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Introducing Rowan's New All-British Yarn: Moordale





If you're a Rowan Yarns lover, you know that the brand evokes its Brit-ness through masterful woolen designs and prancing-through-the-heathered-hills photography. When I think of Rowan, my mind jumps to my first (and still favorite) Rowan Magazine 38 and this spread:




I wanted to be that lady, in that coat, in front of that THAT castle. This little American thought, "How British!

Being British is one thing, but sourcing wares is a global endeavor. Where does Rowan yarn come from? Everywhere! That's no different from any worldwide fiber brand, if you think about it. Cotton can come from Brazil and Egypt, Merino wool from Australia, Alpaca from Peru, etc. Then it has to travel to the fiber mill to be spun -- and that could be anywhere.

Throughout its 40+ years, Rowan has always been committed to showcasing a yarn that was British to some degree -- for instance, spun in Great Britain. One current example is the lovely and rustic Valley Tweed, spun in Huddersfield, Yorkshire.




But the Rowan fans asked, "Where is our beautiful British fiber, bred and fed from our land?!"


It's here! Rowan has introduced a yarn to please us all, Moordale. It's an all-British blend of 50% wool and 50% alpaca. At a DK weight, it comes in generous 100g hanks packed with 230m/251 yds per skein. Just look at that shine.




According to Rowan:

Moordale is made using fine micron wool of the Bluefaced Leicester breed, known for being both soft and strong. Blending with Alpaca adds a lustrous, silky touch culminating in a natural, robust yet tender yarn that drapes well and feels comfortable to the skin.

Want to know what Bluefaced Leicester looks like? Ha, this is the first yarn I've seen with a sheep selfie!




The yarn will ask you to touch it the moment you set eyes on it and feels quite sumptuous in the skein. It has a firm woolen feel, but with a soft downy layer of hair on top, which I assume is where the alpaca comes in.

At first the addition of alpaca gave me pause. Why aren't we just using wool? Alpaca has guard hairs that tickle, and it really has very little elasticity. I see now that adding wool to alpaca tempers that inelasticity, and the final product is surprisingly springy. The addition of the alpaca is also very visible, giving it a downy, mohair-like halo.

Well -- it's knitting up beautifully in cables, don't you think!! (find out more about the pattern below 😊)




Moordale comes in a great palette. I almost gave in to that yellow, but settled on the rusty color Bronzed.




Here's where you can see that alpaca!


GIVEAWAY! (now closed) 

CONGRATULATIONS Patricia N. from Massachusetts!
You have won one skein of Moordale in the dark green shade Thai, and a pattern book of 14 designs by Martin Storey. Good news --- one skein is enough to make the Buckler Hat featured on the cover.


-----

Let's open this lovely book, shall we? It's got something for everyone. Cardis, pullovers (women's and men's), ponchos, hats and cowls. Some patterns, OF COURSE, feature detailed cabling, so you Martin Storey lovers will be very happy.

NOTE: The following patterns are available as single .pdfs! Click the captions below each photo for Ravelry or go to Rowan to browse the book.


Bowland -- the pattern I'm working on!

Skylark

Buckler Hat -- you only need one skein!


Torr -- I almost made this one instead!

Pipit

Rosedale

Forge

Sundew

Fingle

Tussock

Cloudberry

Curlew

Sedge

Buckler

Until next time!

XO,
Dayana Knits


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Comments

  1. Wow, lots of beautiful patterns! I really like Skylark and Forge!

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  2. Hi Dayana, Thanks for a contest. I enjoy your posts on Instagram and Facebook.
    I think I like Forge best. Good luck everyone!

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  3. I really like Cloudberry❤ brezelbutter

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  4. Skylark is precious! I'm Seaportgirl on Ravelry. Thanks for such a neat giveaway!

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  5. They are all quite handsome and beautiful designs. I would love to make the Buckler for my son. He's about the same age as the model. So my choice would be the Buckler, thank you.

