There are sweaters you make because you need one.
And then there are sweaters you make because they carry a whole lot more than stitches.
This Rowan sweater falls squarely into the second category.
When I look at it, I feel nostalgia first. But more than that, it feels like a physical and emotional snapshot of the last 20+ years of my life. Rowan was one of the very first brands I brought into Jimmy Beans Wool when we opened our doors in 2002. Back then, it felt elite and aspirational - unbelievably beautiful yarns, thoughtful design, real gravitas. Rowan is what made me want to learn how to knit better. It raised the bar for me.
And then there’s Trisha.
I’ve known Trisha Malcolm for at least 15 years, and calling her an icon in this industry doesn’t even begin to cover it. As the former editor of Vogue Knitting Magazine, we worked together on four books - Knit Red, Crochet Red, Sew Red, and Stitch Mountain. We partnered on two of the biggest, most meaningful campaigns I’ve ever created at Jimmy Beans: Stitch Red, which raised awareness around heart disease in women, and Stitch Mountain, which… well, didn’t quite land the way I thought it would.
But here’s the thing: Trisha believed in me at a time when not many people did. I remember pitching Stitch Red to her - I was so nervous - and she said yes. She gave me a break, trusted my ideas, and showed up as a true creative partner. That’s something I’ll always carry with me. Today, she’s not just a collaborator - she’s a dear friend, and I’m forever in awe of her creative genius.
For those of you who remember, Stitch Mountain was a passion project in every sense of the word. It was out of the box, a little wild, and I had to fight really hard to make it happen. We set up tents at U.S. ski team events, taught people how to knit, and spent time with professional ski and snowboard athletes who knit or crochet (yes, there were more than you’d think). It didn’t sell the way I was convinced it would — but it was magical. It helped put us on the map, and it taught me a lot about risk-taking, belief, and trusting your gut even when the outcome is uncertain.
I made this sweater now because I needed a reminder.
A reminder of why I love this work.
A reminder of the relationships I’ve built — and the ones I still hope to build.
A reminder that heritage matters. Trust matters. Relationships matter.
Before I went to New York, I texted Trisha on a Sunday night and told her I was in the mood to make a raglan sweater. She immediately sent over a few designs she thought would be perfect — and then sent me the yarn, Rowan Felted Tweed Soft. It felt like having a personal shopper who also happens to be a dear friend.
So when I was in New York and spent the day with Trisha -shopping, goofing off, knitting (ofc!) - I brought the beginnings of the Rowan Velvet sweater with me. Sitting beside her, knitting Rowan yarn that she helped choose, felt incredibly grounding and sweet. It was one of those quiet, meaningful moments that sticks with you. I even snapped a photo of my progress in the hotel bathroom, just to commemorate the weekend - lol.
That’s what makes this sweater special. It isn’t just about the yarn (though it’s lovely). It isn’t just about the finished piece. It’s about shared history, earned credibility, and the quiet confidence that comes from building something slowly, thoughtfully, and with people you trust.
