gistfile1.rb

# Attributes
default["some"]["thing"] = "foop"

# Recipe
# This prints the value
Chef::Log.warn node["some"]["thing"]

template "farp" do
  source "farp.erb"
  variables(
    :farp => node["some"]["thing"]
  )
end

# Template Erb
<%= @farp %>  # This is nil/blank in the template erb output

-----------------
# this works
# Recipe
template "farp" do
  source "farp.erb"
end

# Template Erb
<%= node["some"]["thing"] %>  # This prints the value