March 2013

March 2013
January 2012 - 1
Welcome to the March edition of your
enewsletter!
This issue we take a look at our best Easter knits, hear about a lovely new craft initiative in
Merseyside, UK, and look at Rowan favourite Baby Silk Merino DK in more detail.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for entering our exciting Rowan
Subscription competition – Congratulations to Sharon Corby!
Happy knitting from
the Rowan team
CONTENTS
Members Monthly Free Pattern 3
Knit to Fit Workshop
Yarn Bombing
4
Rowan Supports Outreach
Easter Knits - Free Downloads
6
Programme
11
Yarn In the Spotlight
12
Store Locator & Workshop Dates
13
Rowan Loves - 10 Simple Projects
for Babies 8
Rowan Stockist - Sewing Box
9
Front Cover:
Mal & Limmerick
by Martin Storey
Using Softknit Cotton
Softknit Collection
Keep in touch with us on
social media…
2 - March 2013
Click on the
10
symbol
where it appears for a link to
further information
EXCLUSIVE
Smisby
by Marie Wallin
Lima
Smisby
For this and hundreds of
FREE patterns exclusive to
members
click the button below:
March 2013 - 3
Yarn Bombing
Known as yarn bombing, yarn storming, guerrilla knitting, urban
knitting and even graffiti knitting, this smile-evoking phenomenon
certainly catches the imagination.
During recent years, colourful knitted or crocheted installations of art have erupted
sporadically in differing forms in public places all over the world, and have resulted in
the formation of groups dedicated solely to this purpose. Scheduled to plan new ideas,
works and installations, the groups have begun to spring up everywhere, from the US, to
the UK and central Europe.
The concept is thought to have originated in the US, with shop owner Magda Sayeg
dreaming up the waste-not want-not idea of using unfinished projects as door handle
cosies. Since then, momentum has grown behind the idea, leading to complex, intricate
works and notions such as phonebox cosies in London, a knitted bus in the US and even
the formation of International Yarnbombing Day in 2011.
Whatever your opinions are on the matter, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. On the
contrary, we are seeing the movement only increase in popularity, with books even being
published on the subject and dedicated websites such as The Yarn Storming Knitwork,
http://yarnstorming.co.uk, being created, where you can upload your photos, register
your event, or add your group to the Yarnmap.
The phenomenon is also leading to the emergence of yarn bombing celebrity personalities
such as Deadly Knitshade, www.whodunnit.com. Marked by Whodunnit tags, she
describes her work as “knitblasts which demand to be noticed” and which “like to get
out”.
members, and
At Rowan we always like to hear the views of our lovely
we’d be keen to find out more about what your thoughts on this emerging practice are
– visit our Facebook page to have your say!
4 - March 2013
February 2013 - 5
Easter Knits
Look forward to Easter this spring
with our best accessory designs
featured in our Easter Bunny
Online Collection, FREE for
our
members!
Edmund the Easter Bunny
Knitted using Purelife Revive, Edmund
is the perfect accompaniment to that
perfect Easter outfit, and can be knitted
using just one ball of yarn.
Bunny Blanket
Bunny Blanket
An adorable design by Martin Storey, this blanket
provides a lovely addition to any nursery and can
easily be suited to different colour palettes.
Bunny Cardigan & Leggings
Complete with sweet bunny motifs and pom poms,
this cute outfit designed by Martin Storey is worked in
Pure Wool 4ply.
Devon
A lovely poncho very well suited to go alongside an
Easter bonnet, featuring a variety of farmyard animal
motifs.
Fluffy Bunny
Make an adorable bunny out of pom poms, the ideal
Easter gift for your child!
6 - March 2013
Fluffy Bunny
Devon
Edmund the
Easter Bunny
Bunny Cardigan
& Leggings
March 2013 - 7
R O W A N Loves…
10 Simple Projects for
Cosy Babies
by Sarah Hatton
We absolutely love the new book from
celebrated designer and Rowan friend
Sarah Hatton, www.sarahhatton.com.
