Magazines
Rowan Magazine Heritage
The vision of the founders of Rowan, Stephen Sheard and Simon Cockin, was to showcase designer-led knitwear to an audience that was searching for better design during a knitting boom. Their idea was to create a curated collection, much as happens in the fashion world, and present it in a beautiful package. From that ideal, the Rowan magazine was born. The first issue was launched in 1986, and available only at stores that carried Rowan yarns, then only in the UK. It featured key British designers Kaffe Fassett, Sasha Kagan, Annabel Fox and Sandy Black. Further magazines saw partnerships forged with designers such as Jean Moss, Sarah Dallas, Erika Knight, Martin Storey, Susan Duckworth, Zoe Mellor, Brandon Mably, Debbie Abrahams, Sharon Miller, Lucinda Guy, to name a few. The magazine also nurtured new talents that emerged from the in-house design room; Kim Hargreaves, Louisa Harding and Debbie Bliss have all gone on to be prolific in the knitwear industry.
Over the years the magazine has become Rowan’s signature. The over-sized format, inspiring photography by some of the world’s best at the time, the quality paper—all shaped this exclusive volume. Produced twice each year, it’s still eagerly anticipated by knitters and collectors around the world. Old issues are sought after, often at very high prices.
The covers tell a story through time. Logos have changed—with every issue until Number 6 when a consistent style was finally settled on. Our current logo has been used since Issue 44. There have only been cover lines which only include a list of designers. By Issue Number 13, the magazine was very well known, and the strong images spoke for themselves. Kaffe Fassett has had at least one of his designs featured in every issue. Quite an admirable feat that speaks to his close connection with Rowan. By far, the most famous issue is Number 10. The cover featured 16-year old Kate Moss at the very beginning of her career, and it was arguably the strongest collection Rowan had produced to date. Anniversary issues are always special. Magazine 50 was released as a limited-edition hardcover, and our 40th Anniversary issue featured a bold and breathtaking designby iconic British fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes.
Magazine 72
In Rowan Magazine 72 we are celebrating 20 years of Kidsilk Haze! This iconic yarn has been a mainstay in the Rowan range for two decades and remains a firm favourite with knitters all over the world today. To mark the occasion, we have introduced 39 new shades, creating a true paintbox palette, which is explored in our main magazine story Kidsilk Haze Celebration. Your favourite Rowan designers bring you a beautiful collection, photographed against the statuesque backdrop of a grand stately home.
The second story Textures In Nature, continues with the celebratory theme, this time championing our British yarn, Moordale. Lisa Richardson’s classic autumn winter collection delivers in both style and practicality, with timeless natureinspired designs which will transcend the autumn winter seasons. This British yarn is truly at home in the Yorkshire countryside, the backdrop to this beautiful story.
Featured Designers
Martin Storey, Quail Studio, Lisa Richardson, Kaffe Fassett, Erika Knight, Georgia Farrell, Brandon Mably, Chloe Thurlow
Featured Yarns
Kidsilk Haze Moordale Fine Lace
Magazine 73
Get ready for summer with Rowan Magazine 73. In Shell Seekers we take a trip to the coast with a collection of beach and surfside inspired knits for all the family. Using a seashell palette with splashes of sailing boat brights, this story will instantly transport you to carefree days by the sea. With deckchair stripes, rock pool motifs and fishing net cables, knit your way to perfect coastal style.
Heading for warmer climes this summer? Get sunshine-ready with our Old Town story. High summer cotton tops, summery vests, casual sweaters and cute cardigans are worked in a palette of hot Mediterranean brights and cool bleached whites. Beat the heat with this resort-inspired collection.
Featured Designers
Martin Storey, Quail Studio, Lisa Richardson, Kaffe Fassett, Erika Knight, Georgia Farrell, Brandon Mably, Chloe Thurlow
Featured Yarns
Magazine 74
In Rowan Magazine 74 we are shining a spotlight on two yarns – the first being a firm favourite that has been in the Rowan range for nearly a quarter of a century, Felted Tweed, and new kid on the block, Fine Tweed Haze.
Felted Tweed My Way celebrates this very special yarn whilst championing the individuality of the Rowan design team. This is a yarn which is as fantastic for bold and brilliant colourwork as for a classic one colour sweater. The designers do Felted Tweed their way, resulting in a wonderfully eclectic mix of designs and styles which is synonymous with Rowan.
In Fine Tweed Haze we explore our new yarn which is a lightweight version of much-loved Tweed Haze. With a modern tweed look, punctuated with flecks of contrasting colours, it is as perfect for one-colour designs as it is for Fair Isle and slip stitch. The designers explore interesting stitch work and techniques, including top down and in the round.
Featured Designers
Martin Storey, ARNE & CARLOS, Quail Studio, Lisa Richardson, Kaffe Fassett, Erika Knight, Georgia Farrell, Vibe Ulrik, Chloe Thurlow
Featured Yarns
Kidsilk Haze Felted Tweed
Fine Tweed Haze
ZM73 Magazine 73
Cotton Glacé
Summerlite 4ply Softyak DK Cotton Cashmere
Summerlite DK Handknit Cotton
ZM75 Magazine 75
Magazine 75
Rowan Magazine 75 takes us on a knitting journey from the historic Sheffield Botanic Gardens in Yorkshire to a sun-drenched vineyard in the south of France.
Over 40 designs from your favourite Rowan designers using a wide range of spring summer yarns. We begin in Yorkshire with our Botanic Garden story. Summer silhouettes and lightweight layers are key to this collection, including tops, sweaters, cardigans and shawls. Taking inspiration from botanical gardens – from the plants to the glass structures – our designers have created fabrics using texture, lace, colourwork and embroidery in a palette of greens, neutrals and pops of bright florals.
Slip Into Summer is a story of modern summer knits which celebrate the slip stitch technique. Even in their simplest form, slip stitches can create unique multicolour patterns and here designers Lisa Richardson, Martin Storey and Georgia Farrell explore the endless possibilities resulting in a beautiful collection of garments and accessories using Summerlite 4ply and Creative Linen.
Featured Designers
Martin Storey, ARNE & CARLOS, Quail Studio, Lisa Richardson, Kaffe Fassett, Erika Knight, Georgia Farrell, Vibe Ulrik, Annika Andrea Wolke, Brandon Mably, Chloe Thurlow
Featured Yarns
Summerlite 4ply
Summerlite DK Kidsilk Haze Fine Lace