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Autumn Winter<br />
2020
WELCOME<br />
Cover Image | Skibo<br />
EST 1978<br />
by Martin Storey from Magazine 68<br />
Image | Smitten<br />
by Lisa Richardson from Pure Cashmere<br />
Dear Rowan Knitter,<br />
CONTACT US<br />
Over the last few months, here at Rowan we have been thinking about the entire knitting<br />
community and the impact that the global pandemic has had on everyone’s lives. Our thoughts<br />
have been and continue to be with friends, family, colleagues, working partners as well as the<br />
wider knitting community. The Rowan team continue to work following all relevant Covid-19<br />
guidelines. We wish everyone well and hope for good health, safety and wellbeing for all.<br />
The global lockdowns had an impact on the launch date of our Autumn Winter season<br />
and so we welcomed Rowan Magazine 68 and the new collections a little later than usual<br />
- MODE at Rowan Collection Three and new brochures from Martin Storey, Georgia Farrell,<br />
ARNE & CARLOS and Quail Studio. This season we also introduce you to three new yarns,<br />
including a very special Pure Cashmere, plus new shades from Dee Hardwicke and Kaffe Fassett.<br />
Read all about the new Autumn Winter collections over the coming pages.<br />
In this newsletter, we hear from local yarn stores ‘Born to Knit’ based here is the UK, and new<br />
Rowan Flagship stores ‘Ribbon Yarns’ in New Zealand and Seibu Shibuya in Tokyo. We also<br />
catch up with stores both in North America and here in the UK to hear how they have adapted<br />
to the changing retail landscape, whilst continuing to serve and inspire their customers during<br />
this challenging time.<br />
We also take a look back at the hugely successful Elder Throw Knit Along, which for so many was<br />
the perfect project to immerse oneself in whilst staying at home. We hear from the inspirational<br />
founder of Little Box of Crochet, Amanda Bloom, and Katherine Lymer reminds us of the<br />
importance of tension in our regular ‘How To’ column. Trisha Malcolm in conversation with<br />
Georgia Farrell is a great read and Trisha also took time out to catch up with Kerry Kimber<br />
about her new ‘Kids Knit’ book.<br />
Happy reading, happy knitting and stay safe.<br />
With best wishes from<br />
The Rowan team<br />
© Copyright 2020<br />
Rowan Yarns | Flanshaw Lane | Alverthorpe | Wakefield | WF2 9ND | United Kingdom<br />
Web: www.knitrowan.com | Email: mail@knitrowan.com | Tel: + 44 (0) 1484 668200<br />
www.knitrowan.com<br />
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or any part of all material is strictly forbidden. No part may be reproduced,<br />
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical,<br />
photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the copyright owners having been given in writing.<br />
Yarn quantities are approximate and are based on average requirements.<br />
Images and shades are for guidance only as colours may not display accurately on screen or in printed format.<br />
Contact your local stockist to view a fringed (not digital reproduction) yarn shade card.<br />
3
CONTENTS<br />
EST 1978<br />
CONTENTS<br />
Autumn Winter 2020<br />
92<br />
Autumn Winter Review<br />
18 | Rowan Magazine 68<br />
34 | Todd & Duncan Pure Cashmere<br />
46 | MODE at Rowan - New Yarns<br />
50 | NEW Designer Shades<br />
64 | Rowan Selects<br />
72 | Designer Brochures<br />
80 | NEW from Quail Studio<br />
84 | MODE at Rowan<br />
90 | NEW from Kim Hargreaves<br />
18<br />
34<br />
Features<br />
8 | Yarn Tales from Lockdown<br />
16 | Elder Throw KAL<br />
26 | Meet the Team - Rowan at OSPREY HOME<br />
38 | Retailer Focus<br />
60 | Interview with Kerry Kimber<br />
68 | Little Box of Crochet<br />
76 | In Conversation with Georgia Farrell<br />
88 | #knitrowanbyme<br />
92 | Debbie Abrahams Mystery Blanket 2021<br />
96 | How to<br />
38<br />
68<br />
Free Pattern<br />
100 | Lucca by Lisa Richardson<br />
16 60 46 76<br />
4 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 5
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
EST 1978<br />
Trisha Malcolm<br />
Trisha is the Executive Brand Strategist at Rowan, and has<br />
spent many years in the hand knitting industry, most notably<br />
as the Editorial Director at Vogue Knitting Magazine.<br />
She’s been a lifelong knitter, and dedicated to inspiring<br />
knitters all over the world to get their hands on Rowan yarn!<br />
Arabella Harris<br />
Arabella is a design consultant and writer with an innate<br />
knowledge of all aspects of the hand knitting industry.<br />
She proudly learnt her colours from the Rowan shade<br />
card as a child, and has experience of running a brand and<br />
collaborating with designers.<br />
Linda Pratt<br />
Handknitting industry veteran Linda Pratt has done it all<br />
- be it shopowner, designer, sales and/or marketing manager<br />
for three yarn companies in the United States.<br />
Currently Linda spends her days working for Rowan,<br />
and helps with marketing strategies and maintaining<br />
Rowan's presence on Ravelry.<br />
Chloe Thurlow<br />
Chloe Thurlow has a background in machine and hand<br />
knitting. She has been published by MODE at Rowan,<br />
as well as working day to day in the Rowan Design Office.<br />
Katherine Lymer<br />
Katherine Lymer is a knitting tutor, designer and writer based<br />
in the inspirational countryside of the Scottish Borders. She<br />
enjoys travelling throughout the UK, giving workshops on all<br />
aspects of knitting and teaching people of all ages and skill levels.<br />
6 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 7
YARN TALES<br />
EST 1978<br />
YARN TALES<br />
FROM LOCKDOWN<br />
The challenges of 2020 have affected us all in<br />
many different ways and everyone has their own<br />
personal experiences and stories to tell.<br />
We have been utterly inspired by the wonderful<br />
and positive stories we have heard about how the<br />
crafting and knitting community have worked<br />
together to keep people crafting, creating,<br />
inspired and in touch with one another.<br />
Here are just a few of those stories.....<br />
Sealed With A Kiss (Flagship)<br />
Guthrie, Oklahoma<br />
Keely Northup, who started Sealed With A Kiss in historic<br />
Guthrie, Oklahoma in 1997, saw the onset of COVID-19<br />
as a new challenge to conquer. When the shop closed to<br />
in-store traffic in late March, Keely supplemented her social<br />
media – daily posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter –<br />
to include a daily You Tube Channel called House Party.<br />
Posting a new House Party video every day until the shop<br />
re-opened in June, Keely was able to engage with her<br />
customers locally and nationally with programs about new<br />
yarns, products and techniques, as well as some humorous<br />
episodes involving favorite songs, finding useable hand<br />
sanitizer, and the Top 10 positives about staying home,<br />
featuring Keely, her staff and her teenage son.<br />
Keely feels fortunate that she invested in a new website<br />
in 2019, complete with the full line of Rowan products<br />
available to order online. Because of the updated site, she<br />
could move her business rapidly to fully online and not<br />
lose business.<br />
For local customers, Keely established a hands-free pick up<br />
station in the rear of the store building. Located in an historic<br />
downtown setting, the store’s back door faces a picturesque<br />
re-done alleyway and is marked by a large rooster sculpture<br />
- so that her customers could continue shopping, knitting<br />
and crocheting while waiting for the store to re-open.<br />
Once the store re-opened on the first of July, House<br />
Party transitioned to SWAK TV, continuing the daily<br />
video platform, with fresh episodes every day. Keely was<br />
impressed by the number of people who contacted her<br />
after episodes and appreciated the efforts that the store<br />
made to help stay in touch.<br />
Website<br />
Due to the current global situation and the ever-changing retail landscape,<br />
please check with the store for current trading arrangements and services.<br />
8 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 9
Purl A Row<br />
Lincolnshire, UK<br />
At the beginning of the year we decided to move from<br />
Cornwall to Lincolnshire to enable our son to get the<br />
medical and educational help he needed…fast forward<br />
through lock down and various other road bumps and I<br />
have now found a new shop in a lovely market town called<br />
Horncastle. It’s not as big as I would have liked, but has<br />
potential and is accessible - with my ethos and personal<br />
wants, the shop has to be accessible and welcoming for all.<br />
I really can’t wait to get into it as I am missing my shop<br />
so much.<br />
How have I kept the business going during this time?<br />
Simple grit and determination is about it really. I have<br />
some amazing friends who have allowed me to throw out<br />
ideas and fine tune them to make them work. First off was<br />
Christmas in July. This was a surprise box full of Christmas<br />
delights including a knitting kit, chocolate, a Christmas<br />
DVD and lots more little goodies. Then came the 80 day<br />
sweater along. Make a sweater either crochet or knit in 80<br />
days and enjoy some fun in the chat group whilst we did it.<br />
Another Yarn (Flagship)<br />
Burlington, Massachusetts<br />
Finally I seemed to have found something that people<br />
wanted and I let the ‘Knit Lit’ boxes out. These are a<br />
different box every month with the theme of a knitting<br />
book and a kit to knit with a drink and sometimes other<br />
little trinkets. The idea was to have 6 months and all but 1<br />
month sold out in the first week of release. The boxes vary<br />
in genre but they are all about knitting in some way or<br />
another. They post out the first week of the month and are<br />
bringing a little bit of joy to people when they arrive and<br />
then they get the pleasure of reading and knitting.<br />
Now these boxes have not only brought in a little bit of<br />
money to help keep the business open but they helped<br />
keep me a little bit sane and distracted from what’s going<br />
on. They are a joy to put together and I can’t remember<br />
the last time I lost myself in a book before I did these.<br />
For the end of the year we have the Leyland shawl and the<br />
Bee things knit along. These are kits and lessons to learn<br />
new skills. I look forward to welcoming you to the new<br />
shop in Horncastle.<br />
Website<br />
Due to the current global situation and the ever-changing retail landscape,<br />
please check with the store for current trading arrangements and services.<br />
As Teresa McGonagle penned the weekly newsletter for<br />
her store, Another Yarn, on Sunday March 15 th , the early<br />
spread of COVID-19 in the greater Boston area was her<br />
primary topic. The store had already reduced their hours,<br />
reinforced their online sales presence, curtailed all but a<br />
few classes and was disinfecting the premises regularly.<br />
Within the week that followed, a lot changed. While the<br />
store stayed open, customers were no longer allowed in the<br />
store. Teresa quickly organized virtual and phone shopping<br />
appointments and a hands-free pick-up program from<br />
the store’s parking lot. Knitting and crochet groups were<br />
organized daily via the ZOOM platform.<br />
That same week, Teresa took on another challenge.<br />
Her niece, Sarah, worked for Tufts Medical Center’s<br />
Community Care program. While facemasks and other<br />
PPE were given to front-line medical workers, Sarah’s<br />
team of health care and administration workers were in<br />
need of protective supplies.<br />
Teresa knew that many of her customers were sewists as<br />
well as knitters. Starting with her own fabric stash and<br />
then with donations and the purchase of 1600 yards from a<br />
local fabric distributor, she started making kits to give out<br />
to her customers to sew. Teresa worked into the wee hours<br />
of the night making these kits, so that all her customers<br />
had to do was to pick them up as they drove by the shop.<br />
Two virtual tutorials were held, with 135 customers logged<br />
into the first class, then 199 logged onto the second –<br />
all in one week!<br />
As of 8 April, 2000 masks had been completed and donated.<br />
Teresa increased the program to cover local hospices, senior<br />
centers, homeless and homeless care administrators. With<br />
the advent of the ear-saver patterns in knit and crochet,<br />
her non-sewing customers could participate with donated<br />
yarn and buttons. By the first of July, close to 6000 masks<br />
had been donated.<br />
At the same time, Another Yarn kept up with online<br />
groups and classes – including the store’s successful<br />
seasonal Sweater Club, virtual trunk shows and, of course,<br />
the weekly newsletter that continued engagement. Now<br />
re-opened, Teresa and her staff have her customer base<br />
ready for another new knitting adventure each week!<br />
Website<br />
Due to the current global situation and the ever-changing retail landscape,<br />
please check with the store for current trading arrangements and services.<br />
10 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 11
Needle & Skein (Flagship)<br />
Minneapolis, Minnesota<br />
