Download a PDF version here. - Rowan

December 2012
January 2012 - 1

Hello and welcome to the December issue of the
enewsletter.
We’re all feeling very festive here at the mill, and are excitedly looking forward to the
Christmas break so we can relax and settle down to some knitting! This month, we hear
from popular Rowan designer Sarah Hatton about her exciting new book, take a look at a
fair we exhibited at in Italy, and preview our new spring collections. We also bring you a
stunning free pattern as usual, so get your needles at the ready!
Last but not least, read on for details on how you can win a year’s supply of Rowan yarn!
We sincerely hope you have a fabulous holiday season, and wish you the best from all at
Rowan.
The Rowan Team
CONTENTS
Rowan Knitting & Crochet
Magazine 53 Preview 4
Sarah Hatton 6
Members Feature 8
Competition 11
Abilmente 12
Front Cover:
Enchanted Scarf
by Gemma Atkinson
Using Kidsilk Haze Glamour
The Glamour Collection
Click on the symbol
where it appears for a link to
further information
Follow us on
2 December 2012

E X C L U S I V E
Luella
by Lisa Richrdson
Fine Lace
LUELLA
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ARCHIVE
December 2012 - 3

ROWAN Knitting & Crochet
Magazine 53 Preview
Spring Summer 2013 gives heavy prominence to retro, with bright, eclectic
and faded colouring. Pretty, fitted knits complement relaxed boat neck
and tunic shapes perfectly, with the knitted polo a strong look for the
men. Lacy and crochet stitches complete the look for this fun and slightly
eccentric season.
These trends are reflected perfectly in the following three stories:
Glorious
Pretty florals are the order in this sweet and sun kissed story, celebrating the beautiful
contrast of pure colour and natural tones with the use of stunning intarsia and intricate
stitch work.
Ikon
Contrast is key throughout Ikon, with brights surfacing playfully in the form of clear
colour blocking and graphic patterning. Clean, modern garment shaping shines
throughout.
Essentials
Summer Essentials combines key fabric trends of jacquard, intarsia, embellishment,
open mesh, lace and ladder stitches and crochet to result in an uncomplicated,
modern effect. Worked in pale candy shades and striking neutrals, the collection
showcases the season’s key must-have pieces.
Alongside these influential design stories, Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine 53 will
feature an interview with new Rowan designer Vibe Ulrik, a review of Martin Storey’s
fantastic new book Scottish Heritage Knits and an exclusive editor’s letter from Kate
Buller.
Why not subscribe to the magazine and get it delivered direct to your door
Visit www.knitrowan.com for more details.
4 - December 2012

Halkidiki by Marie Wallin
Fine Lace & Kidsilk Haze
Lambretta & Ossie by Brandon Mably & Marie Wallin
Summerspun, Wool Cotton & Cotton Glacé
Tutti Frutti by Marie Wallin
Summerspun
December 2012 - 5

Popular Rowan designer Sarah Hatton is one of the UKs
most loved handknit designers and authors. We talk to Sarah
about the design process for her new book Knitted Scarves
and Shrugs.
It has been a busy few weeks as well as the usual craziness this time of year brings I
have been at The Knitting and Stitching Shows at Alexander Palace and in Harrogate
to promote my latest book. When I began the project I was concerned that I had given
myself a limited brief and was worried about producing enough exciting content to
make the book interesting – boy was I wrong!
As well as 22 designs covering hopefully most styles of scarves I was lucky enough
to work with Sharon Brant, who produced a small how-to section showing some of the
techniques used. We also decided to have a small section showing different ways
to wear scarves as I know some people struggle to find different ways to wear their
projects.
So I just thought I would give you a sneak peek of a couple of the projects.
Image 1 (Leaf detail scarf) This was a style that I was really keen to feature in the book
as I know how frustrating it is to wear a scarf that keeps coming undone! It’s knitted
in Felted Tweed and features a lace leaf detail that is probably one of my favourite
motifs.
Image 1 Image 2 Image 3
6 - December 2012

Image 2 (Beaded scarf) I really enjoy knitting with beads and love the way they give
a beautiful weight and drape to this scarf in Wool Cotton.
Image 3 (Lace block shawl) This is one of my favourite designs in the book, and I
could probably have done the whole book using Kidsilk Haze in Trance! The shawl is
triangular but not created in the normal way. A strip is knitted to form one side of the
shawl, stitches are then picked up along one side and another strip knitted before
the centre section is worked using short row shaping. The design was also pretty
challenging which at first terrified me but then was hugely interesting and a little
addictive to knit.
Image 4 (Indulgent wrap) This stole in Wool Cotton 4 ply also has another unusual
construction. It starts in the centre with increases to form a square from which two
ends are carried on in bands of lace stitches to make the full length of the scarf, a
lace edge was then knitted up each side.
Image 5 (Chevron scarf) This is the scarf that if I could put back Christmas a few
weeks I would love to make for my sister. The rippling stripes of colour would also be
a great way to use up scraps of yarn.
I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. Now I had better get casting on if I am
going to be anywhere near ready for Christmas!
Wishing you all a wonderful festive season.
Sarah x
Click here to view further details on Sarah’s fab new book, and here to find your
nearest stockist.
Image 4 Image 5
December 2012 - 7

