Knitting

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Giveaway – Fresh Fashion Knits

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Fresh Fashion Knits from Rowan’s Studio Collection. Designs by Sarah Hatton.

When I think of Rowan, I think of classic. I think timeless, and this book doesn’t disappoint.  Out of the 20+ designs, I only found 2 that I really didn’t like and 4 or 5 that I didn’t really care to knit. A pretty good average actually.

This collection includes playful skirts, sexy tops, chic dresses, and delicate cardigans, straight off the runway and straight into innovative knitwear.

Along with clear instructions to these designs, Rowan provides the tips and techniques knitters find helpful to transform these designs into the season’s hottest accessories.

This is definitely a must-have book!

Tell me why you want it!

Giveaway ends 10.22.10!

Next Pattern:

Comments

  1. What makes Rowan books so wonderful is the UK desinger’s sense of style that sets them apart from American designers. I’d love to have this book for that reason.

  4. I have been looking for a long sweater pattern like the one on the cover of this book for ages. I saw a similar one on a lady in Los Altos, CA when I was visiting there and I’m afraid I was stalking her trying to get a closer look 🙂

  5. I am from Lithuania and we have really cold winters, they say, this year it’ll be as cold as -40C. So, fashionable and warm knits are a must here. That’s why i reaaaally want this book.

  6. I really want to expand my crafting into knitting and what better way than with some major style! Send that book my way!

  10. I luv to knit & have been doing so since I was a child, taught by my father, believe it or not! Have to have this book, luv Sarah Hatton designs!

  11. Rowan is one of the top classic knit design houses that incorporates the true sense of european flair to update rather than overpower patterns that can become out of style faster than you can knit them. Rowan is a name of quality that just brings pleasure at the word itself. Not just translated to one continents style scene, the timeless of thier patterns translate to the cutting edge of the American style scene as well. My hands tingle with pleasure at the thought of owning this book and the possibilities contained within!

  12. I’d love to have this book for all the great patterns, but in particular, the coat on the cover (cables are my friends now, thank you!) and the black(or blue, hard to tell in the photo I was online) and white sweater with the unusual sleeves.

  13. it seems Rowan patterns always call to my inner knitting designer. You know the one…the designer i would love to someday be but it prob won’t happen…. Rowan always fills those shoes so i can spend my time knitting vs trying to design! So for this reason i would adore this book!

  15. I need this book because I am looking for some great news ideas to knit. This one sounds perfect for many different patterns.

  16. I love knitting and I’m always looking for something new and fresh to make. I would love to have this book to add to my collection.

  17. I would love this book because Rowan has patterns that are just my style and I’m on a serious knitting spree recently.

  18. Now that I’ve lost all this weight, knitting something for myself other than socks is appealing!

  19. Please enter me – I would love to knit the gorgeous cabled cardigan on the cover and I’m sure there are many more beautiful patterns inside 🙂
    Thanks!

  21. That looks like an interesting book and I generally like Rowan patterns. Want the book so I can make some of them ;-). Thanks!

  23. I want this book because knitwears have become so fashionable lately. Then again, I think knitwears have always been very fashionable, just that people forgot. I knit and I like fashion. This book will be a constant reminder for me that to knit is the best thing that I have picked up. Knitting fashion for the win!!!!!!!

  27. I would love to get these patterns. I knit all year long for my 4 children, 4 step children and 20 grandchildren. They love Rowan.

  31. I would like to win it because I haven’t seen it before, and I know that anything from Rowan is definitely worth having!!

Have you read?

Knit a Garter Stitch Blanket with a Twist

When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]