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  6. They are all so lovely! Sundew looks so intricate, I think I'll go with that for my ultimate pick. I would love to try the Rowan yarn for the beautiful hat. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!

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  7. Buckler. BirtheMikaelsen Ravelry

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  8. I love several of these patterns, especially the Sundew pattern. Ravelry: jacobsbeloved

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  9. Love your blog & facebookposts, thanks for all the inspiration you bring to us. I love the pattern Sundew and my ravelrynsme is NienkeS

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  10. Sundew! Gorgeous! 😍
    Milliesmummy1 on Ravelry😊

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  11. I'd have to make it as a V-neck but I like Sundew the best - all sorts of fun going on!

    Thanks for the opportunity - graycm on Ravelry.

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  12. Sundew is gorgeous! Love the bobble detail in the cable! @labookgirl on Ravelry

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  13. All so lovely but my favorite is ROSEDALE!! What a beauty!! Thanks for a chance to win :)
    Rav = redridinghood3

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  14. Wonderful patterns ... all of them. I think my favorite pattern is Torr. My Ravelry id is esthermote.

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  15. Forge looks amazing! Instagram id: melissa.teets

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  16. Torr is my favorite one, but so many nice patterns! Hard to choose...
    Lmaranda on Ravelry 😀

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  17. I love the bowland poncho you can find me on insta and Facebook where I both follow you

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  18. I love the texture of the buckler hat. I am JaxBuni on ravelry.

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  19. I'd cozy up wearing Rosedale.
    Ravelry ID oOMercyOo

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  20. I really like Forge.
    Ravelry: Lindawie

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  21. My favorite is Bucker!
    I’m theyarnkat on Rav.

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  22. One of my knitting dreams is to knit a cardigan from BFL. Not for a while because I really need to clear my stash, but some day.

    I like Curlew best.
    ID: yeongyeong

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  23. My favorite is Bowland.
    Ravelry : joedmoe

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  24. Oooh I love Bowland. Insta: fanfoxdesigns

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  25. Skylark for me.
    Amberblu2016 on Ravelry

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  26. I really need Skylark in my life! And I’ll knit it with that gorgeous yarn in Feather. Rav id: laineyhf

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  27. I love me some contrasting cuffs and also PoCkeTs! So definitely Tussock would be my first cast on from this book. I'm gingersgotknits on Instagram. :)

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  28. I love the Fingle pattern the best! It would be so beautiful knit up in one of those gorgeous yarns. Rav: Evelynny

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  29. They are all beautiful. My favorite is Rosedale. It's just gorgeous.
    My Raverly name is PrudenceA.

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  30. Love sundew 😀. But all are pretty. Ravelry name memeknits729

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  31. Ach Rowan! :) How wonderful You Are ....and Skylark and Buckler Hat and Fingle and Sedge and...I can't choose..
    My Raverly: Domi2013

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  32. I love Tussock and Sedge because I love a good basic utilitarian sweater I can wear everywhere, but Torr was 3rd place for me.

    Rav: Moa
    Insta: sheldon_brungard

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  33. Love this! Want this bad! 🍀🐑🍀

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  34. Torr, I love easy wear, throw it on over anything styles (yes, even more in luxury yarn!)
    Ravelry: kathysknittingtoo

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  35. Oh, so hard to choose, they are all beautiful, but Curlew made me squeal with joy!

    My Ravelry ID: JoannaB

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  36. Great selection of patterns! Narrowed it down to my favourite three and Sundew wins! I'm zollie on Ravelry. Thanks :)

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  37. Like them all but Torr speaks loudest to me. I'm Aqualisa on Ravelry.

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  38. My favorite is a toss up of Fingle and Buckler. All of these are gorgeous patterns. My Ravelry name is: rhesume. Thanks for the chance to win!

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    1. Sorry my Ravelry name is rheaume

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  39. Sundew. Ruthmarymac on ravelry

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  40. Rosedale, but since I already have a sweater with a similar collar, I would probably go for Sundew next. I am GBKDalton on Rav.

