Rowan Cashmere Tweed

Um, cashmere and tweed and a free pattern book? Yes, please. Rowan Cashmere Tweed is here in a sweet range of colors.

I'm loving the pink, but this brown is so beautiful, too.

And there is a free pattern book for you with the purchase of the yarn to make the patterns! Treat yourself to some cashmere. You deserve it.

Eye Candy

I don't have as much time as I would like to make things right now, but I am still collecting publications like these for inspiration and serenity. When my brain needs a five minute break, I find I am so much happier flipping the pages of these lovely publications than I am staring at my phone. 

I am gathering my materials to make Apricite from the cover of Laine Magazine Issue 7. The orange Rowan Felted Tweed is from a frogged project (we have this in stock at the shop though), and this stormy blue Lang Lace is what Melissa and I decided would be the perfect thing to hold along with it. I can't wait to get started after I graduate next month!

Felted Tweed Has Returned

Several of us are thrilled to welcome Rowan Felted Tweed back in full force. Look at that tweedy beauty. Our stock of this lovely stuff has waxed and waned over the years, but I'm very glad to see it again.

It's a wool and alpaca blend, with a little viscose for durability, and the drape on this stuff is amazing. Your finished knit will be soft, warm, and flowy. Just right for a warm but light layer. And the colors...well, just gorgeous.

The new pattern book for Felted Tweed is pretty killer, too. Yokes, cables, colorwork...all the classic stuff. Take a look at some of my favorites.

If you love Rowan yarns and patterns like we do, I hope this new haul makes you happy, too!

P.S. Remember the post about my Ravelry favorites? This gorgeous striped sweater was knit with all kinds of Felted Tweed shades! 

Pic borrowed from Rav project page.

Sale Tower!

We have lots of new stuff on the way for fall, and I can't wait to tell you all about it. First, we need clear some shelves. Come take advantage of our sale tower while the goods are good! 

Debbie Bliss BFL DK and Aran, Rowan Kid Classic, Rowan Cocoon, and lot of other amazing stuff, 40% off for you!

Rowan Sale!

Rowan yarns are becoming increasingly difficult to find these days, but we have worked to keep a nice stock of the basic on our shelves. As part of this week's Retail Happy Hour, we are offering 10% off all Rowan yarns.

We have some stunning shades of Kidsilk Haze, including the Stripe, Trio, and Eclipse lines.

Softknit Cotton is a great choice for summer, and the pattern support for this yarn is really nice.

We also have Cocoon, Fine Tweed, Fine Art, Lima, and Kid Classic. All of these lovely yarns are 10% off from 3:00 today through Sunday. Rowan lovers, it's your week!

Summertime Sale: Rowan

Not many shops have the selection of Rowan that we have at Close Knit.  (Sally knows what she's doing.)  If you knit with Rowan, there's a good chance you love it.  Modern colors, high quality, interesting fiber blends...what's not to love?  We want to share the love with you, so our next Summertime Sale is all Rowan.

Starting June 30, all Rowan yarns are 15% off, through Sunday, July 6.

How about a few more beauty shots to get you inspired?

 

Stop by and find a new favorite yarn!

Original Denim

For years now, there has been concern about Rowan Denim.  Apparently the mill that produced it was going out of business or some such thing, and Rowan was having a hard time finding a suitable replacement.  They eventually ended up discontinuing the beloved yarn.  This spring, however, it appears that Rowan has found a solution, because there is a fresh batch of Original Denim on our shelves.

It is only available in two shades, Memphis (above) and Nashville (below), but we still have a bit of the Ecru from the old line.

If you have never worked with this, you owe it to yourself to give it a try.  Denim is a light worsted (5 stitches per inch on a US6), about 100 yards per ball, and it wears and fades like woven denim fabric.  Who doesn't like worn-in denim?  It shrinks up about 20% in length with the first wash, so you'll want to think about that.  The patterns written specifically for Denim take this into account.

I have told you before of my love for this yarn.  I actually just pulled this big ol' sweater out for spring, and I was feeling sad that I wouldn't be able to get my hands on any more of the yarn.  Thank you, Rowan, for bringing it back!

