About Rowan

Rowan is an internationally renowned handknitting company, whose reputation for inspirational and creative handknit design is unsurpassed.

Rowan was started in the early 1980’s by Stephen Sheard and Simon Cockin. Originally producing yarns for rug making kits, it was soon obvious that Rowan should produce yarn for the handknitting market. With the help of designer Kaffe Fassett Rowan began to produce handknitting yarns in beautiful colours.

In 1996 Rowan Yarns was acquired by Coats Crafts, www.coatscrafts.co.uk
a global leader in sewing thread and needlecrafts products. The Rowan brand joined a stable of strong craft brands including; Anchor, Patons, SMC Select, Red Heart, Regia, Opti, Coats Cotton, Coats Duet, Milward, Maia, Freespirit and Royal Paris.

Rowan distributes its products worldwide - yarns, magazines and dedicated yarn brochures are available from independent and national retailers as well as department stores.

Today Rowan publishes its acclaimed magazine twice a year offering knitters both a Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter collection. Contributing to these magazines are many acclaimed freelance designers such as; Kaffe Fassett, Erika Knight, Martin Storey, Jean Moss, Sarah Dallas as well as our highly creative in-house team led by head designer Marie Wallin. In addition to this Rowan publishes many dedicated yarn brochures and books throughout the year.

2011 will see the launch of Rowan’s iconic 50th edition magazine which celebrates inspirational use of colour, texture and pattern with which Rowan has become synonymous over the years; indeed many of our magazines have become collectors items.

The Rowan ethos over the years has always been to create inspirational and desirable handknit design. Although our designs reflect the fashion trends of the time they have become classics, with designs of the past still being worn today.