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  41. My favorite is Torr, I like a cosy cardigan. kiwiknits on rav

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  42. I really like Torr! jtfireworkknitter on rav

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  43. I love Cloudberry. Thank yoy for the giveaway. I'm manda.with.knits on IG.

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  44. My favorite is Skylark with Bowland as a close second! I am ritazimmerman on Ravelry and Instagram

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  45. Thank you for all of your great posts and links. I think Sundew looks lovely.
    Ravelry: Percy62

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  46. Waw, what lovely patterns, very difficult to choose only one favorite. Tussock in those colors is fabulous.
    Thank you for this wonderfull giveaway. My ravelryname is vveerle.

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  47. The favorit is Sundew, but I love them all!

    Thanks for all lovely updates of amazing knitting, yarn and so on. 😊

    Ravelryname; Ednells

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  48. So many great patterns, but Cloudberry especially caught my eye!
    (Ravelry: uscpaikea)

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  49. I'm not usually drawn to ponchos for me it would also be Bowland, I love the drape the yarn has for this design. But then Torr looks so wearable and very me, in either Tumeric or Gooseberry.

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  50. I LOVE cloudberry for its simplicity, and sundew for its beautiful cabling. (Anniebod on Ravelry).
    PS I'm a Huddersfield lass. I walk those moors regularly. Love Yorkshire - so beautiful.

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  51. Would love to make a poncho so think it would be Cloudberry. MadMand on Ravelry

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  52. The Buckler hat is my fave atm. Tiffanyfg on Rav. You knit so fast I’m convinced you have 34 hrs in ur days, not 24!

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  53. Beautiful yarn and patterns! I love Skylark and Rosedaly, I want to start on these right now (before temperatures go up). My Ravelry name is carlaverwijs

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  54. Hi Dayana! My favourite pattern is Tussock :). This is my Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/ana.sboutique/
    Thank you!

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  55. I can see myself knitting Forge but they are all gorgeous thanks for the opportunity Dayana
    sallyanne13 is my Ravelry account and sallyannesews is my instragram
    Thanks

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  56. I love Torr!! Gorgeous!
    Ravelry : CarolAmy

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  57. Sundew, just gorgeous�� ����
    Insta: kathleen_666_
    (KDB)

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  58. I love Skylark .
    Ravelry : mariajoseandrade .
    Thank you Dayana.

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  59. Well, my favorite is Skylark, closely followed by Buckler, Buckler hat, and Sundew, in addition to Tussock, Rosedale, and Forge. To be honest, there aren't many in this collection that aren't my faves.

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  61. I love curlew! My ravelry id is buffythesage

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  62. It's a difficult choice, because they're all beautiful!
    I choose Sundew because I wish it were my next knit.
    Thank you for the giveaway.
    Ravelry ID: Taraja

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  63. Bowland!! KristiPete on Ravelry

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  64. I LOVE Rosedale. Rav amchart

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  65. Love cloudberry ❤️ simple but sophisticated. ravelry username is momziepoo

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  66. I like them all, but I love Bowland, Pipit, and Cloudberry! Thanks for the opportunity! TuttleDB

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  67. I like Buckler, I could knit it for my husband, maybe for my son, but he likes very simple sweaters, so I'm not sure he would like Buckler. Thank you for this opportunity!!! On Instagram my nick is rverbi

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  68. I like FORGE.. On Ravelry I am jdaydreams and on Instagram I am mammaborrins

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  69. I would have to cast on Bowland right away- that is a STUNNING pattern! Love your site and your knitting too! I am rjgosnell on rav...

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  70. Thank you again for the freebie that you are doing. Think i missed the last one..
    Like x3 from the patterns I know alittle greedy Torr, Pipit and Forge.
    On Ravelry : racoon500
    Instagram: sheelachurchill

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  71. For me has to be pipit I love a good shawl. Thank you @hotoffthepins on insta and Hotoffthepins or ravelry

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  72. Sundew is stunning with all the cablework!!!! The yarn looks amazing, and the patterns are scrumptious! Great designs, thank you. I'm on Ravelry as NancyGoodrich.

