The Yarn Has Arrived

The doorbell rang and the box arrived. And just like that… my next hand-knitting design adventure officially began.

I’ve been designing hand-knitted sweaters and accessories for Rowan Knitting Magazine for many years. You would think I’d be used to this by now, I’m not.

Every new box of yarn comes with the same feeling. Excitement. Curiosity. And a tiny voice whispering, “The deadline is getting closer…” No pressure, right?

Now the real work begins.

It’s time for swatching, checking knitting tension, playing with stitch patterns, testing color combinations and letting the yarn tell its own story.

Tomorrow I’ll sharpen my pencil and start sketching. Or maybe the sketch will start me. That’s the funny thing about being a knitwear designer. Every design has its own birth story. Sometimes a complete sweater appears in my head before I’ve even opened the yarn. Other times the yarn sits on my desk for days, quietly staring at me, waiting for the right stitch to reveal itself.

Creative, isn’t it?

A few weeks ago, I visited SpinExpo, where I explored the latest textile innovations and emerging trends. I already have a sense of the direction the industry is heading. Now comes the challenge. How do I blend Rowan’s timeless style with the exciting 2027 knitting trends?

When I design for a company or a private client, I always think about who they are. Their style. Their colors. Their customers. Every design has to fit their story, not mine.

Each Rowan magazine begins with a carefully planned color palette and creative theme. My job? Design something that belongs in that story. Simple…

Well, not exactly. Tomorrow is Day One. The beginning of another creative journey. I don’t yet know the order of my thoughts. But somewhere inside that beautiful box of yarn is the next sweater, waiting to be discovered.

Tomorrow I have a date with my knitting needles, a sketchbook and a deadline.

Wish me luck!