When COVID-19 caused Needle & Skein, located in the St.<br />
Louis Park area of Minneapolis to close, owner and local opera<br />
singer, Gilah Mashaal, jumped into action. She immediately<br />
enlisted the help of her daughter, Gabrielle Mashaal-Timm,<br />
to be her social media maven, and with the help of her shop<br />
staff began a regular schedule of Facebook, Instagram and<br />
weekly newsletters to stay in touch with her customers.<br />
Gilah and her staff created “Grab and Go” project kits, that<br />
were introduced every other day on social media. These kits,<br />
with many simple projects and free patterns were easy for<br />
customers to use their stash or pick up from the outside of<br />
the shop. Considered a life-saver by many of her knitters,<br />
Gilah’s kits covered Mother’s Day and graduation gifts, as well<br />
as something special for knitters during an uncertain time.<br />
Website<br />
Norfolk Yarns (Flagship)<br />
Norfolk, UK<br />
During the summer of 2020 the whole of the UK and<br />
further afield was affected by the COVID-19 virus, causing<br />
many of us to be contained within our own homes and<br />
separated from family and friends. Having hobbies to keep<br />
both hands and minds busy has been a major factor for many<br />
people who haven’t been able to get out and about, and we<br />
have been trying our best to help our lovely customers to<br />
keep going with their knitting and crocheting.<br />
As a business we had to close our doors, but due to the<br />
wonders of the internet we were able to carry on taking<br />
orders via our website and we really enjoyed getting out<br />
and about delivering the parcels. All local parcels were<br />
delivered by Boo and Simon on their bikes during their<br />
afternoon exercise hour with Rebecca delivering further<br />
afield in Norfolk by the bright red Norfolk Yarn delivery<br />
vehicle, discovering on the way the joys of rural Norfolk<br />
Sat Nav!<br />
It has cheered us immensely to hear from customers who<br />
have been happily working away with the yarns we’ve<br />
delivered, and we are looking forward to keeping going<br />
with postal deliveries as well as being back in the shop with<br />
the new season yarns to keep us busy through the winter.<br />
Being in close proximity to community events of unrest in<br />
late May, Gilah networked with others in her area to help<br />
those trying to get groceries through to the shut-down<br />
areas of the city, where grocery stores had been closed or<br />
were inaccessible. Partnering with local food banks and<br />
community organizations, Gilah reached out to the fiber<br />
community and her local customers with a list of groceries,<br />
baby items, and personal care items that were in short supply.<br />
The subject was not knitting, but a community-focused<br />
post detailing how her audience could contribute to their<br />
fellow citizens.<br />
Overnight, Gilah turned her store into a holding area and<br />
collected donations for four days. There were no yarn sales<br />
during that time, as customers dropped off bags and boxes<br />
of goods, covering the store’s sales floor, so that it was<br />
difficult to maneuver within the shop. Each day donated<br />
supplies would be distributed throughout the city to those<br />
in need.<br />
Gilah is proud to have found a way for the fiber community<br />
of Minneapolis to be involved and help during this crisis,<br />
yet feel safe. This reinforces her belief that Minnesotans<br />
are loyal, supportive people who are always ready to<br />
help others.<br />
Website<br />
Due to the current global situation and the ever-changing retail landscape,<br />
please check with the store for current trading arrangements and services.<br />
Due to the current global situation and the ever-changing retail landscape,<br />
please check with the store for current trading arrangements and services.<br />
12 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 13
FEATURE<br />
EST 1978<br />
A few other things which have been<br />
going on in the virtual knitting world...<br />
Rowan Flagship Ewe<br />
Rowan Flagship, Ewe, kept in touch with their<br />
customers during lockdown via email and text,<br />
delivering orders within 24 hours. Hungarian Vizsla<br />
Wilma kept a close eye on things and lent a helping<br />
paw to the creation and launch of their online shop.<br />
Ippikin (Flagship)<br />
Much Wenlock, Shropshire, UK<br />
Lockdown for me at Ippikin was never a case of trying to<br />
beat the boredom, as all knitters and crocheters probably<br />
felt - there was plenty to be getting on with! It all started<br />
with a crochet-along, trying to get people to learn how to<br />
crochet without having to leave the house. I had a lot of<br />
family and friends getting in touch and asking about how<br />
they could take up knitting and crochet during lockdown,<br />
and it got me thinking...how can I help teach them to<br />
crochet, without them having to come into the shop? So I<br />
decided to do a complete beginners crochet-along. I chose<br />
crochet as it is much easier to correct if you go wrong -<br />
especially not being able to show people face-to-face how<br />
to undo those pesky dropped stitches!<br />
I decided on a jumper and a range of yarns to suit everyone;<br />
knowing brushed fleece and chunky yarns would be perfect<br />
for a quick growing and super soft jumper. Thinking only<br />
a few friends would take part, I ended up with around 80<br />
people joining in and socialising over the Facebook group.<br />
It was great to see people taking up a new hobby, sharing<br />
help and tips during what could have been for some, a very<br />
difficult time. Definitely a bit of joy, positivity and some<br />
great jumpers to come out of lockdown!<br />
Website<br />
Addy and Katherine’s Skylark KAL!<br />
Our very own Addy Osborne and Katherine Lymer<br />
kept themselves busy with a weekly KAL! Skylark<br />
cardigan in Moordale by Martin Storey was the project<br />
and it looks like much fun was had!<br />
Rowan at OSPREY HOME<br />
The doors may have been closed, but our Global<br />
Rowan Flagship in St Albans kept the knitting<br />
community going with twice-weekly zoom knit clubs,<br />
some with special guests. The faces of Lisa Richardson,<br />
Georgia Farrell and Dee Hardwicke have all joined<br />
the knit clubs to talk about their ongoing projects and<br />
inspire knitters to pick up their needles.<br />
Website<br />
Website<br />
Due to the current global situation and the ever-changing retail landscape,<br />
please check with the store for current trading arrangements and services.<br />
14 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 15
Jude Williams<br />
Janice Schaller Focosi<br />
Emma Savage<br />
Hazel Joy Morris<br />
LISA RICHARDSON’S<br />
ELDER THROW<br />
KNIT ALONG 2020<br />
In April this year, Lisa launched the Elder Throw<br />
Knit Along. Using Felted Tweed, the pattern was<br />
released in eight sections over the course of three<br />
months. Knitters all over the world picked up their<br />
needles and embarked on the journey, supported<br />
by Lisa in a dedicated Facebook group.<br />
Here are just a few of the amazing results.<br />
#elderthrow | #lisarichardsonkal | #rowanyarnskal2020 | #feltedtweedkal<br />
Website<br />
Kathy Davenport McClurg<br />
Anne the Chihauhua<br />
Majorie Burke<br />
Margarida Costa<br />
16 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 17
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
REVIEW<br />
SEAMLESS<br />
EST 1978<br />
MAGAZINE 68<br />
by Rowan<br />
Seamless, Homewear & City Tweed<br />
The Rowan Magazine is the cornerstone of every season and<br />
magazine number 68 doesn’t disappoint! This latest issue is packed<br />
full of design and inspiration from well-known Rowan designers,<br />
plus some new names too! Read more about the three design stories<br />
over the following pages.<br />
HOMEWEAR<br />
Collection<br />
CITY TWEED<br />
18 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 19
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
EST 1978<br />
MAGAZINE 68<br />
SEAMLESS<br />
by Rowan<br />
Felted Tweed, Felted Tweed Aran & Alpaca Classic<br />
Interesting construction and unusual shapes are the key<br />
elements of the Seamless story. Elegant designs using texture<br />
and colourwork, incorporating techniques such as ‘top down’<br />
and ‘in the round’ with designs shaped in such a way that seams<br />
are not necessarily needed.<br />
Felted Tweed, Felted Tweed Aran and Alpaca Classic have all<br />
been used and designers include Martin Storey, Lisa Richardson,<br />
Georgia Farrell, ARNE & CARLOS, Emma Wright, Kristen<br />
TenDyke, Amy Gunderson, Galina Carroll, Cathy Carron and<br />
Vibe Ulrik.<br />
COLLECTION YARN STORE LOCATOR<br />
20 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 21
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
EST 1978<br />
MAGAZINE 68<br />
HOMEWEAR<br />
by Erika Knight<br />
Felted Tweed, Felted Tweed Aran, Alpaca Classic,<br />
Big Wool, Brushed Fleece and Creative Linen<br />
A comfortable collection of hand knits by Erika Knight,<br />
inspired by the 'hygge’ feeling of coming home. Soft, brushed<br />
and lofty wools, combined with plant based linens and cottons<br />
for drape and durability, are knitted in textures of ribs, stripes<br />
and woven style stitches. These designs celebrate the tactility<br />
of hand knitting to create modern pieces in which to cocoon,<br />
wrap and feel present. Knitted in neutral tones of warm beige<br />
and stone with shades of teal, highlights of chartreuse and a<br />
pop of orange.<br />
COLLECTION YARN STORE LOCATOR<br />
22 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 23
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
EST 1978<br />
MAGAZINE 68<br />
CITY TWEED<br />
by Martin Storey<br />
Felted Tweed<br />
Immensely popular Felted Tweed has been taken out<br />
on the town! Martin Storey has designed a wonderful collection<br />
of classic wardrobe essentials for everyday wear. Simplistic<br />
single-colour garments that will quickly become your new<br />
wardrobe staple.<br />
COLLECTION YARN STORE LOCATOR<br />
24 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 25
FEATURE<br />
EST 1978<br />
ROWAN at OSPREY HOME<br />
The Saddlery | Woodcock Hill<br />
Coopers Green Lane | St Albans | AL4 9HJ<br />
W: www.rowanatospreyhome.co.uk<br />
T: +44 (0) 7970880258<br />
E: rowanatosprey@icloud.com<br />
ROWAN AT<br />
OSPREY HOME<br />
- MEET THE TEAM -<br />
Our global Flagship Rowan at OSPREY HOME has recently<br />
reached a significant milestone, its first anniversary! We can’t<br />
believe that a year has passed since British lifestyle & accessories<br />
brand OSPREY LONDON invited us to create a new home for<br />
Rowan at their amazing brand location called OSPREY HOME,<br />
just outside St Albans. After much planning and a busy week<br />
spent moving in and creating a showcase of the Rowan yarns and<br />
collections, we opened our doors on the 1 st September 2019.<br />
The team quickly settled in and we have been thrilled with the<br />
response to our Flagship’s new home. Regular knit and crochet<br />
groups and classes were swiftly established, and a wonderful<br />
sense of community has been created. 2020 has of course had its<br />
challenges and our thoughts have been very much with Rowan<br />
stockists and knitters around the world as we deal with the impact<br />
of the pandemic. As shops closed, including Rowan at OSPREY<br />
HOME, it has been great to see the support that Rowan knitters<br />
have continued to give to their local yarn stores and how the sense<br />
of community has been kept alive online through virtual events<br />
and knit groups. The Rowan at OSPREY HOME knit and<br />
crochet group wasted no time in moving their regular catch ups<br />
to Zoom and they haven’t looked back! They have even had a few<br />
well-known designers dropping in to say hi too!<br />
We are thrilled that the store is now back open and with all social<br />
distancing and Covid-19 guidelines in place, we are delighted to<br />
be welcoming knitters back through the doors. Here, we take time<br />
out to find out more about the team behind this Global Flagship…<br />
Website<br />
Due to the current global situation and the ever-changing retail landscape, please<br />
check with the store for current trading arrangements and services.<br />
26 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 27
Donna<br />
Georgie<br />
How long have you worked for Rowan and Rowan<br />
at OSPREY HOME?<br />
I have been working for Rowan for 18 years, both as an<br />
advisor in store and as a tutor. I was part of the team at<br />
our concession in Liberty and have now been leading the<br />
team at Rowan at OSPREY HOME for the last year.<br />
Have you always knitted/crocheted? Who taught you?<br />
I have knitted from the age of 7 and crocheted from the<br />
age of 16 and continued ever since. My mother taught<br />
me both crafts.<br />
What do you enjoy most about your role?<br />
I really enjoy helping customers choose their new projects<br />
and talking about the various yarn ranges that Rowan<br />
sell. I also really enjoy tutoring various workshops; it is<br />
always wonderful to see a customer’s progression and their<br />
completed projects.<br />
What is your favourite Rowan yarn?<br />
That is a difficult question to answer as I have so many<br />
