March 2012

March 2012
January 2012 - 1
Hello from Yorkshire,
Welcome to the March edition of your
online newsletter. Here
at Green Lane Mill it feels like spring has sprung, and we are really pleased and
excited with the positive reaction our new Knitting & Crochet Magazine 51 has
received.
So, now March has arrived, we start to turn our attention to the exciting events and
plans we have coming up throughout spring here at Rowan - don’t miss news of our
brand new Design Competition on page 8.
Sarah Hatton tells us about her visit to Vogue Knitting Live earlier this year on
page 6, and we also catch up with Rowan designer Julia Frank, and meet a
member with an incredible talent for putting her own unique take
on Rowan designs.
We hope you enjoy your new issue – and we look forward to receiving lots of
inspirational competition entries!
The Rowan Team
CONTENTS
Julia Frank Interview 4
Arena Travel
11
Vogue Knitting Live by Sarah Hatton 6
Rowan Member Feature
12
Spring Summer Trend Report
9
Josh Bennett USA Tour
14
In the Spotlight… Creative Linen 10
Front Cover:
Vence by Lisa Richardson
Using Kidsilk Haze & Panama
Knitting & Crochet Magazine 51
Follow us on
2 - March 2012
EXCLUSIVE
Josie
by Julia Frank
using Rowan Fine Tweed
For this and hundreds of
FREE patterns exclusive to
members
click the button below:
FREE PATTERN
ARCHIVE
February 2012 - 3
Julia Frank
We chatted with Rowan designer Julia Frank,
who recently launched Rowan Studio 26, and
also has designs in Rowan Knitting & Crochet
Magazine 51.
Where did you first find the inspiration to start knitting?
I first started knitting when I was a small child living in New York with my Hungarian
grandmothers; handicraft was a way of life to them. They used to make all their clothes
and inspired me to learn how to knit – this was apparently a good way to keep me
occupied!
What would you describe as your biggest achievement to date?
I would describe my recent Rowan Studio collection as my biggest achievement to
date – I was overjoyed to have been given the opportunity to work in that way. I was
actually quite emotional when I got the call, I feel that Marie Wallin at Rowan had
a great ability to immediately recognise that my designs would work for the Studio
concept.
What is inspiring you at the moment?
I am currently studying machine knitting in Brighton, and am particularly inspired by
texture and the structure of knitting. Today, I feel drawn to looking at updating classic
looks and pieces with modern twists, tomorrow – it may be different, I am feeling a
little inspired by everything at the moment – the possibilities really are endless.
What did you enjoy the most about designing Rowan Studio 26?
My greatest inspiration for the Studio collection was variegation and variegated yarns.
I wanted to experiment with mixing thicker and thinner yarns, and the effect this gives.
I also love to work with unique stitches, in fact one of the designs from the collection
uses a stitch I invented, I love the idea of using something never seen before.
Do you have any trend hints for the summer for us?
Big trends which we will be seeing this spring are webbing, exaggerated pointelle
and meshing – people are beginning to be a little less afraid to experiment.
4 - March 2012
Alongside knitting, which other crafts
do you enjoy?
I am pretty much obsessed with knitting,
so I don’t have all that much time for
other crafts! However, I love felting,
beading, crochet, and jewellery making.
I would love to start bringing some of
these elements into my handknitting,
everything always relates back to
knitting for me.
What is your favourite Rowan yarn
and why?
It’s not easy to choose! I would have
to say Kidsilk Haze. It is so versatile;
you can combine it with other yarns or
equally use it alone. The colour palette
is amazing, and the silk content gives
it a lovely drape. Also, it doesn’t shed –
so you can be confident it will keep to
itself, and not end up all over your black
turtleneck sweater!
Amelia using Pima Cotton DK Knitting & Crochet Magzine 51
See Julia’s Studio 26 collection by
clicking here!
Rowan
Studio 26
Or visit her website at www.julikaworks.com
Molly using Colourspun Rowan Studio 26
February 2012 - 5
Popular Rowan designer Sarah Hatton is one of the UKs most
loved handknit designers and authors. Her books include
‘Sarah Hatton, 10 Simple, Cosy Projects’ and ‘Sarah Hatton
Vintage Knits’ as well as collections under the Rowan brand.
S
ometimes being a freelance designer can feel like a lonely existence so imagine
how excited I was when I was asked to spend my birthday in New York at the
Vogue Knitting Live event!