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  73. So many that I love, but my choice would be Sedge, in the colors of Tussock! I'd love to try this yarn! Thanks for doing the giveaway :) wildartemisia on Ravelery

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  74. I love Curlew and Forge most, but it was difficult to choose. They're all so wearable and current.
    I'm VioletSprite on Ravelry.

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  75. I Love the cables on Sundew! lindarumsey on Ravelry

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  76. no matter what beautiful designs i see and admire, it's always the turtleneck i want, so Buckler please! i am ravenstitch on ravelry

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  77. Bowland would be perfect to wear over any outfit and keep me warm at the office where I am constantly freezing! I would also knit Cloudberry. :) I am knottyknitgirl on Ravelry.

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  78. All patterns are soo beautiful. Love the Sundew and the curlew

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  79. I love curlew! Thank you for this giveaway. You can find me at @rinsresins on Instagram. :)

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  80. I love story. Thank You for the chance.
    sherryglover1 on Ravelry

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  81. I love skylark! :) julia123 on ravelry

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  82. I love Sedge for it's simplicity. quilterdawn on Ravelry.

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  83. I'm having difficulties between Sundew and Sedge; both are gorgeous in totally different ways! I'm sewsable on Rav.

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  84. Sundew is my favorite. All those gorgeous cables!

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  85. Cloudberry for the win! Gaiananda on Ravelry. Thank you for the giveaway offer.

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  86. Sedge is the cardigan I've been looking for - it's perfect for my oldest daughter!
    greyowl60@yahoo.com

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  87. OMG too many pretties! Love the cables of curlew and buckler makes me think of someone special! Rosedale is near identical to my fav sweater from a Canadian designer in Montreal I've had 12+yrs and thinking to copy so this is awesome! Ravelry Yarn-Yogini ...

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  88. I really like Curlew, that would see you through any winter. Ctinan on Ravelry.

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  89. Love Sundew! With Winter coming up soon this would be fabulous. Ravelry - gumboots64

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  90. Tough choice- there's a few I'd happily knit (and wear!) - but I think my favourite would be Torr. Revelry id: wendy13uk.

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  91. I like Skylark and Sundew the most. Thanks for the presentation of the book content.
    Rav name: piaw

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  92. I'm an accessory knitter, well, mostly. Curlew is my favorite, including because I'm starting to warm up to "statement" cowls. Thanks for the giveaway! Noreen1009 on Ravelry. And at longlakeyarns.net

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  93. Who can pick just one?!? Torr - Rosedale - Tussock are all adorable. Thanks for the opportunity :)
    Ravelry: yrnjnky

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  94. they are all lovely, like your giveaway, my favorite is cloudberry, and my ravelryname is hartevrouw

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  95. Sundew for sure. I haven't been knitting cables for a long time so that would be a challenge. Almost making you wish it will be winter soon again.. 🌨⛄

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  96. My favorite is Bowland - especially those cables that look like basketweave.
    (rav: claudnine9)

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  97. Oh....Pipit! Simple yet perfect!

    tktl on Ravelry

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  98. I like Pipit and Yori. Love Rowan's patterns and magazines, and of course, YARN!! Thank you!

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  99. I like Curlew would be fun to knit,( Ohlalalaine on Rav). Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  100. thanks I love cloudberry

    rav username usmawife

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  101. After I make the Buckler hat, I will make the Torr cardigan.These patterns are gorgeous! Thanks for the giveaway. My Ravelry ID is 2knit2socks.

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  102. It is a toss up between Skylark and Tor.
    Rav: kpolland

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  103. Tussock is adorable. Love those colors! I’m EDDrJ on ravelry

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  104. Sweetpt53 on Ravelry. Sundew! Set in sleeve, nice cables and bobbles for a shorter cardi that's a good to piece!

