Rowan Knitting and Crochet Magazine No. 51 (ZM51) features handknitting and crochet designs from Marie Wallin • Martin Storey • Erika Knight • Sarah Hatton • Brandon Mably • Kaffe Fassett • Julia Frank • Jennie Atkinson.

'Back to Nature’ is one of the major trends for Spring 2012.

The use of earthy colours, textured stitches and yarns combined with simple shapes create a look to reflect a healthy, happy and outdoor lifestyle.

Colours are influenced by vegetable dyes and styling is simple.

The retro looks of the previous season continues into spring 2012.

Hints of the past merge with modern simple 50’s and 60’s chic creating an important trend which is young, fun and fresh.

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Key Shapes’ reflect a new confidence emerging within the individual.

Design Trend
There is an overall ease of movement and a casual freedom giving a relaxed, summery vibe. The fun element is injected with a return to the retro resort styles where pattern and colour explode.

The season is mainly understated, where nothing is outrageous.

Rowan is promoting two stories to reflect these trends, ARTISAN and RIVIERA.

Both ARTISAN and RIVIERA include some of the key shapes for the season.

Featured Yarns:
Handknit Cotton • Kidsilk Haze • Siena 4 Ply • Panama • Cotton Glace • Fine Lace• Purelife Revive • Savannah• Pima Cotton DK • Denim • All Seasons Cotton

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Story 1 - ARTISAN stitches include multi-stranded knits, float stitches, ladder and drop stitches. Macramé, crochet and ethnic jacquards also help provide the hand crafted feel. Key shapes include the stitch mix cardigan, the macramé or crochet tee shirt and the asymmetric tunic. ARTISAN is inspired by the ancient tribal and traditional textiles of Africa and the Middle East, with the colours being inspired by nature – the desert, earth and the natural elements. Casual knits with a slight 70’s influence are worn in soft rustic layers with textured stitches and ethnic patterns being the main design influences.

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Story 2 - RIVIERA is inspired by the beauty and flawless style of the late 50’s and early 60’s resort glamour. The knits have decorative touches of retro patterning adding a youthful feel to this vintage look.

The warm sun drenched colours of RIVIERA are influenced by yellow green and ochre tones, while fruity orange and coral reds are accented with inky midnight purple and white.

Knit influences come from terry stripes, retro textured and deckchair stripes.

Striped, embroidered and textured crochet is perfect for the little decorative cover up.

Key shapes include the cute crochet top, the boxy lace tee, the feature pussy bow tank, the cropped shrug jacket and the neat preppy polo knit.

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Story 3 - ESSENTIALS shows selected designs from the ARTISAN and RIVIERA stories in a simpler form either by change of colour or yarn. The key trends are for the scoop neck stripe knit, the cropped boat neck top and the neat preppy polo shirt. These trends are worked into a simple natural, blues and lilac colour palette.

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Other features include:

Josh Bennett
Feature showcasing the American Designer Josh Bennett.

Fiona Brooker – RCA Graduate
Feature of Fiona’s work with a women's refuge in India.

Designer Interview
An interview with new Rowan designer Julia Frank.

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Travel Journal

What’s New

Editor’s Letter – Kate Buller comments on the forthcoming season.

Order code: ZM51

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.