So I was whisked away from my little office to the Hilton hotel in New York which
was filled with knitters. If only I had a picture to show you of the smart bar in the
hotel lobby filled with guests at a very glamorous wedding and hundreds of knitters!
I attended last year, but this year it did feel a like a Brit invasion as I was joined by
Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably, Martin Storey, Erika Knight and Debbie Bliss. Brandon
seems as enthused by the event as me, ‘How exciting to be having a pre launch of
our new knitting book ‘Knitting with the Color Guys’ in the middle of New York at the
VKL, plus rub shoulders with the likes of teachers and designers from all over the
globe. With two floors of market place shopping and two floors of continuous classes.
Knitting is usually something we do for some quiet time. There was such a buzz with
all sharing passion for yarn, colour and knitting - just a shame it was only for 3 days!’
6 - March 2012
The event is different from most other
events I have attended as it has so many
classes. I think there were well over
100 classes as well as demonstrations
and lectures. The classes covered just
about every subject you could imagine
and possibly several more! From socks,
shaping and seams to the enigmatic ten
things your mother never told you (about
knitting).
A
s well as being thoroughly immersed
in knitting in the day, there were events
in the evening. On the Saturday evening
there was a gala dinner with a presentation
from the wonderful Alice Starmore which
was thoroughly inspiring. So imagine my
joy when I got to meet her and, in fact in
a surreal twist to the following evening,
squashed into a stretch limo with some
of my heroes - Alice Starmore, Cirilia
Rose, Josh Bennett, Trisha Malcolm and
Carol Sucolski along with 9 other people!
As wonderful as it is to meet up with so many
other designers, I am just as inspired if not
more so by the wonderfully enthusiastic
participants and, even struggling with
the jet lag, my students were also so
lovely I couldn’t help to feel energised.
Trisha Malcolm, Editor in Chief of Vogue
Knitting, says “We were thrilled with the
turnout and energy at this year’s show. We
know that knitters love getting together
at yarn stores to learn new techniques,
compare projects, and hear from top
designers, we’ve simply taken that to
the next level by creating the largest live
gathering of knitters in New York”. And
here’s to more similarly minded events
worldwide I say!
February 2012 - 7
This March Rowan will be
launching a hugely exciting
design competition, inspired
by the Olympics in London
this year.
The brief is simple - produce an
accessory design inspired by one of
the nations taking part in this year’s
Olympic Games. Photographs of all
finished entries should be emailed to
mail@knitrowan.com with the subject
Design Competition before the closing
date of May 31st 2012.
A shortlist of three finalists will then be
drawn up by Kate and the team, with
the prize to the competition being
yarn up to the value of £150 to knit a
garment of your choice from the new
Spring Summer 2012 collections. The
winning pattern will also be published
as a Rowan design on KnitRowan.com –
so this really is your chance to become
a Rowan designer!
There will also be a free Rowan
Subscription membership for the winner
and a friend – so you can enjoy the
luxury of having your Rowan Knitting
& Crochet Magazine delivered direct
to your door, along with a beautiful free
gift! Click here for full details on Rowan
Subscription.
Please note all entries should be original
designs and should be knitted using
Rowan yarns.
We look forward to receiving your entry
– good luck!
8 - March 2012
Spring/Summer 12
Trend Report
This spring we are seeing fine lacy
crochet garments stride streets ahead
yet again as the hottest trend on the
catwalk, with the move which surfaced
last spring showing no sign of fading
in 2012. Designers such as Diane Von
Furstenberg and Derek Lam have again
been inspired by the beautiful effects
of the technique, which again was
prominent at London Fashion Week.
The Rowan Design team have also
interpreted this trend with a new
dedicated crochet brochure for Spring
Summer 12, Holiday Crochet.
Belle using Cotton Glace Holiday Crochet
Or, if you aren’t yet confident at the
technique, visit our YouTube Channel for
free crochet tutorial videos.
Riva Shawl using Cotton Glace Holiday Crochet
February 2012 - 9
In the spotlight…Creative Linen
This February saw the launch of a beautifully irresistible new linen and cotton blend
yarn – Creative Linen. The best qualities from both fibres combine to result in a
stunning dry handle yarn, perfect for summery shrugs, cardigans and feminine
tunics. The composition of 50% cotton and 50% linen creates a light, cool and
airy knitted fabric, with outstanding stitch definition. Creative Linen is available in
twenty beautiful shades, ranging from the perfectly neutral Natural 621 and ice
cool Foggy 624, to the red hot Carmin 633 and garden fresh Leaf 632.
