Aran Knits: 23 Contemporary Designs Using Classic Cable Patterns

by Martin Storey

Gorgeous cable knits with a contempoary twist Cables and other traditional Aran patterns are perennially popular with knitters, as not only do they look great but they are interesting patterns to knit. Well-known Rowan Yarn designer Martin Storey adds a modern twist to these classic patterns in this beautifully photographed collection of desirable wearables and accessories. The designs have a pared-down contemporary simplicity and soft color palette that is sure to appeal to knitters of all ages and different levels of experience. Featuring a versatile range of garments and accessories, including shrugs, sweaters, hats, scarves, mitts and more--all made in natural yarns from Rowan that are cozy and inviting. The twenty-five patterns range from relatively simple to challenging--something for every knitter to enjoy!

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Tilden · Rating 3 out of 5]

The patterns in the book would have looked so much better if the finishing had been more detailed. Cast-ons and cast-offs looked amaturish, for beginner knitters. If Storey had used more complicated cast-ons and cast-offs, the sweaters would have looked so much prettier. Also, a lot of the sleeves of the sweaters were big and floppy, which I do not like. Maybe these patterns are intended for beginning knitters. I am an intermediate knitter and like my knits more polished.

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love all the different cables used in the garments, however, I didn't love any of the garments themselves to want to knit them. Not a one! And can we just be done with the shrug, please? Photography and photo styling is beautiful. There is a nice range of garment and accessory types, even a couple things for guys. I can't speak to the correctness of the patterns.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is beautiful to look at.The projects are gorgeous.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting patterns and I like three of them very much. The book seems oddly produced. The photos are not printed on glossy paper and the book seems more like an independent production than a professional Rowan book - but I like the patterns and the written instructions seem clear. Oddly, the patterns do not seem to be charted and I am used to Aran patterns using charts. I will bet that there are people who object to that omission. I also hope that these patterns get added into ravelry. Rowan seems to be slow to add patterns there.

[Tonileg · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of 23 knits with medium Aran yarn with lots of cables, bobbles and fancy stitches. Patterns do hats, ladies and men's sweaters and vests and fingerless gloves.
Very pretty handknits with simple (ish) written patterns and no charts (if you like that style of pattern reading). I really liked the Hamish cabled bob style hat, but that is the only one that I would knit up. The pictures are beautiful and clear to help the knitter, but the patterns are too boring.
136 pages and borrowed from the library
2 stars

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure what possessed me to buy an aran knitting book in the middle of summer. I love the style of aran, and I liked a few of the patterns, but I think I like the idea of me knitting aran more than anything else. Sadly, none of these patterns do I absolutely love in the "MUST MAKE THIS NOW" sense. Instead, I got distracted by "Metropolitan Knits" - a pattern book I totally adored and immediately started knitting out of.

[Ainslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was enjoyable to browse through, but when I looked closely at the patterns I thought I might knit, the sizes and shapes weren't for me. I love some of the actual cable patterns though, and might incorporate them into other projects.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful project book, but no charts! Undertaking these beautiful cabled patterns is a daunting task when there are no charts included. I do love almost every project in the book though so one day soon I will get courageous and begin.

[Kayleen Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this very much. I haven' ventured into making anything from this book just yet but I feel its only a matter of time now.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have got to get myself a copy of this book!

[Ali]

berry headband
adair shrug: cables

[Chris]

I thought I might find a project for my Sweet Pea in this book but I didn't see any pattern I was crazy about. The sleeves are all too batwing/kimono-y for my taste.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

23 contemporary knitting designs using classic cable patterns. Excellent! I will knit at least 4 of the sweaters in this book. Great record for a pattern book.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked many, but not wide sleeves. Might come back to later.