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.

As we get into the part of the year with a lot of food-forward holidays, it might be time to start thinking about knitting some new things for your table. While a few of these are more fall/Thanksgiving focused, just changing up the colors would make others work for Christmas, or keep it neutral and use them all year long.

What got me started thinking about this was the lovely and simple Fresh Bread Dishtowel, a free pattern from Purl Soho. Worked in a lovely cotton and linen blend, the towel is mostly stockinette stitch with a bit of texture on the borders.

You could use this same kind of pattern to make anything from placemats to a table runner, but let’s look at some specific patterns for those kinds of projects as well.

The easy moss stitch table runner from Glass Bird Knits is beginner friendly can can easily be modified to fit your table (or, again, to make placemats instead of or in addition to a runner). This version is worked in macrame cord, but you could also use bulky yarn.

Emielle Design has a garter stitch runner pattern that’s made with braided cotton cord for a lot of texture without a lot of work. But be sure to take a lot of breaks when knitting with cord because it can be rough on your hands!

I also love the diamond pattern on the Hamilton Table Runner from Wyndlestraw Designs. It calls for a DK weight cotton and linen blend yarn and comes in three sizes with different widths and lengths. The pattern has both written and charted instructions.

Amy Marie’s Table Pumpkins (on Ravelry) is a fun mosaic knitting pattern that would be great to use as a table runner through the fall and for Thanksgiving. It uses a worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors, and you can make it as long as you like for your table.

The no cable knit placemats from Yarn Culture Studio have a fun faux cable look that would be great for the table through the fall and winter.

Or here’s another pattern from Wyndlestraw Designs, this time for an easy knit and purl stitch placemat pattern that looks different but still good on both sides. It calls for worsted weight cotton and comes in two sizes for placemats, but also has instructions for coasters, a hot pad and a table pad all using the same stitch.

Have you read?