Creative Linen designs can be found in Seascapes and Holiday Crochet – click
here to view full details.
10 - March 2012
Cloud
620
Natural
621
Straw
622
Ochre
628
Salmon
627
Carmin
633
Dusk
623
Raspberry
631
Coleus
637
Eggplant
638
Lilac
626
Squawl
634
Foggy
624
Denim
630
Stormy
635
Darkness
636
Teal
625
Carbonised
639
Leaf
632
Apple
629
Last year, Rowan teamed up with Arena
travel to offer an exciting knitting and
quilting tour programme, especially
tailored for the crafting enthusiast.
Having brought expert knitters Debbie
Abrahams and Jane Crowfoot on board,
Arena are in a perfect position to offer a
unique holiday experience for the knitter,
adding to their existing fabulous quilting
holiday programme with expert Karin
Hellaby.
On offer for 2012 are the most breathtaking
of destinations such as Switzerland,
Oregan, Tokyo and Prague.
Visit www.arenatravel.com for
details and to book your place.
Tribe
by Marie Wallin
using Purelife Revive
more
February 2012 - 11
Rowan Member Feature
W
e wanted to catch up with
Rowan fan Tatjana Kurevic
to talk about what inspires her,
when we saw her beautiful
adaptation of the Lidiya pattern
from Magazine 48 on Facebook.
“Perhaps my profession is far
away from knitting and creative
handwork, but it is my way to relax
and express myself. It is a way
to let all negative thoughts out of
my mind and to make something
nice, and unique. It isn’t important
who is going to wear my project,
or whether I am going to give it as a present, I feel good when I do it.
My grandmother showed me how to knit and crochet when I was young
and my first project was a colourful coat when I was 15. Ever since, I have
knitted and crocheted. The east part of Croatia, named Slavonija, is wellknown as a region with beautiful handwork (knitting, crochet, needlework…).
The first time I heard about Rowan was in Zagreb, where I visited my friend Sanja
Marcetic. She collects Rowan magazines and books and adores to knit. However,
I fell in love with Rowan’s projects, photos, yarns and got a few Rowan magazines
from my friends who live in London.
W
hen I find something interesting, I download free patterns from Rowan’s site
and visit Rowan’s facebook page. Rowan 48 is my favourite, I adore all the
designs from it, most of all Lidiya, Anastasya and Valentina. Rowan patterns are
beautiful, colourful and not so easy to make, a real challenge for me. My sweater
is a little bit different because this is my way to do things, get an idea and do it on
my own. This one is finished but I am knitting another one right now, inspired by
Rowan’s Anastasya. I would like to make something from Rowan 44, I adore all
projects from it – Boticelli, Titian, all of them, but I do not have that magazine yet.”
Don’t forget to upload your inspirational knitting images to our Facebook page –
Rowan Brand Manager Kate Buller was so impressed by Tatjana’s work she sent
her a £50 yarn hamper!
12 - March 2012
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great benefits:
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An exclusive member’s homepage including exclusive monthly free patterns and articles
Handknitting and crochet tutorials
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NEW TO ROWAN SUBSCRIPTION
– call us on 0333 200 6466 to purchase back issues of the Rowan Knitting &
Crochet Magazine – also coming soon online!
Visit: www.knitrowan.com/rowan_subscriptions for full details and to join our
worldwide subscription club – we look forward to welcoming you!
February 2012 - 13
Josh Bennett U.S.A Tour
North American Designer Josh Bennett
is riding high. He has six sweater
designs for men in Rowan Magazine 51,
all of which are garnering high praise
on Ravelry and other knitting social
media. He provided a retrospective
of his designs at North American
wholesale show TNNA in January, and
was the star of the Rowan booth with a
fiesta-themed book signing.
Josh also modelled his sweater, Soho, at
the TNNA Yarn Group Fashion Show. It
was great to see him work the runway,
hands casually in his pockets, the
same way he might wear the cardigan,
as designed, for shopping. All of his
garments looked great on the Westminster
Fibers stand.
At the end of February, Josh left for his
first tour for Westminster Fibers, the
North American distributor of Rowan
yarns. Coordinated by the Westminster
marketing team with the help of regional
sales representative, Nancy Kleiber, Josh
left his apartment in New York City on
Friday 24 February, and flew on a blustery
day to Minneapolis, Minnesota. There
he was met by Nancy, who was chauffeur
and concierge for the next four days.
