If you still need some gift ideas for yarn lovers I have a few suggestions for you here and not all of them need to be shipped to your home. Read on for free patterns to download, knitting books to buy and subscriptions to subscribe to!
The Rowan & Swarovski Create Your Style Collaboration
I am going to start with my absolute favourite, the brand new and sparkling collaboration between Rowan and Swarovski Create Your Style. Rowan says,
“Shine is the new range of yarn, designs and tailored crystal packages from Rowan and Swarovski. The concept was born out of a mutual respect between the brands, Swarovski approached Rowan as they felt that our collection of premium yarns would fit perfectly with their stunning crystals to create beautiful hand crafted garments and accessories. With this in mind, we have developed two stunning collections featuring some of our most luxurious yarns knitted with Swarovski crystals. The Day Collection showcases pieces suitable for a day out, whilst The Evening Collection features dazzling garments and accessories for a special night out. Further to this, we introduce Rowan Kidsilk Haze Shine; a new take on the ever-popular yarn, adorned with Swarovski crystals. Perfect for embellishments and accessory pieces, the yarn is available in five shimmering shades.”
For more information on this collaboration and the designs mentioned in this post, including You Tube videos on various methods of threading crystals and beads onto yarn, look out for the links towards the end of this post.
Rowan Kidsilk Haze Shine Yarn
This yarn consists of three strands of Kidsilk Haze and a mercerised cotton strand with 3mm Swarovski CREATE YOUR STYLE crystals in matching shades. There are 100 Swarovski crystals per ball (1 crystal per 10 cm distance). Each ball is individually packaged and presented in a transparent box including patterns for four designs using kidsilk haze Shine as edging detail or as an accessory. What a lovely gift this would make for someone.
Rowan Kidsilk Haze Shine comes in five shades…….
Rowan also has seven free downloadable patterns that use the Rowan Kidsilk Haze Shine yarn as part of the design. Here’s one of my favorites…….
Sleeveless Top designed by Jennie Atkinson
This gorgeous sleeveless top by Jennie Atkinson uses Rowan Finest for the body and Kidsilk Haze Shine for the bramble stitch collar. The free patterns are in English and have also been translated into French, German, Dutch, Danish and Swedish.
Another free downloadable pattern is this small Triangle Shawl………
Triangular Shawl designed by Jennie Atkinson
This beautiful shawl features an all over lace pattern and a crochet trim and uses only 1 ball of Kidsilk Haze and 1 pack of 6mm Swarovski Aquamarine Selection Beads. Choose your favourite Kidsilk Haze shade and buy a pack of 6mm Swarovski crystals in a shade to match. I have a ball in the shade Atlantic (bright blue) and the Aquamarine crystals in my stash; I can’t wait to get started on this design!
Rowan Sparkle Collection
There are also purchasable patterns to download from the Rowan Sparkle Collection. This beautiful collection of luxurious patterns uses Swarovski Create Your Style Crystals and beads together with some of Rowan’s beautiful yarns to create stunning designs. Using Kid Classic, Kidsilk Haze and Fine Lace the collection includes accessory designs from small corsages through to glamorous and cosy scarves. The patterns can be purchased individually at £4 each, or buy all the patterns as an entire collection for £12.00. These patterns are available in English, French, German, Dutch, Danish & Swedish.
Some of my favorites from the Rowan Sparkle Collection include the Braidon Bags………
Braidon Bags designed by Lisa Richardson and Ribbed Cardigan designed by Jennie Atkinson
These cute little bag with bamboo handles are knitted in Kid Classic with the crystal embellishment placements designed by the Swarovski Team.
Or how about these cable wrist warmers………
Eowyn Wrist Warmers designed by Theresa Venning with the crystal embellishment placements designed by Swarovski
These cable wrist warmers, knitted in Kid Classic, are also from the Rowan Sparkle Collection. They feature a simple lace trim making it suitable for the knitter with a little experience.
Also available to buy are three beautiful necklace designs by Elinor Voytal, using Rowan yarns and adorned with the Swarovski CREATE YOUR STYLE Crystals.
Thalia Necklace designed by Elinor Voytal
This design has a simple icord construction which makes it suitable for the knitter with a little experience. These necklace patterns are also available in English, French, German, Dutch, Danish & Swedish.
