Bay Sweater and a giveaway

September 04, 2014






 




Yep, this is me doing something I never thought I'd ever do; post pictures of me taking bathroom selfies.  But only out of desperation and because we were in a hotel room that had decent lighting and a big mirror, I just...did it.  And they didn't turn out too bad really, but I'm still kind of embarrassed about them so I'll just move on and talk about the pattern and the yarn.

The pattern, Bay by Kim Hargreaves is my perfect sweater.  I wear it open mostly, but it looks cute buttoned up too.  I finished it in May so have been wearing it all summer and love it each time I put it on.  The yarn is Rowan Original Denim, a newish yarn for me, but not for many of you I know.  Rowan Denim has been around for years, then went on hiatus for a year or two, and now is in production again.  The original producer from years ago was found to be back in business and was commissioned to create the "Original Denim", thus the name.  I love this stuff but don't want to repeat myself as I first reviewed it when knitting a baby sweater that you can read about here.  I hope you don't mind if I give you my yarn review from that post:

Good news for all you denim lovers out there: Rowan Denim is out of retirement!  It was discontinued for one year, perhaps you heard the wails and moans. After a decade of popularity it took a year long break. Often it's an issue with the mill and doesn't have much to do with it's popularity.  I am a newbie to Rowan Denim yarn and only know it from seeing it on Ravelry so was excited when I was given two skeins to review.  I do admit to letting it languish for a while.  I'm so fussy about cotton yarn.  It must be soft and easy to knit, and sadly this is not true for too many cotton yarns.  Still I was intrigued to finally find out what all the fuss was about and with needles in hand, set about to make another striped baby cardigan.  I could review it and make something at the same time!

Even while casting on for my swatch, I knew the yarn would be very soft in the hand and easy to knit.  The stitches lined up beautifully and was easy to get an even tension.  With my pointy Lace Addis it was surprisingly easy to maneuver stitches into cables and lace.  That was all I needed to know, so I ripped my swatch back and cast on for this baby sweater.  True to it's type, Rowan Denim is meant to fade in the wash over time.  While knitting the navy, your hands will turn blue, don't be alarmed, it washes off with soap and water! The extra dye will come out of the garment with the first wash, and after that it will gently fade over time and give you the look and feel of your much loved pair of 501s back in the day.  Denim will shrink on the first wash so if you are not using a Rowan pattern, you must make allowances for this. Not a big deal, I think just adding some length to the body and sleeves would be it.  Rowan patterns have the shrinkage built into the design.  There are dozens of free patterns designed specifically for this yarn at this link: Rowan Original Denim Online Collection.

Edited:  This giveaway has expired and winner chosen.  

I have a copy of the new book, Denim, the Next Generation by Martin Storey to give away.   Denim The Next Generation is a collection of seven classic, Martin Storey family knits re-worked with a contemporary feel and style. Casual denim shirt styles, Breton stripe guernseys and rugged-look cables feature in this on trend collection for men, women and children.  You can see all the patterns here.

It's easy to enter the giveaway, just be a follower of Knitionary and leave a comment.  Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you, such as your Rav ID or your email address.  For a second chance to win, become a follower of the Knitionary Facebook page and leave a message there, under the giveaway post.  Scroll through to find the post with the selfie Bay Sweater picture and leave a comment under the picture, that will enter you a second time.  I'll leave this open until early next week, and it's open to international readers too.   Good luck!  (And I apologize for having to have capcha on my comments section.  I get way to much spam if I don't.)

