August 17, 2005
Rowan 38 Possibilities
The latest Rowan magazine arrived on my doorstep yesterday, and I am digging some patterns. Why do people not like this issue? I think there are some cute things in there. Maybe I just don't expect that much.. I mean, I understand they are knitting patterns, not a one-stop solution to winter fashion. I've found that knitting pattern books always leave something to be desired. Anyway. I just might knit these. (in order of potential knit-ability, from most likely to least likey to knit)
The River Stole. I am signed up for the River Knitalong, so will definitely be knitting this one! In Kidsilk Haze in Trance, already ordered from Janette.
Looooove this, especially if worn as a jacket. Last fall, I froze in late November, due to post-marathon 0% body fat. This sweater could solve that problem. It calls for Yorkshire Tweed DK, which is rather pricey, but Peace Fleece Sport weight could work. Is the Olive Roots colorway too dreary? maybe Antartica White or Kamchatka Sea Moss?
Don't know why I am drawn to these gloves, but I am. Thinking red with translucent red buttons. I have some red used-to-be-a-sweater yarn that should get gauge.
Realistically, its unlikely I'll get to these, but favorites nonetheless.
The last sweater on the right is designed by Antoni & Alison, real live runway-showing designers. How awesome is that? I don't do intarsia, so won't be knitting it. But Rowan seeking out indie designers has got to be a good thing.
Comments (23)
The stole is very pretty and I love the sweater/jacket. I think the olive roots is pretty - I think I saw a Rogue made out of it - it was nice. The gloves in red would be wonderful. I think the key to finding patterns in books/magazines that you like is to look past the styling and maybe the yarn choice/color and look at the bones of the pattern. Or at least that seems to work for me.
Posted by Stephanie | August 17, 2005 12:36 PM
Posted on August 17, 2005 12:36
I thought the same thing when mine arrived yesterday. (although i have different faves) Perhaps its because our expectations were set so low by everyone else hating it... well, maybe i expected to be disgusted!
Posted by Erin | August 17, 2005 12:37 PM
Posted on August 17, 2005 12:37
I'm with you on the lace stole, the gloves, the tweed jacket is nice (not my favourite...Jo sharp dk tweed on sale at elann...only boheme left though) but the rest of the patterns....not really for me. After a while the patterns have started to grow on me. I am all of a sudden diggin' the felted things. I was just about to source on the internet for Shackle...I'm loving it!
Posted by carolyn | August 17, 2005 12:38 PM
Posted on August 17, 2005 12:38
Hey Diana, yeah, I find the designs do grow on you...and it makes a difference seeing it on a full page rather than a tiny, pixelated screen image. I also liked the fingerless mitts called "Eowyn" (I think) knit out of one skein of Kid Classic. But what boggles me is the construction techniques. The mitt is knit flat and seamed. Then the lace portion is knit separately and then seamed to the body of the mitt. It just seems stupid. Why not design it so that it can be knit in the round, knitting on the lace trim as you go? I guess that is the difference in how garment designers vs. knit designers think. Garment construction is all about flat pieces seamed together into 3D, but knit construction allows you to shape and sculpt as you go. I just wish more designers would take advantage of that! =)
Posted by Felicia | August 17, 2005 12:41 PM
Posted on August 17, 2005 12:41
I really liked this issue, and you picked out some of my favorite ones that I was thinking of knitting up (I was going to start with the River Stole). I have to get some yarn and such,when do you think you'll start?
For the jacket, I vote for the sea moss if you dont go with the olive.
Posted by yahaira | August 17, 2005 12:51 PM
Posted on August 17, 2005 12:51
I have liked what I have seen so far and I hope to have this in my hands by the weekend! I am loving the River stole! I may have to do that as well! I have KSH for the birch shawl...but if I only need 2 of KSH then I will just have to buy more won't I?
Posted by beth | August 17, 2005 1:01 PM
Posted on August 17, 2005 13:01
I love this issue. I wish I could knit everything in it. Unfortunately money and time is an issue. My only complaint with the issue is the pictures. I would have liked to see clearer pictures. Like for River, a close up of the lace pattern.
