I always look forward to the latest Rowan magazine because it usually contains designs I can genuinely imagine knitting and wearing, and Rowan Magazine No. 78 | Emerge is no exception. The designs feel practical, with plenty of pieces that work together rather than standing alone. The collection has clearly been put together with real wardrobes in mind, rather than individual statement knits.

This issue is organised around two design stories: Coastal Catwalk and Kid Classic Love. What works here is that both stories feel wearable. Nothing feels over-styled or impractical, and the garments make sense as everyday pieces. You can easily imagine knitting more than one design and wearing them together, which isn’t always the case with magazine collections.

The Coastal Catwalk designs focus on layering and proportion. There are skirts, sweaters and cardigans that work together as real outfits, not just as individual pieces. The shapes are relaxed without being sloppy, and the styling shows how knitwear can look put-together without feeling fussy. This is where Rowan tends to be at its best — letting good design do the work rather than relying on novelty.

The Kid Classic Love section marks 25 years of Rowan Kid Classic, and serves as a reminder of why the yarn has endured. The designs aren’t trying to reinvent anything, and that is very much a strength. They are straightforward, wearable and familiar in the best sense. These are garments you knit because you know you will wear them often, not because they are chasing a trend.

As always, I found myself mentally editing the magazine down to the pieces I would actually knit. These are the designs I keep considering.

The Gianni Skirt
https://knitrowan.com/en/products/zm78-gianni-skirt

Knitted skirts can easily be more appealing in theory than in practice, but this one feels genuinely wearable. The shape is clean and modern, and it would sit comfortably alongside simple sweaters and cardigans. It also feels adaptable — easy to knit shorter or longer depending on how you prefer to wear your skirts — which makes it a much more appealing project.

The Betsey Sweater
https://knitrowan.com/en/products/zm78-betsey-sweater

This is a simple sweater and easy to imagine wearing regularly. It looks enjoyable to knit and straightforward to live with. It also feels flexible: a design you could easily adjust in length to suit your own preferences without losing its shape or balance.

The Prized Cardigan
https://knitrowan.com/en/products/zm78-prized-cardigan

This feels like a proper cardigan — warm, soft and reliable. It’s the sort of piece you throw on without thinking and end up wearing constantly. Those are often the knits that turn out to be the most successful.

The Dearest Cardigan
https://knitrowan.com/en/products/zm78-dearest-cardigan

This one stood out immediately. It is simple, understated and unlikely to date. I am always drawn to Fair Isle patterning, which I can never resist, and this feels like a cardigan that would still look good years down the line.

Overall, Rowan Magazine No. 78 | Emerge feels carefully put together. It focuses on knitwear that fits into real wardrobes and real lives, rather than designs that only make sense on the page. That’s why I’ll keep coming back to this issue long after the season has passed.

I’d love to know what you think — are there any designs in this issue that have caught your eye?

You can take a look at all the designs from Rowan Magazine No. 78 | Emerge here.

Happy knitting!
Esther x