Don't you just love swatching?

What? You don't like to swatch?
Well, why not cast on and make a simple cowl swatch...
Calculate how many stitches you need for your particular yarn..
(recommended gauge x the size you want your cowl!)
cast on, and knit round and round.....let the yarn run
through your fingers....how does it feel?

Here is an easy, no stress way to "get to know" a new yarn...
Does it split easily?  Does it catch?
Do you like the colour transfers?
Do a bit of rib and see what that looks like...

The only way to KNOW a yarn is to KNIT with it!

With a hand dyed yarn like Rowan's Fine Art Aran....it is
interesting to see how it looks in stocking stitch,
and in REVERSE stocking stitch
....I love how the reverse side really mutes the shade changes...

Of course, without any rib, stocking stitch will roll...I don't mind,
after all, it's a simple swatch cowl!

After a quick press with a hot steamy iron,
I LOVE IT EVEN MORE!

It drapes, it's so soft and incredibly yummy!

Of course it is yummy - 50% wool, 20% mohair, 5% silk and 25% alpaca!

I've already introduced this yarn in my post of October 8!

Available in 8 shades!  All named for dances like Bolero, Conga and Foxtrot....the shade used here is Rumba 546.  (I received this skein as a hand out at a workshop weekend from Martin Storey...yes, the Martin Storey....more about this weekend later!)

Go to Rowan's Fine Art Aran page for more details!

This yarn has already arrived at my local Rowan stockist The Needle Emporium...has it reached your LYS yet?

Rowan plans to release a collection of favourite designs re-knit in this new luxurious yarn....but of course, you can use it for any design that knits up to the 19 sts and 25 rows to 10cm gauge in stocking stitch!  (My cowl swatch just proved that!)

Swatch Cowl Details:  Using a 4.5mm 40cm circular needle, cast on 100 stitches, join in the round, and knit until you only have enough yarn to cast off with!  Lightly steam iron to uncurl! Voila!

I love just playing with skeins of yarn......here are some photos.....

Rowan Fine Art Aran is put up in 100 gram skeins.....

 of 170 meters/186 yarns

the 20% mohair gives it a lustre, a little "hairiness"!

it looks great wound into a ball too!

I only have one reservation about this yarn.....I wish there were more shades...the shades offered are a bit strong in contrast, a bit bright for my taste.

I'd love more subtle colour ways, more tonal colour ways, more sophisticated colour ways!  This yarn is gorgeous and it deserves nothing less than exquisite colour ways!  What do you think?

 +RowanYarns are you listening?