The secret's out -- Full Belly Farm!

[koolsheepmama]

Okay, I can't keep the secret any longer. I love this yarn too much, and I love the people who work at the farm. They are incredibly nice and I am so happy to be doing business with them. So the source of my wonderful new organic yarn is Full Belly Farm - http://fullbellyfarm.com/wool.html

I hope you all like it as much as I do :)

[pamelamama]

So we should order directly from them Karen? You won't be retailing?

[littleturtlemama]

well, I was thinking about retailing since karen was thinking she wouldn't, but there's really no way I can compete with their direct *retail* price on their site since it's just barely above their wholesale price.

eta: wanted to make it clear that I didn't get the source from karen, we both found it independently (just in case anyone thought I was trying to take it away, LOL)

[koolsheepmama]

Yup, Pamela, go straight to the source. They are so wonderful to deal with! I hope you love the yarn as much as I do :)

[Meredith]

I think it is ultra cool of you to share this information... both of you! Thank you so much! i have just e mailed them....

Thanks again!!!

[pb_and_j]

I am making a soaker for Bret out of this yarn and it is simply amazing. It has an aura. It is luminous. It is happy.

When I read Karen's review, I had a skein on order. I thought she was over-exaggerating. She wasn't. You may think I am crazy, but just wait till you try it!!!

I wish we lived closer to this farm so I could see it in person... it's about a 7 hr drive though. I wonder if I could talk dh into going??? :D

[koolsheepmama]

Ooooh, Julie -- you feel it too? I thought I was tripping or something. No matter how foul a mood I'm in, it lightens the moment I start knitting with this yarn. You're right. It has an aura!

[pmcgary]

I wonder how full their email box is going to be. I emailed them too!

[koolsheepmama]

LOL! I spoke with Dru on the phone this morning, and told her to expect an increase in sales! She was confident she had enough yarn for everyone :)

[pmcgary]

How are the prices? Do they compare favorably with other yarns??

[jmo]

oh awesome! I put the site in my Favorites, and I'll order some yarn in a bit. Thank you!

[Muggins&Doody]

Is this the same yarn as Near Sea Naturals sells? It seems like it! And I SOOOO excited that this farm is only about an hour from me! I wanna go!!

[pb_and_j]

Is this the same yarn as Near Sea Naturals sells? It seems like it! And I SOOOO excited that this farm is only about an hour from me! I wanna go!!

Yup :D Lisa, how about I come up to see you and we go to the farm together?!?!? Wouldn't that be fun??? :sheep

[Muggins&Doody]

that would be my dream come true!! :inlove: They're having this in Oct http://fullbellyfarm.com/hoesdown.html Is that too far away? I am so excited that this farm is near me!! :cheer It's funny, before I started knitting, I looked into the CSA produce drop off that they do, but I forgot about it. Now I need yarn AND produce.

[Meredith]

Where is this farm located? Just curious. I was looking on the site, and maybe I am site impaired because I couldn't find it.

[pb_and_j]

Meredith, it's in northern California (about an hour north of Sacramento I believe).

Lisa, it would be a pretty far drive, but I'm thinking about it! ;)

[blueskymama]

Thanks for sharing your source! I emailed them already and it turns out they're only 2+ hours away from me and they have a CSA drop off in my area.

[Meredith]

Meredith, it's in northern California (about an hour north of Sacramento I believe).

Lisa, it would be a pretty far drive, but I'm thinking about it! ;)

I guess too far for this NW Ohio mama to drive. Oh well...

[pb_and_j]

Well you can always fly out Meredith :D

[Meredith]

Well you can always fly out Meredith :D

Writing it off as a business expense! That's it!!! Now only to convince DH....

[abigailvr]

Lisa, I noticed their CSA delivers in my neck of the woods too! I am tempted to join the CSA just to get yarn in my box too. Is that sad, or what? :need

[mamapez]

I just got my samples in the mail today! I really like the look of the twill. It says yarn is 2-ply, is it worsted weight, or ? I'm assuming it will work up into soakers just fine - as long as I get the gauge right, correct?

I'll bet it is dyeable, although I'm not sure I will have the heart to dye such beautiful yarn...

I can't really tell from the samples, is it softer than the LB Fisherman's wool?