Worked in a selection of the best winter
yarns from the Rowan range, the collection
offers ten simple, yet perfectly adorable
pieces. Ranging from the delicate Frilly
Cardigan, to the snuggly and practical
Garter Stitch Blanket, each project comes
complete with easy to follow instructions
suitable for knitters of all experience levels.
After much deliberation, we have declared
our favourite pick to be the irresistible
Origami Booties, but login to your Row@n
account to view all the designs from the
book, and make your choice!
Click here to view
8 - March 2013
Sewing Box
Next time you are visiting South Wales, pop
along to beautiful coastal town of Llantwit
Major and Rowan stockist the Sewing Box,
and take a look at the inspiring Kaffe Fassett
Jubilee Throw, designed as part of Rowan
Knitting & Crochet Magazine 52.
As part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations
of 2012, we decided to ask Kaffe to select
his favourite handknitting designs from the
many years we have been working together,
and translate these into an iconic patchwork
throw. Kaffe selected one of his favourite
yarns, Felted Tweed, to work the heirloom
piece in.
Each individual and inspirational patch can
be viewed in more detail here, also don’t
miss the accompanying Islay womenswear
design – available to download for FREE.
ISLAY
JUBILEE
THROW
March 2013 - 9
Knit to Fit Workshop
with Sharon Brant
Date: Weekend Workshop: 7th/8th September at Rowan, Holmfirth.
Cost: £80 for weekend/ Rowan Subscription Member’s Price: £72
The beauty of being able to knit is to have something unique, personal and most
importantly a garment that looks like it has been made for you! And that comes with
the fit of the garment.
There are many people that can knit garments but do they know if it will fit them or the
person it was intended for when they finish sewing up?
The Knit to Fit workshop will be based on the new book by Sharon Brant, which
explores how to accomplish the right fit when knitting your Rowan garment.
We will look at the best shapes to suite your shape, how to obtain the correct
measurements and then see how to calculate any changes needed to achieve the
measurements required.
By the end of the weekend you should go home with a range of body blocks of all the
shapes of knitwear you wish to make for yourself and the confidence to go and make
something that you know will fit correctly.
You will need to bring along a selection of garments from your wardrobe that fit you
well and that you like for one reason or another, plus any designs that you would like
to make but feel the size in the pattern won’t fit what you need.
10 - March 2013
R O W A N Supports…
Outreach Programme
at The Bluecoat Display
Centre
Rowan is proud to be a supporter of the
Bluecoat Display Centre in the launch of its
new ‘Make an Impact’ initiative, engaging
local communities in quality crafting
experiences.
Through
discussion,
demonstration,
exhibition and participation, Bluecoat will be
working with young people and community
groups across Merseyside, UK to give
them a platform to express and explore the
finest contemporary crafts being produced
in the UK.
This year’s project includes two day
workshops with various health groups
including groups within the PSS charity,
and the Wirral Autistic Society. It also
includes artist residencies in The Royal
Liverpool Hospital, Holly Lodge Girls
School, and North Liverpool as part of the
Beautiful North Project.
There will also be an international residency,
with Irish ceramicist Sara Flynn spending 6
weeks in Liverpool Hope University.
http://www.bluecoatdisplaycentre.com/
project/making-an-impact/
March 2013 - 11
Yarn in the Spotlight…
Baby Merino Silk DK
Composing of 66% merino super wash wool and 34% tussah silk, this delightfully
versatile yarn is a perfectly summery solution to your crafting needs. Available in
twenty colourful and contrasting hues, the yarn lends itself well to all different types
of projects and designs. Shades range from seven beautifully neutral pastel colours,
to more understated earthy and natural tones, through to brilliant brights, such as
the juicy Strawberry and rich Emerald. Baby Merino Silk DK can be used for both
childrens & adults knits.
Snowdrop
670
Straw
671
Dawn
672
Opal
673
Shell Pink
674
Limone
675
Sky
676
Teal
677
Rose
678
Clay
679
Damson
680
Zinc
681
Deep
682
Grass
683
Bluebird
684
Emerald
685
Cantaloupe
686
Strawberry
687
Sunshine
688
Flower
689
12 - March 2013
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
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 2013 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 2013
March 2013 - 13
14 - March 2013