Rowan has published it’s 58th Knitting & Crochet Magazine on Juli 15. I’m sure some of you have already  browsed through this magnificent and inspiring magazine.

As usual Rowan has chosen three different stories to reflect the current fashion and rendering it into the word of knitters and crocheters.

This new publications contains 40 designs from 11 well know knitwear designer, but it is also having a closer look to one of the new yarns Rowan has introduced for this season: Hemp Tweed!

And it is pronouncing the new relationship of Rowan and Swarovski. I have already seen some of the fashion outcomes of this liaison and with two simple words: Stay tuned! I heard it through the grapevine, starting from October the fashion world will be glistening!

The magazine also has a closer look into the life of Zandra Rhodes. Zandra Rhodes is one of the most influential fashion designer of the last centuries and well known for her dramatic, glamorous designs.  “She has dressed Diana, Princess of Wales, Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Helen Mirren and Freddie Mercury, and now she has created something especially for Rowan”.

Now let’s have a closer look to the different stories of this Rowan Knitting & Crocheting Magazine 58.

 

“Fanny spoke her feelings. “Here’s harmony!” said she; “here’s repose! Here’s what may leave all painting and all music behind, and what may tranquillize every care, and lift the heart to rapture! When I look out on such a night as this, I feel as if there could be neither wickedness nor sorrow in the world; and there certainly would be less of both if the sublimity of Nature were more attended to, and people were carried more out of themselves by contemplating such a scene.”
― Jane Austen, Mansfield Park

Tranquil (ˈtræŋkwɪl)

This collection of both men and womenswear offers an elegant take on the timeless trend of colourwork based hand knit designs. The collection uses soft flecked, tweed or gentle graduated yarns to give a gentle muted look.

 

“It is in your power to withdraw yourself whenever you desire. Perfect tranquility within consists in the good ordering of the mind, the realm of your own.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Whilst the collection features complex colourwork for the more accomplished knitter, there are also simpler textured or striped designs for those less confident knitters. Techniques used are stranding, fair isle, intarsia, cables, and crochet.

 

Being well-dressed gives a feeling of inward tranquility which psychoanalysis is powerless to bestow.”
― Sebastian Horsley

Sarah Hatton has created the backdrop for this collection which was photographed in an elegant London townhouse.

Yarns used in this collection:

• Kid Classic
• Kidsilk Haze
• Chenille
• Pure Wool Worsted
• Fazed Tweed
• Creative Focus™ Worsted
• Felted Tweed
• Felted Tweed Aran
• Rowan Tweed
• Rowan Fine Tweed
• Alpaca Colour
• Colourspun

 

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The fellowship of the ring

Frost (frɒst)

The inspiration for the designs comes from Icy landscapes and frost encrusted foliage. Shapes are simple and unstructured, with loose fitting cardigans and coats which can be layered for the cold Frosty days.

 

But frost, like the crystallized dreams of autumn, began to coat the clearing with its sugar glaze.
― Victoria Steele Logue, Redemption

Cold winter frost leaves

Using a variety of cables and textured stitches along with beautiful fair isle colour work there are plenty of designs that are suitable for the average and the more experienced knitters. Sweaters textured yoke cardigans and scarves add to the collection.

 

It is growing cold. Winter is putting footsteps in the meadow. What whiteness boasts that sun that comes into this wood! One would say milk-colored maidens are dancing on the petals of orchids. How coldly burns our sun! One would say its rays of light are shards of snow, one imagines the sun lives upon a snow crested peak on this day. One would say she is a woman who wears a gown of winter frost that blinds the eyes. Helplessness has weakened me. Wandering has wearied my legs.
― Roman Payne

White winter snow

Lisa Richardson draws inspiration from frosty mornings and the natural beauty of winter in this story, which is photographed in Copped Hall. The styling and direction of the shoot was influenced by the fairy tales of Narnia and a winter wonderland.

Yarns used in this collection:

• Alpaca Colour
• Chenille
• Felted Tweed
• Kidsilk Haze
• Brushed Fleece
• Kid Classic
• Cocoon
• Fazed Tweed
• Lima Colour
• Pure Wool Worsted
• Fur

 

A person’s needs are met, and his appetite subsides. A person’s wants are met, and his thirst swells greedily without end.
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway: Quetes, Verse, & Grumbings for Every Day of the Year

Essentials (ĭ-sĕn′shəls)

This story showcases  the key shapes of the season but translated into simple easy to wear styles that will compliment the season’s essential looks.

Relaxed fit sweaters are important with easy b body shapes and dropped shoulders, all enhanced with a chunky roll neck. Square silhouettes and open stitch techniques are the essential features for the season’s knits.

 

The first essential , of course,
is to know what you want.
― Robert Collier

Rowan Kid Classic

The tunic sweater is the key silhouette and it comes in oversized shares with the plain yarn and stitch textures as well as cabled techniques.

 

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are
something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
― Joseph Addison

Marie Wallin’s story showcases the key shapes of the season which she has photographed in a simple way in a London Studio.

Yarns used in this collection:

• Felted Tweed
• Fazed Tweed
• Kidsilk Haze
• Rowan Tweed
• Rowan Fine Tweed
• Fine Art
• Kid Classic
• Mohair Haze

 

Designers

lisa richardson ⋅ sarah hatton ⋅ gemma atkinson
martin storey ⋅ marie wallin ⋅ kaffe fassett
brandon mably ⋅ vibe ulrik ⋅ carlo volpi
amy herzog ⋅ heather dixon

The next weeks I will talk about my favourite designs of this Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine.