Rowan A/W Preview: Martin Storey's Easy DK Knits

Rowan is launching three brand new DK yarns this Autumn/Winter season, and I'd love to give you a quick preview of two of them: Pure Wool Superwash DK and Super Fine Merino DK. These two new yarns are showcased beautifully in Martin Storey's collection, Easy DK Knits.

A little bit of info about these two yarns: Super Fine Merino DK has a natural elastic quality for movement when wearing. The knitted fabric is soft and smooth and feels great to wear. Super Fine Merino will also be available in 4-ply and Aran.

Pure Wool Super Wash DK is hard wearing, making this yarn idea for the whole family and perfect for household knits. It's superwash, too!

This book is quite possibly my favorite this season and has so many perfectly wearable sweaters in it. My absolute favorite is this simple pullover, Greenwich, which I plan on making (right away) in Super Fine Merino in a bright chartreuse shade called 'Zing.' Check out more photos below of my favorite designs from Easy DK Knits.

Greenwich – Super Fine Merino

Barbican – Pure Wool Superwash DK

Mayfair – Super Fine Merino DK

 Brixton – Pure Wool Superwash DK

 Dulwich – Super Fine Merino DK

 Hampstead – Super Fine Merino DK

Kew – Pure Wool Superwash DK

Keep an eye out for this gem this fall at your local Rowan stockists ... it's sure to be a classic go-to collection that you'll turn to again and again.

TNNA recap: the Rowan adventures

I have a few more TNNA photos to share, and this time it's all about Rowan. I was invited to attend the trade show with Rowan via Westminster Fibers, which was a super cool experience. The highlight of the weekend was getting the opportunity meeting some of the Rowan team from the U.K. One of my favorite knitwear designers of all time is Martin Storey, and it was a real treat to be able to chat with him over the weekend. Pictured above is my wonderfully talented TNNA roommate, Kristen from Knitionary, Martin and I. He is one of the head designers at Rowan and learning about what goes on behind the scenes (the photo shoots, design stories, pattern design, putting together collections) was absolutely fascinating. He's such a nice guy!

There was a knitwear fashion show on first evening of TNNA which featured 75 designs by various yarn companies. Rowan showed four designs – a vest, a fair isle sweater, a wrap and a wedding dress. This gorgeous Kidsilk Haze bridal gown was saved for the finale and was a showstopper! 

The next day, we got to check out the Rowan booth which was bursting with brand new designs and new yarns.

One of my new favorite yarns for fall is Hemp Tweed, which feels a bit squishy and seems to have great memory/stretch to it. I loved all the designs that were showcased using this yarn and can't wait to knit with it this fall. (I believe it's available beginning July 2015.)

And Kristen and I had fun checking out the new Swarovski + Rowan collaboration, which includes yarn pre-strung with Swarovski crystals and packages of crystals/baubles/beads that are available for purchase on their own.

Martin Storey and the lovely Kate Buller brought out champagne and chocolate covered strawberries for everyone during their knitting with Swarovski demonstration, which was really neat. Martin showed us all how to knit with pre-strung crystals.

And they had a sweet little baby garment display showcasing Rowan's Super Fine Merino 4ply, which is another favorite of mine. It feels so nice and will be amazing to knit with. It's washable, too.

And that's it! I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet these sweet and talented people and spend the weekend with other knitting enthusiasts, doing what we do best. A huge thanks to Rowan for everything – I had such a great time!

TNNA recap: the experience

Last weekend, I attended my first TNNA (The National NeedleArts Association) trade show in Columbus, Ohio and wow – what a time! I was invited to attend with Rowan via Westminster Fibers, which was an honor. This recap is basically photos from the overall experience and soon I'll share a collection of photos of my friends from Rowan and their new yarns and garments. (There is so much to share!)

First of all, Columbus is a delightful city. I'd never been, and I really enjoyed all of the restaurants and coffee shops and stores that were within walking distance of our hotel. The view from our window was pretty great, too. (Unbeknownst to us, the Rolling Stones played in Columbus on Saturday night and ended up staying at the hotel across the street from us!)

Perhaps the best part of the weekend was finally meeting this wonderfully talented and crazy sweet knitting friend, Kristen from Knitionary. We are both Rowan Ambassadors and have been friends for a few years online but it was so fantastic to meet her in person and hang out with her all weekend. We were roommates and naturally stayed up talking until 1:00 a.m. every night.

Friday night, I attended Marly Bird's Designer Dinner, which was a treat. I sat at a table with several talented ladies and ended up sitting next to Stefanie Japel, knitwear designer extraordinaire and teacher at Craftsy. We enjoyed food and drinks and giveaways and swag bags ... it was pretty sweet.