That night, Josh was the guest of honor at
a party at Amazing Threads in the suburb
of Maple Grove. Owner Bobbi Krebs, a
Rowan AT shop and a Westminster Shop
Within a Shop, held a reception and book
signing for Rowan Magazine 51. The
next morning, Josh was back at the shop,
14 - March 2012
teaching two classes throughout the
day. Students listened to Josh explain
tips and tricks of making garments look
professionally knit and finished, and well
as watching a slide show on 7th Avenue
Secrets -- a topic that Josh – who also
works with Project Runway winner Irina
Shabayeva and 2011 CFDA Menswear
Designer of the Year , Michael Bastian –
knows a lot about.
On Sunday 26 February, Josh gave two
classes at Darn Knit Anyway, a Rowan
stockist in nearby Stillwater. From there,
Josh posted on Facebook that the shop
and the classes were “just amazing.” The
next afternoon, he was guest of honor
at StevenBe’s, one of the area’s most
creative retailers. In cooperation with Jan
Walkovets, owner of Linden Hills Yarn,
who was one of the first Rowan stockists
in the area, owner Stephen Berg hosted
a private collection fashion show of all
things Rowan. In the 30+ years since
Linden Hills started with Rowan there’s
been a lot of changes – all of which were
reflected in the designs shown that day.
From Minneapolis, Josh travelled to
Wisconsin – and more top Rowan shops.
In Madison, Josh taught at The Knitting
Tree/Lakeside Fiber Arts on Tuesday.
Wednesday morning started as Josh
greeted new students in beautiful,
historic Appleton at IRIS Fine Yarns. Josh
finished his trip in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
at Ruhamas, Wisconsin’s oldest yarn
shop, where he again met many of his
Facebook followers.
Josh was truly impressed with the level
of expertise shown by the students
in Wisconsin. Awed by the beautiful
Wisconsin scenery full of lakes and
snow, he felt that shops there were really
educating their students and clientele
and giving great, inspiring direction. He
also grew accustomed to a Wisconsin
delicacy – cheese curds – and missed
them upon his return home.
Back in New York, Josh resumed his
studies at FIT – The Fashion Institute of
Technology—where he will graduate in
May with a degree in menswear design.
He also continues to work with top men’s
designer Michael Bastian, and recently
premiered his own collection of sweaters
– Michael Bastian by Josh Bennett – at
the Mercedes Benz Fashion week in
February. The line will be sold in top
men’s retailers in the fall of 2012.
And yes, Josh will have another design for
Rowan, in Magazine 52, due out in July.
Get ready for another great menswear
look – from one of North America’s finest
new menswear designers.
February 2012 - 15
meadow
by Amy Butler & Lisa Richardson
using Belle Organic Aran & DK
16 - February 2012
Chocolate Heaven
Spring is in the air, and with Easter soon approaching, we felt that it was time to
start thinking about sugar and spice and all things nice! Let’s celebrate chocolate with our favourite cocoa brown shades from the Rowan range…enjoy.
• Cotton Glace 843 Toffee
• Kid Classic 817 Bear
• Creative Focus Worsted 00410 Espresso
• Lima 895 Brasil
• Pima Cotton DK 073 Bark
• Creative Focus Worsted 03249 Chocolate
• Wool Cotton DK 965 Mocha
• Belle Organic DK 00011 Chocolate
• Rowan Fine Tweed 363 Keld
• Colourscape Chunky 441 Bracken
February 2012 - 17
Plan Your Weekend Workshops....
Dates Now Released
We know you’ve had your pens poised over your diaries since 1st Jan, so here are your
classes and dates to choose from.
DATES
SUBJECT
TUTOR
14/15th April
20th May
16/17th June
7/8th July
1/2nd Sept
29/30th Sept
10/11th Nov
Crochet Club/Techniques
Jean Moss Handknit Tour
Summer Bunting (Sewing)
Create your own Triangular Shawl
Knit and Crochet for the Home (based on their new book)
Colour Work from the A/W collection
Xmas
Jane Crowfoot
Martin Storey
Erica Pask
Jane Crowfoot
and Debbie Abrahams
Sarah Hazell
Freddie Patmore
To book your place on a workshop, please call Katie Battey at The Mill on +44(0)1484 681881
Rowan babies on
location
In the last week in February a handful
of gorgeous babies related to the
Rowan team were sent on location
to have their pictures taken for a
beautiful baby brochure launching
in May.
We’re giving you a sneak preview of
a couple of shots…..shhhh!
Who says you should never work
with babies?...
18 - March 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
March 2012 - 19
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