Featured Yarn Company - Namaste Farms and a giveaway
January 10, 2012
Calling Namaste Farms a cool Yarn Company is accurate, but a complete understatement!
Not only do they produce one-of-a-kind yarns that I've never seen before, but the y hand create the yarns from the rare, award-winning sheep breeds they raise on the farm!
Natalie Redding is the fiber artist behind the Namaste Farms line of luxury fibers. On her farm in Temucula, CA, she has:
- Champion Wensleydale Longwools
- Gotlands and Bluefaced Leicesters
- Racka Sheep
- Old English Babydoll Southdowns
- Angora and Pygora goats
And that's only a partial list of the animals she raises at her farm!
As if running a farm with 85 to 100 animals isn't keeping her busy enough, Natalie hand spins and hand dyes all of the yarns with only a few others to help, so each hank is incredibly special and unique. (And if you are curious about the process of creating and handling fine fibers, spinning, etc., check out her YouTube videos!)
When she approached me to design something with her yarns, I just had to say yes! Plus, she developed a special color, called "Babe" just for me! "Babe" features a gorgeous blend of pinks and mango tones with hints of turquoise. And it's the perfect backdrop for the Hello Kitty Charms that are part of the yarn (see the top hank below)! I'm a sucker for Hello Kitty, so combining my love of yarn + knitting + Hello Kitty is like a dream come true!
"Babe" is also available as a color in her "Ohm Kid Mohair" yarn (see the bottom two hanks here, which I'll be giving away later in this post, BTW!)
To buy Namste Farms yarns, see the line exclusively at YarnMarket.com.
To learn more about this unique Yarn Company, visit their website at www.namastefarms.com, on YouTube (namastefarms), and on blogtalk radio at
blogtalk: Namaste Farms, where Natalie talks about farming, interviews designers, and much more!
And thank you, Natalie, for sponsoring my latest pattern, the #135 Babe Zip-Front Hello Kitty Cardigan (with matching Cowl!) This top-down design features the Charmed-Hello Kitty yarn mentioned above that is completely one-of-a-kind! See it exclusively at YarnMarket.com.
The all-over cable design wth short-sleeves is in a coordinating color of Malabrigo Worsted. The Charmed-Hello Kitty yarn worked perfectly with it as an accent on the knit-in pockets and along the bottom border.
See more photos and purchase info for the #135 Babe Zip-Front Hello Kitty Cardigan, now available in the Knitting Patterns shop!
AND lastly, I have 2 hanks of Namaste Farms Ohm Mohair yarn (sorry, NOT the one with the Hello Kitty charms!) in color "Babe" to give away!
To enter this contest:
1) Post a comment on this blog entry by 9pm PST, January 31, 2012 and tell us what you would do with a hank of this gorgeous yarn! One comment per person, please. And please also SHARE this post using the Twitter, Google+, and Facebook links below.
2) Post a comment on the Ravelry.com Forum post in the SweaterBabe.com Fans group announcing this giveaway by 9pm PST, January 31, 2012, telling us what you would do with a hank of this gorgeous yarn. One comment per person, please. Also, please "fave" this pattern on the SweaterBabe patterns page at Ravelry.com.
After the end of the month, I'll choose 2 random commenters to each be sent a hank of the Namaste Yarns Ohm yarn in "Babe" color.
Good luck to all! Sorry, but winning hanks can only be sent to U.S. and Canada addresses.
*** Winners Announcement ***
Congrats to go CoriInKansas on Ravelry, who commented on Ravelry January 24th and to Ann, who commented on the SweaterBabe.com Blog for this giveaway on January 24th.
You'll each be receiving one hank of the Ohm yarn in Babe (Each hank retails for $44.85!) Woohoo!
Beautiful pattern and the yarn looks gorgeous! Would love to get to Namaste Farm to see how they do it.
Posted by: Louise Lindsay | January 24, 2012 at 12:05 PM
This yarn is gorgeous and it would be a great birthday present for me since my birthday is a few days before the contest ends! I would make a cowl and hat either for me or as a gift for a friend..hope I am a lucky winner.