favourites! If I had to choose one range it would have to<br />
be Kid Classic.<br />
Do you have a favourite design that you’re planning<br />
to knit from the Autumn Winter 20 collections?<br />
Yes I do but I plan to knit more than one design. The first<br />
design I am going to knit will be Plume Poncho in Martin<br />
Storey’s publication Carousel using Rowan Alpaca Soft.<br />
Do you have a favourite Rowan design ever?<br />
My favourite design ever would have to be Perinone from<br />
Magazine 64. A stunning full length coat designed by<br />
Zandra Rhodes in Kidsilk Haze.<br />
What do you have on your needles right now?<br />
Currently I am knitting the Plush Poncho from the All<br />
Year Round publication by Martin Storey and have just<br />
finished knitting Nambu cardigan in beautiful Softyak DK.<br />
Do you have a favourite stitch or technique that<br />
you like to do?<br />
I really enjoy colourwork projects including fairisle<br />
and intarsia techniques and enjoy playing with lots of<br />
different colourways. I am also passionate about crochet<br />
and am always working on a crochet project as well as a<br />
knitting project.<br />
Is there a technique that you haven’t yet tackled<br />
but would like to?<br />
Yes and that is Brioche knitting. I am currently practising<br />
this technique and look forward to perfecting it in time!<br />
Aside from knitting, what have you been up to lately?<br />
I am currently learning to quilt and patchwork and have<br />
recently completed a course. I would also like to improve<br />
my dressmaking skills as there are such beautiful fabrics<br />
available.<br />
If you could choose one favourite moment from<br />
the first year of Rowan at OSPREY HOME, what<br />
would it be?<br />
I wouldn’t be able to choose just one favourite moment as<br />
there have been so many! It would have to be meeting all<br />
the lovely knitters and crocheters that have visited us<br />
as well as all the events that we have held with various<br />
knitwear designers. I did particularly enjoy meeting<br />
ARNE & CARLOS at a book signing event earlier on in<br />
the year at the store.<br />
How long have you worked for Rowan and Rowan<br />
at OSPREY HOME?<br />
I have worked with Rowan for 10 years and Rowan at<br />
OSPREY HOME since opening last September.<br />
Have you always knitted/crocheted? Who taught you?<br />
I have always knitted since the age of 7/8 years old when I<br />
fell in love with Debbie Abrahams beading and stripes. My<br />
bedroom use to be full of beaded & striped cushions and<br />
blankets I had knitted. I didn’t start garments until I was<br />
about 18 as I always wanted quick accessories, I can’t tell<br />
you how many Big Wool hats I made. Studying Fashion at<br />
College and University my knitting grew into garments and<br />
making things for my friends. I used to host evenings with<br />
my friends at uni to knit beanies. During this time I started<br />
to work with Rowan and my knowledge and love just grew.<br />
What do you enjoy most about your role?<br />
Meeting customers and helping them choose their next<br />
project. I also LOVE helping customers choose colours<br />
for their projects.<br />
What is your favourite Rowan yarn?<br />
Oooooh this is a tricky question; for quick knits Big<br />
Wool & Brushed Fleece. But I also love the end result of<br />
Kid Classic & Alpaca Classic. I feel Kid Classic is a very<br />
underrated yarn, its soooo beautiful to knit with!<br />
Do you have a favourite design that you’re planning<br />
to knit from the Autumn Winter 20 collections?<br />
This season is full of so many gorgeous designs. I am currently<br />
knitting the ‘Puff Sleeve Sweater’ from 4 Projects Haze.<br />
What is your favourite Rowan design ever?<br />
I have a Rowan black mohair cardigan with beaded hearts<br />
– I can’t remember the design name but I have lived in this<br />
for years! It’s such a classic but I don’t wear this in store as<br />
I know someone will want to knit it!<br />
What do you have on your needles right now?<br />
I have three projects on the go – Mako baby blanket, a<br />
Brushed Fleece sweater & new for the season the puff<br />
sleeve sweater in Kid Classic and Kidsilk Haze (which<br />
is an amazing mix by the way!) I like having a mix of<br />
projects on the go as it depends on my mood as to what<br />
I like to knit, and I always need an easy project for the<br />
evenings to sit and watch Netflix!<br />
Do you have a favourite stitch or technique that<br />
you like to do?<br />
I love doing different rib techniques and simple texture<br />
stitches.<br />
Is there a technique that you haven’t yet tackled<br />
but would like to?<br />
I have never tried fairisle, this is something I’d love to<br />
tackle to say I have done it.<br />
Aside from knitting, what have you been up to lately?<br />
I am busy running around after my 18 month old and<br />
photoshooting next season's collections!<br />
If you could choose one favourite moment from<br />
the first year of Rowan at OSPREY HOME, what<br />
would it be?<br />
Our last season spring summer event, putting together the<br />
event for our customers to enjoy. Seeing our customer's<br />
reactions to all the hard work we put into a season is lovely.<br />
28 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 29
Alison<br />
Frances<br />
How long have you worked for Rowan and Rowan<br />
at OSPREY HOME?<br />
I joined last October after retiring from West End theatre.<br />
Have you always knitted/crocheted? Who taught you?<br />
I begged my Grandma to teach me when I was about<br />
three. We made a cotton dishcloth which I still have<br />
somewhere. Crochet is still a mystery to me.<br />
What do you enjoy most about your role?<br />
Introducing customers to new techniques or yarn/colour<br />
combinations they’ve not come across before. That ‘Aha’<br />
moment when it clicks for them is something I completely<br />
relate to.<br />
What is your favourite Rowan yarn?<br />
Kidsilk Haze. It’s so versatile.<br />
Do you have a favourite design that you’re planning<br />
to knit from the Autumn Winter 20 collections?<br />
I adore Caerlaverock, in Alpaca Classic but it’s<br />
MAMMOTH! First up from <strong>AW20</strong> will be Galbraith<br />
Sweater and Taymouth skirt in Treacle Felted Tweed.<br />
What is your favourite Rowan design ever?<br />
I couldn’t possibly choose ONE! But I know Edmund<br />
Easter Bunny pattern off by heart. Every newborn for<br />
family/friends gets one.<br />
What do you have on your needles right now?<br />
A couple of Kim Hargreaves garments (Hanker and<br />
Feeling) that I’m desperate to wear! I’m also sampling<br />
some cable techniques I’ve not done before.<br />
Do you have a favourite stitch or technique that<br />
you like to do?<br />
I love cables. I am in constant awe of Martin Storey’s<br />
designs.<br />
Is there a technique that you haven’t yet tackled<br />
but would like to?<br />
I would also like to improve my skills in FairIsle knitting.<br />
There are some really nice smaller projects this season I’m<br />
looking forward to trying out.<br />
Aside from knitting, what have you been up to lately?<br />
Making several tonnes of jam from the allotment. I’m<br />
about to harvest my grapevines. If the pigeons have left<br />
me any at all I’ll attempt some wine.<br />
If you could choose one favourite moment from<br />
the first year of Rowan at OSPREY HOME, what<br />
would it be?<br />
Getting a call instore from a customer who’d be shielding<br />
for a long time and received her mail order that I’d helped<br />
her choose over the phone. She was so happy it made my<br />
day. Lockdown has been tough for everyone and I’m glad<br />
I could help her.<br />
How long have you worked for Rowan and Rowan<br />
at OSPREY HOME?<br />
I have just completed my first year, joining shortly after<br />
the store opened.<br />
Have you always knitted/crocheted? Who taught you?<br />
I have knitted since I was very young, taught by my Granny.<br />
My friend Ali, taught me to crochet only 5 years ago.<br />
What do you enjoy most about your role?<br />
Inspiring others to knit wonderful things!<br />
What is your favourite Rowan yarn?<br />
Rowan Felted Tweed, knits up so well, responds beautifully<br />
to blocking and even felting!<br />
Do you have a favourite design that you’re planning<br />
to knit from the Autumn Winter 20 collections?<br />
So hard to choose, but I especially love Cawdor by Martin<br />
Storey, a wonderful poncho in Felted Tweed Aran<br />
What is your favourite Rowan design ever?<br />
Lidiya by Kaffe Fassett. A stunning fairisle design in<br />
Rowan Felted Tweed originally in Magazine 48.<br />
What do you have on your needles right now?<br />
Kinross by Georgia Farrell – the shawl on the front cover<br />
of <strong>AW20</strong> magazine, knitted in Alpaca Classic.<br />
Do you have a favourite stitch or technique that<br />
you like to do?<br />
I find cabling very satisfying.<br />
Is there a technique that you haven’t yet tackled<br />
but would like to?<br />
It has to be Brioche knitting.<br />
Aside from knitting, what have you been up to lately?<br />
If I’m not knitting you will find me in my garden or on<br />
long walks.<br />
If you could choose one favourite moment from<br />
the first year of Rowan at OSPREY HOME, what<br />
would it be?<br />
The day ARNE & CARLOS visited for coffee and a chat<br />
with our customers- it was a lovely relaxing morning in<br />
great company!<br />
Due to the current global situation and the ever-changing retail landscape,<br />
please check with the store for current trading arrangements and services.<br />
30 November 2020 | Autumn Winter<br />
31
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
EST 1978<br />
PURE CASHMERE<br />
by Lisa Richardson<br />
Pure Cashmere<br />
Introducing our new, very special, Pure Cashmere. We are<br />
delighted to have collaborated with world-renowned Scottish<br />
cashmere producers Todd & Duncan, a heritage mill nestled<br />
on the banks of Loch Leven, to craft a luxuriously soft yarn.<br />
Read all about this exciting collaboration over the page.<br />
COLLECTION YARN STORE LOCATOR<br />
32 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 33
FEATURE<br />
EST 1978<br />
TODD &<br />
DUNCAN<br />
Collaboration in cashmere<br />
The journey beyond the Scottish borders travelling east<br />
towards Perth to the heritage mill of Todd & Duncan is a<br />
pilgrimage for fibre lovers. We were fortunate to visit on a<br />
Spring day when the clear shallow waters of Loch Leven<br />
were still and the heady scent of Holy-grass hung in the<br />
air. The incomparable landscape of rural Scotland makes a<br />
lasting impression and plays no small role in the production<br />
of its most luxurious fibre.<br />
Pure Scottish water<br />
Natural cashmere<br />
Introducing…<br />
Pure Cashmere, with Todd & Duncan<br />
Words by Arabella Harris<br />
We are delighted to have collaborated with world-renowned<br />
Scottish cashmere producers Todd & Duncan, a heritage mill<br />
nestled on the banks of Loch Leven, to craft a luxuriously soft<br />
yarn. Made with the purest cashmere fibres, washed in the<br />
fresh water of the ancient loch and gently dyed and blended<br />
by dedicated craftspeople whose knowledge has been inherited<br />
from generations of Scottish cashmere experts; this precious<br />
yarn is pure luxury.<br />
Loch Leven is famous in Scotland’s social history, as the<br />
location of the castle which imprisoned the ill-fated Mary<br />
Queen of Scots, but equally in its rich and world-renowned<br />
textile history, having housed the site of Scottish cashmere<br />
spinners and innovators Todd & Duncan since 1897. Today<br />
the pure waters of the loch, declared a National Nature<br />
Reserve in 1964, still play a vital role in the unique<br />
production of the purest cashmere. The water’s natural<br />
purity and softness helps to open up the cashmere fibres, a<br />
process that is essential to achieving the consistent colour<br />
and soft handle for which Todd & Duncan is synonymous<br />
throughout the fashion and textile trade.<br />
Circular process<br />
The delicate fibres are dyed before spinning, a gentle<br />
process that gives a superior colour result and finished<br />
hand-feel. The dyes used are environmentally friendly, so<br />
that all of the water employed in the activity can be cleaned<br />
and returned to the loch in a circular process, ensuring that<br />
the wildlife including brown trout, pink-footed geese and<br />
some 35,000 wintering birds for which Loch Leven has<br />
become internationally known, can continue to thrive.<br />
Responsible sourcing<br />
This synergy with nature and respect for natural resources<br />
is carried through to the sourcing of the cashmere fibre<br />
in partnership with nomadic farming communities<br />
from Inner Mongolia. Todd & Duncan work with local<br />
de-hairers, encourage sustainable herding and grazing<br />
practices and promote high animal welfare standards,<br />
and in doing so help to preserve a traditional, nomadic<br />
way of life.<br />
The white, downy undercoat of the cashmere goat has been<br />
used to make yarn and textiles for hundreds of years, and has<br />
been associated with Sultans and Kings since at least the 15 th<br />
century. Cashmere fibre is finer, stronger and lighter than<br />
sheep’s wool and more insulating too. But even today the<br />
world production of the raw fibre is small and the gathering<br />
