Knitch Magazine

Yarn Name: Rowan Heritage Tweed
Review Date: September 28, 2011
Date Introduced to Market: Fall 2011

The Look

Our collective mind equates tweedy cabled pullovers and cardigans with the pleasant easy days of autumn, and Rowan Tweed is the quintessential tweed yarn for these projects. Crisp fall days, brightened by contrasts of turning leaves, ripening apples and steely skies are captured in the color and texture of Rowan Tweed. This woolen spun yarn is superbly crafted in Yorkshire of 100% wool, heavily infused with colorful nepps that create the illusion of a multi-plied yarn. It is a singles yarn with a rustic texture that works up beautifully in classic cables and Fair Isle patterns. Traditionalists and new wave knitters alike will be attracted to Rowan Tweed. It captures the tactile pleasure of fine quality wool and absorbing beauty of Mother Nature.

The Feel

Rowan Tweed is a softer than many tweed yarns, yet it retains the rugged woolen look that is so treasured. The singles strand is spun of very short uncombed fibers infused with flecks of colored fiber. The fiber in Rowan Tweed has been well processed leaving it soft, supple and ready to knit. This tweed rates #7 on the softness scale.

Softness Scale

The Patterns

Knit at 21 stitches over 4 inches, Rowan Tweed falls into a versatile gauge range with a seeming unending choice of patterns available. For Fall 2011, Rowan presents a collection of updated Fair Isle designs, cabled outerwear, and cozy accessories for women in Nordic Tweed. Designs in this collection play classic motifs against unconstructed relaxed shapes. Rowan Tweed is equally suitable for men and children, and can be substituted for any yarn of a similar gauge. Tweed is a popular choice for patterns that emphasize color and or texture, so put it to use in cabled sweaters, jackets, or scarves and hats. Browse through Rowan’s collection of patterns for other ideas. Consult Nancy Thomas’ book, Tweed, for over 20 projects specifically designed to showcase tweed yarns. The projects are nicely identified by skill level ranging from beginner through advanced level.

Color Range

Rowan Tweed, infused as it is with flecks of color, is the ideal wool for fall knits. It is available in 16 colors that have the natural beauty of plant dyed fibers. Reds, golds, blues, greens and even neutrals sparkle with bits of color that add depth to your knitting. Rowan Tweed captures the glint of sunbeams on colored leaves, the ripples of lake pools and the glinty brightness of granite. Main colors are highlighted by specks of color that bounce off one another when paired in color pattern knitting or Fair Isle designs. Rowan’s Bjorg sweater is knit in contrasting sections then joined into a brilliant tapestry.

Working It

The woolen spun singles yarn is softly spun so the fibers tend to grab one another. I like to pull the yarn from the center of the ball, which can take a little patience with sticky yarns. I view this as a chance to get acquainted with the yarn and learn about its properties before I even start to knit. I am intrigued by the way the yarn likes to grab and consider using it in intarsia patterns, where I can employ this characteristic to advantage. Notably, Rowan Tweed is also soft and pliable with a matte finish, but it is the mesmerizing color that makes it so entrancing to knit. Rowan Tweed is also a tad inelastic, but cables and deep ribbing can be added to create shape.

What I’d Like to Make with It

Fair Isle patterns jump to life when tweed is introduced into the mix. The interplay of colorful nepps amplifies the mysterious blending of colors in Fair Isle knitting creating the illusion of using several strands of yarn instead of just two. Use several shades of Rowan Tweed or use a combination of tweed and solid colors. Add a few rows of tweed to a Fair Isle pattern to punch up the color in your project.

Knitting Outside the Box

It seems logical that tweed will felt well because it has several exposed fiber ends that will mat together in the fulling process. Felting mutes the colorful flecks into a more shadowy accent, and they produce interesting textural variations. Rowan Tweed can be used for felted hats, jackets or scarves.

Blocking It

Lay flat to dry. May be lightly steam blocked.

Washing It

Hand wash in mild soap using lukewarm water.

Wearability

Rugged tweed woolens, when properly cared for, will last as long as a pair of brogans. In other words, you can expect Rowan Tweed to wear well and look fresh for years, and your love of this classic yarn will deepen every year.

Overall Recommendation:

The admirable craftsmanship of Rowan is on display in Rowan Tweed. This fine quality tweed is well worth considering. I recommend Rowan Tweed and rate it #10.