| Rowan 40 is a glossy hardback which would make a memorable gift for any knitter this Christmas. In some ways it is a history book, because the designs featured go back across the past 4 decades, illustrating the trends and developments in fashion over those years. The list of designers' names is studded with stellar talents such as Jean Moss (doyenne of British couture knitwear in the '80's), fashion designer Amanda Crawford, the legendary Kaffe Fassett and dozens of other luminaries from Rowan's stable of in-house and independent designers. The introduction to the book includes a gorgeous gallery of all of the Rowan Knitting Magazine covers from first to most recent. Terri and I no longer have every single one on our library shelves, but near enough. Some sell for quite a bit as collectables but we've never had the heart to part with them and we still often get queries about a pattern from a really old book and pride ourselves on being able to help, even if it's just a missing comma in a thirty year old pattern which has brought progress to a frustrated halt.  
Jean Moss Suit (left) Kim Hargreaves Jacket (right) Kaffe Fassett Dress (below)  Despite some of these patterns being decades old there are no items in this collection which I would immediately label old-fashioned. As our Showcase section illustrates, the current knitwear trends are so many and varied that almost every fashion of the past 40 years is represented in the haute couture offerings for Autumn/Winter 2018-19. Fashion stories which are very predominant include the long cardigan coat (below far left), the massive slouchy jacket and its friend the massive slouchy sweater (2 centre pics), fine yarn knitted skirts (see the Jean Moss design above left) and the androgynous 1920's style classic fair-isle knitwear (below right).    
The book is split into two parts; the first archive section which has 20 patterns exactly as written uses many yarns which are no longer available, so we will be happy to suggest substitutes if you mail us. The second section is 20 patterns again, but this time they have been reworked in contemporary colours and yarns. What is rather nice is the inclusion in this part of the original design pictures as well as the contemporary version. For me it is a matter of personal taste whether I prefer the original to the revamped version, but that varies from design to design...and sometimes from minute to minute! Although each section tells you from which magazine the design is derived, it would have been lovely to have a bit more biographical detail about the designers themselves and perhaps the occasional anecdote from the days when Rowan was just getting its foot onto the ladder in the industry and establishing its quality and design led credentials. Other than the complete lack of menswear, (something driving me bananas about the most recent Rowan Knitting and Crochet Magazines), I can find no other faults with this lush collection and would recommend it for knitters of all abilities. Every effort has been made to include stylish designs from basic garter stitch creations to those which require an eye-watering but deeply satisfying expenditure of time, effort and ability. Got all the basics Cabling up a storm Beginners luck Only the brave    
 Pale by Kim Hargreaves
RRP 19.25 Colourway price 17.33  click on cover picture for 'buy now' button and shots of all designs Kim Hargreaves is one of those designers really loved by us more mature knitters. It's a bit like sex, the longer you've been doing it the more you appreciate those special little touches which are the equivalent of the icing on the cake (if I can mix my metaphors). Those little unexpected touches of finesse which keep the process fresh and interesting even if it's the fiftieth sweater you've knitted in the past ten years. I always describe her patterns as modern classics because although they make classy wardrobe staples for years to come, they have those unexpected little touches which catch the eye and immediately scream 'designer' rather than 'high street'.    
Arctic Circle shades for those who prefer a cool Yule Pale is based on the ethereal colour palette of the frozen north, perfect for those of us looking for winter season women's wear which avoids the loud, the scarlet and green, the robins and the jingle bells. If your style is log fires, candles, luxurious and glamorous textures and a frosty cool palette then this is the collection for you. Kim is no fool; this collection hits all of the fashion trend buttons, with outdoorsy-knits tending towards the large and loose while those destined to keep you looking effortlessly elegant as you sip champagne and nibble smoked salmon blinis are generally delivered in finer yarns with body conscious silhouettes. There are several big baggy cardigan jackets, one of which even cleverly offers this season's hottest 'animal print' look but in wintry Snow Leopard shades (below left). The body-conscious indoor look is wittily combined with the drive to more covered-up styling which is a major theme since the Me Too campaign, alongside the asymmetric and wrapped trends. Find all of them in the same cleverly constructed design Modest (below centre). And if you want to buck the trend for multiple baggy layers or slim fitting cover up elegance, the fluffy off-the-shoulder sweater is the big festive season story for those who, while not wanting to let it all hang out, don't mind flashing a little bit when the lights go down and the temperatures come up (see Soft below right).   
| 
