Well, despite our talk of Zooey and cravings for summer last week, we’ve still got plenty of snow on the ground. I’ll keep holding out hope for springtime, though. And maybe I’ll work on something out of Moonshine. It’s a great transitional weather yarn and now is the perfect time to knit something. Flarkin’s Blackberry cardigan is terribly tempting with all those delicious cables, but Moonshine’s glowing colors also lends itself well to simpler patterns. The sweater you want to grab every day, the perfected cropped top to cover up your sleeves over a sundress, or the pillow that brightens up even these gloomy not-spring-yet days.
And I’ve been absorbed in Moonshine the past couple of weeks, so it’s no wonder that when deciding which yarn to introduce this week that I was instantly pulled to tell you about Moonshine!
The Yarn
Moonshine is a 40% Wool, 40% Alpaca, 20% Silk single-spun yarn and it is just a dream to knit with. You’ll love the depth of color and subtle variation the differing blend lends Moonshine.
Moonshine is back in 8 solid colorways…
…and a line of 10 variegated colorways – Moonshine Trios, which features three different colors in each hank.
Our sample knitters were enthusiastic with their praise of the yarn:
[Moonshine] was super soft and pretty to knit with. I would knit with it again.
The new colors are stunning.
LOVE.LOVE.LOVE.
The yarn is soft, drapey, and shiny!
Yarn was very nice to work with. So, so soft but still substantial and the color is just beautiful.
Yarn is fantastic, I like the feel of it on my fingers/needles.
It feels soft and sturdy at the same time. I really love this yarn!
The Designer
Pamela Wynne Butler is an internationally-recognized designer of handknitting and crochet patterns, known for her whimsical children’s knits and her fashion-forward designs for women of all shapes and sizes. Her work has appeared in knitting and crochet magazines, books, and websites, including Crochet Today, Knitty, Knitalong, and Knitting it Old School. Above, Pam is modeling Edie trompe l’oeil pullover, which she designed for us in Herriot.
The Collection
The Viroqua Collection epitomizes Pamela Wynne’s easy-to-wear style. Patterns range from the Minty shrug which uses just two balls of yarn to a matching pillow and blanket that features Moonshine Trios rainbow colors with delightful gems like the scooped-neck Heathers and the boat-necked Bailey with striped sleeves. The collection is named after Viroqua, Wisconsin, where Pam and her friends spent a weekend at a knitting retreat at an idyllic flower and goat farm. Each of the patterns is named after the friend it most suited.
Bailey boatneck pullover | Heathers pullover
Loren waistcoat | Minty short-sleeved cropped cardigan
Sammy scarf & Rex cowl | Smith blanket
Specs v-neck mini-sweater | Whistler pillow
To see more information about the patterns please take a peak at our look book.
Where to Get It
You can find the patterns and yarn at retailers across the US by visiting our distributor Knitting Fever and using their store locator for a store near you. Those in Canada can visit our Canadian distributor Diamond Yarn. The patterns are sold as leaflets with as many pictures as we could cram in the limited space, schematics and charts (where applicable), as well as written directions.
We have a number of our older collection of Moonshine patterns available as digital downloads in our shop.
Giveaway Details
We’re so excited about our new patterns and yarn colors, that I thought we’d put together a little kit for you. We’re giving away the yarn to make the Whistler pillow. Two hanks of Moonshine in color #25 Iced Coffee and 8 colors of Moonshine Trio. To enter, please go to Ravelry and favorite or queue at least one of the Moonshine Viroqua patterns, then come back here and leave a comment telling us which one your favorite is. If you post about this on facebook, tweet the contest link, or pin a pattern, you can comment again for an additional entry. Entries open through Tuesday the 4th with the winner announced on Wednesday the 5th here on the blog.
If you’re not into pillows, you could make a number of the cowls or a really funky scrap scarf or with just #25 Iced Coffee you could make Minty in the smallest size!
Thank You
We wouldn’t be able to produce these patterns and yarn lines without the tireless efforts of those who support us.
Our models: Rachel Policare, Emily Karasz, Alexis Di Gregorio, and yours truly
Our photography support crew: Tanya Brooks, Cris Ferguson, Amy Karasz and family, Lisa Richey
Jen Fariello for allowing us to use her studio during the polar vortex 2014
Our one-of-a-kind tech editor: Alison Green
Pattern Leaflets Graphic Designer: Jonas Estevan
Look Book Graphic Designer: Michelle Lukezic
The staff at our yarn distributor Knitting Fever Inc
Our patient and detail-oriented sample knitters: Mona Montraix, Patrice Safarik, Lisa Stockebrand, Sarah Lebel Van Vugt, Marie Godin, Alanna Fotherby, Cris Ferguson, Jennifer Cox, Marika Cowan, Julie Sprague
And a final thank you to YOU! By purchasing these patterns and yarn from your local yarn store, you’re “voting with your wallet.” We want to continue to bring you high quality luxury yarn and by purchasing our yarn you’re letting us know what you want us to make! So thank you for knitting with Juniper Moon Farm yarn! Keep up the good work!
