Phat Fiber and Graduation Shawl WIP

First of all I have to rave about how awesome the March Phat Fiber box is. I just got it today in the mail and I must say the contributors are really stepping up their game and contributing really stunning and high quality work. I for see a whole of money leaving my bank account in the near future. So pictures!

Just opening the box is always a treat. You get this great microcosm of fibery goodness.

Yarn samples:

 

From left to right:

Knit It Up Yarns contributed 30 yards of her Extravagance sock yarn which is a Superwash Merino/Silk/Nylon/Silver in colorway Cordelia. So luscious. I will probably be buying a hank of this in the future. It’s so soft and that little tiny bit of sparkle is just gorgeous.

(top) Wildhare Fiber Studio sent in some really great handspun, I have to say this is probably my favorite thing from the box this month. I’ve been oogling her samples from other peoples boxes. This color way is ‘Druid’ in domestic wool.

(bottom) Aurora Fiber Arts another Alaskan fiber artist! She sent in her Fireweed Worsted in the color way Eire which is a very soft and squishy merino. I just bought some roving from this shop and I’m looking forward to getting more of her goodies in the future.

Jags Funky Fibers contributed some really gorgeous tweedy yarn, that I assume is handspun but there isn’t a name/content tag with it. It’s really nice and soft though and I love the tweed look.

Abstract Fiber sent in some of her hand dyed Mighty Sock in colorway Sangria. It’s a merino/tencel blend and is shiny and soft. I have a feeling this sample is going to turn into a Bun Bun. This is a very generous sample!

Last but definitely not least is the freaking gorgeous sample from Oriri Draco Design, it’s 100% Bamboo (LOVE!) in color way Prosperity. I’m guessing it’s sock/fingering weight because the recommended needle size is US 2-4. This yarn would be perfect for a light summer scarf, tank top or even a pretty knitted skirt. Very silky.

Fiber:

(from left to right again)

Spincerely Yours sent in a great bit of merino/tencel roving in color way Caireen. I love her packaging! It was the first thing that really jumped out at me from the box. The amount of roving is very generous as well.

(top) Feathers and Fleece Farm sent in a sample of her raw natural colored Border Leicester/Corriedale blend. It’s a very rich and natural brown. I look forward to playing with this, I just dug out some hand carders and haven’t tried carding yet.

(bottom) East Kentucky Fibers sent in several little samples together, which I think is fantastic! There are five different color ways and then a small bit of undyed merino top.

 

Altered Visions sent in 1/2 oz of BL locks (Border Leicester?) in a vibrant lime green, sunset orange and purple/blue. I don’t know what to do with locks so I’ll have to ask my fellow Phat Fiber folk to figure out what to do with this sample.

We Love Thor (so do I! Go Norse mythology! I’m a big fan of Freya mostly.) sent in a little sample of her merino in color way Lia Fail. Very soft and bouncy.

Lastly a very generous batt from Hampton Artistic Yarns (H.A.Y) in color way “Birthday Party” which is a blended batt consisting of alpaca, mulberry silk top, angora, NZ wool, domestic wool, bamboo and fire star. That is a party!

Other goodies:

Another great sock pattern from Lynne Wardrop of Avalon Fiber Arts (you can also find her patterns on Patternfish), this pattern is called Lacy Waves. This is the third pattern of hers that I’ve received and I’ve loved each of them. Very pretty, and very easy to follow patterns. I love the glossy paper and large chart on the back so you can easily reference it while knitting. I like that the patterns I’ve gotten from her have been sport to worsted weight sock patterns. They are hard to come buy and I like knitting up quick comfy house socks in pretty patterns.

Baa Hurrah sent in sets of knitting needles. Gorgeous knitting needles! The ones I got are a US 11 with really pretty turquoise tops with purple polka dots. These needs have a really nice sharp point on them as well and are butter smooth.

One of the coolest things I’ve gotten out of the three months I’ve been getting the box is this great shawl pin ( I was looking for one just last week!) from Dawning Dreams. A very simple and delicate silver shawl pin. It will go perfect on the shawl I’m knitting.

Ruddawg sent in more of her great KIP bags. I am the proud owner of three of these now. Two I’ve got from the Phat Fiber box and one full sized one that I bought from her last week. The small ones are great for sock/toy projects and the larger one I have is big enough for parts of a sweater to fit in and it has pockets inside to put notions, needles, stitch markers etc.

BISCOTTI! It took all the willpower I possess to take a picture of this before I horked it down. Jessica from Matilda Chiapparelli’s Italian Cookies sent in this pistachio biscotti.

There was also a magnet from Banana Migraine and a stitch markersfrom Sparkle Shan and Ballees a bunch of great discount cards for several shops.

This was seriously the best box I’ve received to date. Each month gets better and better as we all figure out exactly how to perfect our samples to accurately present ourselves to the rest of the world.

Now, I’ve been making a little headway on my Graduation Shawl as well and finally snapped a picture of it in progress this afternoon.

It’s the Zetor Shawl done in my handpainted lace. I’m really liking it so far. I just finished the first repeat of the second chart and so far no major issues. I did put in a life line though just to be on the safe side. This is the first time I’ve used a life line but I’m hoping I won’t need it since it’s there, but if I didn’t put one in I’d definitely need it and be screwed.

I also cast on for some socks using a really bright color way of Noro Kureyon. I haven’t decided if I’m going to do just straight stockinette or the Toe Up Jaywalkers. I’m still working on the toes so I have a few inches to go to think about it.

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