Fair Isle and stranded colourwork
The lightly felted surface helps neighbouring colours sit together cohesively while the tweed flecks add extra visual depth.
Rowan x Kaffe Fassett
Rowan's iconic Felted Tweed, curated in fearless colour
Felted Tweed by Kaffe Fassett brings seven expressive new shades to Rowan's much-loved lightweight DK yarn. The wool, alpaca and viscose blend has a softly felted handle, fine tweed flecks and exceptional metreage, making it a natural choice for colourwork, textured garments and artistic everyday knits.
- 50% wool, 25% alpaca and 25% viscose create Rowan's distinctive light, warm and softly tweeded fabric.
- Approximately 175m per 50g ball gives generous metreage for garments, accessories and multi-shade projects.
- Seven Kaffe Fassett shades offer vivid colour designed to mix confidently across stripes, motifs and Fair Isle.
- Light DK / 8 ply gauge supports everything from delicate lace to detailed cables and stranded colourwork.
50 / 25 / 25Wool, alpaca and viscose
175m / 50gLightweight DK / 8 ply
3.75 to 4mmOfficial needle range
22 to 24Reference stitches per 10cm
A modern palette for a Rowan classic
Colour chosen by a true master of colour
Kaffe Fassett is celebrated for fearless combinations that make colour feel joyful rather than complicated. For this collaboration, he curated seven shades of Rowan Felted Tweed that can stand alone or work together across bold stripes, geometric motifs and detailed Fair Isle.
- Lightly felted wool gives the yarn its characteristic heritage texture
- Alpaca contributes warmth and a softly haloed finish
- Viscose creates the fine flecks that bring depth to every shade
- Generous metreage keeps multi-colour projects easier to plan
- The palette can also mix with compatible classic Felted Tweed shades
Colour is the design.
Use one shade for nuanced texture, pair two for crisp contrast or bring several together for a piece with unmistakable Kaffe Fassett energy.
Where Felted Tweed works beautifully
Sweaters and cardigans
Its excellent metreage creates warm yet relatively lightweight garments with a refined heritage character.
Shawls, scarves and accessories
Use vivid colour in manageable projects, from a one-shade textured hat to a multi-colour wrap or graphic scarf.
Choose from all seven Kaffe Fassett shades
The collection moves through lively pink, yellow, orange, green and deep jewel-inspired colour. Choose one shade for a textured statement or combine several for the expressive colourwork Kaffe Fassett is known for. Every tile uses the exact image assigned to the live Direct Sewing variant.
K0010Delight
K0011Fuchsia
K0012Daffodil
K0013Marigold
K0014Apple
K0015Regal
K0016Cucumber
These are solid tweed shades with natural flecking, not self-striping colourways. Screens and lighting differ, so use the shade code as your most dependable reference.
Three approachable routes into Kaffe Fassett colour
You do not need an elaborate chart to enjoy the collection. Start with the amount of colour that feels exciting and build from there.
One Shade
Let texture do the work
Use cables, lace, moss stitch or rib to reveal the shade's tweed flecks and softly felted surface.
Two Shades
Create clear contrast
Try stripes, slip stitch or a simple stranded motif. Swatch the light and dark values together before committing.
Three or More Shades
Build a colour story
Repeat colours at intervals so a lively Fair Isle, patchwork or striped design still feels connected.
Turn your pattern requirement into a ball count
Each 50g ball contains approximately 175m. Use your pattern's exact metreage and size, then divide by 175 and round up to the next whole ball.
Useful as a quick conversion example for a smaller project or one colour within a larger design.
Divide the required 875 metres by the 175 metres supplied in each ball.
Always keep the pattern size and intended ease in mind before ordering.
For colourwork, calculate the requirement for every shade separately.
Project planning tip: include yarn for your swatch and any pattern allowance, then buy each shade together so the dye lot remains consistent. Do not combine all colourwork metreage before checking the separate quantity needed for each colour.
Swatch for fit and colour balance
The pattern gauge always comes first
Rowan gives a reference range of 22 to 24 stitches and 30 to 32 rows per 10cm using 3.75mm to 4mm needles. Lace, cables and stranded colourwork can behave differently, so work the exact pattern swatch, wash it gently, dry it flat and measure the relaxed fabric.
Colourwork tip: check both gauge and fabric flexibility. If the floats are pulled too tightly, the swatch may match the stitch count but still feel stiff or pucker.
