markers, two red glass beads and one awesome business card! ;); Handspun and Dyed Too handspun Falkland wool (10.5g); Faerie Dust & Angel Fluff 100% Baby Merino Wool, lace weight. This is the SOFTEST bit of yarn I have ever touched. I WILL be buying more of this! Ahem...(2.7g); In Stitches stitch marker and offer for a free gift with purchase, nice and lightweight.

From L to R (and top to bottom): Artemisia Ink 100% Merino Wool (handspun by Ashley Flagg) in Ocean Seaweed, bulky weight (34g/23yd); Island Sweet Fibre Arts handspun Merino/Corn fibre/Ramie/Novelty in Glitter Storm, bulky thick 'n thin (7g); Designs by Tami sent a cute "matchbook" style notepad in a pretty, retro flower pattern; The Lote Tree (this is the wonderful Jessie, mentioned above, that put together this whole thing) Peppermint Lippschitt (great name!) lip balm. I'm wearing it right now and my lips are smooth and tingly! Dragon Lady Designs sent three adorable stitch markers, the strawberry is my favorite! Infinity handspun Superwash Merino/Alpaca, bulky weight (16g); Knit Get a Grip handbalm in Home scent, as far as I can tell it's a balm to make your hands a little tacky so you can grip the yarn and needles better. That's what I get from the instructions anyway, at any rate it smell delicious! DyedByDanido (the tag for this was missing, but I found out who it was from the forums on ravelry. eta: the colorway is Katchemak and it's 100% wool. Thanks for the comment DaniDo!) sock yarn and a link to an exclusive pattern for the yarn (2.2g)! All of these lovelies are laying on the Ruddawg KIP bag that I got. It's big enough to hold a small project such as socks (or the scarf for Ray that I'm working on, more about that later). It's very well made, and while not in a fabric that I would have chosen, it will get plenty of use.
There were also coupon codes for Moonwood Farm, P2tog, and Andey Originals. Hooray for discounts!
All this wonderfulness (either I use this word a lot, or it is actually a word because the spell check isn't underlining it...hmm....) only cost $33.00! That was including shipping (which was mighty fast). I won't be buying the February box (ONLY because I went over my yarn budget this month and need to stop for a while) so if anyone wants to check it out, go to the Phat Fiber blog and email Jessie and she'll send you a notice as to when it goes on sale. However, in March you can bet your sweet, furry yarn biscuits that I'm going to be clambering for one of those boxes. So please don't get in my way, I would like us to remain friends. ;)"

Actual Size Creations Valutree

Many of you are already enjoying their generous mini sock yarn hanks from Actual Size Creations. Imagine my sheer delight when opening the box of samples! The vibrant color, the softness, the generous size- I was nearly swooning. You saw me get all flustered in the video when it was time to fondle the "Absinthe" sample. I said I will be getting some of it soon and by Dodd, I did. I bought the worsted weight "Absinthe" because, well, my sock yarn stash is getting a little out of hand. I have no plans for this yarn. I just MUST have it. Smoosh on Rav mentioned carrying around yarn samples in her pockets to "pet" them while grocery shopping and other taxing non-fiber related duties- A sort of "worry stone" if you will. The only thing I can think of is wrapping the entire hank of Actual Size Creations yarn around my neck and wearing like a necklace when I go out. You all think I'm joking- I'm not. My thoughts on how pretty the yarn is quickly turned to how can I start stocking these in the phat shop. I am so in love with everything Val does in her shop, I'm having a horrible time deciding on what to get first. So, everyone let me know which type of hand dyed deliciousness you'd like to see in the Phat shop.

Worsted? Fingering? Bulky? Roving perhaps? Post your comments below!

Contest! *Feedback on Blog*

I've changed the look of the blog to be a little more reader- friendly. I want to make this as entertaining as possible and I need your help making it better! Post below your suggestions and be entered to win a mini Phat Fiber box! There were enough samples left over to make a half box (10+ samples)
What would you like to see more of?
What things bother you about the blog?
Any new suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

This contest will be a fairly long one- drawing will be held next Friday.
Remember to leave an identifying mark!

PFI Phat Fiber International Wooliesje!

All the way from the Netherlands! The awesome Serajah sent in several mini batts and crocheted flower embellishments! I'd love for everyone to post what they make with them!

I really enjoyed how bright and colorful her wool was! Almost neon! When I opened her box and saw all the crocheted flowers, I just couldn't stop thinking about how much time Serajah must have spent making them. Thank you so much! I think they are cute.

If you want to see some other really cute items, check out Wooliesje's felted flowers in her shop! They look like they fell out of a book of fairy tales! Notice in the second picture how absolutely gigantic they are. Imagine wearing a little black (0r white) dress with a giant felted flower pinned on the front. Chic! That is one way to wear a wool creation during the summer! Her prices are so reasonable too, so feel free to enjoy some handcrafted love from Zwaag!

Serajah, please consider contributing to future boxes- we all enjoyed your wintery mix samples!

Fuzzy Bunny Winner!