Good news for all you denim lovers out there: Rowan Denim is out of retirement!  It was discontinued for one year, perhaps you heard the wails and moans. After a decade of popularity it took a year long break. Often it's an issue with the mill and doesn't have much to do with it's popularity.  I am a newbie to Rowan Denim yarn and only know it from seeing it on Ravelry so was excited when I was given two skeins to review.  I do admit to letting it languish for a while.  I'm so fussy about cotton yarn.  It must be soft and easy to knit, and sadly this is not true for too many cotton yarns.  Still I was intrigued to finally find out what all the fuss was about and with needles in hand, set about to make another striped baby cardigan.  I could review it and make something at the same time!
Even while casting on for my swatch, I knew the yarn would be very soft in the hand and easy to knit.  The stitches lined up beautifully and was easy to get an even tension.  With my pointy Lace Addis it was surprisingly easy to maneuver stitches into cables and lace.  That was all I needed to know, so I ripped my swatch back and cast on for this baby sweater.  True to it's type, Rowan Denim is meant to fade in the wash over time.  While knitting the navy, your hands will turn blue, don't be alarmed, it washes off with soap and water! The extra dye will come out of the garment with the first wash, and after that it will gently fade over time and give you the look and feel of your much loved pair of 501s back in the day.  Denim will shrink on the first wash so if you are not using a Rowan pattern, you must make allowances for this. Not a big deal, I think just adding some length to the body and sleeves would be it.  Rowan patterns have the shrinkage built into the design.  There are dozens of free patterns designed specifically for this yarn at this link: Rowan Original Denim Online Collection.  A new pattern collection including a return of some popular vintage patterns is set to be out in May, just when the summer knitting is getting underway.  
- See more at: http://knitionary.blogspot.com/2014/03/splish-splash.html#sthash.S65P4gaE.dpuf
Good news for all you denim lovers out there: Rowan Denim is out of retirement!  It was discontinued for one year, perhaps you heard the wails and moans. After a decade of popularity it took a year long break. Often it's an issue with the mill and doesn't have much to do with it's popularity.  I am a newbie to Rowan Denim yarn and only know it from seeing it on Ravelry so was excited when I was given two skeins to review.  I do admit to letting it languish for a while.  I'm so fussy about cotton yarn.  It must be soft and easy to knit, and sadly this is not true for too many cotton yarns.  Still I was intrigued to finally find out what all the fuss was about and with needles in hand, set about to make another striped baby cardigan.  I could review it and make something at the same time!
Even while casting on for my swatch, I knew the yarn would be very soft in the hand and easy to knit.  The stitches lined up beautifully and was easy to get an even tension.  With my pointy Lace Addis it was surprisingly easy to maneuver stitches into cables and lace.  That was all I needed to know, so I ripped my swatch back and cast on for this baby sweater.  True to it's type, Rowan Denim is meant to fade in the wash over time.  While knitting the navy, your hands will turn blue, don't be alarmed, it washes off with soap and water! The extra dye will come out of the garment with the first wash, and after that it will gently fade over time and give you the look and feel of your much loved pair of 501s back in the day.  Denim will shrink on the first wash so if you are not using a Rowan pattern, you must make allowances for this. Not a big deal, I think just adding some length to the body and sleeves would be it.  Rowan patterns have the shrinkage built into the design.  There are dozens of free patterns designed specifically for this yarn at this link: Rowan Original Denim Online Collection.  A new pattern collection including a return of some popular vintage patterns is set to be out in May, just when the summer knitting is getting underway.  
- See more at: http://knitionary.blogspot.com/2014/03/splish-splash.html#sthash.S65P4gaE.dpuf


I hope you can find Rowan Original Denim at your lys, but if not, 
here are some online stores that I recommend:



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42 Comments

  1. This is a lovely collection! Thanks so much for the chance to win it. Madelynkat is me on Ravelry. Or ginamarielunsford@gmail.com is my email.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I used some of this recently to make a summer weight hat for my youngest son. He's a runner and the S. Texas sun is hot even early in the morning.

    I've had my eye on this book for a while and have my fingers crossed hoping I win.

    txlady129 on Ravelry or ragnarok511@att.net.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is exciting! Thanks for the chance to win! Rav id: joyclark61

    ReplyDelete
  4. So glad to hear Denim is back! Love the sweater! I'm GramPamKnits on Rav. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love this! It reminds me of wearing my favorite pair of jeans, perfectly soft. I'm debbi801 on Rav.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow. This is wonderful stuff. I would love to make some of these patterns with Rowan Denim. Anything by Martin Storey is pure genius. I would be honoured to win this book! I am jozeee on Ravelry.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hope I'm the lucky one. Love denim

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great stitch definition, love the colorway. Thanks for this opportunity.

