Row@n October 2016 eNewsletter

October 2016 

January 2012 - 1

CONTENTS 

Welcome Letter 4 

Monthly Free Pattern 5 

Debbie Abrahams Mystery Blanket Club 6 

Christmas Knits 11 

The Pantone Color Institute 14 

Rowan Selects 18 

The Watermill 22 

Bissett 

by Lisa Richardson 

using Fine Silk 

Rowan Selects Fine Silk 

DOWNLOAD 

2 - October 2016

October 2016 - 3

Hello and welcome to the October issue of the 

eNewsletter! 

As the months begin to take a cooler feel and the leaves start to turn to rich red and 

orange hues, we bring you a round-up of this season’s Pantone shade must-haves 

and news of another fabulous knitting holiday next year in Italy. 

We also take a look at some festive gift ideas and remind you about the upcoming 

Mystery Blanket Club with Debbie Abrahams. Finally, we bring a you a new free cabled 

sweater pattern for this month, Gelato by Sarah Hatton. 

We hope you enjoy your new issue! 

The Rowan team 

Front Cover: 

Reiver Scarf 


Felted Tweed 

Knitting & Crochet 

Magazine 60 

Click on the symbol 

where it appears for a link to 

further information 

Keep in touch with us on 

social media… 


EXCLUSIVE 

Gelato 

by Sarah Hatton 

Pure Wool Superwash 

Worsted 

DOWNLOAD 

For this and hundreds of 

FREE patterns exclusive to 

members, 

click the button below: 


Mystery Blanket Club 

Next year marks a milestone for Debbie Abrahams’ Mystery Blanket Club as 

it sees her celebrating its ten year anniversary. She started the Club in 2008 

with the first design “In The Country”, and since then her collection of Mystery 

Blankets have become much sought after heirlooms. Each design is sold with 

a limited membership and the patterns for each blanket are only available to 

the members that join. The concept of the Mystery Blanket Club is very simple. 

Members receive the knitting kit in two instalments, which include all the yarn 

and embellishments needed for the whole project. They then receive the patterns 

in ten monthly instalments, beginning in February and finishing in November. 

The theme of the project is kept a secret, only to be discovered as the squares 

are completed and the blanket takes shape. Debbie writes a monthly blog on her 

website, which keeps the members up to date with all the latest news, advice 

and knitting tips for the project. 

For Debbie’s special tenth anniversary blanket next year she is using some of her 

all-time favourite Rowan yarns including Kid Classic, Felted Tweed, Wool Cotton DK, 

Superfine Merino Wool DK, Softyak DK, Rowan Tweed and Baby Merino Silk DK. And 

although she never likes to give away any clues about the project, she has revealed 

a little bit about it for 2017: 

“The colour palette combines teal, leaf green, soft mink, 

pale pink and deep plum with several other colours 

that will remain a secret! And in terms of stitches and 

techniques, it will have a bit of everything in it next 

year, including intarsia, fairisle, lace, cables, beading, 

stripes and textured stitches. It will be a celebration 

of a decade of my Mystery Blanket Club and I cannot 

wait for the members to get started on it next year!” 

Debbie has a special limited edition free gift for each 

member who signs up to the 2017 Mystery Blanket 

2008 


Club. The tenth anniversary notebook and engraved 

pen will be sent out to each member with their first 

yarn kit in February. And she is launching a special 

commemorative calendar this Autumn for the Mystery 

Blanket, which will feature photos of all Debbie’s 

Mystery Blankets from 2008 – 2016. 

The tenth anniversary of the Club will also see Debbie 

back out on the road again for several Mystery Blanket 

workshops around the UK, beginning with a five-day 

break on Bryher in the Scilly Isles (which has already 

sold out), plus other dates and venues that are yet to 

be announced. 

The process of creating the design for each of 

Debbie’s Mystery Blankets is a lengthy one, usually 

taking from eight to twelve months to complete each 

one of her blanket designs. Her starting point is a 

source of inspiration, from which she takes all of her 

ideas for colour, texture and pattern. After creating 

a colour palette she then works on a colour layout to 

determine roughly where the colours are going to be 

used in the forty-nine squares of the blanket. Then a 

rough sketch is drafted up of the whole design so that 

she has a plan to work to for the placement of pattern 

and texture. When all of this prep work has been 

done, it is only then that Debbie picks up the knitting 

needles and starts to knit samples of each square in 

the blanket. And this can be a lengthy process in itself, 

with many of the squares being revised and reknitted 

several times over before she is happy with the results: 

