Row@n December 2016 eNewsletter

November &
December 2016
January 2012 - 1

CONTENTS
Welcome Letter 4
Monthly Free Pattern 5
Season’s Greetings 6
Catching Up With Dee Hardwicke 7
The Wool Merchant 10
Yarn In The Spotlight 12
M c Aree Bros. Workshop 14
Monthly Free Pattern 16
Montville Sweater
by Amy Herzog
using Kid Classic
Rowan Loves Kid Classic & Hemp Tweed
PURCHASE
2 - November / December 2016

November / December 2016 - 3

Hello and welcome to the November/December issue of your
newsletter.
As we approach the holiday season this month, we are eagerly looking forward to a
bit of a break and the chance to take some relaxing time out with the needles.
We have some very exciting new yarns and collections coming next year and also a
brand new knit along to give you all the details on – coming soon in March!
As we’re feeling festive, we thought we’d bring you TWO free patterns this month!
We hope you enjoy them.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to wish all of our wonderful Row@n members
a happy holiday season and a great New Year!!
The Rowan team
Front Cover:
Teacake
by Lisa Richardson
Big Wool
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…
4 - November / December 2016

EXCLUSIVE
Java
by Lisa Richardson
Alpaca Merino DK
DOWNLOAD
For this and hundreds of
FREE patterns exclusive to
members,
click the button below:
November / December 2016 - 5

Season’s Greetings!
We’d like to wish everyone a very happy
holiday season and a fabulous New Year!
From all the team at Rowan
6 - November / December 2016

Catching up with…
Dee Hardwicke
How pleased have you been with the
reaction to your recent book A Story in
Yarn?
I have been so pleased and quite moved
by the reaction I have had to my new
book, A Story In Yarn, and also to the
workshops I have held around the country
to complement the book. I love the
special moments that flowers and leaves
represent - everything from an autumn
walk filled with rich colours, textures and
shapes, to a flower lovingly pressed from
a special bouquet. To use the medium of
yarn and colour to literally ‘knit’ my story
together has been a joyous experience.
To be able to share this and inspire
people to be creative and knit their own
story is a very special thing and I have
been overwhelmed by the wonderful
responses I have received. Even at this
early stage, I have seen some beautiful
examples of knitted intarsia designs by
people who have been inspired by the
book.
And what projects are next in the
pipeline?
I have many projects in the pipeline! I am
working on a new kitchenware collection
for the National Trust and this will be
launched early next year. I can’t say
too much about the pieces at this stage
though I can say that the collections
are inspired by some of the special
places looked after by the National
Trust. Working closely with the National
Trust team to create collections steeped
in our national heritage is both joyful
November / December 2016 - 7

and personally rewarding. I also have
some exciting new knitting designs and
patterns in the making for 2017 and some
very special haberdashery opportunities
in development!
You recently attended the Knitting &
Stitching Show at Ally Pally, how did
it go?
I had a fabulous two days working with
Rowan Yarns, Quail Publishing and Lady
Sew & Sew at the Knitting & Stitching Show
- an inspiring and fun group of people!
It was such a treat to be surrounded by
so many creative businesses who are
making, creating and sharing skills. The
Knitting & Stitching Show at Ally Pally
is a treasure trove of colours, textures,
patterns and incredible creative energy
and is haberdashery heaven! It was a
wonderful venue at which to celebrate
my new book and I felt very special to
be included at this prestigious event
alongside so many wonderful designers.
It was a great opportunity to share my new
book with so many people and exchange
creative ideas.
What would you describe as your
highlight of 2016?
Wow, so many amazing things have
happened in 2016 that it’s hard to choose
just one! My new flooring range was
launched in John Lewis stores this year
and that has been very exciting! I have
launched two kitchenware collections
designed exclusively for the National
Trust -The Cottage Garden collection
for spring/summer 2016 and The Hare &
Oak Leaf range for autumn/winter 2016. I
have so enjoyed working on both of these
collections and this has certainly been a
8 - November / December 2016

highlight for me. I have loved creating my
new book and I had so much fun working
with Quail, my publishers, this has been
a remarkable journey for me. To share
creative skills and inspire creativity in
others is such a wonderful thing and
launching ‘A Story In Yarn’ has been one
of the happiest moments in my working
life.
Have you got any advice for people
looking to get inspiration to start
designing themselves?
A great way to start designing is to keep a
colour diary. Use watercolours, coloured
pens or pencils to note the colours that
catch your eye throughout the seasons
or on any given day. Colours can be
recorded from nature, a piece of clothing,
packaging, faded paint or rusted steel -
anything that makes you stop and look. If
you want to group your colours, you can
colour in squares on a grid. Try using a
separate grid for each item or scene you
are recording then make a note next to
your colour grid of what those colours
were taken from. You will soon have a
sketchbook filled with the most wonderful
colour palettes and all from your own
observations. This is a good starting
point for designing and will inspire you to
explore other creative disciplines.
DEEHARDWICKE
COM
November / December 2016 - 9

