I recently received my copy of Rowan Knitting and Crochet Magazine 67, the Spring and Summer version for this year.
Design on the front cover is Bowie, by Lisa Richardson
I always look forward to checking out the latest patterns and deciding what I would like to knit or crochet for the next few months. However, the magazine isn’t just full of patterns, every issue also contains some interesting articles related to the craft of looping and twisting yarn.
Hooked on Crochet is the title of a short article by Rosee Woodland that heads up the first pattern “story” in the magazine, Crochet. In the article, Rosee talks to Lisa Richardson about her 12 crochet designs and how, by changing up the colour palette, they can also be worn in the cooler seasons of autumn and winter.
I have a few favourites from this section, such as Genoa, crocheted in Creative Linen…
Although it is supposed to be very loose fitting I think might have to adjust the width. The actual measurement of the smallest size is 107cm (42.25”) around the bust which is still too baggy for me.
Palermo, crocheted in Summerlite 4ply…
This is so cute and fashionably short and boxy. I’m not sure if It will suit me but I know my younger self would’ve loved it!
Verona, crocheted in Cotton Cashmere and Creative Linen…
Crochet either as one colour or multicoloured. This design is worked from the top down; the back and front in one piece and then the sleeves starting at the underarm, also worked top down.
Parma Wrap, crocheted in Cotton Cashmere.
Crochet the motifs joining them as you go. You can also make this as a scarf (not pictured) which consists of 3 squares in each row with 30 rows in total.
Rosee also writes about things I never even thought about crochet. I haven’t really considered it’s history and didn’t know that it is younger than knitting, probably only going back “a couple of hundred years”. Rosee continues, “its first reported use in the UK was by Scottish farmers in the early 19th century, who employed a type of slip stitch crochet to create thick garments that were then felted for extra warmth”. Concurrently, the French were working chain stitches into a fine mesh fabric. Subsequently, the mesh fabric was no longer used as a base and the chain stitches were crocheted alone and became known as “crochet in the air”. So I guess that’s how the crochet we know today began.
The second article in the magazine is titled Summer Hygge. Hygge? This is a word I keep seeing. I don’t quite know how to pronounce it and don’t know what it means. Well, Annika Andrea Wolke, the author of Summer Hygge (and also a knitwear designer) explains: “Hygge – the feeling you get when you are comfortable, happy and completely content in the moment.” Although, Annika goes on to mention, its usually associated with winter, but we knitters and crocheters can achieve this feeling any time of the year. Annika acknowledges that knitting is not as popular during the summer months as wooly yarn can stick to hot, sweaty hands but we can use cotton and linen yarns instead, which Rowan supplies in abundance!.
I am fortunate in that I have quite cool hands and it takes quite a high temperature to make my hands sweat. So, I will be working with yarn throughout the summer, sitting in the garden knitting or crocheting something.
Take a look at some of my favourites from the other pattern story featured in Magazine 67, titled Twinsets; maybe one of these will be a summer garden knit.
Beauvoir, designed by Georgia Farrell…
Beauvoir is knitted using one strand each of Kidsilk Haze and Fine Lace held together and worked from the top down. Interestingly, the dark lines you can see on the photo down the centre and along the raglan seams are formed by chain stitches embroidered on afterwards.
Or I could show-off my shoulders with Johnny, designed by Quail Studio, knitted using Summerlite 4ply…
And for those cooler summer days wrap up with June, designed by Quail Studio…
June is knitted using one strand each of Kidsilk Haze and Summerlite DK held together, a great combination!
And how do you pronounce Hygge? Hue-guh. Still no idea? Type “Google Translate” in the search bar of your internet browser. When you have found Google Translate type in the word Hygge and then click on the speaker icon to hear the pronunciation. Or click here to take you straight there.
So, will you be knitting or crocheting during the summer? And if the answer is yes, what have you chosen to make? Please do let me know by scrolling down to “Leave a Reply” below.
Esther x
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HI Esther,
Love your post, always draws me to the magazine. I suppose I am lucky in that I crochet and knit. This summer mag is fab, I am greedy and making up Bowie from the front cover and the gorgeous Kaffe Fassett, Portia – although be warned there is a glaring mistake in the pattern and on the photo. Also love Adele in black and white check, Genoa crochet and Palermo too. So I think all these will keep me busy until the winter edition.
Thank you Jackie…glad you love my post and the summer magazine. You do seem to have your knitting and crochet mapped out for the next few months. I love it when you know what you want to make next before you have even finished what you’re working on now. I’ll have to check out the mistake in Portia…have you told Rowan? Esther x
Hi Esther,
Yes of course, I informed Rowan immediately and they confirmed the error both in the pattern and on the photo of the coat. Good job we knitters are on alert. I would have hated anyone to make up the long coat with this glaring error on the chart, as it is a big project. I love the rowan books and yarns too. So you can see why I love your post. Jackie x
Hi Esther what do you think of the combining two yarns concept that’s prevalent in this collection? It makes knitting gobsmackingly expensive. I’ve always regarded knitting as an indulgence and don’t mind paying for beautiful yarns but the cost of some of these garments would be well out of reach for many. And Combinations of kidsik haze with hand knit cotton would be far too warm for summers for Australians such as myself. I didn’t find anything to tempt me in this issue I’m afraid (I don’t crochet either which reduces the possibilities still further) but will look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Hi Kerrie, Thank you so much for your comment. I do agree that some designs require an amount or type of yarn that can make knitting extremely expensive. Then when you combine two yarns together to knit, say, a long cardigan, yes, this makes knitting “gobsmackingly expensive” as you point out. I do know that Rowan always used to be mindful of the amount of yarn it would take to knit up a proposed design and therefore the cost. They would not dismiss expensive designs completely but would make sure there was a balance to suit all budgets throughout the magazine. For summer I tend to knit a cotton top if I can find a design that I like. I do like Johnny from Magazine 67 which only needs 4 balls of Summerlite 4ply to knit the smallest size which comes to a total of approximately 30 Australian dollars. These little tops might be too warm for Australian summers, maybe more spring or autumn? Yes, knitting can be an expensive hobby but I hope you can find something to knit that suits you and your budget. Esther x
I agree Kerrie! I don’t crochet, so that means even fewer to consider. There were no designs that grabbed me, so I think this is my last magazine. Next time I will consider downloading individual patterns that I really like – I’ve downloaded 3 Quail designs for the summer
Hi Carol, thanks for your comment. Yes, if you do not crochet this magazine which is normally pretty much 100% knitting patterns will disappoint. But I suppose for people who crochet this may well be a nice surprise! In defence of Rowan’s Magazines, the Spring and Summer issues are never as popular as the Autumn and Winter ones. Carol, Kerrie, have you ever thought about learning to crochet? Esther x
Hello again Esther. Thank you for the link; .some lovely designs, but perhaps not for me. However, my jumper is orogressing well, although I’ve been sidetracked trying to knit doves of peace for our Church VE Day celebrations. I’ve never used 3 needles st once before, so yet another challenge.
Kind regards.
Pat
Hi Pat, always good to learn something new and challenge yourself. Good luck with the doves of peace … I’m sure they will look great! Esther x