Posted by Liz | August 17, 2005 1:12 PM
Posted on August 17, 2005 13:12
ok, so I ordered my yarn (that was quick!) 2 skeins of candy girl :)
Posted by yahaira | August 17, 2005 1:20 PM
Posted on August 17, 2005 13:20
from the pictures you showed, it looks like i may have to collect this issue after all. i found the Antoni & Alison sweater a doll! i love it!
Posted by blossom | August 17, 2005 2:32 PM
Posted on August 17, 2005 14:32
There have been so many complaints about this issue, it's nice to hear somone find something in it they like. I have yet to see it for myself, but I do like that first sweater your planning on making. 0 body fat? Nice!
Posted by Christie | August 17, 2005 2:35 PM
Posted on August 17, 2005 14:35
I'm really drawn to those little gloves too.
As for the Peace Fleece -- do you know anywhere to get it locally? I've had a hankering for some PF for a while but I don't care for picking out colors online.
Posted by jody | August 17, 2005 3:02 PM
Posted on August 17, 2005 15:02
Love the River Stole! I think the Olive Roots would be quite nice for the jacket too - makes it neutral but isn't too drab.
Posted by Vicki | August 17, 2005 4:05 PM
Posted on August 17, 2005 16:05
Thanks for posting about the River Stole Knitalong - I am now a member too. My first lace project! I also appreciate the fact that you had some nice things to say about this issue. I think the Olive Roots colorway is great, I would knit it myself if I didn't have a million projects on my list!
Posted by marichan | August 17, 2005 9:14 PM
Posted on August 17, 2005 21:14
Hey Diana~ thanks for the previews of the new Rowan. I had not seen anything from it yet... I only read bad reviews. It does not look too bad--I do like the lace shawl and the jacket.
Take care~
Posted by Lolly | August 18, 2005 7:25 AM
Posted on August 18, 2005 07:25
I have to say that the River stole looks stunning!
Posted by emy | August 18, 2005 12:47 PM
Posted on August 18, 2005 12:47
you know i had a similar post planned for tomorrow or the next day...with my assessment of the new rowan and the fact i am joining the riveralong. so glad to see you are also part of it! i was going to get ksh in trance as well - but not wanting to appear like i am a stalking you, i ended up deciding on another colour. you'll have to wait and see when i get this post up
Posted by jacqueline | August 18, 2005 10:05 PM
Posted on August 18, 2005 22:05
You picked out all my favorite pieces from the magazine too. I'm with you and not quite sure why people are so dissapointed with this one. I love the new designers they recruited too. They came up with some interesting designs, for sure. I want to do that big bulky side button jacket as well. Thanks for the link to the peace fleece, that will definitly work in place of the YT! And I like the olive. It's nice and wintery.
Posted by Sarah | August 19, 2005 12:31 PM
Posted on August 19, 2005 12:31
I'm a huge fan of that jacket... can't wait to see how it turns out for you!
Posted by SAHM | August 19, 2005 6:06 PM
Posted on August 19, 2005 18:06
Nice projects! There are more and more growing on me. The peace fleece seems like a fantastic sub and the color flecks in the olive roots keep it from looking drab, it's very pretty. But I like your other color choices as well. I couldn't believe how much yardage that jacket takes.I've got ten balls of YT DK, won't work. And I love the O'Mally, it's crochet and it's making me very curious to see how the Felted Tweed would look crocheted.
Posted by Steph | August 20, 2005 12:49 PM
Posted on August 20, 2005 12:49
Nice projects! There are more and more growing on me. The peace fleece seems like a fantastic sub and the color flecks in the olive roots keep it from looking drab, it's very pretty. But I like your other color choices as well. I couldn't believe how much yardage that jacket takes.I've got ten balls of YT DK, won't work. And I love the O'Mally, it's crochet and it's making me very curious to see how the Felted Tweed would look crocheted.
Posted by Steph | August 20, 2005 12:50 PM
Posted on August 20, 2005 12:50
I also love this issue of Rowan, there are loads I want to get on and knit. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction of the Riveralong. I've signed up.
Posted by Estee | August 21, 2005 3:54 PM
Posted on August 21, 2005 15:54
i like the go faster sweater and the sweater with the three buttons. they are both fun.
Posted by S | August 25, 2005 4:44 PM
Posted on August 25, 2005 16:44
maybe you can send me the pattern for the go faster sweater?
Posted by S | August 25, 2005 4:45 PM
Posted on August 25, 2005 16:45