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  105. I love Cloudberry! Thanks for hosting an awesome giveaway! (On Rav I am JessKnitastic.)

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  106. I love Torr so very much. My Ravelry ID is maikastar

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  107. My favourite is Skylark. Applesnow on Ravelry. Barbara

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  108. Sundew is my favorite. svetlanan on Ravelry.

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  109. Sundew is the one I'd like to make. Yummygirl on Ravelry.

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  110. Tussock is my favourite. ekirsten on Ravelry.

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  111. Thank you for this chance! I adore Pipit and would probably knit it in Beetroot. My Ravelry name is heathwitch. Good luck, everyone! x

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  112. Hi !
    Oh my I want to make them all. We are a family of five and I can see one of us wearing one of those beauties. For myself, my favorite is Cloudberry!!!!
    I can so see myself knitting all of these patterns. My family is so knit worthy.
    I can't wait to see your finished Bowland.

    My Ravelry name is Knits-by-Nathalie

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  113. I really like the Torr cardigan and the Buckler hat.
    Rav id: knittingdancer

    I receive your newsletter already.

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  114. I’d go for Sundew, love the color it’s knitted in, but it could be gorgeous in nutmeg too. IG oleanderthistle2

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  115. Sundew is my fave too! :)
    Ravelry id: matkailijakirppu

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  116. Sundew, definitely. Those are some delicious cables. That red-brown yarn in your cables is wonderful looking!
    Ravelry id: laurabetheliza

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  117. Skylark is my fave! :) Ravelry id: GlamourKnits
    IG: alice.lunden

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  118. I love bowland.
    Rav id: -theresa-
    IG: theresaheida

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  119. Hi, Diana! Thanks for introducing the book and the yarn. They both look so intriguing. What can I say: Martin.. Rowan .. - and my needles are popping up from the basket :)) At first glance I love Buckler and Forge.. ( as I am thinking about knitting a jumper for my man, as a future project). Now I have just started another M. Storey' s - Cora, for a fruityknitting KAL and I am so excited! Yey!
    And yes, my revelry title- schoen31 :))
    Bests,
    Ch

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  120. Tussock is the one I'd knit first--love the pockets! Thanks for the opportunity to win the book!

    All the best,
    Carol, ceejay on Rav

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  121. Pipit looks gorgeously cosy! I love a good triangular shawl!

    I'm Stevieblue on Rav :-)

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  122. I Love skylark!
    Ravelry : marialuisanaval

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  123. Sedge is my first choice, but they are all gorgeous! Roslyn68 on ravelry.

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  124. It's been SO cold here in Toronto for the last few days. So I'm drawn to the Rosedale sweater with it's big cozy cowl neckline. But there's so many I like. Rowan always produces classy patterns.
    On Ravelry I'm csmiley072.

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  125. Torn between Fingle and Curlew. tricialt on Ravelry.

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  126. I would love to make Skylark! My Ravelry user is Gauss.

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  127. I love the buckler hat,it looks like it has a bit of slouch at the back, but not too much.

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  128. Skylark is my favourite! I'm Waddlesworth on Ravelry.

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  129. I love Curlew and Cloudberry! I want to knit them both! I'm dbright48 on Ravelry!

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  130. My favourites are Skylark and Pipit! ��
    I'm stellacometa on Ravelry

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  131. Ooooh! Too many to choose from! Sundew is calling my name, though! My Ravelry name is Tinoose

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  132. So many lovely ones. I love cloudberry.
    normag on ravelry

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  133. Oh Sundew I really want to make a new cardigan with cables. Been 20 years since the last one. kazlove

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  134. Skylark is my favourite pattern. miriamp on Ravelry.

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  135. I’m so in love with the Torr cardigan, the cables and texture are stunning! Ravelry is angelicembers and instagram @angelicembers

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  136. I really like the Sundew in magazin. Carbjo in Ravelry.

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  137. I LOVE Skylark. Saphyre on Ravelry!

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