and processing are expensive. On average one goat will<br />
yield approximately 500g of raw, greasy fibre, which once<br />
scoured and de-haired will result in approximately 150g of<br />
pure fibre, that’s just about enough to knit a scarf. Working<br />
with this precious, pure fibre therefore is a privilege, and<br />
we wanted to honor this fibre by collaborating with true<br />
artisans in their field who have the skills, experience and<br />
knowledge to produce the best quality yarn for the hand<br />
knitter. This is why we are proud to share the Todd &<br />
Duncan brand name on the label of each hank of yarn: a<br />
true marker of authentic quality.<br />
Caring for your cashmere<br />
When you have invested the time to knit something by hand<br />
it is important to care for it to ensure its lifespan. Try not<br />
to wash your knits too often, but when you need to always<br />
use cool water, and a mild detergent designed for delicate<br />
wool. Soak for 10-15 minutes then gently squeeze out the<br />
excess water, reshape whilst damp and leave to dry flat on<br />
an absorbent towel or drying rack (and away from direct<br />
heat such as a radiator). Once your knit is dry, remember<br />
to store it flat or folded, never hanging. Due to the delicate<br />
nature of the fibres some pilling or bobbling may naturally<br />
occur, this is to be expected with the softest yarns and is<br />
caused by the friction of fibres rubbing together. You can<br />
use a pilling comb or stone to gently remove excess bobbles<br />
and you will find that this will lessen over time.<br />
34 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 35
Pure luxury<br />
Cashmere is silky-soft against the skin, moisture absorbent<br />
and extremely warm yet lightweight with an elegant drape.<br />
We have designed Pure Cashmere with the hand crafter in<br />
mind to knit beautiful, soft, refined garments and accessories<br />
that will become treasured items to last a lifetime. Take time<br />
to enjoy knitting with Pure Cashmere and sharing in the<br />
heritage of this uniquely Scottish yarn.<br />
An unmistakably soft hand-feel, excellent stitch definition<br />
and the purest 100% natural cashmere fibres, spun to create<br />
a DK weight yarn warmer than wool, light to touch and<br />
gentle against the skin.<br />
In a palette of classic colours, enriched with bold shades<br />
inspired by the seasonal hues of the Scottish landscape, and<br />
delicate marls for which Todd & Duncan are celebrated.<br />
A considered collection of classic garment shapes knitted<br />
in simple stitches and modern accessories, to be worn all<br />
year round. Lisa Richardson presents timeless designs with<br />
a relaxed style, refined by pure luxury.<br />
36 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 37
RETAILER FOCUS<br />
BORN TO KNIT<br />
Salisbury, UK<br />
Website<br />
Email<br />
Despite the news so far this year being dominated by the<br />
coronavirus, Born to Knit in Salisbury has had an eventful start<br />
to 2020 in other ways. After running the shop from an upstairs<br />
studio in a converted Victorian grain mill for the past eight<br />
years, the end of February saw it re-opening in a brand new<br />
larger location in the archway at the Mill on Fisherton Street,<br />
just two weeks before lockdown started!<br />
The shop is owned and run by Heather Addison, who started<br />
her working life in wool as a Rowan Design Consultant in a<br />
branch of John Lewis a decade ago. “I’ve always been a Rowan<br />
knitter and loved both the yarns and what the brand stood for.<br />
My experience on the other side of the counter gave me both<br />
the knowledge and confidence to branch out on my own.”<br />
Born to Knit stocks high quality yarn made from natural fibres,<br />
and also offers a wide range of knitting and crochet workshops,<br />
and one-to-one tuition.<br />
The newly-refurbished shop started life as the Manager’s office<br />
back in the 1880’s and features an impressive built-in dresser,<br />
which was where all the accounts and ledgers for the original<br />
grain mill were kept. It’s now home to a range of pattern<br />
books, a variety of vintage knitting accessories, and knitted and<br />
crocheted wildlife.<br />
Heather says that it will be a while before the memory of six<br />
months of man/woman/bear hours stripping 130 years of<br />
white paint off the dresser fades completely, but the end result<br />
really was worth it!<br />
38 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 39
RETAILER FOCUS<br />
The bear in question is Willoughby Brown, who was knitted<br />
by Heather (from Rowan wool, obviously) back in 2012.<br />
Willoughby has since won an award at the Knitting & Stitching<br />
Show in 2014, and been promoted to Customer Relations<br />
Manager at Born to Knit. He enjoys a unique relationship with<br />
Rowan’s wonderful Kid Classic yarn as he lives inside it - his fur<br />
is knitted in a shade aptly called bear!<br />
BORN TO KNIT<br />
Salisbury, UK<br />
Website<br />
Email<br />
Once restrictions lifted in June, the new shop opened its doors<br />
again and Heather has been delighted with the way it looks and<br />
how the space works… despite a few minor glitches to begin<br />
with remembering where things were stored! The wool wall<br />
has been extended to make space for even more yarn, and the<br />
new shop also has the advantage of a street level location with<br />
access for wheelchair users.<br />
As well as running the shop, Heather also designs her own<br />
knitting patterns; her most ambitious design to date was the<br />
wedding dress made for her own big day two years ago, and<br />
which she managed to finish without her fiancé guessing what<br />
she was up to!<br />
The day after the new shop opened, Heather was invited to model<br />
her dress on the catwalk on the final day of The Stitch Festival<br />
2020 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, along with the<br />
other short-listed finalists. The annual festival is one of the largest<br />
knitting and stitching shows in the country, attracting thousands<br />
of amateur enthusiasts as well as professional designers over the<br />
course of the four day event. Heather’s dress was chosen as overall<br />
winner in the knitwear category by a panel of industry experts.<br />
“I was absolutely thrilled to win the award,” Heather says,<br />
“although I must admit I found the catwalk a little daunting.<br />
As my wedding dress, it has particular sentimental value, and<br />
winning the competition was the icing on the cake!”<br />
Now that the cloud that was Covid has begun to recede, Heather<br />
is enjoying being back at Born to Knit, running workshops<br />
again and keeping the Rowan flag flying well into the future.<br />
We look forward to welcoming you if ever you are in Salisbury.<br />
W: borntoknit.co.uk E: info@borntoknit.co.uk T: 07557 985935<br />
Due to the current global situation and the ever-changing retail landscape,<br />
please check with the store for current trading arrangements and services.<br />
40 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 41
RETAILER FOCUS<br />
THE RIBBON ROSE<br />
Auckland, New Zealand<br />
Website<br />
The Ribbon Rose is an amazing one stop craft shop located<br />
in Auckland, New Zealand. Often referred to by customers as<br />
the best craft shop in New Zealand, making the owners very<br />
proud. It boasts a wide range of knitting yarns and accessories,<br />
embroidery supplies, patchwork fabrics, sewing machines and<br />
notions, and papercraft supplies. This crafters haven has been<br />
lovingly curated by the Forlong family over the past fourteen<br />
years and is still very much a family run business today.<br />
Stephen and Heather Forlong purchased the business originally<br />
in 2006 when it was a quaint craft and gift shop located in<br />
an historical building in Ellerslie. The family, including two of<br />
their sons, lived in the upstairs rooms with the shop space below.<br />
Over time the couple found their feet in the craft industry and<br />
transformed the business into one of Auckland’s best craft shops!<br />
They utilized every aspect available in the small shop space,<br />
having many rooms to wander filled with ranges of threads,<br />
fabrics, embroideries, buttons and ribbons - a true treasure trove!<br />
Fast forward a few years and the decision was made to relocate<br />
to their current Mount Wellington location (a fantastic 5000<br />
square foot of retail space). With this decision came the long<br />
desired opportunity to add knitting yarns and accessories<br />
to their craft collection! The family and customers were<br />
delighted - more shopping space, more product variety,<br />
easy access car parking and most of all KNITTING YARN!<br />
Soon after this move Stephen and Heather’s son, Jonathan<br />
took over the day to day running of the family business.<br />
It was not long into the knitting journey that Jonathan began<br />
looking for a premier knitting brand to become a cornerstone<br />
range for the shop. After much research and deliberation,<br />
including customer demand, they decided that adding the<br />
ROWAN brand was definitely the way to go. The decision<br />
has been a resounding success, and the support from both<br />
Rowan and their New Zealand distributor has been fantastic.<br />
The Ribbon Rose team are very proud to be recently selected<br />
as Rowan’s newest and first New Zealand flagship store. They<br />
now stock a significant range of Rowan products: patterns and<br />
books, knitting needles and 14 complete collections of the<br />
yarns available. Big Wool, Kidsilk Haze and Felted Tweed being<br />
the most popular for their kiwi customers so far this winter.<br />
Jonathan sat down with a local designer and created the<br />
dedicated Rowan shopping space at the front of the store.<br />
Many hours went into creating the perfect look that would give<br />
customers that special feel when they entered ‘Rowan Lane’<br />
as it is now referred to. Warm, dark timber shelves that make<br />
colour palettes pop, rows upon rows to house the extensive<br />
yarn options, space to display the elegant knitted samples<br />
and fantastic knitting patterns and books. It really is a special<br />
shopping experience and one that customers comment on daily.<br />
The business also has a user friendly website<br />
(www.ribbonrose.co.nz) making this extensive Rowan range<br />
available to its customers nationwide.<br />
The future looks incredibly bright for The Ribbon Rose<br />
and Rowan.<br />
Due to the current global situation and the ever-changing retail landscape,<br />
please check with the store for current trading arrangements and services.<br />
42 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 43
FEATURE<br />
EST 1978<br />
ROWAN FLAGSHIP<br />
SEIBU SHIBUYA<br />
TOKYO<br />
We are extremely excited that our first<br />
Rowan flagship opened in Japan on Wednesday<br />
2nd September as part of the new DMC<br />
department in SEIBU Shibuya Department store.<br />
The store is located just 30 seconds from the<br />
world-famous Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo.<br />
Website<br />
The Rowan Flagship Store at Seibu Shibuya is displaying many<br />
samples both from the current season and our archive, and is<br />
selling many of our bestselling yarns from the Rowan range<br />
including Felted Tweed, Big Wool, Kidsilk Haze, Alpaca Classic,<br />
Alpaca Soft to name a few.<br />
Yoko Ouchi, Marketing Manager of Japan said:<br />
“Rowan’s heritage and it’s high quality yarns are much desired<br />
in Japan. Japanese knitters dream of being able to buy Rowan<br />
and until now there have been very few stores offering Rowan<br />
Yarns available for customers to purchase. Mature Japanese<br />
knitters love traditional fair isle designs and the younger knitters<br />
seem to prefer the more contemporary simpler designs which<br />
are quicker to knit. Felted Tweed, Kid Classic and Kidsilk Haze<br />
are very popular here at the moment and we are excited to<br />
have been able to create a new Rowan Flagship here”.<br />
Store details:<br />
7 th Floor of Building A, 21-1, Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.<br />
Opening Hours 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.<br />
https://www.sogo-seibu.jp.e.ld.hp.transer.com/shibuya/<br />
Due to the current global situation and the ever-changing retail landscape,<br />
please check with the store for current trading arrangements and services.<br />
The store is focusing on the newly launched Magazine 68 for<br />
Autumn Winter 2020 and some of its supporting brochures<br />
which include new collections from Kaffe Fassett, Martin<br />
Storey, ARNE & CARLOS, Georgia Farrell as well as the<br />
third collection from MODE at Rowan.<br />
New yarns available for Autumn Winter 20 are Rowan Pure<br />
Cashmere created by Todd & Duncan, a luxurious yarn perfect<br />
for those timeless classic knits, as well as a stunning Select Yarn<br />
Chunky Cashmere, perfect for accessories and gifts.<br />
FLAGSHIP STORE<br />
44 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 45
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
at<br />
MODE AT ROWAN<br />
NEW YARNS<br />
Introducing… Two NEW yarns<br />
Merino Aria and Soft Boucle<br />
Merino Aria is a chunky yarn with an amazingly lightweight<br />
feeling. Merino fibres are chained into a delicate tube that’s<br />
