We’ve had a delivery from Rowan and we’ve now got the new Spring 2010 shades of Fine Milk Cotton and Milk Cotton DK.  Cotton Glace has been delayed.

Amongst the recent releases of Rowan pattern books are two books that you might like if you enjoy knitting for children.

Rowan Miniature Classics knitting pattern book contains 16 patterns for babies and toddlers aged from 0-3 months to 3 years.  The designs use Rowan Handknit Cotton, Rowan Calmer, Rowan Denim, Rowan Fine Milk Cotton and Rowan Cashsoft DK yarns.  All simply adorable in my opinion!

Rowan Miniature Classics

Rowan Kids is the second children’s knitting pattern book Rowan are releasing this Spring.  There are plenty of baby and toddler knitting patterns around, however there never seems to be much for older children.  To accompany Rowan Magazine 46, Rowan released some patterns on their website for teenagers, and then to fill the gap they have published this book which contains 18 designs for the 6 – 12 age range.

Rowan Kids

Children in this age group might not always like wearing hand knits, but I don’t think they would have many objections to some of these patterns.  Rowan have done very well here in my opinion.

Both books are only £7.95 each.

A nice surprise this afternoon… our shop copies of Rowan Studio 18 arrived.  The patterns remind me of the 80’s – I guess it’s the slouchy feel that they have.

Rowan Studio 18

All the patterns in this latest Studio book are made with Rowan’s Felted Tweed yarns.  Available to buy online on our website at only £4.95

Rowan have released several new books for Spring and Summer 2010 and first up is Summer Crochet.

Rowan Summer Crochet pattern book

Crochet is definitely becoming more popular and crocheters have been asking for a long time for more patterns.  This new book from Rowan booklet focuses solely on summer crochet patterns. With 12 feminine designs which are both modern and easy to wear, the collection includes crochet lace panel tunics and summer tops to the chunkier openwork crochet of a shrug and a poncho.

Here are just some of the crochet patterns featured in the book.  More can be seen on our website.

Santorini from Rowan Summer Crochet

Crete from Rowan Summer Crochet

Corsica from Rowan Summer Crochet

All the patterns use either Rowan Cotton Glace or Rowan Siena 4 Ply yarn – both of which we’ll be getting in stock soon.

To accompany Rowan’s latest magazine 47, Rowan have published a collection of Kaffe Fassett knitting patterns on their website, which you can download free of charge.  Renowned textile artist Kaffe Fassett has designed a charming collection of throws, cushions and hangings for Rowan Magazine 47 all using Rowan’s Summer Tweed yarn and all reflecting his unique style and bold use of colours.

You can download these and other patterns from Kaffe’s Summer House Collection on Rowan’s website

Rowan Magazine 47 featuring lots of lovely spring and summer knitting and crochet patterns has arrived!  With all the recent snow and ice around, it’s nice to be thinking of Spring and the warmer weather to come.

This issue contains pattern using all of Rowan’s beautiful summer yarns including Yarns used are Summer Tweed, Handknit Cotton, Fine Milk Cotton, Milk Cotton DK, Lenpur Linen, Pima Cotton, Organic 4 Ply and DK Cotton, Cotton Glace and Kidsilk Haze.

You can see pictures from Rowan 47 and order your copy from our website.

Pictures for the forthcoming Studio 18 book from Rowan have just been released.  Thought you might like a preview.  All the patterns use Rowan’s felted tweed yarns which is ideal for the oversized and slouchy garments with fazed stripes and subtle pattern that are theme for this collection of knitting patterns.

Available mid-January for just £4.95.

My Rowan Rep came to visit me last week and showed me all the goodies that will be coming out in the Spring.  There are several new books, including one totally dedicated to crochet.

But first up is Rowan Magazine 47, due to be published in mid-January NOW IN STOCK!  Whispers of all things feminine encircle Spring Summer 2010, with elegance, vintage and drape being the central qualities in the patterns for this issue of the Rowan magazine. These trends are reflected in the following three stories Serenity, Halycon Days and Jamboree.  (Click the pictures below for a larger image)

As was the case with Rowan Magazine 46, there will also be patterns to download from the Rowan website. To accompany Magazine 47, Rowan will be publishing a collection of knitting patterns by Kaffe Fassett, all of which use Summer Tweed and are for items for the home, e.g. cushions, bed spreads and blankets.  As always with Kaffe, the colour combinations he uses are stunning and any of the items would lovely in any home.

Yarns used are Summer Tweed, Handknit Cotton, Fine Milk Cotton, Milk Cotton DK, Lenpur Linen, Pima Cotton, Organic 4 Ply and DK Cotton, Cotton Glace and Kidsilk Haze.

There are a few new shades in some of these yarns, and some shades have been discontinued.  There’s also a new yarn coming out called Revive, which is made from recycled material.  More about the Rowan yarns for Spring later.

I know there’s not much time to crochet this before Advent starts on Tuesday, but I just spotted this free crochet pattern on Rowan’s website to crochet an advent calendar.  It looks really simple – just lots of pockets with numbers on them, hung from a pretty hanger – for you to fill with whatever goodies you like.

Free Rowan crochet pattern for an unusual advent calendar

The pockets are actually felted and the numbers stitched with Rowan Shimmer

You can download the pattern here.

We’ve finally received the remaining new shade of Rowan Lima yarn in Peru.  It’s probably my favourite shade actually, so I’m glad that it’s arrived.

Don’t forget – all Rowan Lima yarn is 15% off until the end of November 2009.