The actual trade show opened on Saturday morning, with fiber displays as far as the eye could see. Before I knew it, I was bumping into knitting friends, shop owners and designers I had long admired.Like Olga Buraya-Kefelian (OlgaJazzy) and Meri Tanaka, the founder of Amarisu.

And the one and only Nicky Epstein.

And the entire Ravelry team, minus Jess who was outside with her sweet baby. How do they do it? Such a sweet and kind crew.

We talked about women in baseball and adventures in advanced body/armhole shaping with Ysolda Teague. She is completely brilliant and delightful.




And I had to say hi to your knitting hero and mine, the fantastic Mr. StevenBe. I hope to head up to his shop in Minneapolis soon for a visit (and yarn shopping.)




Do you love Arne & Carlos? I do. They were there in spirit. I had to check out what they were knitting.

What else? Well, to summarize ... it was a weekend of yarn. And beautiful knitwear. Too many things to list ... but one of the highlights was obviously Rowan. Their display space was huge and completely gorgeous. (More on that soon.) Other favorites were Madelinetosh, Spud & Chloe, Blue Sky Alpacas, Knitter's Pride, Shibui Knits, EweEwe, Classic Elite, Jade Sapphire, Wool and the Gang, Knit Collage, Lavishea, Loopy Mango, Malabrigo and Zealana. There was so much to see.




And of course, before I left Columbus I had to hit up Jeni's. I had heard about Jeni's for years from other people who had made it a TNNA tradition. And now I know why there's always a huge line when you walk by.

This ice cream is spectacular. So yeah, I get it now. I get it! I got the Trio (3 half scoops) of Pistachio and Honey, Brown Butter Almond Brittle and Salty Caramel. Holy. Cow. So delicious.

And then as I was stuck in the airport waiting for my delayed flight, I discovered a Jeni's vending machine ... at the airport. At my gate! It made my long wait much more tolerable.

And that's my recap! On my journey home, I jumped on delayed flights from Columbus to Chicago in the very middle of the night, and then back to Des Moines to rest my head and snuggle up with my family. The weekend went so fast and was jam-packed with knitting and new yarn and the most lovely people ever. Would I go again? Yup. I definitely would.

Shaun the Sheep + Rowan

I just received this lovely superwash Pure Wool DK in black and cream and it's for a pretty fun project. With the release of the new Shaun the Sheep movie, Rowan Yarns is celebrating the adorable woolly character's first adventure on the big screen with this original free pattern so you can knit your very own Shaun!
 

The pattern calls for 25g of black Pure Wool DK and 25g of cream/white Pure Wool DK. Isn't he fun? I haven't started knitting him yet but I know my kids will steal him away in a heartbeat. :)

Filigree

Lacy crochet + knit tops? Yes please. Take a look at this incredibly gorgeous preview of some of my favorite designs from Marie Wallin's new book 'Filigree.' This monochrome collection includes 10 designs using Summerlite, a new 4-ply Egyptian cotton yarn from Rowan. The combination of knit and crochet plus the genius construction of these garments is extraordinary. And you will absolutely love the photography in this book ... the flowers! Take a look.

Daisy

Hollyhock

Buttercup

Tulip

Rose

Lupin

Peony

Exquisite! If you're getting married or are attending a special event this spring, you absolutely must make Peony. It's mandatory. So gorgeous.

'Filigree' launches on Marie's website on Thursday, January 15th and will also be available from Rowan stockists soon. Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

Still

My three favorite things this winter are: hot Tazo Passion tea, knitting while watching 'Lilyhammer' on Netflix, and looking at pattern collections by Kim Hargreaves. HA. But seriously, check out 'Still' by Kim Hargreaves. This soft and cozy collection includes 21 designs using Rowan Brushed Fleece, Mohair Haze, Kidsilk Haze, Fine Lace, Kid Classic, Kidsilk Haze Stripe, Cocoon, Lima, Felted Tweed DK and Felted Tweed Aran. Here are some of my favorites. 

Comfort

 Cold

 Darkness

 

Cosy (sweater) and Mist (hat)

 Hushed

Comfort (cardigan) and Mist (hat)

 Black

 Light

Mist

 

 Intense

 Tranquil

 Silence

'Still' is available at Kim's website and also at local knitting shops. Such a phenomenal collection;  gorgeous and soft. This might make a lovely gift for any knitter on your holiday list, fyi. Happy December!

You can purchase the book on Kim's website or at your local knitting shop. - See more at: http://knitionary.blogspot.com/2014/10/still.html#sthash.NIjh4a5I.dpuf

Latest infatuation: Rowan Felted Tweed + Easy Fairisle Knits

Fairisle kittens and stripes on a scarf! I'm kind of obsessed. If you're still working on perfecting your colorwork skills (like me,) you have to see Martin Storey's newest collection using Rowan Felted Tweed DK. It's called 'Easy Fairisle Knits' and it's a ton of fun.