    Granolahead - Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the color and style of the sweater. Ravelry - Yoeyknits

    ReplyDelete
  10. These are luscious sweaters! They might even lure me away from my addiction to sock knitting! Thank you for posting this giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love your blog! Thanks for the giveaway! Rav amchart

    ReplyDelete
  12. Another beautiful sweater. Looks great on you.

    Brentmanwife-Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for this give away. You look very nice in the beautiful and comfortable blue sweaater.

    ReplyDelete
  14. some beautiful designs for a great yarn.

    Canuckeh on ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  15. Apologies if I've commented twice, but my first comment seems to have disappeared into the ether! Anyway...I reckon a denim sweater might be the only thing I could knit for my son that he would wear. Tamsinb on rav.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great collection, thanks for the giveaway, I'm following by email (lesquenouilles) hotmail... Ohlalalaine on rav.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for the giveaway! Beautiful yarn & patterns!

    JKnits51 on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh- patterns for a whole family -i could use that-and pretty too.
    Karinstrikker on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  19. A celebrity selfie with your clothes on! That is unusual. Beautiful sweater.

    Carole

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great to see Rowan Denim back along with some great patterns from Martin Storey.
    CablingKaren on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  21. I didn't know about Rowan denim until recently. I would love to win the patternbook and try this yarn on my next knitting project.
    Katoke on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  22. I adore knitting with Denim yarn, I'm definitely a jeans and sweater woman!
    lindarumsey on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  23. How did I miss this? I love denim yarn...used to wear lots of it. Its the perfect yarn for sweaters for outing with my rough and tumble kids. Thanks for the heads up and the chance to win this book.
    And the selfies are fabulous...as is the cardigan.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I need to get my hands on some denim yarn! Genevievep on ravelry.

    ReplyDelete
  25. The sweater looks fantastic on you! I have a version of that in KSH that is one of my all time favorites. Easy to dress up or down as the occasion requires. I am Ginni on Rav.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks for the chance to win this great book!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'd love to try this yarn so the book would be great. Love Martin Storey's patterns.
    wahoomerryf on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  28. Denim yarn is my favourite - ok, I am addicted to it! Would love this book! & your cardi is gorgeous too! Rav - Allic

    ReplyDelete
  29. I follow via Bloglovin.
    msgb245 at gmail dot com

    your project is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would love this book. I have been re purposing denim for years and this would be another excellent way to do it.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Happy that Denim is back.
    tuliplynn on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love Rowan patterns :) Your new sweater is gorgeous! The color is so vivid, and the buttons... <3
    dorota.wasilczuk at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I have been excited to try a really good denim yarn! I am anntrautmann on Rav. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Denim . . . it never gets old. I knit my sister a cardigan out of it years ago, and I'm so happy to see it return. Ravelry ID=lutley

    ReplyDelete
  35. Kristin, Thanks for the chance to enter your giveaway. Rowan Denim is one yarn I have been wanting to try and I really like the patterns in the book. Sweater looks cute on you!

    warbler01 on Ravelry.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. So gland this book is being released - I have a few skeins of denim wallowing in my stash. I follow Knitionary on Facebook too. If I am so lucky... contact me at alcbrooks on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thank you for entering my name in your giveaway!! I am happy that Rowan has resurrected Denim, and I love Martin Storey designs. I am Karen Schneider - aprilfool@charter.net

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thank you very much! I've never used Denim but I'd really like to.
    I'm kristi on ravelry.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Beautiful collection. My Ravelry name is: rheaume.

    ReplyDelete
  40. That looks so cute on you Kristen!!! I like your selfies - it gives a modern feel to the pictures :) I haven't knit a winter sweater in a while but I"m slogging away on a new one that I hope will turn out!!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am not finding the pattern for this sweater. When I google Bay by Kim Hargreaves I find a stripey sweater. Are you able to post a link. I also looked at the patterns from the book Nectar and didn't see it. Thanks so much. Love this sweater and colour. Thx. Kelly P.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. Kim designed two sweaters with the same name, Bay. Confusing! On my Rav. page I linked it to the pattern from her Breeze book: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bay-2

      Delete

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