[pmcgary]

I got my samples today too...Beautiful yarns. I would love to try some...but wonder what the shipping is going to run....I too love the twill. It feels a bit softer to me than LBF -- and is a bit thicker too. I think it is a worsted wt...but may be on the light side too.....

[mhurst]

What is the pricing on this yarn? I looked at the site and it says to email...and well I am just lazy :shocked:

Thanks! :oops:

[ravingcutie]

I hope I get my samples today...but our mail comes late on the day :(

[mamapez]

It only takes a couple of days to get the sample. I think it is worth it to see the actual yarn (especially since it is free!). :) The yarn colors on the sample card are:
brown/white twill
brown
brown/gray twill
gray
gray/white twill
white

I really like the twills. I think I'm going to make the french market bag using the gray for the CC and the gray/white twill for the MC:
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/PATTfrenchmarket.html
What do you all think? Would this yarn work for the french market bag?

My card says:

"Full Belly Farm Yarn

Thank you for your interest in our all-natural organic yarn. Full Belly Farm is a 200-acre certified organic farm nestled in the beautiful Capay Valley, one hour northwest of Sacramento. Our sheep are an integral part of our diversified farm, eating down crop residues and turning plant materials into fertilizer. The blending of wool from our different breeds (Rambouillet, Lincoln, Suffolk, and Merino) results in a soft, high-quality yarn perfect for knitting, crocheting or weaving.

Our yarn is professionally washed and spun in New Mexico without the use of dyes or chemical processes, and comes in three all-natural colors: brown, gray, white, as well as twills. Yarn is 2-ply and the cost for a 4 oz. skein (approximately 250 yards) is $9.00 ($8.00 for a purchase of 3 skeins or more).

We would love to talk to you about your project needs or answer any further questions. To place an order or for UPS shipping information, please call (530) 796-2214."

[blueskymama]

I got my sample card the day before. I'm assuming the twill (brown/grey) will not dye well because its dark already. So, I'm thinking about getting the white. It seems a little thinner than fisherman yarn, or is it my imagination? With regard to shipping, I think you have to call them for a quote (since youprobably have to call them to order). I'm going to see if I can pick up at one of their local CSA drop off sites.

[abigailvr]

I got my sample card the day before. I'm assuming the twill (brown/grey) will not dye well because its dark already. So, I'm thinking about getting the white. It seems a little thinner than fisherman yarn, or is it my imagination? With regard to shipping, I think you have to call them for a quote (since youprobably have to call them to order). I'm going to see if I can pick up at one of their local CSA drop off sites. Did you ask them about this? They are at a farmer's market near me and I wondered if they brought yarn to the market. I'm waiting for my samples, but it sounds like I'll like it enough to try to get them to send some yarn to the farmer's market!

[blueskymama]

I'm calling them on Monday (will post back). But on their website it says they will deliver to the CSA drop sites. Their csa drop site is our local farmer's market too.

[ravingcutie]

You all are so lucky to live close! I didn't get my sample over the weekend :( especially given the weekend. Maybe today. After reading all about this yarn on Karen's site, I'm salivating to get my hands on some! :pink

[blueskymama]

I just got off the phone with Dru, and koolsheepmama is right, she is really nice. If you live close to their CSA drop site, you can order on the phone and pick up at their drop site. I'm so very excited. I'll be picking up my yarn this saturday. Thanks again for sharing the source.

[mymommyto5]

Thanks so much for sharing this link. :)

Boy, there are a lot of CA knitters on here, LOL!

[Muggins&Doody]

This is too funny. My boss's sister is one of the owners of the farm!!! :D

[koolsheepmama]

This is too funny. My boss's sister is one of the owners of the farm!!! :D

How cool is that??

They are running an awesome business, btw!

[cebesue]

Well...You all have made me want this yarn. :wowza Which are you going to use for soakers?If any have already knit something with it could you post the gauge and needle sizes?Thanks Cynthia

[abigailvr]

I keep forgetting to come here and mention that I got my samples. Now I just need to finish more projects so I can allow myself to buy yarn again! :need

[ravingcutie]

CA, I do believe!

[blueskymama]

cebesue: I'm knitting some longies. I get 4-1/2 st to an inch with size 7 needles. I'm almost done with the longies and about to order more yarn! :pink

[twouglyducks]

So, which is the thickest one? I really liked the feel and size of 3ply bartletts. Love how fast it knits. Not so much in love with the LB fishermen's wool.