Fairisle is everywhere this season and I'm convinced that this scarf is the perfect accessory.  

And check out the rest of Martin's contemporary simplified fairisle designs. This collection includes 14 designs – hats, socks, scarves, cushions, a slipover, bag, throw and garland – all with only two colors in a row.

 

 

If you're new to the world of Felted Tweed, I'll let you in on a few details. First of all, this yarn is available in 28 perfect shades (and you will love them all.) Second, these adorable little balls of merino/alpaca/viscose are the perfect yarn for colorwork. You'll want to collect them all because the color combinations are endless. Truly. Third, this yarn is lightly pre-felted which knits up into a gorgeous fabric that's light yet warm, but also looks a tiny bit felted. Felted Tweed is a favorite amongst knitters for a reason and the projects in 'Easy Fairisle Knits' are the perfect way to give it a try.

Craftwork

 Birgit

If you're having a rather dull day so far, I have a real treat for your eyes. Rowan Magazine 56 features a story called 'Craftwork' and it's my absolute favorite. Craftwork makes me nostalgic for art history lectures in college; it's heavily influenced by the Bauhaus and Arts and Crafts movement. These designs are inspired by an artisan approach to traditional craft in a celebration of pattern, color and texture. Check it out.

 

 Anja

 Heike

 Katja

 Ulrika

Isolde Wrap

Gorgeous and brilliant! I tend to stick with solids and neutrals in my knitting but the colorblocking and color work in these pieces really makes me want to try something new. Which one is your favorite? (I can't even decide.) ;)

surf + sand cowl

Not long ago, Rowan sent me some new yarn from their Spring/Summer release and I've been brainstorming ideas for what to make with it ever since. I was especially inspired by Pure Linen, because it's so unique. The feel and look of it is definitely unlike any wool or cotton I've ever used and I just had to make something with it. But I also really wanted to try something with Silkystones, which is a silk and linen blend.

After swatching and daydreaming about it for awhile, I decided to use both. :)

I ended up knitting a simple, loose-knit cowl perfect for spring and summer days (or better yet, a morning on the beach.) I striped Silkystones in colorway 83/Grassland with Pure Linen in colorway 395/Arizona and I named it 'surf + sand.' I love the airy-ness and drape of this cowl and the two yarns look and feel really nice together.

If you'd like to download the pattern, it's available for free on Ravelry. Click here to check it out.

Rowan Spring + Summer 2014

Looking and thinking ahead to warmer times seems like a smart thing to do since we've been bombarded by sudden snowstorms and school closings due to sub-zero temperatures and even lower sub-zero windchills. So today I'm going to share some of Rowan's new Spring and Summer 2014 yarn and pattern books. Above is the gorgeous cover of Magazine 55 and a skein of Pure Linen in Kalahari. (I'm feeling better already.)

Let's start with the yarn! On the left are three balls of Rowan Silkystones, which is a combination of toussah silk and linen. In the center sits a ball of Truesilk, a chainette yarn made with 100% mulberry silk which is very light and interesting, with a bit of sheen. And on the right are two skeins of Pure Linen, made with 100% natural linen and perfect for light-weight knits. I'm really curious to see how the linen knits up.

And new pattern brochures! Lots of them. I could probably look at them all day. First up is Simple Shapes - Panama with a summary collection of shawls, sweaters and cropped cardigans knit with Rowan Panama. Next is the Mini Collection featuring eight Fine Art Aran designs by Kim Hargreaves and Martin Storey. And the third booklet is Simple Shapes Purelife Revive & Summerspun, eight relaxed designs using Purelife Revive and Summerpsun yarns.

And there's more! Shown here are the Truesilk Collection, 15 stunning designs ranging from accessory pieces (scarves and berets) to lace sleeveless cardigans and cabled cropped sweaters, all styled with a 50’s inspired theme. In the center is the Pure Linen Collection, a modern collection of relaxed sweaters and lace layering pieces, showing off the drape of the Pure Linen. And finally there's the Silkystones Collection, twelve textured, easy to wear knits with laid-back openwork. (This collection was photographed on the stunning Southwest coast of Spain!)

And there you have it. New yarns in new fantastically inspiring colors to get excited about! I'm still working on a bunch of winter knits but I'm seriously hoping these extremely cold winter days will be a thing of the past in the near future. Until then, I will pore over these new shade cards and start planning my next projects. I've got a lot of things in the works to share and an awesome giveaway from Knitter's Pride coming up, so check back soon.  ;)