Rowan Knitting and Crochet Magazine No. 47 (ZM47) features handknitting and crochet designs from Marie Wallin, Kaffe Fassett, Martin Storey, Erika Knight, Sarah Dallas, Sarah Hatton, Amanda Crawford, Antoni & Alison, Brandon Mably, Jennie Atkinson.

There is a serene calmness about the trends for Spring 2010, with femininity, elegance, vintage and drape being the key words for the season. Natural yarns are as popular as ever, with the majority of yarn aficionados declaring that ecological and sustainable yarns are becoming the norm rather than the exception. We see the emergence of recycled yarns mostly with fibres such as recycled silk, cotton and viscose. Sustainable yarns made from hemp, linen and corn are also very important in both heavier, rustic effects as well as being blended with fibres such as silk and viscose to create beautiful, fine draping yarns with fantastic fluidity, great stitch definition and understated shine.

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Featured Yarns:
Cotton Glace, Fine Milk Cotton, Milk Cotton DK, Handknit Cotton, Kidsilk Haze, Lenpur Linen, Purelife
Organic Cotton DK, Purelife Organic Cotton 4Ply, Pima Cotton DK, Summer Tweed.

To reflect these major trends Rowan is promoting 3 stories for Magazine 47 - ‘Serenity’, ‘Halcyon Days’ and ‘Jamboree’, along side 5 brochures for the new Spring 2010 season.

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Story 1 - Serenity is inspired by the natural, fragile and ancient beauty of once great cultures. Wide open seascapes and ancient rural lanes baked in the summer sun create a precious neutral palette of colours which emerge from white. Calmness and purity of thought inspire a collection of garments which are simple and loose in shape. Lace ruffles and bows enhance this deeply feminine story with old crochet techniques being reworked into open structures. Beautifully photographed by Sheila Rock on the Mediterranean island of Malta, using Selmun Bay and the crumbling Selmun Palace as the perfect locations. Styling and art direction by Marie Wallin.

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Story 2 - Halcyon Days is inspired by the merging of the spirit of past grandeur with the weathered reality of the present. Natural greens flourish against murky terracotta aged tones of honey, amber and caramel, whilst sparkling earthy hues bring a renewed hope and the promise of better things to come. Halcyon Days breathes enchantment with its air of faded aristocity. The crumbling streets of beautiful Valetta on the Mediterranean island of Malta, provide the perfect backdrop for a collection of garments which have an essentially innocent look with the emphasis on hand crafted, vintage and heirloom pieces. This very feminine, colourful story is enhanced by floral patterning, embroidery and beading. Photography by Sheila Rock, with styling and art direction by Marie Wallin.

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Story 3 - Jamboree is inspired by joyful optimism. In gloomy economic times, happiness is the only antidote. This lovely, cheerful and playful story encourages and raises the spirits in a contagious way. A restored Victorian fairground provides the perfect background to a watery palette highlighted by sugary, frosted pastels and sunray brights - all contrasting against illuminating dark blue and navy. Geometric patterning and stripes create a feeling of youthful energy and exuberance. Shapes are loose but still fitted with wide kimono sleeves and the use of drawstrings to create a personalised silhouette; all adding to this fun story with a retro feel. Photographed by Peter Christian Christensen, with styling and art direction by Marie Wallin.

Other features include:

Kaffe’s Homeware is a major feature for this season which showcases a collection of 12 homeware pieces exclusively designed for Rowan by Kaffe Fassett. We gave Kaffe the challenge to design a collection of throws, wall hangings and cushions using the ever popular Summer Tweed yarn. A rustic farmhouse deep in the countryside of East Sussex provides the perfect foil for Kaffe’s wonderful and colourful designs. Photography by Kristin Perers, with styling and art direction by Kaffe Fassett and Marie Wallin.

Royal College of Art - Return is a feature which follows the three final year students which created some of the fabulous designs shown in Magazine 46. Here our respected journalist Margy Cockburn interviews the students on their thoughts of Rowan, hand knitting, their final collections and their hopes for the future.

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Knitting Outside is a fun and interesting feature written by Dr Kate Davies. In this article Kate investigates the history of outdoor knitting and challenges the traditional view that knitting is an indoor activity.

Travel Journal - Giving information on the photoshoot locations.

What’s New - Taking a look at new brochures and books, as well any exhibitions or other items that may be of interest to the Rowan knitter.

Editor’s letter - Kate Buller outlines the contents of magazine and comments on our current and future hopes.

Order code: ZM47

Format: 314mm x 240mm perfect bound

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Our staff have had many years experience of working with Rowan yarns. Rowan designs never date but sometimes the colours and qualities that were once the original designs, have to be substituted; we can advise on the nearest shades.

We stock the entire Rowan handknitting range. Please see our Rowan stock list.