THE WOOL MERCHANT
(a “close knit” community)
When The Wool Merchant of Tiverton
opened the doors of its new shop at
Dartington Shops (formerly The Cider
Press Centre), it was met with delight
by locals and visitors alike.
The Wool Merchant is a very different
kind of wool shop, where the emphasis
is on providing a service to help people
to relax and feel better through learning
wool crafts. “Our customer base is
very strong and, once involved, most
people are drawn in to this “close knit
community” of ours, taking part in knitting
groups and workshops, as well as having
a place to come where they know they
will be made welcome, never rushed,
and always encouraged. We specialise
in high quality natural fibres, both local
and Fairtrade where possible.”
10 - November / December 2016
The owner Dawn Riggs is very excited
about the new location.
“For one thing, this is a return to my
home, as I was born locally and lived
in the area for over 40 years before
moving to mid Devon around 10 years
ago. The other most exciting reason for
choosing this site is its long and lasting
association with REAL craftsmanship.
The original concept developed by
Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst back in
the 1920s is more relevant now than
ever. Their concept was to bring together
like-minded people, so that, through true
craftsmanship, a community of caring,
forward-looking people could develop
a learning environment that not only
enhances their own lives, but the lives
of those around them and ultimately the
wider community.

So often these days craft is given a bad
image by being dumbed down and can
sometimes be seen as mediocre, when
nothing could be further from the truth.
The joy I experience on a daily basis from
watching and listening to my customers
as they comment on the effect the colours
and textures have on them is so exciting.
Spending time helping and encouraging
them in their projects is the next step and
brings immense pleasure.
Surrounding ourselves with beautiful
things which have been made with great
care from natural materials, especially
when you have made them yourself, is
life enhancing as well as being better for
the environment. Who needs dozens of
soulless items of clothing made of plastic
and which have been made thousands
of miles away by underpaid people
in appalling conditions? Fast clothes
which gave no joy at any point in their
manufacture and little joy to the wearer
will not last, and will ultimately end up
as more polluting waste, unloved and
destructive at every stage.
Wearing clothes you have made yourself
from natural materials sourced locally
or through Fairtrade will make a big
difference to the way you feel. You can
wear your skill with pride and show that
you are a unique individual, who not only
cares about the way you look but the
way the planet will look for generations to
come. Dress green!
Over the last few years there has been
an increasing realisation that the planet
can no longer sustain our throw-away
habits. Many more people are coming
to understand that the thoughts and
aspirations of what had previously
been considered the ‘hippy fringe’, was
actually not so weird after all.
A visit to The Wool Merchant in Dartington
or Tiverton could well change your life as
it has for many…Keep your hands active,
your mind alert…and your creativity
nurtured. SLOW CLOTHES, like the slow
food movement is catching on - don’t get
left behind. Slow and steady always wins
the race.
We encourage you to “Make it once.
Make it well. Make it last” and, in doing
so, be happy knowing you are helping
to improve the world in a small way,
not to destroy it.” We are developing a
programme of classes and workshops
for the New Year and will be adding the
information to our web site and Facebook
page as soon as we have firm dates.
But you don’t need to wait until then -
join us now at our “Close Knit Club” on
Wednesday evenings 6.00pm at The Cott
Inn, Dartington.
Mention this article to get 10% off any
yarn purchase in December.
Find us in The Craft Centre at Dartington
Shops (where the toy shop used to be).
We are open 7 days a week at Dartington
and Tuesday to Saturday in Tiverton.
To find out more:
Phone: Dartington 01803 866499
or Tiverton 01884 243569
WOOL
MERCHANT.COM
November / December 2016 - 11

Yarn in the Spotlight…
Big Wool
A winter woolly favourite, this super chunky yarn is
perfect for keeping cosy through the cooler months
and provides the perfect solution for quick knit
accessory projects. Available in 22 beautiful shades
ranging from sumptuous Wild Berry, through to ice
cool Concrete and bright Lipstick, this palette has
something for everybody.
Ice Blue
021
Steel Blue
052
Blue Velvet
026
Glum
056
Concrete
061
Smoky
007
Black
008
Wild Berry
025
Pantomime
079
Prize
064
White Hot
001
Linen
048
Yoke
078
Biscotti
082
Stag
071
Cactus
083
Forest
043
Reseda
069
Surf
081
Vert
054
Lipstick
063
Champion
065
12 - November / December 2016

Barista
by Martin Storey
using Big Wool
Knitting & Crochet Magazine 60
November / December 2016 - 13

McAree Bros Workshop:
Steeking, Carol Meldrum,
14th Jan, Falkirk
The thought of steeking, or taking a pair of scissors intentionally to your fabric, can fill
knitters with dread, but it’s far easier and less scary than you think. Take the fear out
of steeking with this fun workshop: we will knit a Fair Isle sample in the round, look at
adding the essential reinforcing lines and how to successfully cut the fabric opening
up your swatch.
This workshop is suitable for those who are able to knit and purl with ease.
Venue: McAree Craft Studio, 38 Newmarket St, Falkirk FK1 1JQ
Date: Saturday 14 January 2017, 10.30am to
4.30pm
Tutor: Carol Meldrum
You will need to bring with you:
1 x 3.25mm set of 4 double pointed needles
1 x 4mm set of 4 double pointed needles
Stitch markers or safety pins
1 x 3mm or 3.5mm crochet hook
1 x scissors
1 x sewing up needle
The price includes an in-house lunch (there are
vegetarian options). You will also receive 10%
discount on purchases on the day of the workshop.
For more information, please visit:
MCADIRECT
14 - November / December 2016

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
November / December 2016 - 15

EXCLUSIVE
Peaberry
by Lisa Richardson
Kid Classic
DOWNLOAD
For this and hundreds of
FREE patterns exclusive to
members,
click the button below: