On Saturday, Rowan launched their Spring Summer Collection in Magazine no 77, together with several smaller collections. The magazine has two main stories - lazy days of summer and a retrospective for Martin Storey, one of their most-loved designers. The lazy days of summer collection is organised into relaxed mornings, daytime and evening, each with their own spread.
Lazy Days of Summer
Relaxed Mornings
My shortlist was Plum, Currant and Pomelo - all knit in Softyak DK which became a theme for me through the presentation: nearly every pattern that appealed to me was knitted in Softyak DK. Plum is by one of my favourite designers, Erika Knight. I was able to pick that out as one of her designs even before I saw her name. (I wrote about Erika in this post).
I'm not sure that any of these will make it through to my to-do list, though, maybe Currant. There were others later in the collections that I liked more.
Day Time
The one that stood out for me, again in Softyak DK, was Apricot, with or without the embroidery. Others I liked were Mangosteen and Guava, both knitted in Summerlite 4-ply. I heard a lot about Summerlite 4-ply in this and another Rowan launch for Georgia Farrell's latest collection, Abstract 2. It sounds an interesting yarn, quite soft and light for cotton, so this might decide one of my summer makes as I'd like to try it out.
I'll probably go for Mangosteen as this pattern is outside my usual style.
Evening
Hmm, yes, none of these really appealed to me.
Rowan are starting to introduce more top-down, in the round and seamless patterns, so it would be interesting to get the Magazine and have a look whether there are any interesting construction techniques that could be applied to other patterns and garments.
Colour Palette
After some discussion in the Launch, it was agreed that the colour palette this season was "chalky brights". So bright colours, slightly de-saturated (I think).
Rowan have introduced some new colours into each of the ranges used in the Spring Summer collection. You can see the Softyak DK colours look more muted as the natural colour of the yak is brown and gives a heathery melange to the yarn.
New Yarn - Cotton Trio
Cotton Trio is a luxurious and versatile yarn, blending natural fibres to create a soft, lightweight texture. The combination of cotton, wool and alpaca not only creates a wonderful softness, but also adds strength and texture, whilst its strand construction provides a smooth, slightly matte finish. Cotton Trio has a slight two tone effect due to the mix of fibres and the palette includes a range of muted pastels, neutrals, and rich bright tones. (Source).
I wasn't thrilled with this. I may feel differently when I've seen it in the shops. We have a flagship store not far from us in Stamford, which carries the whole Rowan range in every colour, so is worth a trip. Cotton Trio has its own collection, Windswept.
My favourites
It was interesting seeing the collection and the different styles and colour palette that are prominent this summer, but my favourites came from some of the other collections that were featured in the launch.
Having said I wasn't thrilled a bit dubious about Cotton Trio, one of my favourite designs was Pampas by Georgia Farrell. I like the style and the colour and this does fall very much in my style zone and would be a good way to try out the yarn.
This collection includes yarn in my stash: I have Creative Linen in two colours. I was drawn to Swan, a slip-stitch pattern that echoes the Chanel-style tweedy jackets that are popular again this summer. I have garment quantities in Mustard and Straw, which I can see together.
Straw is currently sitting in my Pile of Ambiguities crocheted into a garment that I loved making but have no use for. It would be good to see it frogged and used to create something else.
I liked Sprout, a fair isle tank top by Chloe Thurlow knitted into Cotton Revive, a recycled yarn,for lots of reasons. I'm gradually collecting tank tops (and vests like Pampas) as they provide a welcome layer and can add some gorgeous colour to an outfit, especially if you tend towards neutrals.
I'm just venturing into colourwork which I have avoided because of the challenge of getting a consistent tension across colour changes. But the Berroco Mystery Knit Along is forcing me to get into some of challenges (and only in a block, so no shaping and not too much lost if it goes wrong). It would be good to start trying it out in garments.
I also like Chloe Thurlow, she tends to have interesting colour choices and I like her designs. I wrote about Chloe in this post.
Except where indicated, all images are screenshots from the Rowan Spring Summer Launch on Saturday 15 March 2025. Featured patterns, yarns and collections can be found at the Rowan website.
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