May 2012

May 2012
January 2012 - 1
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of your
online newsletter.
At the mill we are enjoying seeing all the spring lambs in the fields around us and feeling
very lucky to work in such a beautiful setting here in Holmfirth.
May’s issue brings you news of an exciting new yarn and brochure launch, an interview
with Rowan designer Lisa Richardson, brand new free patterns and we take a closer look
at merino wool and its benefits.
The entries have also been flooding in for our Rowan Design Competition, don’t forget to
send yours in by the closing date of May 31st!
We hope you enjoy your new issue.
The Rowan Team
CONTENTS
Rowan Designer Lisa Richardson
4
Kidsilk Creation Stripe
10
Introducing Just Baby
6
Jubilee Projects
11
The Benefits Merino
8
Introducing... Emily Platt
12
Wool For Ewe 9
Front Cover:
Pavlova by Amanda Crawford
Using Wool Cotton DK
Rowan Studio 27
Click on the
where it appears for a link to
further information
Follow us on
2 - May 2012
symbol
EXCLUSIVE
Cobbler
by Amanda Crawford
using Wool Cotton 4ply
COBBLER
For this and hundreds of
FREE patterns exclusive to
members
click the button below:
FREE PATTERN
ARCHIVE
May 2012 - 3
We chat with Rowan designer
Lisa Richardson
When did you learn to knit?
I learnt to knit and crochet when I was about five or six along
with a lot of other crafts, at this point it was the women in my
family who taught me, my mum, gran and aunts. The first item I
remember knitting, though, was a Father Christmas that I did at
school when I was about nine. I then went back to crochet and
knitting when I was about fifteen, not for clothing or accessories
but for art projects through school and college.
Who would you describe as your biggest influence?
That would have to be my mum! I don’t think I am particularly influenced by anybody
in my designing but have always been interested in Vivienne Westwood and her quite
theatrical period influenced tailoring. It was amazing to see her at the ‘Wool Modern’
launch that I attended last year.
What projects are you working on at the moment?
At Rowan we are in the process of designing for Spring/Summer 2013 so I’m immersed
in a desk of yarn at the moment. While at home I’m crocheting a jacket for myself, I’ve
left the fronts until last as I’m still not quite sure how I want them to be, a definite WIP!
What is your greatest achievement to date?
I’m really pleased with the photo shoots I art directed and styled recently, the garments
are fun pieces and I think they are shown to their full potential in the historic Victoria
Baths. There was also another great photo shoot at a disused aerodrome in Essex,
these brochures will be available from August.
What is your favourite ever Rowan design and why?
Picking one is quite tricky, the first one that pops to mind is Ash from Magazine 36.
It’s so simple yet beautiful and it’s Kidsilk Haze. I also love Carlotta from the same
publication.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not crafting?
I love being outside, whether that’s running, biking or relaxing in the garden with a
glass of wine or two.
Knitting or crochet?
Depends on my mood.
4 - May 2012
EXCLUSIVE
Dusky
by Lisa Richardson
using Savannah
DUSKY
For this and hundreds of
FREE patterns exclusive to
members
click the button below:
FREE PATTERN
ARCHIVE
May 2012 - 5
Introducing
Just Baby
This May sees the launch of a
quintessentially cute brochure of
nineteen designs for 0 – 3 year olds
by Lisa Richardson.
Designs include sweaters, dungarees,
blankets, all modelled by the children
of people who work as part of Rowan’s
team based here in Yorkshire.
The collection introduces a brand new
addition to the Rowan range in Baby
Merino Silk DK, available in twenty
dreamy shades, from traditional
pastels to sunny brights and rich teal.
Baby Merino Silk DK is a stunning
blend of 66% merino super wash
wool and 34% tussan silk, making a
beautifully soft but washable yarn,
perfect for little ones.
Click here to view the yarn
Just Baby
Barrie (girls)
6 - May 2012
Twain (girls)
Dahl
Anderson
Dickens
May 2012 - 7
The Benefits of Merino
The Merino is an influential breed of sheep, widely
acclaimed for its wool. Merinos are regarded as
having some of the finest and softest wool of any
sheep, mainly due to their fine fibres. The variety of
wool is particularly cosy, as the small size of the fibre
traps air within a garment and therefore retains heat.
Like most wools, merino contains lanolin, which has
antibacterial properties, and is also soft and light
enough to wear next to the skin. The wool also has a natural elasticity, which means
it stretches beautifully when worn, only to spring back to its natural shape. Each and
every merino fibre has a protective layer which resists dirt, meaning the yarn is also
relatively easy to clean.
As a natural fibre, merino is both renewable and biodegradable, meaning it has a
light footprint on the environment, in comparison to man-made fibres.
Rowan have several merino blend yarns within our range including Cashsoft DK &
4ply, Sweet Harmony, Wool Cotton DK & 4ply, Cocoon, Big Wool, Drift and Fine Lace.
8 - May 2012
Wool for Ewe is situated in the heart of Rosemount in Aberdeen.
Kathleen Fraser has owned the business since 2007 and now
works alongside her daughter Faye to offer a friendly service
with expert advice.