“Designing a blanket is all about balance and harmony, 

and my challenge is to create something that is not 

only visually pleasing to the eye, but also has enough 

exciting stitch patterns in it to keep the knitter motivated 

for ten months. I love playing with colour and texture, 

and the Mystery Blanket gives me the opportunity to 

do just that, so it’s the perfect vehicle for my work. I 

2009 

2010 

2011 


take care of the design side of the blanket, but I have 

a team of other people that work alongside me, without 

whom there would be no Mystery Blanket Club. I 

have three test knitters who each knit a complete 

blanket, three postal teams who deal with the posting 

of the parcels, a local printer who looks after all the 

printed patterns, two graphic designers, a web and 

technical support team, plus my mother-in-law who I 

have just taken on as my assistant! So there’s a lot 

that goes on behind the scenes to make it all happen 

for the hundreds of knitters worldwide who take on my 

challenge each year.” 

2012 

If you are interested in joining Debbie’s 2017 Mystery 

Blanket Club then you can sign up straight away by 

visiting the online shop on her website. Memberships 

can be purchased for UK, Europe and the world, 

making it a truly global knitting project! 

Mystery Blanket Club FAQ’s 

What is the Mystery Blanket about? 

The Mystery Blanket is a unique project that is split 

across ten months. The design follows the same 

format as Debbie’s other blanket designs in “Blankets 

& Throws To Knit” and “More Blankets & Throws”. It 

is constructed from individually knitted squares that 

are assembled together to create a finished block. 

The mystery is that you won’t be told the theme of the 

project, so part of the fun is to discover this while you 

are knitting it up! 

This blanket design will not be published or reproduced 

in other form, so you will be part of a very 

special one-off project. 

How many months will the project run for? 

The project begins in February and runs for ten months. 

Patterns are sent monthly by email on the 1 st of the 

month from February to November. Yarn and beads 

are sent in two parcels: February and May. There is an 

2012 

2013 


option to have printed paperwork which is posted to 

members each month and for which there is an extra 

cost. 

How do I subscribe to the Mystery Blanket Club? 

Membership is strictly on a first-come-first-served 

basis and there are a set number of places in the club. 

You can purchase your membership now in Debbie’s 

online shop and make your payment using a debit 

or credit card or Paypal. Then all you need to do is 

sit back and wait for your first package to arrive in 

January. 

Alternatively, if you would prefer to make a payment 

by BACS directly from your bank account then contact 

Debbie at debbie@debbieabrahams.com and she will 

give you her bank account details. 

What if I don’t have an email address? 

If you do not have an email address you can send an 

application form by post. Please make sure that you 

include your full address details, telephone number, 

your choice of package and your payment. Cheques 

should be made payable to Debbie Abrahams Ltd, and 

posted to 26 Church Drive, Carrington, Nottingham 

NG5 2BA. 

How will the parcels be sent to me? 

Each parcel is sent by Royal Mail. For UK customers 

all parcels are sent by FIRST CLASS. All European 

and World customers are sent parcels by AIRMAIL. 

There is an option for UK customers to have SPECIAL 

DELIVERY (guaranteed next day delivery), and for 

overseas customers to have Tracked and/or Signed 

For delivery, for which there is an extra cost. 

What will be included in my materials parcel? 

Your two parcels will include enough yarn and 

embellishments to knit up the whole blanket. 

You are sent whole balls of yarn and packets of 

beads. If you have any left over, it is very important 

that you keep it safe because you will need it for other 

squares later on in the project. As a consequence, the 

2013 

2014 

2015 


quantities of yarn and beads in your parcels might 

differ, but in total you will have enough to complete 

the whole blanket. 

But what if I am a novice knitter? Can I still join the 

Club and successfully complete the project? 

There are two options given for the same blanket 

design and everyone is sent the pattern instructions 

for both options. Most of the squares are the same for 

both options, but when there is a choice it is clearly 

stated. Option one includes textured stitches like 

cables and knit and purl stitch patterns, intarsia colour 

work, fairisle colour work, stripes and some beading. 

Option two includes all of the above, but any fairisle 

and intarsia squares are replaced by either stripes, 

beaded or textured designs. 

What if I get stuck and need some advice? 

In every mail-out there is an information page 

which gives lots of important information about the 

techniques that are used in the blanket. In addition to 

this Debbie also has a dedicated blog on her website 

for the Mystery Blanket which is updated monthly and 

includes extra tips and techniques that she feels will 

be helpful to you. Another place to get help is on the 

Ravelry forum. It is easy to become a member (if you 

have not already joined) and there is a dedicated 

thread for Debbie Abrahams Mystery Blanket through 

which you can “meet” other members and pick up lots 

of useful advice. You can also contact Debbie to ask 

a specific question by emailing her by clicking the 

button below. 

EMAIL 

DEBBIE 

ABRAHAMS.COM 

? 

