Selects - Soffili Yak and Kidsilk Haze Vintage!

Soffili Yak and Kidsilk Haze Vintage collections!

Rowan Selects yarns should start popping up in yarn stores here in Canada and the USA soon! (If you see any in your LYS, let me know!)

There are two scheduled for late October that I want to tell you about. 

Kidsilk Haze Vintage - The same Kidsilk Haze that you love, with sort of a marl feel, this version of Kidsilk Haze has a white core. This gives the yarn a depth of colour, it sort of shimmers!!!

The other is Soffili Yak! This yarn is similar to Brushed Fleece, it's light and airy and I have to say it is a dream to knit with! I sort of love it!

The photos above are sneaky peaks of the designs that have been created for these two Select "limited edition" yarns! Designs by Lisa Richardson, Sarah Hatton, Marie Wallin! When you purchase the Selects yarn, your yarn shop should have a hard copy of these designs for you free with purchase! But never fear, they are available free for download on the Rowan web site!

Ask your local Rowan stockist if they are getting these in!

Rowan has added these collections to their web site! You can see them here...

Rowan Selects - Soffili Yak
See the collection here...

Rowan Selects - Kidsilk Haze Vintage
See the collection here...

My personal thoughts about the Select Program...

I know you didn't ask, but I'm going to tell you anyway! :)

Felted Tweed, Kidsilk Haze, Kid Classic - core yarns that have been around for years and I LOVE THEM, YOU love them, we all LOVE THEM! 

I've also come to love the unique yarns that Rowan would bring in seasonally, like Silkystones, Pure Linen, Fazed Tweed LOVE LOVE LOVE! These yarns were unique (yup I'm saying it again) unique! They are like appetizers, they are tasty, you love them, you want a few, but you wouldn't want your whole meal to be made up of appetizers right? We all complained when these yarns were discontinued after only a season or two....ah, why didn't they tell us ! 

Well, with these Select yarns....they are unique (gotta find another word but unique works so well :) ) and Rowan is telling you up front...hey knitters, we just couldn't resist bringing you this fabulous yarn....but it isn't going to be around for long.....so if you want some, get it NOW! 

We've come up with some designs to highlight these new yarns and we'll make them available to you free to download from our web site!

HOW COOL IS THAT!

I can hear you saying...Well, if these yarns are so unique, how would their patterns be of use to me if I don't/can't get any of the Select yarns!

Well, of course the designs for Kidsilk Haze Vintage can be knit up in any of the fabulous shades of the classic Kidsilk Haze, OR any of the various versions of Kidsilk Haze that have been released over the years and that might be in your stash.....Glamour, Eclipse or even Stripe!

Soffili Yak is a unique yarn...and you'd be hard pressed to replicate it. BUT, that does not mean that you cannot substitute another yarn in these designs. 

Harvest Cowl
in Rowan's Soffili Yak

I have just finished a cowl design using Soffili Yak. It was a pleasure to knit with. I love the knit fabric this yarn produces!

Called the Harvest Cowl, because it's autumn and everywhere here in Southern Ontario, Harvest Festivals are happening right now! When you pick from your garden, you might use a basket....and this combination of knit and purl and garter stitch, reminds me of a basket that I used to have...until it was nibbled on by someone we won't mention here (whispering....Daisy when she was young).

This stitch combo makes this cowl reversible....and the two sections make it versatile....both as a single loop or when doubled over. Knit it solid as I did, or use two shades (knit the sections in contrasting or complimentary shades).

I'd say that with the right choice of yarn and shade (or shades) this could also be worn be either a man or a woman!

Are you comfortable with substituting yarns? Hemp Tweed, Felted Tweed with Kidsilk Haze (combined) or even Kid Classic could be used for a different take on this cowl. (We are all particular about the yarns that we wear around our neck, aren't we!)

These yarns, knit at a slightly looser gauge than usual, I'm sure that would give their own gorgeous version of this cowl.

Gauge is 20 sts and 24 rows to 10 cm on a 5mm needle (or needle you need to get gauge) While gauge for a cowl is not critical, it will affect the amount of yarn require and the finished size of your cowl).

Sample knit finished measurements: 24cm deep and 110cm around

Hemp Tweed, you'd need 3-4 balls 

Kid Classic, you'd need 2-3 balls 

Rowan Felted Tweed and Kidsilk Haze held together (2 balls of each)

Yardage of Soffili Yak used was 330m (360 yards) so using less or more yardage will give you a shorter (deeper) cowl....your choice!

My plan is to release this as a free pattern on Ravelry, indicating all of these "suggested" yarns!

Happy Knitting everyone!

Anne

Daisy, Lackie and the Hubby join me in wishing
Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian knit friends!