Lambswool provides the comforting warmth, body and recovery needed for garments that are designed to be worn season after season.
Rowan Kid Classic
The iconic wool and mohair Aran that feels lighter than it looks
Rowan Kid Classic brings together lambswool warmth, a soft kid mohair halo and the lightness that makes a knitted layer genuinely enjoyable to wear. It is a refined Aran yarn for cosy garments and accessories, with enough definition for cables and texture and enough character to make simple stitches look special.
- 70% lambswool gives the fabric warmth, body and natural resilience.
- 22% kid mohair adds a soft halo and airy luxury without overwhelming the stitchwork.
- Approximately 140m per 50g ball creates warm fabric with a surprisingly light feel.
- Aran / 10 ply equivalent makes it a versatile choice for sweaters, cardigans and winter accessories.
70% LambswoolWarmth, body and resilience
140m / 50gLight and lofty Aran yarn
5 to 5.5mmRecommended knitting needles
18-19 x 23-25Reference gauge per 10cm
Three fibres, one distinctive fabric
Kid Classic is loved because no single element dominates. The wool gives dependable structure, the kid mohair brings softness and halo, and the polyamide supports the yarn's light, lofty construction.
Kid mohair gives the surface its gentle bloom and lifts the fabric visually without turning every stitch into a cloud.
Polyamide helps support the airy structure and contributes practical strength while preserving Kid Classic's light handle.
Texture with a softly refined finish
Halo and stitch definition in balance
Some brushed yarns hide the knitting. Kid Classic keeps enough clarity for cables, ribs and textured panels while lending every design a softer, more luxurious outline. Rowan also recommends it for plain knitting, where the blend itself becomes the feature.
- Sweaters, cardigans, vests and winter layering pieces
- Cables, ribs, textured panels and classic Aran-inspired work
- Hats, scarves, cowls and mittens with warm, light volume
- Simple stocking stitch and garter stitch with elevated character
- Tonal combinations, stripes and softly blended colourwork
Warm to wear.
Light in the hand.
Classic by design.
Light in the hand.
Classic by design.
A Rowan favourite for polished winter knitting with soft texture, dependable structure and a beautiful mohair glow.
Where Kid Classic works beautifully
Cosy sweaters
Create warm crew necks, roll necks, relaxed pullovers and everyday layers without the dense weight of a compact Aran yarn.
Cable cardigans
The wool-rich structure supports cables and ribbing while the mohair halo softens the finished surface.
Winter accessories
Hats, cowls, scarves and mittens gain warmth, gentle volume and an unmistakably premium finish.
Simple statement knits
Let the fibre blend and colour do the work in clean stocking stitch, garter stitch, stripes or broad colour blocks.
Explore all 12 Rowan Kid Classic shades
Choose softly wearable neutrals, warm earth tones, saturated accents or layered blues. Every tile below uses the exact photograph assigned to its current Direct Sewing variant.
828Feather
831Smoke
856Tattoo
876Drought
888Pumice
894Mulberry
910Dahlia
912Bronze
913Tiger
915Sky Blue
917Navy
920Sapphire
Choose by both shade number and name. Screens and lighting reproduce colour differently, and separate dye lots can show small variations.
Four easy ways to choose your colour
Kid Classic's palette moves easily from understated wardrobe neutrals to richly coloured statement pieces. Use these groups as a starting point, then select the exact shade above.
Feather, Smoke and Pumice
Easy-to-wear foundations for textured sweaters, timeless cardigans and understated accessories.
Drought, Bronze and Tiger
Warm, grounded colour for autumn layers, heritage-inspired cables and beautifully natural palettes.
Tattoo, Mulberry and Dahlia
Saturated shades that bring depth to statement garments, accessories, stripes and colourwork.
Sky Blue, Navy and Sapphire
Three useful blue moods, from clear and fresh to deep, dramatic and highly wearable.
A washed swatch protects the fit
Measure the fabric after the fibres have settled
Rowan's reference tension is 18 to 19 stitches and 23 to 25 rows per 10cm using 5mm to 5.5mm needles. Knit a generous swatch in your pattern stitch, wash it as directed, dry it flat and measure the fabric without stretching it.
Pattern first: the pattern's stated gauge always takes priority. Change needle size if needed to achieve the required fabric and finished measurements.
18-19 x
23-25Reference stitches and rows per 10cm using 5mm to 5.5mm needles.
23-25Reference stitches and rows per 10cm using 5mm to 5.5mm needles.