Posted by: Norma Axel | January 24, 2012 at 12:07 PM
I would love to make the cardigan or perhaps something for my baby granddaughter with this gorgeous yarn.
Posted by: Paula Davis | January 24, 2012 at 12:27 PM
My niece looks great in her sideways cable & lace cardigan. I bet she'd love this short sleeved cardi. Hmmm.
Posted by: Susan (sjanova) | January 24, 2012 at 02:04 PM
Love hot colors. This yarn is begging to be a beautiful shawl or vest.
Posted by: Paula | January 24, 2012 at 02:39 PM
I would llke to knit a shawl or wrap with this yarn. Then again, maybe a cowl or attempt my first sweater/vest...beautiful yarn..ty!
Posted by: Ann | January 24, 2012 at 02:56 PM
A gorgeous scarf would be my choice - this yarn looks spectacular!
Posted by: Mary Durbin | January 24, 2012 at 04:18 PM
I think this yarn wants to be a nice springtime cowl. Lovely!
Posted by: Emily | January 24, 2012 at 04:22 PM
very cute, love the name of the yarn
Posted by: Mandy C. | January 24, 2012 at 06:04 PM
I would make something for my first great-granddaughter due on March 20th. I have just finished the lace vest for my youngest daughter and now older sister wants one. Enjoy your site and posts very much.
Posted by: Lillian Pilkington | January 24, 2012 at 06:38 PM
this yarn is totally awesome if I won this I would make something for my best friend who isn't quite a pink girl but this yarn would definately turn her into one
Posted by: MJ Cahill | January 25, 2012 at 04:11 AM
What cute yarn! I would make something for my niece with it as she's the only girl in our family who will wear pink...or perhaps I would try something new for myself! I know I could get into wearing a little something pink! Your designs are beautiful and inspirational so there is never a shortage of ideas!
Posted by: Becky | January 25, 2012 at 08:34 AM
I would love to knit 3 "hugsfromnan" squares for my 3 grand-daughters. I have not seen my twin grand-daughters as of yet, they're still pretty new, 4 weeks, but I sure would love to knit them special hugs from me to let them know that they are loved even from afar. My other grand-daughter is 3 yrs old and she already trying to knit with me, she has her own special needles(plastic), and her red skein of yarn that she carries in her purse and when she is asked what is that in her purse he simply says" I knit like my Nan, do you want me to show you how?" I love them all so much :D
Posted by: Shellee Foster | January 25, 2012 at 02:52 PM
This yarn is beautiful. The colour is positive and will make the wearer feel great. If I won a hank of this wonderful yarn from Namaste, I would make a pair of fingerless gloves because I am head over heals for them.
Posted by: Elise Reel | January 25, 2012 at 06:58 PM
I would make two pair of fingerless gloves with the lovely skeins.
Posted by: Ellen | January 26, 2012 at 08:34 PM
I really enjoy your patterns. If I won a hank of this yarn I would use it to make a chevron headband and crochet flowers to pin my scarf and wraps.
Posted by: Sara Sparks | January 27, 2012 at 01:48 AM
I received 1 st personal loans when I was not very old and that helped my family very much. However, I require the car loan as well.
Posted by: Etta33Zimmerman | January 27, 2012 at 02:31 AM
I llove the raspberry colored lace zip up sweater. So lovely! It really picks up from today's styles.
Posted by: Maria Petric | January 27, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Well im a Hello Kitty fan already but if i won the skein i would make something for my grand niece Amy she is 12mth old and cute has a button so i need the wool to make her a gift xx
Posted by: Louise Fullman | January 29, 2012 at 10:08 AM
this is fabulous looking yarn. So luscious! I am part of a shawl ministry and I can imagine this wrapping my friends. Going to yarn market right now.
Posted by: Lori Carlson | January 30, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Thanks for the Great Patterns I love them all....
Posted by: MarySwen | January 30, 2012 at 10:16 AM
This would make a gorgeous cowl. Fingers crossed.
