Rowan Yarns Digital Magazine Rowan Spring Summer Newsletter 2019 | Page 36

This is a collection that can take you by surprise, with unexpected details in cuffs and hems – pleasing for both the knitter and the wearer. Such delights can be found in the aforementioned “Marisol”, with its delicate and undulating lace hem. In Lisa Richardson’s “Paloma”, lace is given more prominence, with decorative cuff edges mirrored in a central lace section, creating a light, almost ethereal, finish. Conversely, Martin Storey’s more substantial “Fritzia” is a celebration of texture, combining moss stitch and broken basket stitch (one of my all-time favourites!) along with crisp, coloured stripes – providing another welcome addition to our trans-seasonal wardrobe. Top row « Fritzia | Riveria | Pia Middle row « Torey | Fritzia | Dada Bottom row « Cornelia Opposite « Pia Knitting & Crochet Magazine 65 36 Newsletter April 2019 | Spring Summer Simple elegance is another of the underlying themes of this collection and none so more than Sharon Miller’s “Yoko”. It’s knitted with two shades held together to create its graceful drape and colour, and culminates in rolling hem of lace triangles in alternating colours. This shawl would happily take you from day into night, spring-summer into autumn-winter, quickly becoming one of our wardrobe staples. With its well- fitting shape, the soft - yet light - fabric created by the KidSilk Haze, the contrasting colour of the cuffs/hem/neckline and its stylish back shaping, “Katz” by Grace Jones, is another exquisite design that I cannot wait to get on – and then off – my needles. Shadow can be as important as light and the short summer shadows provide high contrast, almost monochrome patterns and again, this feature has been cleverly adopted in the new collection. Martin Storey’s “Cornelia” uses light and dark colours – as well as different yarns – to create a stunning geometric and reversible shawl, that will be sought after well beyond the last days of summer. The collection brings together chevrons, stripes and spots for a more contemporary, modern feel and this “Optical Art” style is further explored in Marin Storey’s “Pia” and “Rivera” by Quail Studio - allowing the knitter to use colour work to wonderful effect, while providing the wearer with eye-catching garments. For me, this collection speaks to restful, calm days. Like the merging and blurring of reflected images on the surface of moving water, it transforms soft monochromes into unique, elegant and beautiful designs for this spring-summer and beyond. Newsletter April 2019 | Spring Summer 37