blown with air to create a wonderfully ethereal yarn that knits<br />
up into almost weightless garments. “Aria” is Italian for “air,”<br />
which perfectly describes this innovative yarn that is as light<br />
as air to hold.<br />
Soft Boucle, another lightweight chunky yarn made from a<br />
brushed blend of merino and superfine alpaca, adds instant<br />
texture to your knitting. Incredibly soft and cosy, it is perfect<br />
for snug winter jumpers, teddy coats and accessories to warm<br />
on the coldest of winter days.<br />
The MODE at Rowan team bring you a gorgeous collection<br />
showcasing these two fabulous new yarns. Turn over the page<br />
to see a selection of the designs...<br />
46 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 47
48 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 49
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
EST 1978<br />
KAFFE FASSETT<br />
FELTED TWEED<br />
COLOURS<br />
by Kaffe Fassett and Lisa Richardson<br />
Kaffe Fassett's Felted Tweed<br />
Twelve brand new shades of Felted Tweed from Kaffe Fassett,<br />
brought to life by both Kaffe and Lisa Richardson in a<br />
collection of stunning garments and accessories. Turn the<br />
page to read more about Kaffe's fantastic new additions to this<br />
well-loved yarn range.<br />
COLLECTION YARN STORE LOCATOR<br />
50 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 51
FEATURE<br />
EST 1978<br />
Introducing the fantastic new colours from Kaffe…<br />
NEW<br />
NEW<br />
NEW<br />
NEW<br />
Heliotrope 219<br />
Ciel 215<br />
Lime 213<br />
Sulfur 220<br />
NEW<br />
Peach 212<br />
NEW<br />
Astor 217<br />
NEW<br />
Fjord 218<br />
NEW French<br />
Mustard 216<br />
NEW<br />
Scarlet 222<br />
NEW Candy<br />
Floss 221<br />
NEW<br />
Ultramarine 214<br />
NEW<br />
Black 211<br />
Felted Tweed is one of Rowan’s best-loved yarns and so<br />
when colour guru Kaffe Fassett added new shades to<br />
the range previously you can imagine the excitement!<br />
This season Kaffe has gone even further and added another<br />
twelve brand new colours. Scarlet, Ultramarine, French<br />
Mustard and Lime are just a few of the delights that colourwork<br />
enthusiasts and Kaffe fans will love!<br />
A blend of merino wool, alpaca and viscose, this yarn has<br />
a beautiful tweed effect and is perfect for fair isles, striping,<br />
other colour-work and simple one-colour pieces too. The<br />
extensive colour palette consists of subtle neutrals through<br />
to vibrant brights, which combined with the stunning tweed<br />
effect makes it very easy to create endless and successful colour<br />
combinations. It is a yarn which is a pleasure to knit with –<br />
it glides along the needles effortlessly – and a pleasure to wear<br />
being lightweight, yet warm.<br />
52 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 53
FEATURE<br />
EST 1978<br />
DEE<br />
HARDWICKE<br />
Following the success of Dee Hardwicke’s<br />
first Rowan Seasonal Palette collection in 2019,<br />
this Autumn Winter sees the launch of three more<br />
beautiful palettes – Moordale, Cotton Cashmere and<br />
Kid Classic. All three celebrate Dee’s travels through<br />
the British landscape and her love of nature.<br />
54 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 55
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
EST 1978<br />
EST 1978<br />
MOORDALE<br />
COTTON CASHMERE<br />
by Dee Hardwicke<br />
by Dee Hardwicke<br />
British Wool & Alpaca<br />
Cotton Cashmere<br />
This wonderfully soft combination of British wool and alpaca<br />
was the perfect choice for a beautiful collection which includes<br />
a gorgeous wrap, cardigan, long scarf and gloves. Ideal pieces<br />
to bundle up in on a chilly day in the depths of autumn, Dee<br />
Hardwicke’s Moordale Seasonal Palette is inspired by the pinks<br />
and mauves speckling the hedgerows in the country lanes<br />
surrounding Dee’s home in the Welsh countryside. The palette<br />
features warm, earthy tones and flattering shades such as new<br />
Berry Pink, Turmeric and Pewter, set against the autumn-skyblue<br />
of Blue Moor.<br />
An all-seasons yarn, Cotton Cashmere is also equally suited<br />
to country and city dressing. Layering is key and designs in<br />
this collection include an elegant coat, turtle-neck sweater and<br />
wrap. The palette was inspired by Dee’s love of visiting city<br />
parks and garden squares when not at home in the countryside.<br />
The colours in early autumn tend to be less muted than<br />
those found in the natural landscape and this palette reflects<br />
that, featuring more saturated colours such as Indigo, Golden<br />
Dunes and new Myrtle. The shades are completely harmonious,<br />
working wonderfully however you choose to combine them.<br />
COLLECTION<br />
YARN<br />
STORE LOCATOR<br />
COLLECTION<br />
YARN<br />
STORE LOCATOR<br />
56 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 57
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
EST 1978<br />
KID CLASSIC<br />
by Dee Hardwicke<br />
Kid Classic<br />
Super-soft, Kid Classic grows really quickly and is a joy to knit<br />
with. Taking inspiration from autumn days and crisp winter<br />
nights, this palette is all about contrast. Bold Cherry Red<br />
and new Blue Hydrangea add punches of colour to shades<br />
including Pumice. The collection includes a throw, three<br />
geometric cushion cover designs and two beautiful knitted<br />
bags as well as a sweater, cardigan and wrap. Mix and match the<br />
shades to create a host of versatile designs.<br />
COLLECTION<br />
YARN<br />
STORE LOCATOR<br />
© Dee Hardwicke<br />
58 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 59
FEATURE<br />
EST 1978<br />
AN INTERVIEW WITH<br />
KERRY KIMBER<br />
We sat down with Knitting For All founder,<br />
Kerry Kimber, to talk about her new book,<br />
Kids Knit, publishing this Autumn.<br />
An ex high-school teacher, Kerry created<br />
Kids Knit in 2010, a teaching programme with<br />
age-appropriate projects and patterns that<br />
are simple, quick and fun.<br />
Knitting For All<br />
60 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 61
How excited are you to see your book in print?<br />
It’s a dream come true! I’m really over the moon at finally<br />
seeing the book in print. It’s amazing to see it in real<br />
life and actually hold it in my hands. I’ve always wanted<br />
to publish a book to reach children who can’t come to<br />
classes, and especially for kids who don’t have someone<br />
to sit with them as they learn. This is, I hope, the next<br />
best thing.<br />
Let’s go back to when you learned to knit. Who<br />
taught you?<br />
My Granny and Mum both taught me. I don’t remember<br />
it very clearly, I think I was about 7 or 8. When I was<br />
a teenager, my mother went to a workshop with Kaffe<br />
Fassett, which had a real impact on her. Her enthusiasm<br />
for colour and creativity was infectious! She shared her<br />
copy of Kaffe’s Glorious Knits book with me, along with<br />
her huge collection of wool in every colour imaginable.<br />
She said, “We can make anything with this!” It really was<br />
so inspiring.<br />
This led to me making my first cardigan. I striped it in<br />
many different colors against a grey base and I used lots<br />
of different thicknesses of yarn, plying them together so<br />
they ended up coming out to the same weight. I wore the<br />
cardigan all through art college and loved it so much. I<br />
wore it out once when I was about 25 years old and then<br />
I put it away. I’m not sentimental at all, but I still have it,<br />
and while I don’t wear it anymore, I will always keep it.<br />
How did having your own children impact you<br />
wanting to specialize in teaching kids to knit?<br />
My oldest two (boys) learned at 8 and 10 years old.<br />
I wanted them to have a creative outlet and to learn<br />
something they could do with their hands. I also wanted<br />
them to see themselves as creatively capable, to be able<br />
to make things, and to develop their spatial recognition<br />
(understanding of how shapes work together). Knitting<br />
fosters maths learning in a fun and relevant way too.<br />
As an Art and Design teacher I thought the process<br />
through very carefully before I began teaching them. I<br />
questioned what would motivate them and what would<br />
be the best approach and the right materials to guarantee<br />
success. I wanted them to have the opportunity to try<br />
out knitting in the best way possible—I wanted it to be<br />
attractive to them. Seeing the enjoyment knitting gave<br />
them, and the way they shared it with their friends, made<br />
me realize that there was an opportunity to start a business<br />
teaching kids to knit, and I realized I could recruit others<br />
to teach the methods I’d developed.<br />
My second son, has continued with knitting, and at 15<br />
years old did a knitted colorwork self-portrait for his Art<br />
and Design National 5 Qualification. Knitting is a way he<br />
relaxes (if there is no computer around!)<br />
Did your two daughters learn to knit as well?<br />
Yes, and they are both models in my book. One is a very<br />
keen knitter; she’s 13, and she adores Big Wool and Soft<br />
Bouclé. She makes lots of cowls and loves knitting moss<br />
stitch.<br />
You were a school teacher. How did that inform<br />
your knitting teaching methods?<br />
Understanding the natural progression of child and<br />
adolescent development gave me a solid background.<br />
Having a rough idea of the trajectory of growth helped<br />
me to determine the right age to begin to teach them,<br />
and when to build on this with new skills. Teaching also<br />
helped me develop motivators for the programme—things<br />
like stickers, folders, certificates, worksheets, and the fun<br />
of adding beads, buttons and basic embroidery. Classroom<br />
management skills really help too. It’s important to manage<br />
the learning environment so a class works well and fosters<br />
creativity.<br />
All this led to you creating Knitting for All.<br />
How many kids have been taught through your<br />
programme so far?<br />
About 2500 children have been taught through Kids<br />
Knit so far, and about 4000 signed up for the basic video<br />
tutorials I created at the beginning of lockdown.<br />
What are the three key pieces of advice you have<br />
for teaching kids to knit?<br />
Don’t correct them too much. Just keep them going and<br />
be encouraging. Help them to finish something quickly<br />
so they gain confidence. Start with a rectangle and get<br />
them to make it into something straight away, like a stuffed<br />
toy, hand puppet or little bag. Don’t begin with a scarf or<br />
hat—they take too long. Let them work up to that.<br />
Use good quality materials. Short wooden needles grip<br />
the wool well and are nice to hold. Smooth, chunky<br />
merino wool is satisfying to knit with because it grows<br />
quickly. Nice, bright colours make it more fun too. Wool<br />
is more environmentally friendly than using acrylics and<br />
this is another lesson for them.<br />
What are the features that make this book unique?<br />
The book is based on clearly presenting straight-forward,<br />
basic skills designed to build confidence. As the child<br />
moves through the book, it builds on the previously<br />
learned skills to develop more expertise. The how-tos<br />
are all photographed—we chose a larger photo format<br />
for clarity. I wanted to have children’s hands (we used my<br />
daughter’s) to show the steps to make it more relatable to<br />
kids. Every project has lots of step-by-steps and really clear<br />
instructions for sewing up.<br />
This is not just a how-to book. I have included lots of<br />
ideas for children to get creative and use their imagination.<br />
They already have ideas and with a little guidance and<br />
inspiration, they can create incredible things! All of the 20<br />
projects in the book have been tested by children in our<br />
Kids Knit classes.<br />
Which yarns do you use in the book and why?<br />
I’m a big fan of Rowan’s Big Wool for getting beginners<br />
started. It’s smooth, chunky, grows quickly, and most<br />
importantly, it’s easy to use for small hands. For the next<br />
level up, we used Rowan Pure Wool Worsted. It’s smooth<br />
and a little chunkier than DK, which makes it easier for<br />
children to use. Both yarns come in amazing colors that<br />
kids love. We used a variety of different yarns for the more<br />
advanced projects to introduce children to different fibres<br />
and textures.<br />
What is your favourite project in the book?<br />
I love them all – and they’re all much loved by the children<br />
in our Kids Knit classes. If I had to choose, I would say<br />
the Teddy because it was one of the very first patterns I<br />
wrote for our Kids Knit programme and has been knitted<br />
hundreds of times by children all over the country. It always<br />
makes me smile to see another little Teddy character being<br />
brought to life by one of our Kids Knitters!<br />
62 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 63
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
EST 1978<br />
ROWAN SELECTS<br />
SIMPLY SPARKLING<br />
by Martin Storey<br />
Rowan Selects Patina<br />
Using new Rowan Selects, Patina, Martin Storey takes you<br />
from day to evening with his wonderfully versatile collection<br />
of designs which allow you to sparkle all day, every day.<br />
