My copy of Rowan Magazine No. 79 arrived a couple of months ago, and I had every intention of writing about it straight away. However, life became rather busy and, despite returning to the magazine several times, I never quite found the opportunity to sit down and choose my favourites properly until now. So, apologies that this review is a little later than planned.

Rowan Magazine No. 79 has plenty of designs that are just right for the spring/summer season. Its designs are divided between three stories – Meadow, Voyage and Regatta – moving from bright colour and lighter shapes to relaxed layering and traditional nautical knitwear. As usual, I found myself looking beyond the styling and considering which pieces I could genuinely imagine knitting and wearing.

These are the seven designs that stood out for me.

Daffodil Vest

Daffodil Vest by Florence Spurling | Summerlite 4ply

Daffodil is probably the design that first caught my eye. Florence Spurling’s sleeveless top combines horizontal bands of slip-stitch colourwork with a high lace border, all worked in Summerlite 4ply. I like the balance between pattern and shape: there is enough detail to make the knitting interesting, but the finished garment remains simple and wearable.

Gorse Vest

Gorse Vest by Annika Andrea Wolke | Cotton Trio

Gorse, by Annika Andrea Wolke, is a much plainer vest but with interesting side seam panels and that is its appeal. The wide straps and V-neck give it a clean, flattering shape, while Cotton Trio should make it soft and light without losing its structure. This feels like the sort of top that could become a genuine summer staple.

Clover

Georgia Farrell’s Clover is a relaxed striped T-shirt knitted from the top down in the round. I always appreciate construction that makes the length easy to adjust  – maybe I could also create some waist shaping? This looks like a useful everyday piece. The three-colour stripes add interest without making it difficult to wear.

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle Wrap by Lisa Richardson | Kid Silk Haze

Honeysuckle is a delicate triangular shawl by Lisa Richardson, knitted in Kidsilk Haze. Although it is one of the quieter designs in the issue, it would be extremely useful on summer evenings or when travelling. It has the lightness you want from a warm-weather accessory, but still feels elegant.

Rugby

Rugby Top by Lisa Richardson | Softyak DK

Rugby is another Lisa Richardson design and one of the most immediately wearable pieces in the magazine. The collar turns a straightforward knitted T-shirt into something a little smarter, while Softyak DK keeps it relaxed. I like designs that sit comfortably between casual and dressed-up, and this one would work with almost anything.

Knots

Knots Top by Lisa Richardson | Cotton Cashmere

Knots is a relaxed sleeveless cable top in Cotton Cashmere. The cables give it plenty of texture, but the shape keeps it from feeling heavy or overly traditional. I particularly like the idea of wearing it alone in warmer weather and layered over a shirt or T-shirt when the temperature drops.

Helm

Helm Sweater by Vibe Ulrik | Cotton Cashmere

Vibe Ulrik’s Helm is a classic Gansey-style unisex sweater, again using Cotton Cashmere. It is the least summery of my choices, but perhaps one of the most enduring. The cable patterns give it character, while the straightforward shape makes it the sort of sweater that could be worn for years.

Overall, Magazine No. 79 offers a good mixture of colour, texture and useful shapes. My favourites are quite varied, but they all have the same quality: I can imagine them as part of a real wardrobe rather than simply admiring them on the page.

Those are my favourites from Rowan Magazine No. 79, but the collection includes many more designs. Have a look at the full Spring/Summer 2026 magazine on the Rowan website and see which ones appeal to you.

Which designs have caught your eye?

Happy knitting!

Esther x