Rowan's Greatest Knits: 30 Years of Knitted Patterns from Rowan Yarns

I'm sitting here with a copy of of this book borrowed from the library wondering if I should buy this book. Then I glance over to one of the latest Rowen magazines priced $17.98. I found 4 patterns in the magazine that I love. Enough to be OK with the purchase. However.... a quick count of highly attractive patterns from this book came to about 4x the magazine. So the book is the greater value. It may be the least expensive way to obtain Rowan patterns. I've flipped through enough pattern books to realize it's hard to rely on the rating system. Taste is very personal plus you have to take into account different knitting proficiencies and styles. I love Rowan patterns and would have liked the book no matter what. But they've done a great job pulling out great patterns. There is something for everyone - romantic styles in simple colors, intricate patterns with multiple colors, fair isles, cozy looking cables (oh that Aran!), lace work scarves. About 30 patterns total. Some of these are tough knitting. I don't see too many simple, starter projects. But that is somewhat typical of Rowan. Since many of the original patterns relied on yarns that are no longer in production or have changed colors over the years, when necessary the revised pattern comes with a discussion on how to substitute yarns and colors. Valuable discussions that you won't find in too many other books. And finally, I see two Kaffe Fassette patterns that don't look too intimidating and a few that are. They all look fabulous : ) Sold.

If you don't have all the magazines, if you love Rowan designs, you want this book. I actually do have several of the magazines that these patterns came from but not all of them. So I bought the book for a couple of the designs that I didn't have. This isn't the entire content of the magazines - that'd be a much larger book. They did a pretty good job of cherry picking the best of the them though.

I bought this for my wife, a dedicated knitter and she just loves the book.

This is a delightful knitting book, and historical as well. It goes through the Rowan magazines, back through the 1980's and up to the present, and selects the best patterns to include in this book. As is typical for Rowan, the photography is stunning. They also have at hand master designers such as Sasha Kagan, Kim Hargreaves and Kaffe Fassett. I especially liked the Fisherman Sweater, the Anice Shawl, and the Veronica Sweater. There are other patterns I'd also like to knit. Regardless of what I knit, however, this book is a visual feast for the eyes. Any knitter will enjoy looking at the beautiful historical photographs and lovely colorful knit projects through the years. Rowan photography is always stunning and this is a very beautiful knitting book.