introduces...
Jo Storie
Kelly
Tell us about your design background.
I’ve been a commercial knitwear designer
for longer than I’d like to say! I started
out, like many designers, by studying for
a BA (Hons); however, my degree was
not in Fashion but in Textiles. I studied
all forms of textiles, woven, knitted and
printed, but chose to specialize in knitted
textiles. I worked for Johnston’s of Elgin
in my final year on job placement, and
at the time felt I’d drawn the short straw,
because I went off to work in Hawick in
the Scottish Borders while others were
off to Paris, New York, London and
Florence! I look back now and have no
regrets, however. It was a great place to
intern and I was lucky enough to meet
a great designer who took me with her
after I graduated when she went to TSE
Cashmere. This is where I really got my
start in the luxury knitwear designer end
of the market. From there it was a spell
at Ballantyne Cashmere, then off to USA
to work with J.Crew and Ann Taylor. I’ve
been lucky enough to see first hand the
design process from the high end to the
high street, and it’s helped me be the
designer I am today.
What do you find is your biggest
inspiration
For me, it is all about the silhouette, the
drape and great statement texture. So
everything tends to start with that. I keep
a sketch book every season and record
my thoughts in it on a daily basis; I’m
inspired by so many things and often
work up concept boards to keep my
ideas focused. I travel to Florence once
a year to the yarn trade show Pitti Filati.
This show predicts the yarn trends a
year in advance and showcases the
best that spinners have to offer. I also
attend trend presentations, and research
what’s happening on the catwalks as well
as watching what’s happening on the
streets.
Can we hear a bit more about Jo Storie
Handknits
Jo Storie Handknits is design driven and is
all about making great design accessible
8 - December 2012

Chloe Hat
Lewis Bag Cove Ash
to as many people as possible. So, it
is built around downloadable knitting
patterns; I see this as the most immediate
way for me to communicate with knitters
(Knitted by You). From this flows other
aspects of the business like the yarn
store; bespoke knitting service (Knitted
for You) and other product offers like the
provision of kits for knitting my designs.
For me, it really is all about the designs,
realised in quality yarn. If you visit the
shop on-line, you will see that I am a
huge fan of Rowan’s Purelife and many
of my patterns are in this yarn. My goal
is to make my designs as accessible as
possible to people who knit (as well as
those who don’t). I do this through my
knitting patterns; my bespoke on-line
shop and my consultancy. I sell my knitting
patterns as PDF downloads through
my own website www.jostorie.com, and
through knitting community sites like
www.ravelry.com and www.craftsy.com. I
also make some of my designs to order,
and I work with a number of freelance
knitters in Scotland.
What are you working on at the
moment
I’m currently working on some special
commissions for knitting magazines
due out early next year. I’m also working
on a book of my designs, hopefully to
launch next year. I’m also extending
my PDF design collection to include
childrenswear and home textiles.
People can find my designs on my website
at www.jostorie.com and follow me on
Twitter @jostorieknits, and on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/jostoriehandknits.
I’ve recently just started selling kits
(everything you need to knit a design in
a kit form), so people can buy these as
gifts for others, or treat themselves.
Click here to see our beautiful range of
British Sheep Breeds yarns, as used by
Jo.
December 2012 - 9

McKenna
by Marie Wallin
Cocoon
McKENNA
For this and hundreds of
FREE patterns exclusive to
m e m b e r s
click the button below:
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ARCHIVE
10 - December 2012

Win a year’s supply
of Rowan yarn!
As the festive season wings its way ever closer, why not treat a loved one to
a Rowan Subscription membership
Packed full of irresistible benefits, the package includes two Rowan Knitting &
Crochet Magazines delivered direct to your door, two exclusive printed newsletters,
a free gift, and a range of discounts on participating Rowan workshops.
What’s more, take out a Rowan Subscription for you or a friend before
28th February 2013, and be entered into a fabulous prize draw to win a year’s
supply of Rowan yarn!
ENTER
NOW
(Prize consists of 10 balls of Rowan yarn for each month of the year.)
December 2012 - 11

Abilmente
Coats Cucirini and Rowan were proud to have recently exhibited at the
Abilmente Fair, held in Vicenza, Italy, from 18th – 21st October.
Sharing a huge stand with retailer Non Solo Mercerie, we also were the excited
sponsors of the Wool Atelier initiative, where objects and home furniture were covered
with Rowan yarn by Cristina Pizzato to create spectacular results!
Cristina also held workshops and demonstrations with Rowan yarn throughout the fair,
and there were also designers Emma Fassio and Laura Soria on hand to chat with.
www.abilmente.org
12 - December 2012

R O W A N Recommends
Stay snuggly and warm this winter with these fabulously cosy accessory
designs, selected by the Rowan team from our collection of design publications.
For more information, click the symbol.
Topple
Tumble Collection
Jodi Mittens
Nordic Tweed
Gypsy Hat
Knitting & Crochet
Magazine 48
Honeydew
Easy Winter Knits
Belle Cable Leggings
Winter Warmers
December 2012 - 13

Spellbound Shawl
The Glamour Collection.
Wishing you a wonderfully
wintery festive season wherever
that may be!
The Rowan Team
14 - October 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
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
December 2012 - 15

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