Rowan Studio 24 is nearly here and it’s a great issue with patterns designed by Sarah Hatton.

Some of the earlier issues have featured some very fashionable designs but in my opinion weren’t always to everyone’s taste shall we say.  However with Studio 24 Rowan have returned to some trendy but still wearable designs and I think that there is something for all ages in there.

You can order your copy on our website

Evolution is another new book from Rowan for this Autumn and Winter and its designs are just a little bit different and very contemporary.

Over the last few seasons we have seen the growth in popularity and demand for sculptural and structured knitwear inspired by the catwalk collections of designers such as Mark Fast, Pringle and Top Shop.

Rowan’s book Evolution is a reaction to this trend whilst utilising some interesting knit techniques such as pleating, short row shaping, and cast on/off effects. This contemporary collection of women’s designs by the Rowan design team, embraces these new shapes and stitches, creating dramatic knits.

One of the new knitting pattern books from Rowan this Autumn is Winter Warmers and it is available now!

This book contains a whopping 31 patterns for accessories and winter garments such as snuggly hats and scarves, shrugs, cushions and tea cosies.  All the patterns are knitted with either Rowan Lima or Rowan’s new yarn for Autumn 2011 Alpaca Chunky.

I had a lovely surprise from Rowan today – copies of Rowan Magazine 50.  I wasn’t expecting it for another week or so.

Rowan Magazine 50 showcases three new design stories. Wildwood is characterised by country heritage and florals combined with slouchy unstructured knits. Finesse features classic understated elegance with a retro influence, and dainty designs with vintage details. Winter Essentials provides you with key shapes from the catwalk, and translates them into wearable and simple styles.

Here are just some of the patterns in the book:

Rowan yarns used: Baby Alpaca DK, Big Wool, Cashsoft 4 Ply, Cashsoft DK, Cocoon, Felted Tweed, Felted Tweed Aran, Felted Tweed Chunky, Kid Classic, Kidsilk Haze, Lima, Pure Wool 4 Ply, Pure Wool DK, Silk Twist and Wool Cotton.

Whisper, Kim Hargreaves’ new book for Spring 2011 has finally arrived!  It contains 21 knitting patterns for Summer, all of which are either photographed in black or white or grey (although you can of course knit them in any colour you like). The contrast in colours is mirrored in the designs themselves which are minimal and edgy as well as pretty and feminine.

All the yarns used are Rowan Yarns including: Fine Milk Cotton, Siena 4 ply, Cotton Glace, Pima Cotton, Kidsilk Haze, Lenpur Linen, Handknit Cotton and All Seasons Cotton.

Here are some of my favourite designs:

You can see the rest of the pictures from Whisper on the website.

Rowan Studio 23 landed at the shop yesterday. I’d forgotten that it was due actually.

The Studio 23 collection shows the move towards clean and fresh resort looks. Preppy inspired knits are worked into simple sporty shapes with classic tipping and striping details.

The brighter colours of Panama and Lenpur Linen with a hint of Shimmer contrast against the natural tones of Savannah giving a warm and inviting feel to the new summer season.

Alison Crowther-Smith, the author of Little Luxury Knits, has just published a second book devoted to knitting with Rowan Kidsilk yarns, called Lacy Knits.

Alison says: “When I designed the projects for Little Luxury Knits, the basic principles were to keep it fairly simple in order to introduce knitters to the beauty of the yarn… These principles still apply to this new book, plus lace!”

The 21 delightful lace knits in this collection take you from the simplest projects, such as a glowing two-tone lacy scarf to more challenging items, like an exquisitely fine traditional circular shawl.  Alison also combines the kidsilk yarns with other yarns to create texture, embellishments and little bit of sparkle!

She has also thought to include some tips and advice about knitting lace and knitting with Kidsilk Haze.

A lovely book to have on your shelf, even if you don’t knit anything from it!

Rowan Summer Baby is a beautiful brochure full of fun and colourful knits for little girls and boys. Featuring designs by the Rowan design team in their favourite cotton yarns, this lovely pattern books is sure to be a hit with parents and grandparents alike.

Designs range from pretty floral dresses and party dress cardigans to graphic animal stripes and star patterns for the boys.

Rowan Studio 22 is about pushing the boundaries and being inventive with knitwear, by using simple techniques to produce striking end results.

Rowan Big Wool, Kid Classic, Kidsilk Haze and Felted Tweed Aran are combined to create a variety of dramatic effects. Tubular and three dimensional knitting, laddering and felting are a few of the techniques used to create this exciting collection. This issue is for the adventurous knitter!

One of the highlights in January is the publication of Rowan’s Spring/Summer Magazine.  Rowan Knitting and Crochet Magazine 49 will celebrate knitwear through the form of extreme ultra fine and see through pieces, contrasting with more dense, textured and natural yarns.

Fine, hazy and draping styles in lace, crochet and cut out details will feature heavily throughout, with transparency being the key trend.

These trends are reflected in the following three stories:

• Illusion is inspired by mysterious atmospheres and draws from a veiled colour palette of time-worn pales, spectral greys, powdered pinks and green shadows.
• Homespun celebrates fresh, sunny hues and modest rural simplicity. This story is all about easy, unstructured designs and fun, loose fitting garments perfect for bright Summer days.
• Summer Essentials is part of a brand new addition to the Rowan magazine. Each edition will now include this groundbreaking section where the season’s key looks are translated into simplified, easy to wear styles.

The yarns used in the book include Lenpur Linen, Pima Cotton, Purelife Revive, Denim, Kidsilk Haze, Summer Tweed, Cotton Glace, Siena, Fine Milk Cotton and Organic Cotton 4ply