Rowan Magazine 78: A Fresh, Moody Take on Knitting Style

Back in March at H+H Cologne, I got my first glimpse of the new Rowan Magazine 78. The format felt so fresh and modern, I could hardly wait to see the full issue. When Rowan released the preliminary pattern for Amore, I fell in love immediately and have been working on it steadily ever since. I can't wait to show it to you, but for now, let's talk about the magazine itself, its new format, and what I think you’re going to love about it. 

The New Look and Feel

This issue feels soft and a little moody, in a good way. We have windswept coastlines, gray skies, and pared-down styling. The layouts are clean and minimal, with no borders or extra graphics around images. It’s a Scandinavian-inspired presentation that's quiet, simple, and elegant. But don’t mistake the format for minimalistic knitting. The garments themselves are still richly textured, lush, and layered—classic Rowan through and through.

Coastal Catwalk

Rowan 78 includes two design stories. The first, Coastal Catwalk, is described as “inspired by windswept shores, salt-kissed air, and the effortless elegance of seaside landscapes.” Four fabulous designers, Chloe Thurlow, Martin Storey, Georgia Farrell, and Lisa Richardson, each created a lush, layered outfit of four pieces designed to work together. Garments and accessories are shown across outfits, styled in different ways to highlight just how versatile these designs are. This collection features soft, textured yarns like Fine Tweed Haze, Alpaca Classic, and the gently flecked shades of Felted Tweed.

What really struck me in this story is Rowan’s deliberate push toward a wardrobe approach. Instead of presenting garments as stand-alone projects, they’re styled together into cohesive looks--dresses, skirts, long vests, and accessories that can be layered, mixed, and matched. It feels like Rowan is inviting us to build a knitted wardrobe, not just cast on a single piece.

Rowan has shown some of the outfits in black-and-white photography which I think is especially clever here. Stripping away the designer's chosen palette frees you to imagine these designs in your own colors. Whether you prefer soft neutrals, bold brights, or something in between, the monochrome images make it easier to envision the pieces as part of your style story.

Within the collection you’ll find a balance--classic colorwork accessories, timeless silhouettes, and bold statement knits. The beauty of Coastal Catwalk is that you can pick and choose what works for you, confident it will still connect to the broader styling story Rowan has created.

The Travelogue

In the center of the magazine is a Travelogue section that describes the stunning Welsh coastline where the photography was shot—the same landscape that inspired the designers. These natural, windswept settings underscore the moody, modern aesthetic of the whole issue and make the garments feel grounded in place and story.

Kid Classic Anniversary

Following the Travelogue is a feature on Rowan Kid Classic, one of my all-time favorite yarns, celebrating its 25th anniversary. This retrospective leads into the second story, Kid Classic Love, a collection of what Rowan calls “timeless wearable knits.” I couldn’t agree more. I was immediately drawn to Amore, the pullover I mentioned earlier.

With its wide turtleneck, deep ribbed cuffs, and beautiful drape, it’s a soft, classic silhouette updated for today. I can already imagine wearing it with jeans, dress pants, or even my silk skirt.

Also in this collection are colorwork and cabled sweaters that showcase Kid Classic’s excellent stitch definition, proving why this yarn has been a staple for so long.

Kaffe Fassett’s Palette

Lastly, there is a look at Rowan's biggest celebrity, Kaffe Fassett. In this issue, he teases his new range of matching colors in Felted Tweed and Kidsilk Haze, and a special collection called Kaffe’s Palette. The magazine includes the Bargello pullover, one of the standout patterns from this new collection.

Why You’ll Love Rowan 78 (tldr)

I am thrilled with this magazine, and I think you will be too. Four outfits you can knit and mix and match, 11 versatile garments in the timeless Kid Classic, and a bonus pattern by Kaffe Fassett, plus hours of pleasant perusing of a magazine that feels luxe and modern and is a joy just to flip through.  You can get your copy in several ways: join us at the Rowan Tea on October 11th here in Leonardtown, order a Rowan Tea Box to enjoy the experience from home, or simply order your copy of Rowan Magazine 78 here. However you get it, I think you’ll be inspired by this moody, modern, and very wearable collection.