A variety of classes are also available all year round. The brilliant Freddie Patmore
will be here on the 16th and 17th of June for a master class on backwards knitting.
This is a two day class where she will teach this fascinating technique, which
allows you to knit without swapping your needles after each row. For information
on this class and others please visit our website www.woolforewe.com, sign up for
the newsletter and come and say hello on our Facebook pages.
Often we host events, and we would like to recommend our newsletter, which
contains details of what classes we offer, any upcoming events, our latest deals
and our newest yarns and publications.
Rowan yarns we stock include:
Summer Tweed, Denim, Siena 4ply, Cotton Glace, Fine Lace, Kidsilk Haze Stripe,
Kidsilk Haze, Revive, All Seasons Cotton, Handknit Cotton, Wool Cotton 4ply and
DK, Pima Cotton, Big Wool, Drift, Pure Wool Aran, Lima, Felted Tweed DK Aran
and Chunky, Kid Classic, Cocoon, Renew, and British Sheep Breeds DK and
Chunky.
Visit our online shop www.woolforewe.com or call us on 01224 643738.
For full stockist information click
May 2012 - 9
In the spotlight…Kidsilk Creation Stripe
If you’re a fan of our beautiful Kidsilk Haze yarn, you’re going to love Kidsilk Creation
Stripe! Taking the same celebrated composition of 70% super kid mohair and 30%
silk, the new variation yarn comes in six vibrant colourways, each designed by Kaffe
Fassett himself. Each 50g hank knits or crochets an entire ruffle effect scarf, perfect
for a gift or to accessorise your own look!
Click here to view a video tutorial on creating the scarf.
Rowan designer Gemma
Atkinson models the ruffle
scarf, here in Holmfirth.
RUFFLE
SCARF
10 - May 2012
JUBILEE PROJECTS
We are excited to announce that our
jubilee picnic throw and bunting
designs are now available to
download online for free! Perfect
for an outdoor celebration, the
patterns are designed with drinks
and picnics in mind.
DIAMOND
THROW
We can also reveal that these designs
will be followed by an exclusive
celebratory online collection, which
will be made available to
members.
The special design collection is the
culmination of a design competition
held for our Rowan Design Consultant
staff, who work in John Lewis stores
to offer help and advice nationwide.
Winning entries were selected by Kate
Buller and the Rowan team, so we
hope you enjoy as much as we did!
JUBILEE
BUNTING
May 2012 - 11
Introducing…Emily Platt
Rowan supported student Emily Platt with her design collection,
and she tells us about her inspiration.
“The collection is called Twisted Traditions and is inspired by traditional dress from
around the world, which has been transformed into knitwear pieces. I have taken
features from countries such as Scandinavia, Sweden, Russia, and many more, and
used them to create Fair Isle designs and shapes to create a unique collection.”
“I wanted to create a complete knitwear range as my career aim is to design hand knit
pieces that are different to what people can buy on the high street. My university final
collection was the greatest opportunity to create a collection that would stand out and
get people interested in knitting and creating their own garments.”
“I wanted to use Rowan yarns, as they have a great selection of colours and yarns
which fit perfectly with my theme. The yarns that I used were Drift, Renew and Felted
Tweed as I liked that they were all different gauges but they all have different flicks of
colour in them to make the collection look more interesting.”
Visit Emily’s facebook page www.facebook.com/lostinknit
12 - May 2012
May 2012 - 13
Create your own
Triangular Shawl
with Sarah Hazell
This workshop has been inspired
by the recent trend for beautiful,
lightweight shawls.
During the course of the workshop you
will learn about the different ways that
triangular shawls are constructed and
work some small swatches to see which
method you prefer. You will also have
the chance to practice how a lace motif/
edging can be introduced into your
design.
During the second half of the workshop
you will start to knit your shawl from the
plans you have made. We will be using
laceweight yarns – Kidsilk Haze and Fine
Lace, so experimenting with tension will
also be part of the day’s activities.
Date: Weekend Workshop: 7th/8th July
at Rowan, Holmfirth.
Cost: £80 for weekend/ Rowan Subscription
Members Price: £72
14 - May 2012
Stockists
To find your local stockist view our
store locator at www.knitrowan.com by
clicking the button below
STORE
LOCATOR
Workshops
To view a full list of workshop dates
visit www.knitrowan.com by clicking the
button below
WORKSHOPS
Jean Moss UK Knitters’ Tour
Lakes & York 13-24 May 2012 with Martin Storey, Carol Meldrum & Jean Moss
For further details visit www.jeanmoss.com
All right reserved. Reproduction in whole or any part of all material, including illustrations, in this publication is strictly
forbidden. No part may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic,
electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the copyright
owners having been given in writing.
The designs in this publication are copyrighted and must not be knitted for re-sale. Reproduction of this publication is protected by copyright and is
sold on the condition that it is used for non commercial purposes. Yarn quantities are approximate as they are based on average requirements. Colour
reproduction is as close as printing will allow.
First published in Great Britain 2012 by Coats Crafts UK LTD Green Lane Mill, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, England, HD9 2DX
E-mail: mail@knitrowan.com Web: www.knitrowan.com© Copyright Rowan 2012
May 2012 - 15
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