A New Go-To?

This yarn has been knocking around the shop for a few months.

I have been meaning to tell you about it, but I was kind of overwhelmed by all of the colors.  And then Sally ordered more colors.  So now it's time to talk about it before she orders even more.

I must say, I am really impressed with the new Rowan Pure Wool Worsted.  When folks come in looking for a nice all-purpose worsted weight yarn, I generally show them the Cascade 220.  But now, I feel like we have another very nice option in this yarn.  And it's superwash!

I was pleasantly surprised at the reasonable price point, too.  Only $10.95 for 219 yards of superwash wool.  That's a pretty good deal, especially for Rowan.

Honestly, I have not always been impressed with their superwash yarns, so I was a little skeptical.  

But then Ann whipped up this River Mist Cowl in the light grey and mustard shades, and I knew I was going to have to give it a shot.  The yarn is soft and lofty, and the colors are really rich and full.  A few heathered options, as well.

We have two of the pattern books featuring Pure Wool Worsted, Simple Shapes and The Pure Wool Worsted Collection.

Let me show you a few designs from Simple Shapes.  Who doesn't need a grandpa cardigan like Minn?

Or a basic cap or cabled scarf like Burra and Ismay?  Lots of classic stuff.  Several men's sweaters, too.

I love that cover sweater, Alba, from the collection.

Morna looks like a cozy live-in sweater, for sure.

Spence is designed as a unisex fisherman's sweater, and it really shows off how well this yarn does cables.

Rowan also offers a collection of free home decor and pillow patterns for Pure Wool Worsted.  The patterns use several interesting textured stitches and multiple colors to create some really unusual items.  I really like the Chainlink Cushion and the Wheel Barrel Cushion.  Take a look at their site for more.

I think this yarn is going to be a big hit for all you knitters looking for a high-quality superwash option.  I know it will be a great choice for the man sweaters, too.  I am happy to have more options to give people looking for a nice basic worsted wool in a wide range of colors.  I'll keep you posted if Sally orders even more!

Cold Shoulder?

I know it's been getting up into the 50s during the day, but I cannot shake the chill.  Maybe I'm still recovering from the ick, or maybe it's the short days that have me piling on the layers.  I love a scarf or cowl, but I'm thinking one of these Churchmouse Shoulder Cozies might be nice, too.

Sally made this pretty piece with just one ball of Rowan Kidsilk Haze and two balls of Noro Silk Garden in the most subtle neutrals.

I like that you can wear it as a capelet or as a cowl under a jacket.  A nice choice for a chilly office or drafty house.  The Silk Garden is lovely and interesting, and the Kidsilk Haze really adds a nice halo.

It's a Churchmouse pattern, and they know how to do classy.  The patterns are always well-written, too.

Stop by for a look.  We can help you choose the perfect combination to keep your cold shoulders cozy and warm!

More Rowan

A little more Rowan for you?

The Kidsilk Haze is always popular, and we have more in the shop.  We have also welcomed Kidsilk Haze Eclipse, the sparkly version of the old favorite, and Kidsilk Haze Stripe, a self-patterning version with double the yardage of the original.  

These are all amazing for scarves, shawls, sweaters...many knitters will hold a strand along with another yarn to add some textural interest.  There are so many version to choose from now.

Speaking of haze, say hello to Angora Haze.  It is softer than you can imagine...like bunnies made of clouds.  For me, an angora sweater conjures visions of dressing up for the holidays.  There is also a certain vintage flair to an angora sweater, like this sweet little thing at the shop.  Pink, lacey, fluffy, vintage...

In fact, the Angora Haze book is full of pretty things.

Autumn Knits is gorgeous, too.

We have a sample of Ashbourne in the shop, knit up in the luxurious Lima.

Look at these beautiful shapes and textures, knit up in Cocoon and Lima.

Finally, we have the new Rowan Fine Art sock yarn in the six newest and more subtle colorways.  With the more subtle color variation, these would be lovely for lacework...elm is my favorite.  This would be perfect for that RCYC Mystery KAL/CAL.

I think that's most of the new Rowan...stay tuned for Malabrigo!