Patina is a limited edition yarn which is super-soft with an<br />
oh-so-subtle shine.<br />
COLLECTION<br />
YARN<br />
STORE LOCATOR<br />
64 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 65
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
EST 1978<br />
ROWAN SELECTS<br />
CHUNKY CASHMERE<br />
by Georgia Farrell<br />
Rowan Selects Chunky Cashmere<br />
This limited edition Chunky Cashmere makes the perfect<br />
choice for that special accessory. Oozing luxury and in a palette<br />
of five delectable shades, with Georgia Farrell‘s sophisticated<br />
designs, you‘ll be spolit for choice.<br />
COLLECTION<br />
YARN<br />
STORE LOCATOR<br />
66 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 67
YARN TALES<br />
EST 1978<br />
LITTLE BOX OF<br />
CROCHET<br />
Here at Rowan we have fallen in love with<br />
the wonderful Little Box of Crochet.<br />
What could be better than having a little box<br />
of loveliness delivered direct to your door?<br />
Owner Amanda Bloom tells us all about it.<br />
The idea for Little Box of Crochet came when I was on a<br />
lovely holiday in Barbados with my darling daughter Jenny.<br />
She’d been diagnosed with a grade 4 brain tumour 18 months<br />
earlier. She was doing well but I knew her time was limited and<br />
I wanted to spoil her as much as I was able. I was a single Mum<br />
and funds were running low, so we were trying to think of<br />
something I could do to earn a bit of money whilst still being at<br />
home to look after her. We’d run a few ideas past each other but<br />
nothing felt right. Then...I was scrolling about on the internet<br />
(like you do) and I came across an ad for a beauty subscription<br />
box. I signed up for Jenny and thought,’ How lovely to have<br />
a little treat each month’. I looked everywhere for a crochet<br />
subscription box but none existed anywhere! And that was it!<br />
I suddenly realised that this was something I could do and still<br />
be at home to care for Jenny. And so, Little Box of Crochet was<br />
born. Sadly Jenny died two years later. It’s so hard to carry on<br />
without her but having this business as her legacy is wonderful<br />
and the community we’ve built up around it is a beautiful thing.<br />
I think she’d be very proud if she could see how far we’ve come<br />
from that little idea on our sun loungers by the pool!<br />
We try to make the subscription process as simple as possible so<br />
you can sign up very easily on our website. We do a payment<br />
plan option so that you can spread the cost of the crochet<br />
boxes, which now go out every other month. Our knitting<br />
boxes go out every quarter. You’ll receive your box through the<br />
post all wrapped up safely in a stout cardboard wrapper. And if<br />
at any time you need to cancel or pause you can do that easily<br />
on our website. You aren’t tied in at all.<br />
The starting point for each of our boxes is the box itself. Each<br />
one is a different colour and design and they are all made in<br />
the UK. They are strong and beautiful. I don’t think anyone<br />
has ever thrown one out, which makes me very happy. They<br />
are great for storing all your crafty bits and bobs in. The boxes<br />
contain everything you need to make your project... the yarn,<br />
a hook or needles, a bodkin for weaving in your ends and stitch<br />
markers to help you keep up with the pattern. We include a<br />
pattern booklet, which also contains a U.K. terms/US terms<br />
conversion chart for our crochet. We tell you a bit about our<br />
designers and contributors. We’ve also started including a<br />
recipe just for fun. Each box also comes with a detailed video<br />
to help you follow the pattern. One of the aspects of my job<br />
that I love is sourcing all the little treats that we add to the<br />
box. Each box has at least one lovely little something as well<br />
as all the core items, often made by British independent small<br />
businesses. We always use really high quality yarns, including<br />
my beloved Rowan. Just over a year ago we made the change<br />
from small monthly boxes to bigger boxes, every other month<br />
and this has given me the budget to make bigger items using<br />
great quality yarn.<br />
Another aspect of my job that I love is finding and working<br />
with top class designers from all around the world. We use<br />
a different designer for each box, although we have some<br />
designers who are so popular that they design for us regularly.<br />
I look for people who write detailed accurate patterns and<br />
projects that are interesting, a bit quirky and beautiful. I’m so<br />
proud of the projects that have been featured in our boxes and<br />
the lovely family of designers we’ve built around us.<br />
68 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 69
Last September we launched our first Little Box of Knitting<br />
which has been a huge success. Most of the knitting boxes<br />
have featured Rowan yarns including Moordale, Felted Tweed,<br />
Alpaca Classic and Kidsilk Haze. And we have more in the<br />
pipeline. I’m so proud to feature these yarns in our boxes.<br />
One of our recent knitting boxes featured a delicious pattern<br />
by Claire Garland who is famous for her knitted creatures.<br />
She designed a Cinnamon Dutch Rabbit for us, using a mix of<br />
Alpaca Classic and Kidsilk Haze. This proved to be a best seller<br />
for us and I’m not surprised.<br />
I’ve used Rowan yarns since the first time I came across<br />
them over 10 years ago. I remember making a skirt using a<br />
combination of knitting and crochet....a pattern by Sarah<br />
Hatton I think. It had a knitted underskirt in Kidsilk Haze<br />
and a crocheted over skirt in Kid Classic. That was actually the<br />
first time I crocheted. I loved the pattern so much that I had to<br />
teach myself to crochet, in order to make it. Thankfully I had<br />
a very helpful local yarn store who held my hand throughout.<br />
I wish I could say that I still wear it but sadly there’s a lot more<br />
of me these days so I just wear the overskirt as a shawl now.<br />
Knitting and crochet have been constant comforts to me,<br />
particularly when Jenny was ill and since she died. I can lose<br />
myself in a pattern and turn the grief off for a few hours here<br />
and there. It’s been a life saver. And the community I’ve found<br />
here in the world of yarn has been incredibly supportive to me<br />
and to Jenny in her last months. There are some very big hearts<br />
around here aren’t there?<br />
At the moment we are very busy preparing for Christmas!<br />
We’re doing our annual Advent Box and I know I say it<br />
every year but it honestly just gets better and better each<br />
year. We also have a Christmas Crochet subscription box to<br />
prepare....I’ll let you in on a little secret it’s contains Rowan<br />
Alpaca Classic! But that’s all I’m telling you. Our Christmas<br />
Knitting subscription box is also jam packed with Rowan<br />
yarn. This time it’s Kid Classic.<br />
We’re all really excited about these boxes! I’m also working<br />
on a new venture which is Little Box of Embroidery!<br />
I’m hoping that we’ll be able to launch this in December<br />
this year as well. It’s following the same aesthetic and quality<br />
as our other Little Boxes and we have a wonderful designer<br />
working with us on the first one so watch this space!!!<br />
Website<br />
70 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 71
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
EST 1978<br />
EST 1978<br />
NEW NORDIC<br />
UNISEX<br />
COLLECTION<br />
CUSHION<br />
COLLECTION<br />
by ARNE & CARLOS<br />
by ARNE & CARLOS<br />
Softyak DK<br />
Felted Tweed, Kidsilk Haze and Alpaca Classic<br />
'New Nordic Unisex Collection' is the latest title from ARNE<br />
& CARLOS in their New Nordic series. It follows on from the<br />
success of New Nordic and New Nordic Mens and this time all<br />
of the designs have been created for both him and her.<br />
Using Felted Tweed, Kidsilk Haze and Alpaca Classic, ARNE &<br />
CARLOS have taken inspiration from traditional Norwegian<br />
Acanthus ornamentation used in Norwegian folk art. Such<br />
folk art can be seen in wood carving, rosemaling (rose painting)<br />
and as decorations in ARNE & CARLOS’ 1000 year old stave<br />
church home, the grounds of which also provided the backdrop<br />
for this wonderful photoshoot.<br />
A celebration of ARNE & CARLOS’ wonderful cushion<br />
designs, here we bring together both of their collections into<br />
one beautiful book.<br />
The designs have been influenced by ARNE & CARLOS’ rich<br />
textile heritage and reimagined using classic and contemporary<br />
colourways in Softyak DK. Floral and geometric patterns can be<br />
paired front and back to spectacular effect or paired with a plain<br />
back to create a contrast. The decorative blooms married with<br />
the more graphic geometrics make for a truly distinctive pairing.<br />
COLLECTION<br />
YARN STORE LOCATOR<br />
COLLECTION YARN STORE LOCATOR<br />
72 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 73
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
EST 1978<br />
EST 1978<br />
CAROUSEL<br />
MY LONDON<br />
by Martin Storey<br />
by Georgia Farrell<br />
Alpaca Soft DK<br />
Alpaca Soft DK and Alpaca Classic<br />
Carousel is a glorious celebration of stranded colourwork,<br />
worked mainly in the round. Martin Storey has created a<br />
collection of beautiful accessories, plus the show-stopping<br />
Moonflower coat. All inspired by traditional Nordic and<br />
Folkloric patterning and brought to life with Alpaca Soft DK.<br />
Inspired by the architecture of London and using a bold and<br />
dynamic colour palette, My London is an accessories collection<br />
of geometric textured knits by Georgia Farrell. A mix of<br />
timeless, wearable pieces and bold statements, contrasting<br />
textures, angular shapes, abstract travelling cables and slip stitch<br />
details, all in Georgia’s signature style.<br />
COLLECTION<br />
YARN<br />
STORE LOCATOR<br />
COLLECTION<br />
YARN<br />
STORE LOCATOR<br />
74 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 75
FEATURE<br />
EST 1978<br />
TRISHA MALCOLM<br />
IN CONVERSATION WITH<br />
GEORGIA FARRELL<br />
Words by Arabella Harris<br />
The enormity of towering buildings, the rigidity<br />
of bricks and mortar: architecture is a seemingly<br />
abstract place to seek inspiration for the ultimately<br />
soft and fluid craft of hand knitting, but as Georgia<br />
Farrell reveals in conversation with Trisha Malcolm,<br />
the physical fabric of the city is all about pattern and<br />
texture for those who stop to look.<br />
Whilst studying for her degree in textile design at The School<br />
of Art, Architecture and Design (part of London Metropolitan<br />
University) in London’s East End it wasn’t the individuality<br />
of fellow student’s fashion nor the DIY style on the streets<br />
that the area has become synonymous for, but the physical<br />
landscape of her daily commute from the suburbs of Essex to<br />
the cosmopolitan hub of the city, that inspired Georgia. Rather<br />
than sleep walking, cocooned by headphones and looking down<br />
at the pavement with the crowds of city commuters arriving<br />
into London Liverpool Street, Georgia’s gaze was firmly<br />
skyward: wide eyed and amazed by the glass skyscrapers and<br />
tessellating patterns of the buildings that she viewed in motion<br />
through the train window. Georgia speaks passionately about<br />
the forms of architecture that inspire her, and her response to<br />
these monoliths is visceral and instinctive rather than dryly<br />
academic. The act of experiencing the buildings in person is an<br />
important factor for Georgia, “there’s nothing like seeing them<br />
in real life, the enormity and the way they layer up and interact<br />
with each other the shapes and the different angles”. It is this<br />
creative interaction with the buildings that she admires, that<br />
informs her design output. Translating the perceived mass and<br />
volume of architecture onto a soft and wearable garment takes<br />
vision, skill and time; and indeed, Georgia’s process has several<br />
parts. Looking and seeing is number one: walking around a<br />
building or viewing it from a moving window the shapes and<br />
angles are inevitably flattened and repeated on the mind’s eye.<br />
Sketching is another valuable exercise because, “you have to<br />
simplify when you make a quick drawing on site and actually<br />
that’s really helpful for then translating it into a knitting pattern,<br />
because you can’t knit every little detail of the building”.<br />
Photography too, then manipulating the photos with image<br />
software “cutting sections of the building out, repeating them”,<br />
isolating and abstracting shapes and playing with scale and<br />
perspective. The process is very fluid and experimental, but<br />
Georgia’s signature style is already cemented in her designs.<br />
Georgia describes herself as a textile designer rather than a<br />
knitwear designer, making an important distinction in reference<br />
to her interest in texture and pattern first and foremost. This is<br />
a personal preference but also perhaps a product of her training<br />
with its focus on machine knitting, which was more about<br />
preparing graduates for jobs in industry with big design houses<br />