Calculate the right quantity for your project
Use the total metreage or ball count for the exact pattern size and version you are making. Garment shape, stitch pattern, sleeve length and personal adjustments can all change the amount required.
Find the required metres
Read the total for your exact size rather than relying on a general sweater estimate.
Divide by 140
A project requiring 1,000m uses 7.14 balls before any allowance.
Round up and add margin
For that example, buy at least 8 balls and consider an extra ball for swatching or adjustments.
Dye-lot tip: order enough of one shade at the same time and check the ball labels before starting. Matching dye lots gives the most consistent result across a garment.
Choose the character your project needs
Choose Kid Classic for wool structure and mohair halo
Its lambswool-rich blend offers resilience and useful stitch definition, while kid mohair gives the fabric a light, softly glowing surface. It is especially appealing for cables, plain knitting and classic winter garments.
Choose Softest Alpaca for a fluffier alpaca-rich look
For a more deeply brushed, cloud-like Aran fabric with 130m per 50g ball, explore Mode at Rowan Softest Alpaca.
Verified yarn details
Rowan Kid Classic specifications
| Brand and range | Rowan Kid Classic |
|---|---|
| Fibre content | 70% lambswool, 22% kid mohair, 8% polyamide |
| Yarn weight | Aran / 10 ply equivalent |
| Ball weight | 50g |
| Ball length | Approximately 140m / 153yd |
| Recommended knitting needles | 5mm to 5.5mm / UK 6 to 5 / US 8 to 9 |
| Reference tension | 18 to 19 stitches x 23 to 25 rows per 10cm |
| Handle and fabric | Light, warm and softly haloed with useful body and stitch definition |
| Care | Cold hand wash; dry flat in shade; do not bleach or tumble dry; use a cool iron if needed; consult a professional cleaner for suitable dry-cleaning solvents |
| Current Direct Sewing shades | 12 |
Keep your finished knit soft and beautifully shaped
Use a gentle wool-safe cleanser. Avoid rubbing, twisting, vigorous agitation and sudden temperature changes.
Press out excess water without wringing, reshape to the correct measurements and dry flat in the shade.
Do not tumble dry or bleach. If a cool iron is needed, protect the fabric and test carefully. Follow the ball-band instructions.
Before you cast on with Rowan Kid Classic
Is Rowan Kid Classic an Aran or 10 ply yarn?
Rowan classifies it as Aran weight. In New Zealand terms it is commonly compared with 10 ply, but the pattern gauge and finished fabric are more dependable than the ply name when choosing a substitute.
Is Kid Classic pure wool?
No. It is a blend of 70% lambswool, 22% kid mohair and 8% polyamide. Each fibre contributes to its balance of warmth, halo, lightness and support.
What does kid mohair add?
Kid mohair adds a fine halo, softness, lightness and a gentle lustre. In Kid Classic it enriches the surface while the lambswool retains body and definition.
Is Kid Classic suitable for cables?
Yes. Rowan specifically presents it as a yarn for both cables and plain knitting. The wool-rich body keeps texture visible while the mohair softly rounds the stitch edges.
Will it feel itchy against the skin?
Comfort is personal. Kid Classic contains natural wool and a noticeable mohair halo, so very sensitive wearers may prefer it for outer layers. If possible, hold a swatch against the intended area before committing to a close-fitting garment.
Can I crochet with Kid Classic?
Yes. It can make warm crochet garments and accessories when the pattern gauge, drape and metreage are suitable. Make and wash a sample first so you can judge the halo and fabric density.
Can I substitute it in another Aran pattern?
Often, but compare gauge, metreage and fibre construction carefully. A smooth, dense Aran yarn can behave very differently from this light wool and mohair blend, so a washed swatch is essential.
How many balls should I order?
Use the ball count stated for your exact pattern size, or divide the required metres by 140 and round up. Add an allowance for swatching, joins, pattern matching and planned adjustments.
How should I wash it?
Cold hand wash gently, then reshape and dry flat in the shade. Do not tumble dry or bleach, and always follow the care directions on your ball band.
Are online colours exact?
The colour card uses the exact live variant photographs, but screens and lighting vary. Use the shade number as the most dependable reference and allow for small dye-lot differences.
Make a warm Rowan knit with lightness and character
Select a shade above, calculate your quantity using 140m per ball, add a sensible allowance and order enough from one dye lot for the complete project.
Return to the Shade Card