Posted by: BarbaraR | January 30, 2012 at 10:22 AM
Something for granddaughter- she looks awesome in pink... hat?... sweater? decisions!
Posted by: Maggie Henry | January 30, 2012 at 10:25 AM
I would love to win this yarn for my wife to use (or for me to make something for her)!
Posted by: Rusty Boyd | January 30, 2012 at 10:26 AM
I have a pattern for a cute shawlette that would look awesome in this yarn!! It happens to call for mohair, so I would love to get my needles clicking, since they've just been collecting dust lately. Thank you for the great giveaway in such a great color, too!!
Posted by: Peggy R | January 30, 2012 at 10:28 AM
this is calling to me to make a cowl
Posted by: Carol | January 30, 2012 at 10:37 AM
I would make something for my niece because I love to spoil her. :)
Posted by: Kara | January 30, 2012 at 10:37 AM
I have a pattern for a 20 stitch spiral scarf that ruffles beautifully. I would do it on a little bigger needles than what it calls for to give it a little lacy look. Love that yarn,
Posted by: Donna Anderson | January 30, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Love the pattern and the yarn. I would use this beautiful yarn for something for myself! I think that only I can appreciate how awesome the yarn is... plus it would kill me to see my daughter drool or spill something on it!
Posted by: Natascha Crandall | January 30, 2012 at 11:11 AM
I would knit an infinity scarf to keep my neck warm for Michigan winters!
Posted by: Carol | January 30, 2012 at 11:11 AM
I love the colours in this yarn and would knit a wristlet, a blouse collarette that I would wear in partner with the wristlet and possibly add some lovely beads for a unigue look. The collarette would fit underneath the collar of a blouse and a lovely eyelet pattern shows in front. With any yarn left perhaps crochet small flowers also decorate the wristlet or a lacy square to peak out of the breast pocket of a jacket.
Posted by: Marilyn | January 30, 2012 at 12:29 PM
I think this yarn is absolutely beautiful! I would love to make baby girl twisted cable hats, since lots of baby girls have been born recently within my circle of friends.
Posted by: Marti Majersky | January 30, 2012 at 02:15 PM
I would make my absolutely perfect girly girl granddaughter a cabled cowl as this color would be perfect with her complexion. Then I would probably go out and buy more in other colors to make the other eight terrific grandchildren something they would like as I think I would enjoy working with it and they are always appreciative of receiving something from my needles.
Posted by: Lorraine Patskanick | January 30, 2012 at 02:59 PM
That would make a very pretty shawlette done with simple stitches. Yep, that's what I would do with that yarn!
Posted by: Mary Brinton | January 30, 2012 at 03:12 PM
I LOVE Hello Kitty! I would use this for the trim on a cardi I am working on. gorgeous colour and I love how it was named for you!
Posted by: Mel | January 30, 2012 at 04:00 PM
I love the pretty feminine colorway. I would make a nice, warm scarf for my mom with this.
Posted by: Sandy | January 30, 2012 at 11:07 PM
The yarn is just beautiful! I think a scarf is what I would make.
Posted by: Tammy Hempel | January 31, 2012 at 03:03 AM
I love Sweater Babe's patterns. Several of her pattern's are on my wish list I give to family members so they don't have to wonder what I want for birthday's & Christmas. To win one of her patterns and Namaste yarn would be wonderful.
Posted by: Claudia Louise | January 31, 2012 at 06:36 AM
I would use this lovely yarn for a shawl or scarf for a friend. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.
Posted by: Linda Downs | January 31, 2012 at 07:24 AM
Gorgeous yarn! I just want to play with it ;)
Posted by: Loren Gaggini | January 31, 2012 at 07:43 AM
I'm not sure what I'd do, I've never knit with yarn with charms before!
Posted by: Krysstalline | January 31, 2012 at 01:05 PM
Thanks for all the giveaway submissions! Winners to be announced soon.
Posted by: Katherine | February 01, 2012 at 09:02 AM