or the high street. Georgia muses regretfully that this might be<br />
part of the reason that there are so few young designers in the<br />
hand knit industry, “they didn’t teach you any hand knitting<br />
at all on my course sadly, which funnels young textile design<br />
graduates away from the [hand knit] industry”.<br />
76 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 77
But this was something that Georgia actively<br />
circumnavigated, using her existing hobbyist skill of hand<br />
knitting for play and experimentation; using swatching<br />
as a method to explore ideas with more immediate and<br />
controlled results. So, stitch detail and surface texture<br />
became a product in and of itself, and Georgia admits<br />
that thinking about the garment that a knitted fabric<br />
will become is secondary in her design process. However,<br />
as her numerous published designs prove, Georgia has a<br />
deep understanding of form that enables her to adapt a<br />
fabric into a worn garment. This knowledge was learned<br />
through the practice of machine knitting larger pieces<br />
and constructing them in a modular way to create items<br />
that she describes as “sculptural”, taking geometric shapes<br />
such as hexagons and triangles and either folding them or<br />
connecting them to make functional garments, informed<br />
by studying the mathematical nets of the shapes.<br />
Today, however, Georgia’s knitting machines are left to<br />
gather dust at the back of a cupboard in her studio, as<br />
she prefers the tactile control of knitting by hand, which<br />
is at the heart of her design practice, a love affair realised<br />
during her four years working part time for Rowan at<br />
Liberty London, whilst building a portfolio of freelance<br />
work in both the fashion and hand knitting industries.<br />
This time spent in retail, which Georgia admits she<br />
came to as a “super fresh” graduate, was a chance to<br />
deepen her knowledge of different fibres and the ways<br />
that they behave, as she tried out all the yarns on the<br />
shelves, honing an “inside out” knowledge of Rowan<br />
yarns. Learning from the “fabulous ladies” she worked<br />
alongside and helping other knitters to unravel obscure<br />
pattern queries or choose a colourway for a new project<br />
was also an invaluable opportunity to connect with the<br />
wider knit community. Indeed, it is this sharing of skills<br />
and imparting of passion that Georgia hopes to do more<br />
of through teaching, having already discovered the “power<br />
of knitting” as an aid to wellbeing when leading knitting<br />
sessions for young people at a local mental health centre.<br />
So, what’s next on the horizon for Georgia? A concise<br />
capsule collection of accessory designs taking the knitter<br />
on a journey through the shapes and patterns of her<br />
favourite city, ‘My London’ provides an insight into<br />
Georgia’s creative thinking and encourages everyone to<br />
find inspiration in their own surroundings.<br />
78 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 79
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
EST 1978<br />
CLASSIC<br />
TWEED STYLE<br />
by Quail Studio<br />
Valley Tweed and Kidsilk Haze<br />
Featuring seven beautiful wardrobe essentials, this timeless<br />
collection of elegant designs epitomises the easy sophistication<br />
of the classic tweed look. The chic simplicity of tailored shapes<br />
is combined with subtle cables and charming colourwork.<br />
Valley Tweed is a traditional yarn, spun and dyed in Yorkshire.<br />
Its subtle, rustic luxury, occasionally combined with the<br />
softness of Kidsilk Haze, brings comfort to couture and is both<br />
fashionable and practical for day-to-day style.<br />
COLLECTION<br />
YARN<br />
STORE LOCATOR<br />
80 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 81
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
EST 1978<br />
EST 1978<br />
4 PROJECTS<br />
BIG WOOL<br />
4 PROJECTS<br />
ISLAND BLEND<br />
by Quail Studio for Rowan<br />
by Quail Studio for Rowan<br />
Big Wool<br />
Island Blend<br />
One of our best-loved yarns, Big Wool, is perfect for this<br />
collection of chunky oversized sweater, cardigan and accessories.<br />
We have introduced five bright new shades which have been<br />
combined with textured stitches, cables and pom-poms to bring<br />
these fabulous designs dazzling to life!<br />
A collection of relaxed, simple shaped sweaters and<br />
co-ordinated beanies, cowls and socks in a neutral colour<br />
palette. The essential sweater can be knitted with a choice of<br />
different necklines – crew neck or v neck – and the accessories<br />
have beautifully finished details including pom-poms.<br />
COLLECTION YARN STORE LOCATOR<br />
COLLECTION<br />
YARN STORE LOCATOR<br />
82 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 83
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
at<br />
MODE AT ROWAN<br />
COLLECTION THREE<br />
by Rowan<br />
Brushed Fleece, Big Wool,<br />
Alpaca Soft DK and Alpaca Classic<br />
The third MODE Collection celebrates classic wardrobe<br />
staples for the autumn season ahead. Garments and accessories<br />
that can be styled into a whole outfit or pulled out and worn<br />
separately, all coming together to complete a stylish look.<br />
Designers Lisa Richardson, Quail Studio, Annika Andrea<br />
Wolke, Georgia Farrell and Martin Storey have worked with a<br />
MODE at Rowan palette of Brushed Fleece, Big Wool, Alpaca<br />
Soft DK and Alpaca Classic.<br />
COLLECTION<br />
YARN<br />
STORE LOCATOR<br />
84 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 85
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
NEW FOR<br />
AUTUMN WINTER<br />
at<br />
at<br />
MODE AT ROWAN<br />
4 PROJECTS HAZE<br />
by Rowan<br />
MODE AT ROWAN<br />
THE<br />
BLOGGERS EDIT<br />
Kid Classic, Cashmere Haze, Kidsilk Haze<br />
by Quail Studio and Quail Bloggers<br />
Quail Studio have created this quartet of designs using Kid<br />
Classic, Kidsilk Haze and Cashmere Haze. In the case of the<br />
Kid Classic and Kidsilk Haze used for the Puff Sleeves Sweater<br />
and Lace Cardigan, the two yarns have been held together to<br />
form a beautifully soft and luxurious fabric.<br />
Kid Classic, Big Wool, Alpaca Classic,<br />
Kidsilk Haze and Brushed Fleece<br />
MODE at Rowan has joined forces with four Bloggers<br />
– Tiam Safari, Katharina Von Blumenthal, Samantha Hall<br />
and Lily Kate France. They have designed and styled twelve<br />
wonderfully stylish pieces using Kid Classic, Big Wool,<br />
Alpaca Classic, Kidsilk Haze and Brushed Fleece.<br />
COLLECTION YARN STORE LOCATOR<br />
COLLECTION YARN STORE LOCATOR<br />
86 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 87
#KNITROWANBYME<br />
We love seeing what everyone’s up to and your beautiful knitting projects.<br />
burfordgarden<br />
soniabknits<br />
lisahoffmanknits<br />
georgiafarrelldesign<br />
lostinknit<br />
sweetpeafamilycrochet<br />
maschenfein<br />
knittingoffbroadway<br />
craftsatno9<br />
Follow @knitrowanbyme and share your beautiful<br />
projects, yarn stashes and more by tagging<br />
@knitrowanbyme in your instagram posts or send us<br />
your WIPs directly by messaging us on Facebook.<br />
Each Friday we choose our #fridayfavourite where you<br />
could win a £5 voucher to spend on knitrowan.com.<br />
Make sure to share your Rowan pictures to be in with a<br />
chance of being featured in the next Rowan newsletter.<br />
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88 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 89
FEATURE<br />
EST 1978<br />
H O P E<br />
by Kim Hargreaves<br />
Kidsilk Haze, Alpaca Classic, Merino Aria<br />
Brushed Fleece, Big Wool & Pure Cashmere<br />
The eleventh publication in her KIM series, Kim Hargreaves<br />
brings us a beautiful new collection for Autumn. Featuring<br />
texture, delicate lace and classic shapes worked rich browns,<br />
rusts, olives and joyous pops of cobalt blue.<br />
COLLECTION YARN STORE LOCATOR<br />
90 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 91
FEATURE<br />
EST 1978<br />
DEBBIE<br />
ABRAHAMS<br />
MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB<br />
2021<br />
In 2021 Debbie will begin her fourteenth Mystery Blanket<br />
Club knitting adventure, which invites knitters from all over<br />
the world to join her in a ten-month KAL. The concept<br />
of the Mystery Blanket Club has remained the same from<br />
when it first began in 2008 and is simple. Members receive<br />
the knitting kit in two instalments which include all the yarn<br />
and embellishments needed for the whole project. They then<br />
receive the patterns in ten monthly instalments, beginning<br />
in February and finishing in November. The theme of the<br />
project is kept a secret, only to be discovered as the squares<br />
are completed and the blanket takes shape. Debbie writes a<br />
monthly blog on her website which keeps the members up to<br />
date with all the latest news, advice and knitting tips for the<br />
project. Each year the design for the Mystery Blanket is sold<br />
with a limited membership with the patterns made available<br />
only to the members that join, making it a unique experience<br />
for those that take part.<br />
Website<br />
Email<br />
92 November 2020 | Autumn Winter<br />
93
For Debbie’s 2021 Mystery Blanket she is using several<br />
of her favourite yarns from the Rowan Autumn/Winter<br />
collection including Felted Tweed, Kid Classic, Softyak<br />
and Alpaca Soft. Debbie opted for a soft, muted colour<br />
palette for her previous two Mystery Blankets, Winter<br />
Wonderland and her current Mystery Blanket (which she<br />
has yet to reveal the name of!). However, for next year she<br />
is returning to a vibrant colour palette using some of the<br />
brightest shades in the Rowan collection for her design:<br />
“Without giving the game away, the inspiration for next<br />
year’s blanket is a feast of colour with bright shots of<br />
fizzy orange, magenta, brilliant green and saffron yellow<br />
contrasted with deep shades of purple and midnight blue.<br />
These are my favourite colours to work with, I love rich<br />
vibrant shades, so the design has been an absolute joy to<br />
work on and thoroughly addictive to design. There are<br />
plenty of glass beads in the blanket as well to add that all<br />
important sparkle, plus I have also used shisha mirrors to<br />
embellish some of the squares. All in all it’s going to be a<br />
very colourful, sparkly journey next year with plenty to<br />
keep my members inspired and motivated!”<br />
Images are all of previous mystery blankets<br />
There are forty-nine squares in a Mystery Blanket, so it’s<br />
a great way to learn new knitting techniques and improve<br />
confidence with existing skills. Next year’s design combines<br />
together lace stitches, cables, textured stitches, stripes and<br />
beading with some intarsia and fairisle colourwork. But<br />
if preferred members can opt out of the colourwork and<br />
knit something a bit easier by choosing the Option Two<br />
patterns that are offered as an alternative. This means that<br />
knitters of all skill levels can take on the Mystery Blanket<br />
and never feel that they are out of their depth:<br />
“I think that it is really important for each member to<br />
feel that they are achieving great things as they knit each<br />
square. There is nothing better for me than hearing how<br />
much someone has learnt from knitting a Mystery Blanket,<br />
and how much their confidence has grown as a result. A<br />
project that grows square by square is the perfect way to<br />
try out new techniques without feeling the pressure of<br />
a bigger project like a garment. And that means that the<br />
project is portable too, so it’s perfect to take on trips away,<br />
or even to knit on the way to work – while using public<br />
transport, of course!”<br />
The process of creating the design for each of Debbie’s<br />
Mystery Blankets is a lengthy one, usually taking from<br />
six to eight months to complete each one of her blanket<br />
designs. Her starting point is a source of inspiration, from<br />
which she takes all of her ideas for colour, texture and<br />
pattern. After creating a colour palette she then works on a<br />
colour layout to determine roughly where the colours are<br />
going to be used in the forty-nine squares of the blanket.<br />
Then a rough sketch is drafted up of the whole design so<br />
that she has a plan to work to for the placement of pattern<br />
and texture. When all of this prep work has been done,<br />
it is only then that Debbie picks up the knitting needles<br />
and starts to knit samples of each square in the blanket.<br />
And this can be a lengthy process in itself, with many of<br />
the squares being revised and reknitted several times over<br />
before she is happy with the results:<br />
“Designing a blanket is all about balance and harmony,<br />
and my challenge is to create something that is not only<br />
visually pleasing to the eye, but also has enough exciting<br />
stitch patterns in it to keep the knitter motivated for ten<br />
months. I love playing with colour and texture, and the<br />
Mystery Blanket gives me the opportunity to do just that,<br />
so it’s the perfect vehicle for my work. I take care of the<br />
design side of the blanket, but I have a team of other people<br />