Vickie!
I so wanted her to win too (power of intention people!)!! She actually made a little video saying why she wanted the pom poms!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v9b1kezjJo

email me your addy Vickie!
phatfiber@yahoo.com

Fuzzy Bunny Fibers and *Giveaway*

I have a handspun crush on Fuzzy Bunny Fibers. Many of you have gotten her adorable yarns in your sampler box in January, but there is something you didn't get, and you have a chance to win it later.. but first, Back to the Fuzzy Bunny fiber. I hereby proclaim, that it shall be pronounced: "Fuzzeh Bunneh Fibers" for the rest of my post. Somehow, between passing bar exams, taking care of two buns and operating a delightful bath and body shop, the industrious Miss Elizabeth has time to spin up delicious fiber for us to enjoy as well! Look at all the handspun spectacularness (a phrase probably copyrighted by Miss E.) in her shop! I love the way the shop looks too.. clean, crisp, and all of the colors just pop right out off screen. Graphic handspun. I really really want the "mossy" handspun she has listed! It is made of "Faux Cashmere" although, she had me at "mossy". The samples that were sent in for January's box were so deliciosly colorful it was hard to pick favorites!If you don't have a yarn crush on Elizabeth yet, here is what she posted in her shop's profile: "My favorite things: ridiculousness, banter, strong black tea, fuzzy horse noses." I could go on, about so many things, like the fact that one of her bunnehs is named Lenni, that she also stocks handknits and makes duct tape wallets- but I won't. I'll leave that up to you, because we're giving away a bag of Fuzzy Bunny pom poms! Visit The Fuzzy Bunny Fibers shop and find something you like. Post about it below here. Plurks, tweets, forum posts, youtube videos, and blog entries will get you more chances to win. Drawing to be held Friday, so post post post! Please remember to leave an identifying mark too. Good luck everybody!
Thank you so much Elizabeth, for having such a fun shop, fantasical fibers, and for taking care of the bunnehs (it's a tough job and somebody's gotta do it). Please join us for future boxes and let the fluffiness abound!

Whorled Peace

I, like many of you, feel today- no dream is too big to achieve, or obstacle too steep to overcome.I chose to feature the samples sent in by Kellie of "Whorled Peace", as that is what I hope today's events usher in. Pretty lofty goal, I know, but I'm a believer through and through. Whorled Peace is based in Lancaster Pennsylvania and can be found locally there. This is someplace I think I must visit someday soon- so many cool people I know come from Lancaster! I thought the samples Kellie sent in were adorable. She bundled 3 different samplings of sock yarn wrapped in simple, but chic brown cigar type labels. As you can tell from my photos of her samples and by visiting her shop, she offers an incredible myriad of fiber offerings. Rovings, handspun and hand painted yarns abound! There are even a sprinkling of hand-knits and patterns in there! I am eyeing her "Dandelion" colored hand painted Merino fiber.. I"m not normally attracted to yellow, but that is just yummy looking! Time to start dreaming of all of delicious handspun you could make with that! Many thanks to Whorled Peace for the adorable samples- I know you will all have such fun playing with them! I'm eagerly anticipating what Kellie will cook up for February's box!

Avalon Fiber Arts Designer Lynne Wardrop

What Will you be knitting when Obama is sworn in?I hope it is something, fun, useful, and of course beautiful! Why not go download a sock pattern from Avalon Fiber Arts designer Lynne Wardrop! Lynne generously submitted several full color patterns (complete with charts!) for the first few months of Phat Fiber boxes! The ones we included for January are a toe-up, worsted weight sock using the ever popular Lorna's Laces yarn.

I am completely sold on toe up socks! Who doesn't like the ability to try stuff on while you're knitting it?! I am really really itching to make some of these! I have never tried a sock in worsted weight before... they must go faster than sock weight- right? And warmer too! I know those of you who have received Lynne's sock pattern in their box will be squee-ing with joy, but if you did not- feel free to instantly download them from Ravelry and Patternfish.

Somebody knit me a pair, I'll love you forever if you do... promise!

Okay, if you don't knit them for me, be sure and post pics of your finished projects on the phatforum here: http://www.phatfiber.com/phatforum/ or on our group in Ravelry! We wanna see!
Please thank Lynne Wardrop for creating these lovelies for us to enjoy and for contributing a generous full-sized pattern for the box!

Infinity

Infinity sent in several very very generous sample hanks of handpainted yarn, handspun, beaded stitch markers, and some dyed and braided tops. All of the samples were so generous, soft, and pretty- it was really hard to part with them! Take a look at her shop! I am very intrigued at the camel and silk bulky handspun- it looks so lofty and warm!For all you fellow contributors to the box.. look at the very pretty woven sachets! Wouldn't those look lovely in your stash pile?Don't you love the overall wintery feel of this shop? Makes me want to go grab a cuppa tea and knit something- actually it looks so soft, it's crochet comfy!I think you will all be thrilled when you recieve your Infinity samples! If you weren't lucky enough to get a box this month, maybe we can convince Infinity to contribute to February's!