Rowan are about to launch their second global knit-a-long and this time they are celebrating colour with Kaffe Fassett! Kaffe has designed an Afghan using Pure Wool Worsted in four different colourways but you can also choose to knit two different size cushions if you want to make something smaller but still join in the fun.

The first pattern will be released on 1st October 2014, so if you’re interested in taking part take a look at all the information (see links below) including the shopping lists and start buying your yarn. There is also a video on You Tube featuring Kate Buller speaking with Kaffe about his design and Sarah Hatton will also be making a series of instructional videos all of which will be great to watch! So no need to be scared if you are a beginner!

I will not be joining in with Kaffe’s KAL as I already have many projects lined up for the autumn and winter. I will post lots of images on my Facebook page ‘What Colours Make’ so you can see my progress, or lack of it!

At the moment I am knitting Bretton Stripe from the pattern book Denim, The Second Generation, for my husband Neil. This design by Martin Storey has sizing available for men, women and children. Here’s the cute children’s one………..

Bretton Stripe, designed by Martin Storey

Bretton Stripe is knitted using Original Denim, a unique yarn that behaves like denim cotton fabric: it shrinks on its first wash and the colour continues to slightly fade over time. I find this slightly scary; I hope it shrinks to the right size!

I also have some Mohair Haze in the blue shade Tumble and will probably knit Brigitte, designed again by Martin Storey, which is actually from the Angora Haze pattern book.

Brigitte, designed by Martin Storey

Just a note on Angora Haze…………Rowan took the decision in December 2013 to stop sourcing Angora altogether and to discontinue their Angora Haze products. They developed Mohair Haze as an alternative that has similar properties and feel to Angora. Mohair Haze can be used for all Rowan patterns written for Angora Haze however for every 1 ball of Angora Haze you will need approximately 1.5 balls of Mohair Haze. This yarn does feel incredibly soft and cuddly and I think I will actually prefer it to Angora anyway. I’ll let you know how I get on with Brigitte in a few months time.

I also have a lovely stash of another one of Rowan’s new yarns called Brushed Fleece in the pink shade Grotto, as in the picture below. Brushed Fleece is an incredibly soft blend of extra fine merino wool and baby alpaca making it very wearable, warm and lightweight. The yarn has a soft marl colour effect and is quick to knit so I am really looking forward to using it! I am going to knit Esk, designed yet again by Martin Storey ( I guess I just like his designs), from the pattern book also titled Brushed Fleece.

Esk, designed by Martin Storey.

I will make the body longer but I’m not sure about the sleeves. I tried on Esk while I was at the mill with the Rowan team and to my surprise I quite liked the 3/4 length sleeves; I thought they wouldn’t suit me!

I also have Big Wool and Big Wool Colour to make Jitterbug, pictured below, from the Big Wool Colour Collection.

Jitterbug, designed by Lisa Richardson.

In the picture above it is knitted using Vert (Big Wool) and Carnival (Big Wool Colour) which I did like but I wanted something more blue so I chose the shades Steel Blue and Fairground……what do you think?

So, what will you be knitting over the next few months? Will you be joining the Kaffe Fassett Mystery KAL or have you got some other fantastic projects lined up? Let me know by leaving a reply, if you like.

As promised here’s some links to click on………

See my progress and on my Facebook Page ‘What Colours Make’

Kaffe KAL on the Rowan Website

Kaffe KAL Information Video

Kaffe KAL You Tube video.

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