2016 

2016 

2017 


Christmas 

Knits 

Feel festive and knit 

your Christmas gifts 

this year with our handy 

suggestion guide. 

For Her 

Glen Shrug 


using Felted Tweed 

Knitting & Crochet 

Magazine 60 

Ashbury 


using Kidsilk Haze Vintage 

Rowan Selects Kidsilk Haze Vintage 

DOWNLOAD 


For Him 

Thorpe 

by Martin Storey 

using Hemp Tweed Chunky 

Hemp Tweed Chunky 

Online Collection 

Biscotti 

by Georgia Farrell 

using Brushed Fleece 

Knitting & Crochet Magazine 60 

DOWNLOAD 


For The 

Little Ones 

Abe 


using Baby Merino Silk DK 

Little Rowan Kids 

Snowberry Stripe 

by Martin Storey 

using Cashmere 

Rowan Selects Cashmere Children 

DOWNLOAD 


The Pantone Color Institute is one of the 

leading colour trend forecasters for womens 

and mens clothing and home décor. Each 

year Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone’s Executive 

Director, collaborates with editors, designers 

and retailers to create Spring and Autumn 

colour palettes for the year. 

Per Eiseman, Autumn 2016 has been inspired 

by “the desire for tranquility strength and 

optimism”, led by the Blue family. Anchoring 

this base are rich earth tones and exuberant 

pops of vibrant colours, which are departures 

from more traditional autumnal shades. 

Rowan’s autumn collections reflect many of these stories in solids, multi-tonal 

combinations and unique mixes. 

With two distinctive blues – medium-dark Riverside and light, pale Airy Blue – we 

start our colour story. The dark blue heather-tones of Cupcake, knit in Pure Wool 

Superwash Worsted, offer a subtle vibrancy compared to the traditional navy blue 

cardigan. This shade then moves into the two-toned men’s pullover, Ariel, worked 

in Kid Classic, that matches a medium blue with a dark grey for a different play on 

the cool and calming blue blue-grey combination. Airy Blue garments then proceed 

with Hartwist cabled sweater in a new shade of Felted Tweed Aran, Alexa, a bulky 

sweater from the Big Wool Knits brochure, and serves as the main colour for the 

Balfour Skirt/Snood. 


Cupcake 


using Pure Wool 

Superwash Worsted 

Ariel 

by Carlo Volpi 

using Kid Classic 

Balfour Skirt/Snood 




The trend palette moves from the blue 

family to the greys and beiges that are the 

most neutral of earthtones. Greys have 

been key for the last 4-5 years and 2016 is 

no different, with the highlight on a darker 

shade called Sharkskin. It’s primary in the 

shades of grey Nyla, worked in Cocoon, 

and the solid Barista sweater. It’s also 

featured in Hebron, from Rowan Loves 

5, by Amy Herzog. 

Sharkskin transitions into the other key 

neutral shade Warm Taupe, with Brandon 

Mably’s Lorenzo reflecting the ying/yang 

of the two shades. Other garments that 

feature this key pleasant, pink-tinged 

taupe shade are Havana, knit in Cocoon, 

and Pretzel, worked in Cocoon & Brushed 

Fleece. Last, but far from least is the 

oversized scarf, Rosie, again from the 

Big Wool Knits brochure. 

Nyla 

by Marie Wallin 

using Cocoon 

Continuing the shift in earthtones – reds 

and rusts show new blood with exciting 

twists on the traditional rust and gold leafy 

shades. Aurora Red is bold and sensual, 

and is used in Canton from Rowan 

Loves 5, in Kid Classic. Moving softer 

into another pink-toned shade, the warm 

Dusty Cedar continues the rose-coral 

shade theme started in Spring. Garments 

such as Torte in Cocoon, Caliban in 

Brushed Fleece and Nimbus in Felted 

Tweed feature Dusty Cedar in Magazine 

60, promoting the femininity of the shade. 

Caliban 


using Brushed Fleece 


Moving into richer shades of ochre and 

spice tones are Potter’s Clay and Spicy 

Mustard, which Rowan uses in tandem 

and also apart. Potter’s Clay is the base 

colour for the Balfour Cardigan, with 

Spicy Mustard accents, and both are 

again used as accents against the pale 

celadon base in the Glen Cardigan, also 

worked in Felted Tweed, as well as in the 

embroidery of the Reiver Wrap. Tabert in 

Felted Tweed and Felted Tweed Aran, uses 

both the Spicy Mustard and Sharkskin 

for a casual two-colour cardigan. 