Rowan Swarovski Daytime Collection
The designs in
The Rowan Swarovski Daytime Collection are absolutely exquisite. I just want to make them all! This collection includes twelve beautiful stylish designs, using some of Rowan’s most luxurious yarns including
Mohair Haze,
Truesilk,
Rowan Finest,
Kidsilk Haze,
Fine Lace,
Summerlite 4ply,
Kid Classic and the sparkle and shine of Swarovski CREATE YOUR STYLE crystals to add some glamour to your daytime wardrobe. Choose from feminine and sophisticated embellished sweaters, detailed handbags and intricate accessories, to scarves and mittens with an added touch of elegance.
I so want to make this Ribbed Cardigan……..
Knitted in Rowan Finest 4ply (Cashmere: 20%, Merino Wool Extra Fine: 50%, Alpaca: 30%) and using Swarovski classic crystal, in light topaz, 6mm x 50 beads. Simple but gorgeous!
Love this stylish hat and collar………
Fur Hat and Collar designed by Jennie Atkinson with embellishments by the Swarovski Team
Knitted using Kidsilk Haze with Swarovski classic crystal, in classic, 4mm x 100 beads this hat and collar are worked in a beaded loop stitch making them suitable for the knitter with more experience.
Rowan Swarovski Evening Collection
This superb collection showcases eleven elegant and glamorous designs using some of the best of the Rowan yarns coupled with eye-catching Swarovski CREATE YOUR STYLE crystals throughout. Designs range from a stylish open back sweater to feminine shrugs, an evening purse, a tailored jacket and this stunning lace dress ………
White Dress designer by Jennie Atkinson
Wow! This beautiful dress is knitted in an all over intricate lace pattern with beaded fringing using Kidsilk Haze and Swarovski Classic Crystal 4mm x 100 beads and is suitable for the more experienced knitter. The photograph shows it styled as a Wedding Dress with a fine net skirt added, however this design would also look great as a cocktail dress knitted in a dark black, blue or red shade.
On my project list is Phoebe…….
Phoebe designed by Martin Storey
This simple shrug is knitted in Kidsilk Haze with Swarovski crystals beaded trim. Suitable for the knitter with some experience. It is available with two different beaded trim designs and in two colourways but why not choose any shade of yarn and crystals that you desire!
Another shawl to place on my project list……….
Triangle Shawl designed by Jennie Atkinson
This beautiful triangle shawl is knitted in Kidsilk Haze with an all over lace pattern and a crochet beaded trim using 50 x Swarovski classic crystals, 6mm, in violet, making it suitable for the more experienced knitter.
Rowan Subscription Membership
A great gift! The Rowan Subscription Membership is a 12 month subscription plan and includes:
- 2 Bi-Annual Magazines
- 2 Bi-Annual Newsletters
- 1 Once a year members exclusive pattern book
- Free Gift of your choice (Items available on checkout and subject to availability)
Take out a subscription today with the chance to receive a limited edition Rowan & Swarovski CREATE YOUR STYLE membership gift!
For more details see the link at the end of this post.
Rowan has just released the details for their second Martin Storey KAL starting in January 2016. Knitted using Pure Wool Superwash Worsted, a yarn pack with the 21 balls needed to make this amazing afghan would be a wonderful gift to give or for yourself.
Martin Storey Afghan – Blue Colourway
Martin’s inspiration for his afghan has come from the recent trend for wallpaper and interior design and the knitted textures and fairisle patterns of the Shetland and Faeroe Isles, as well as Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. The complete afghan consists of eight squares knitted six times each, 48 squares in total, with an edging all around to finish. Each square pattern will be released every two weeks via the knitrowan.com website.
There are four colourways to choose from: a very soft and natural palette………
a calming blue palette……..
a fresh green palette………
and a zingy spice palette………
Here’s a list of all the relevant links:
Rowan Yarns can be purchased at your local Rowan stockist or online at:
and many other online stores.
Thanks for ready my blog and happy gift hunting!
Awesome designs! Would love to stitch any of them!
The kal looks interesting ! Thanks for the info on the different yarns with the crystal beads, they look beautiful.
Thank you for this informative post Esther, I love the ribbed cardigan too ?