I've been browsing a few blogs and came across an entry from someone who'd been treated to a preview of some of Rowan's Spring releases. Apparently we have these to look forward to:

Two new Rowan yarns:
- Bamboo Tape (http://www.diamondyarn.com/cat.php?yarnID=1467) and Damask (http://www.diamondyarn.com/cat.php?yarnID=1468) (a linen/viscose mix).

New Pattern books from Rowan:
- 'The Bamboo Collection', 'The Kasbah Collection', and 'The Pure Wool Collection'.

New Pattern books from RYC:
- 'Coast', 'Nature' and 'Mother and Baby'

Two new RYC yarns:
- Cotton Jeans (http://www.diamondyarn.com/cat.php?yarnID=1471) (an aran-weight marbled patterned yarn).
- Bamboo Soft (http://www.diamondyarn.com/cat.php?yarnID=1470).

Six more colours for Summer Tweed plus new pattern booklet.

Ten more colours for Handknit Cotton.

Four new colours for Kidsilk Haze.

New colours for Rowan yarns: 4ply Cotton, Calmer, Cotton Glace and Cotton Rope.

Apparently the styling for Magazine 41 is more traditional Rowan; less wild and more stylish than of late.

Note that the information comes from Canadian sources, so the details might be a little different for us.

Here are a couple of links to the new pattern collections by Rowan (http://www.diamondyarn.com/coverimg.php?mfgID=9) (including the cover of Rowan 41) and RYC (http://www.diamondyarn.com/coverimg.php?mfgID=30).

Here's a link (http://www.diamondyarn.com/new.php) to a preview of the Spring collections from some other designers, including Colinette, Debbie Bliss and Louisa Harding.

I got mine today and have to say I'm not very impressed at all. This is the first Rowan mag I've had where absolutely nothing screams 'knit me!'. Most uninspiring :(

Ah, just noticed that the Rowan site (http://www.knitrowan.com/html/magazines_profile.asp?productCode=ZM41) has been updated too with the new stuff too.

I'll reserve judgement til I get to see the full-size images, but at first glance there looks to be some rather nice patterns in the 'Medinas And Minarets' collection (Esme and Sarita are pretty).

Some of the patterns in the other collections featured on the site are a little fussy and girly for me, though I do like the use of what looks to be the wrap-around/cross-over ballet-style top styling (Tulip, Magnolia, Foxglove).

For those who have yet to receive their copy, there are some larger pictures here (http://www.colourway.co.uk/rowan/rb41/rb41.htm) of the patterns in Rowan 41. I had to turn my pop-up blocker off to see them when I click on the individual images, though.

It does look rather girly to me:-o Does Jill stock it - I can have a proper look there:D

More piccies here (http://www.laughinghens.com/knitting-pattern.asp?patternid=558) and here (http://www.kangaroo.uk.com/catalogue/pages.php?stId=1410&tId=2).

I rather like Tulip (http://www.kangaroo.uk.com/catalogue/page_detail.php?pId=1077&tId=2&stId=1410), Magnolia (http://www.laughinghens.com/knitting-pattern-page.asp?patternpageid=5251) (though without the puffy sleeves), Lords and Ladies (http://www.laughinghens.com/knitting-pattern-page.asp?patternpageid=5247) and Esme (http://www.laughinghens.com/knitting-pattern-page.asp?patternpageid=5236).

It is rather girly, though I think some of the patterns are an improvement on the graffiti-inspired patterns in previous issues.

Don't they do any kids stuff? I think far too many of these mags turn out women's patterns (some we wouldn't even look twice at) and then stick the "token" child pattern in for good measure!:rant:

Don't they do any kids stuff? I think far too many of these mags turn out women's patterns (some we wouldn't even look twice at) and then stick the "token" child pattern in for good measure!:rant:
I suppose Rowan's argument would be that they (and the associated RYC) also publish booklets that are devoted exclusively to children and baby patterns, like these (http://www.knitrowan.com/html/books_category.asp?bookCategory=Knitting+Childrens ).

yeah but no but yeah but, they also publish a lot of booklets devoted exclusively to women, plus a lorra lorra magazines devoted to women. Someone bring out a knitting mag for kids things and I'm at the postbox with my subscription!:nod:

That reminds me; does anyone else not really think of Rowan as a magazine, even though they call it one? With the the number/quality of the patterns, I think of it as a pattern book (unlike the monthly knitting magazines), especially as it's only issued twice a year, with the rest of their new season pattern books and yarns.

A true magazine for kids' knitting patterns would certainly fill a niche though.

I've never bought a pattern book like the Rowan books....can anyone tell me the kind of size that they generally write the patterns up to?

From magazine 40, Rowan's sizing is as follows:
Over half of the womenswear designs within the magazine will be available from size 8 to 22, with the remainder being available from size 8 to 18 or from size Small to XL. Menswear is available from size Small to XXL.

Their sizes do tend to be on the generous side though, or it may just be my tension! I'm a 10/12 generally, but I always knit rowan patterns to the 10 or small, and they've always fitted well. (Either that or I'm rather slutty in my ideas of how tight knitwear should be!

I tend to find that the magazines grow on me. I like quite a lot in the new magazine, but I'll have to change the colours! The Esme (http://www.knitrowan.com/html/magazines_slide_show.asp?productCode=ZM41&serial=71) top is definately on my to do list! :love: What is with the knitted suit though? :loopy:

Thanks, I may try the latest one then as I like a lot of the patterns in it. It'll be sods law that the ones I like are the ones that don't go up to my size :rolleyes:

It does look rather girly to me:-o Does Jill stock it - I can have a proper look there:D

Nope. I am Rowan free although I did see the new pattern "book" today.
I do have all the new Louisa Harding and Debbie Bliss pattern books though....

yeah but no but yeah but, they also publish a lot of booklets devoted exclusively to women, plus a lorra lorra magazines devoted to women. Someone bring out a knitting mag for kids things and I'm at the postbox with my subscription!:nod:

Louisa Harding has a kids pattern book. I think I may have got a couple of copies....
Knit Kids from Bergere de France is very good too. For kids age 4-12 and only £4 :)

I quite like the patterns in it, although I was struck by the fact there are no childrens designs in it.
I guess I could spend out on a kids book though.
And I have to agree wtih Hecate, its more of a pattern book to me, than a magazine. I certainly dont read it like a mag anyway!