What would fashion be without bright hues 

to bring a fresh depth of colour? Pantone’s 

Lush Meadow is a celebration of opulent 

emeralds and jades and Bodacious is 

a winterised version of a bright aster 

violet hue. Perfect for accents, hints of 

these two shades are featured in many 

of Rowan’s fairisle designs as well as the 

Braveheart Sweater, Balfour Scarf and 

Brodie Sweater. 

Tabert Jacket 


using Felted Tweed & 

Felted Tweed Aran 

Braveheart Sweater 




Introducing Two New 

Rowan Selects Yarns 

Kidsilk Haze Vintage is a stunning blend 

of 70% mohair and 30% silk and features 

a white core, giving a subtle melange effect. 

When knitted, a vintage-look fabric is created, 

making it an ideal choice for all layering pieces, 

accessories and essential shapes. 

It is available alongside a stylish and elegant 

collection of four garments and two accessories 

for women, designed by Lisa Richardson, Sarah Hatton and Marie Wallin. Showcasing 

simple shapes and techniques and featuring lace and garter stitch, designs range from 

cosy sweaters to luxurious accessories. 

Parsonage 

001 

Pelt 

002 

Smock 

003 

Radicchio 

004 

Smalt 

005 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Ashbury 


Coney 


Keansburg 


Myrtle 


Newport 


Pismo 

by Marie Wallin 


1 

4 

2 

3 

5 6 


Soffili Yak is a super soft, brushed effect 

blend of 32% nylon, 27% wool, 25% alpaca 

and 16% yak, which is created using the 

patented soffili production method. This 

results in a stunning, voluminous, light and 

airy yarn. 

It is available alongside a cosy collection 

of four garments and four accessories 

for women designed by Lisa Richardson. 

Featuring eye-catching fairisle and slip stitch 

colourwork, it showcases simple lace and rib 

stitches perfectly throughout. 

Desert 

001 

Dark Red 

002 

Jewel 

003 

Nightly 

004 

Iron 

005 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

Bibbi 


Carli 


Charis Scarf 


Dania 


Eleni & Charis Cowl 


Emmi 


Hildis 



1 2 3 

4 

5 

6 7 


The Watermill 

Posara, Tuscany 

Last August, we brought you news of a fabulous knitting 

workshop, based in the idyllic settings of beautiful Tuscany. 

Lisa Richardson was joined by a group of ten ladies for a 

fun-filled week of knitting, good food and, of course, good 

company. 

Next year, there will be another chance to join in with the fun 

in May. 

Lisa Richardson Workshop, 6 th – 13 th May 2017 

During her workshop, Lisa will be working on two specially 

designed projects: 

On my last visit to the Watermill I was inspired by the filet crochet which was on sale at 

the local market, and is used for beautiful table cloths and window dressings. 

For this version you can use the pattern supplied to create a cushion cover or table 

runner. Alternatively we can work together to design your own unique filet pattern. This 

is very simple to do as filet crochet is made up from a mixture of open and filled in 

squares to achieve shapes or even letters.The stitches used are very simple, it is very 

suitable for a beginner or even someone new to crochet. 

The Slip Stitch Bag this knitting technique enables you to create intricate colour work 

very easily simply by slipping stitches whilst knitting or purling. For those who are 

put off by fairisle this may be a great way to include more colour work in your knitting 

life! Whilst the bag will show you this process, it also shows how changing colour 

placement can dramatically alter the overall look of a project. The bag could easily be 

adapted to a cushion if desired. 

The embroidery project is an optional extra, which you may 

wish to try whilst at the Watermill. As with all of the projects 

that we will be doing there are options to make this as unique 

as you wish. 

Click the button to find out more information and how to book 

and claim your Rowan members discount of £100 off the cost 

of the course. This offer cannot be combined with any other 

offer. 

THE 

WATERMILL 


Stockists 

To find your local stockist view our 

store locator at www.knitrowan.com by 

clicking the button below 

STOCKISTS 

Workshops 

To view a full list of workshop dates 

visit www.knitrowan.com by clicking the 

button below 

WORKSHOPS 

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or any part of all material, including illustrations and designs, in this publication/ 

pattern is strictly forbidden and is sold on the condition that it is used for non commercial purposes. 

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. Yarn quantities are approximate and are based on average requirements. Images and shades are for guidance only as colours 

may not display accurately on screen or in printed format. Contact your local stockist to view a fringed (not digital reproduction) yarn shade card. 

© Copyright MEZ Crafts UK Ltd., 2016. 

MEZ Crafts UK Ltd., 17F, Brooke’s Mill, Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield, HD4 7NR, Web: www.knitrowan.com 


Lo 

by Quail Studio 

using Pure Wool Superwash Worsted 

Cardigans Essential Knits

Row@n October 2016 eNewsletter

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