Book Review: Martin Storey’s Easy Cable & Aran Knits

Martin Storey is known for his great classic British designs, which include a lot of cables and rustic, tweedy yarns.

These loves of his are combined in the book Martin Storey’s Easy Cable & Aran Knits: 26 Projects with a Modern Twist.

The title may leave you asking yourself, what’s the difference between cable knits and Aran knits? I don’t know that there’s a definitive answer to that, but Storey seems to put cable crossing that happen with both knit and purl stitches into the second category, while cables worked entirely of knit stitches are in the first.

Each section of the book includes three easier patterns for people who are new to these techniques, and then there is a gallery of the other projects followed by the pattern instructions. There are pillows, cowls, mitts and scarves, and of course classic sweaters. The projects are photographed in natural and home settings (Storey and his niece are two of the models, which is fun) and they are really classic cable patterns that mostly seem less daunting because they aren’t all over the project or there’s only one cable type in the project.

A couple of my favorite patterns include the Garter Twist Cowl pictured on the cover; the Links Cable Cardigan, with panels of cables on each side of the sweater opening; and the Aran Wrap, which features long strips of cable patterns paired with Seed Stitch.

I just looked and only a couple of the projects from the British version of the book are on Ravelry, but you can see many of the patterns (including those I just mentioned) in a book trailer on the American publisher’s website.

About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 26 patterns (they have a star rating; 13 are 1 star, 11 are 2 star and two are 3 star), paperback, published by Trafalgar Books, suggested retail $22.95.

New to knitting? Not sure what Aran Knitting is?

The Aran pullover is a style of jumper that takes its name from the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. Yes, they own claim to Aran as much as Champagne the town, own Champagne the drink. A traditional Aran Jumper or pullover as it is called is usually is off-white in colour, with cable patterns on the body and sleeves. Of course, today’s Aran designs are multicoloured and extend into beanies and accessories. Looking for more Aran Knitting patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

It’s a common complaint among women and femme dressing folk that our clothes do not include enough (and enough useful) pockets. And even if your clothes do have good pockets, there’s always a chance that you’d rather have another pocket to put some essentials in rather than having to carry a whole bag.

But because we are knitters, we can take this problem into our own needles and knit ourselves some auxiliary pockets.

Beatrice Mase did just that, with a kind of fancy toolbelt pocket accessory that they call VELVET Pockets.

The stitch pattern has a plush, sort of velvet effect, thus the name, but it’s worked with regular fingering/sock weight yarn. (The sample uses wool, but you could experiment with other fibers, too.) It calls for 776 yards of 710 meters, which you might just have in your sock yarn stash.

The pattern includes several pockets of different sizes, with the main body of the pocket worked flat in one piece and the exterior pockets sewn on at the end. You also have the option of adding screw rivets and a coordinating clasp that make it look even more toolbelt chic.

The design is worked with a loop of knit fabric at the top so it can slide onto a belt. The pattern includes explanatory diagrams, photo and video tutorials and is adjustable to fit different sizes of belts.

It’s almost enough to make me want to start wearing belts again, even though I haven’t for years. Because who wouldn’t want a few extra little pockets to hold things when you don’t have enough to really justify carrying a bag around?

The pattern is available in English and French on Ravelry and you can also buy a kit complete with the yarn, rivets and clasp (the pattern is not included in the kit) direct on Etsy.

[Photo: Beatrice Mase]

Have you read?