that work alongside me, without whom there would be<br />
no Mystery Blanket Club. I have two test knitters who<br />
each knit a complete blanket, three postal teams who deal<br />
with the posting of the parcels, a local printer who looks<br />
after all the printed patterns, two graphic designers, a web<br />
and technical support team and a personal assistant. So<br />
there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make it all<br />
happen for the hundreds of knitters worldwide who take<br />
on my challenge each year.”<br />
With many people all over the world facing an increased<br />
amount of time at home, Debbie feels that her Mystery<br />
Blanket projects are more important now than they<br />
have ever been to keep people busy and motivated. All<br />
crafts have seen a massive boost during the pandemic<br />
and knitting has offered a much-needed distraction, with<br />
WIPs coming out on the cupboard and new challenges<br />
being taken on:<br />
“The Mystery Blanket kit is delivered to your door so<br />
if you are unable to leave the house you can still feed<br />
your knitting obsession and continue to craft. My Mystery<br />
Clubs have been a life saver for many people, and with<br />
more time being spent at home in the current climate it<br />
so important to have something exciting and new to look<br />
forward to. And with the Mystery Blanket Club spread<br />
across ten months, there is plenty to keep everyone going<br />
in 2021!”<br />
If you are interested in joining Debbie’s 2021 Mystery<br />
Blanket Club then you can sign up straight away by visiting<br />
the online shop on her website: www.debbieabrahams.<br />
com. Memberships can be purchased for UK, Europe<br />
and the World. There is a deadline of 31 st December or<br />
when the Club sells out – whichever comes first. There<br />
is a limited number of 600 memberships available for the<br />
2021 Mystery Blanket Club.<br />
Debbie’s contact details are:<br />
Address: 26 Church Drive, Carrington, Nottingham<br />
NG5 2BA, UK<br />
Email: debbie@debbieabrahams.com<br />
Debbie Abrahams website: www.debbieabrahams.com<br />
94 November 2020 | Autumn Winter<br />
November 2020 | Autumn Winter 95
HOW TO<br />
EST 1978<br />
HOW TO<br />
THE IMPORTANCE<br />
OF TENSION<br />
by Katherine Lymer<br />
Understanding – and achieving – the stated knitting tension,<br />
or gauge, is an essential first step of your knitting project.<br />
Every pattern will provide information on the tension of the knitted fabric<br />
by specifying the number of stitches in a row and number of rows (or rounds)<br />
worked in a specific stitch pattern, using the specified needle size, to create a<br />
10x10cm square. Any differences between your knitting tension and that stated<br />
in the pattern can give rise to dramatic discrepancies between the expected<br />
and achieved size of the finished garment. This is why we always advise first<br />
working a tension square to ensure that you are knitting to the same gauge as<br />
that specified in the pattern – and the yardage specified in your Rowan pattern<br />
will accommodate the knitting of this test piece.<br />
At the beginning of every pattern, the tension will be stated in the form of: -<br />
TENSION<br />
22 sts and 30 rows to 10 cm measured over st st using 4mm (US 6) needles.<br />
However, when knitting a tension square, don’t just knit a 10x10cm<br />
square as this can be very hard to measure accurately. Instead,<br />
Image 1<br />
Image 2<br />
(1) Using the same yarn as you will be for the main project and the same<br />
needle size as given in the tension information, cast on* at least four<br />
more stitches than the number given. (In this case, we would cast on<br />
22 + 4 = 26 sts.)<br />
(2) Using the same stitch pattern as specified in the tension information,<br />
work at least four more rows than the number given. (In this case,<br />
we would knit 30 + 4 = 34 rows of stocking stitch.)<br />
(3) Cast off*.<br />
* using the same method as you intend to for the main project<br />
Once the square is completed, measure your tension as follows:<br />
(1) Using a solid (e.g. metal or wood) ruler (or similar, but not a fabric tape<br />
measure as this may stretch over time), place two pins exactly 10cm<br />
apart, horizontally, across the width of the fabric. Since the stitches at<br />
the row ends may be looser / tighter than those in the centre, measure<br />
across the middle of the fabric. See image 1.<br />
Count and record the number of stitches between the pins.<br />
(2) Using the same solid ruler, place two pins exactly 10cm apart, vertically,<br />
across the height/length of the fabric. Again, since the cast-on and<br />
cast-off edges may have a different tension to the rows forming the<br />
main body of the fabric, measure across the middle of the fabric<br />
without touching the edges. See image 2.<br />
Count and record the number of rows between the pins.<br />
(3) Compare your results to the stated tension.<br />
96 November 2020 | Autumn Winter November 2020 | Autumn Winter 97
Once the square is complete, with the<br />
measured tension matching that stated<br />
in the pattern, we can cast-on our new<br />
garment with confidence.<br />
If your tension doesn’t match that specified, never try to alter<br />
your own natural knitting tension. You may be able to maintain<br />
the new tension by knitting tighter or looser for a short time,<br />
but soon your natural rhythm will take over and you’ll end up<br />
with unevenly knitted fabric. (If you’re a new knitter, it is likely<br />
that your knitting will change as your experience increases – so<br />
choosing a project where maintaining the same tension isn’t<br />
essential (such as a scarf) can be a good idea.) So instead, change<br />
the knitting needles: If you have one or two stitches more / less<br />
than the stated tension, consider changing your needles and use<br />
a pair one or two (US) size(s) smaller / bigger to knit a new<br />
tension square and re-measure the gauge. Once your tension<br />
matches that of the pattern, you can feel confident in castingon<br />
the main project.<br />
Knitting tension is also affected by the type of needle you<br />
use (wooden, metal or plastic; straight vs circular), so if the<br />
measured gauge is only slightly out (for example, by ½ st),<br />
it may be worth re-knitting the tension square using a different<br />
needle of the same size (e.g. switching from metal to wood).<br />
Sometimes, the change in needles can subtly alter the way we<br />
knit – and therefore impact on our knitting tension – and can<br />
provide the necessary remedy to small mismatches in gauge.<br />
For these same reasons, try to avoid changing needles part-way<br />
through your project.<br />
Although the main purpose of a tension square is to ensure<br />
that your tension matches that stated in the pattern, thereby<br />
providing the confidence that we will finish with a garment<br />
of the desired dimensions, there is always the question of what<br />
to do with the knitted square once we’ve finished with it.<br />
Sometimes, it can be useful to wash the tension square to check<br />
how the it behaves in water (is there any bleeding from the dye?<br />
Do the measurements change after blocking?). Other times, we<br />
may want to rip back the square and use the yarn for the main<br />
(or a different) project. Keeping the tension squares can be a<br />
pleasing curation of our knitting history in itself or they can be<br />
transformed into other projects, such as patchwork cushions or<br />
a fabric insert into greetings cards. Of course, the importance<br />
lies in actually knitting and measuring the tension square – but<br />
being able to make the knitted square into an individual piece of<br />
its own can provide an extra incentive to knit one!<br />
Starting a new project by knitting a tension square not<br />
only ensures that we have the correct gauge for the<br />
pattern but, when knitting colour work, also allows<br />
your chosen colour combinations to be tested before<br />
committing to the full garment.<br />
Keeping your old tension squares can<br />
provide a tactile record of the garments<br />
you have knitted.<br />
98 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 99
MEMBERS PATTERN<br />
EST 1978<br />
LUCCA<br />
By Lisa Richardson<br />
YARN<br />
Creative Linen<br />
A Mustard 647 1 x 100gm<br />
B Oasis 652 1 x 100gm<br />
C Natural 621 1 x 100gm<br />
D Teal 625 1 x 100gm<br />
E Straw 622 1 x 100gm<br />
CROCHET HOOK<br />
4mm (no 8) (US G6) crochet hook<br />
BUTTON – 1 x BN1368 (used showing reverse of button)<br />
from Bedecked. Please see information page for contact details.<br />
TENSION<br />
14.5 sts and 13.5 rows to 10 cm measured over patt using 4mm<br />
(US G6) crochet hook<br />
FINISHED SIZE<br />
Completed bag is 25 cm (9 3/4 in) wide x 8 cm (3 1/4 in) deep<br />
x 26 cm (10 1/4 in) high, excluding handles<br />
PATTERN NOTE<br />
The base of the bag is worked in rows. The sides are worked in<br />
rounds from the base up.<br />
For each new row or round, change colour on the last yarn over<br />
and pull through on the last st in the previous row or round.<br />
CROCHET ABBREVIATIONS<br />
ch = chain; dc = double crochet; BLO = back loop<br />
only; FLO = front loop only; htr = half treble crochet;<br />
htr2tog = half treble 2 together in same st; ss = slip stitch<br />
100 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 101
BASE<br />
Using 4mm (US G6) crochet hook and yarn A make 37 ch.<br />
Row 1 (RS): Using yarn A, 1 dc into 2nd ch from hook,<br />
1 dc into each of the next 3 ch, *htr2tog into each of the<br />
next 4 ch, 1 dc into each of the next 4 ch, rep from * to<br />
end, turn. 36 sts.<br />
Row 2: Using yarn B, 2 ch, 1 htr into the same st as<br />
2 ch (counts as htr2tog), htr2tog into each of the next 3 sts,<br />
*1 dc into each of the next 4 sts, htr2tog into each of the<br />
next 4 sts, rep from * to end, turn.<br />
Row 3: Using yarn C, 1 ch (does NOT count as st),<br />
1 dc into each of the next 4 sts, *htr2tog into each of<br />
the next 4 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 4 sts, rep from *<br />
to end, turn.<br />
Repeat rows 2 and 3 for a further 8 rows, in the colour<br />
sequence (D, E, A, B, C), ending with row 3 worked in A.<br />
Fasten off.<br />
SIDES<br />
With RS of base facing, using 4mm (US G6) crochet<br />
hook, join yarn B in the first dc of last row of the base.<br />
Round 1: 2 ch, 1 htr into the same st as 2 ch (counts as<br />
htr2tog), htr2tog into each of the next 3 sts, **(1 dc into<br />
each of the next 4 sts, htr2tog into each of the next 4 sts)<br />
4 times, now working in the row ends of the short side of<br />
the base, 1 dc into side of each of the next 4 rows, htr2tog<br />
into side of each of the next 4 rows, 1 dc into side of each<br />
of the next 3 rows, 1 dc into corner**, now working in<br />
the sts of the next long side of the base, htr2tog into each<br />
of the next 4 sts, rep from ** to **, ss to first htr to join.<br />
96 sts.<br />
Round 2: Using yarn C, 1 ch (does NOT count as st),<br />
*1 dc into each of the next 4 sts, htr2tog into each of the<br />
next 4 sts, rep from * to end, ss to first dc to join.<br />
Round 3: Using yarn D, 2 ch, 1 htr into the same st as<br />
2 ch (counts as htr2tog), htr2tog into each of the next<br />
3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 4 sts, *htr2tog into each of<br />
the next 4 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 4 sts, rep from *<br />
to end, ss to first htr to join.<br />
Repeat rounds 2 and 3 for a further 32 rounds, in the<br />
colour sequence (E, A, B, C, D), ending with round 3<br />
worked in A.<br />
Fasten off.<br />
HANDLE<br />
With RS of bag facing, using 4mm (US G6) crochet hook,<br />
join yarn B in the first dc of one short side.<br />
Row 1 (RS): 2 ch, 1 htr into the same st as 2 ch (counts as<br />
htr2tog), htr2tog into each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each<br />
of the next 4 sts, htr2tog into each of the next 4 sts, turn.<br />
Row 2: Using yarn C, 1 ch (does NOT count as st),<br />
1 dc into each of the next 4 sts, htr2tog into each of the<br />
next 4 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 4 sts, turn.<br />
Repeat rows 1 and 2, in the colour sequence (D, E, A, B, C),<br />
until the handle measures approx. 110cm (or required<br />
length), ending with a row 1 in any yarn except A, do not<br />
fasten off.<br />
Next row: With WS facing, ss through the BLO of the<br />
first st on the handle and the FLO of the edge st of the<br />
short side of the bag to join, *ss through BLO of next st<br />
on handle and FLO of next st of bag, rep from * to end.<br />
Fasten off.<br />
MAKING UP<br />
Press as described on the information page if required.<br />
Button loop<br />
With RS facing, using 4mm (US G6) crochet hook, join<br />
yarn A to the 18 th st from the right (first st to the right<br />
of the centre point) on one long edge of the bag, make a<br />
length of ch measuring 7cm.<br />
Row 1: 1 dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc into each ch<br />
to end.<br />
Fasten off.<br />
Join end of button loop to next st on the bag.<br />
See information page for finishing instructions.<br />
102 November 2020 | Autumn Winter 103
WINTER<br />
Collection No.12 by Kim Hargreaves<br />
Available November 2020<br />
978-1-906487-42-3<br />
Sweater | knitted in Merino Aria<br />
KIM HARGREAVES<br />
104 105