22 to 24Official reference stitches per 10cm using 3.75mm to 4mm needles. The chosen pattern always takes priority.
Three checks before you cast on
Photograph in greyscale
Strong light-dark contrast helps stranded motifs remain clear even when the colours are equally vivid.
Swatch the actual combination
Small balls beside one another cannot show how the colours interact once knitted into the pattern repeat.
Buy the full quantity together
Calculate every shade separately, include the swatch and verify all labels before beginning.
Three distinctive 8 ply options at Direct Sewing
Felted Tweed for colourwork and heritage texture
Choose the Kaffe Fassett palette for lightweight warmth, fine tweed flecks and vivid shades created to mix.
Alpaca Wool for smooth everyday DK
For a softer, smoother Mode yarn with an alpaca and wool blend, explore Mode at Rowan Alpaca Wool.
Broadway Merino DK for superwash practicality
For a 100% superwash merino 8 ply with a broad solid palette, explore Broadway Merino DK.
Verified yarn details
Rowan Felted Tweed by Kaffe Fassett specifications
| Brand and range | Rowan Felted Tweed by Kaffe Fassett |
|---|---|
| Fibre content | 50% wool, 25% alpaca, 25% viscose |
| Yarn weight | Light DK / 8 ply equivalent |
| Ball weight | 50g |
| Ball length | Approximately 175m / 191yd |
| Recommended knitting needles | 3.75mm to 4mm / UK 9 to 8 / US 5 to 6 |
| Reference tension | 22 to 24 stitches x 30 to 32 rows per 10cm |
| Texture | Lightly felted, softly haloed and finely flecked |
| Colour effect | Seven solid tweed shades curated by Kaffe Fassett; not self-striping |
| Care | Cold gentle machine wash; dry flat in the shade; do not bleach; low iron; always follow the ball band |
| Live Direct Sewing shades | Seven |
Help Felted Tweed retain its shape and texture
Use a cold gentle machine cycle and a suitable wool cleanser. Avoid harsh agitation and sudden temperature changes.
Support the wet item, smooth it back to its intended measurements and dry flat in the shade. Do not tumble dry.
Fold garments rather than hanging them, clean them before long-term storage and use suitable protection against clothes moths.
Before you cast on with Felted Tweed
Is Rowan Felted Tweed an 8 ply yarn?
Yes. It is commonly sold in New Zealand as a light DK / 8 ply equivalent. Use Rowan's 22 to 24 stitch reference gauge and your pattern tension when checking compatibility, as ply labels are only a guide.
Are these shades self-striping?
No. Felted Tweed by Kaffe Fassett is a palette of seven solid tweed shades with fine natural-looking flecks. Do not confuse it with Rowan Felted Tweed Colour, which is a separate self-colouring range.
What makes this different from standard Felted Tweed?
The fibre blend, metreage and gauge are the classic Felted Tweed format. The difference is the expressive seven-colour palette curated by Kaffe Fassett for the Rowan collaboration.
Is it good for Fair Isle?
Yes. Rowan specifically positions Felted Tweed as a colourwork favourite, and Kaffe Fassett's shades were selected to mix. Swatch the chosen colours together and check light-dark contrast before starting.
Can I use one shade on its own?
Absolutely. The tweed flecks and softly felted surface add interest to stocking stitch, cables, lace, rib and moss stitch without needing multiple colours.
Is Felted Tweed suitable for next-to-skin garments?
It contains wool and alpaca and has a softly felted, slightly haloed texture. Comfort varies, so very fibre-sensitive wearers should wash a swatch and test it against the skin before planning a close-fitting garment.
Can I crochet with it?
Yes. Rowan describes it as suitable for both knitting and crochet. Choose a pattern with compatible gauge and metreage, remembering that crochet may use more yarn than knitting.
How many balls do I need?
Follow the exact metreage for your pattern and size. Divide that number by 175m, round up and calculate every colour separately for multi-shade projects.
Should I buy all the balls together?
Yes. Ordering the full quantity together gives the best chance of receiving one dye lot. Check every label before starting and alternate balls if slight variation is visible.
Are the online colours exact?
The colour card uses the exact live variant images, but screens and lighting differ. Use the K shade code as the most dependable reference and allow for dye-lot variation.
Bring Kaffe Fassett colour to a Rowan classic
Start with one expressive tweed shade or build a palette of several, then turn Felted Tweed's lightweight warmth and fine texture into a knit that feels completely your own.
Return to the Colour Card