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File last modified on July 30, 1995

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The following is a synopsis of various methods of making Aran sweaters.
Please send updates to Emily Way (spamily@io.org).

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Penney:

>Annabel Smyth said:  I love knitting Arans, and I love cabling; I just
>wish I could knit them without using a commercial pattern.

Here's how I do that.  I use one of my basic shape patterns (the Brunswick
book or my new Paton's book) and decide what finished size I want.  Then I
use my stitch books for inspiration and to decide the stitch patterns and
their order.  Last I figure how many stitches to add to the basic pattern
to compensate for the "fancy" stitching: for instance, for every 6-stitch
cable, add one stitch to the basic pattern; for a 24-stitch honeycomb, add
4-6 stitches (depending on the yarn I'm using), and so on.  After totaling
the new number of stitches for the body of the sweater, figure the ribbing
(I use 80 or 90% of the total).

I go back then and look at the basic shape pattern again.  If my new number
of stitches is very close to an actual size, I use that size for my guide.
The trickiest part is the sleeve cap, because I prefer set-in sleeves.
Using a true size makes this sizing easier.

Cast on and sail away, as it were.
Penney

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Laura:  Describing an aran from Scotland:

It has reverse stocking stitch with ears
of wheat sprouting from the ribbing instead of cables - they
alternate, tall ear, short ear, across the front and back and
the sleeves. I've never seen anything like it, and I love it.