Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Free Knitting Pattern – Irish Aran Sweater

by

irish-aran-webGo here for this free pattern:

irish-aran PDF file by Ram Wlls

Also, the gorgeous yarn used to knit it is on sale! From Ram Wools Yarn Co-op

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. 

Comments

  1. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN;

    I was wondering, please, if you might have a Men’s knitting pattern for: Men’s Irish Aran Sweater.

    Thank you.

    Jessica

  6. i odered th Delaney sweater pattern cost me $38.00 , i cannot make head no tailjout of it it was full of type os , and it was aback and forth to different pages , i always thought that a pattern was there to simplify making a sweater but not this they explained the stitch pattern and then you are on your own even experienced knitters that i showed it to said dont buy anymore from these people. i wrote to them and told them how dissappointed i was and i never heard anything from them. go to an experienced knitter they are in knitting stores and ask them if they can write a Delaney clan sweater pttern for you. it will also be much cheaper

  7. Im going crazy trying to find an easy irish aran sweater pattern for man’s x large plus where mayI buy organic black sheep yarn from Aran Islands?

    thank you

  9. I am looking for a child’s aran pattern on your great website. Please help me!

  10. I’m not finding much out there that’s available for free. This is cute, but only sized for babies: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTtrellis.html This has a few more sizes, but is still for the two and under crowd: http://knitting.about.com/od/patternsforbabies/ss/baby-aran-vest.htm I’m not finding anything really for older kids, but you didn’t say what size you need. If you’re willing to give them a go, there are some vintage knitting patterns that look good here: http://www.knitting-crochet.com/chik.html particularly the child’s fisherman knit. Good luck!

Have you read?

Book Review: Knit an Heirloom Blanket

It’s kind of coincidental that I recently posted about patchwork blanket knitting patterns right before reviewing a book that makes a patchwork blanket, but this one would also be a great choice if you’re looking to bust some stash and learn a lot about colorwork knitting at the same time. 

Knit an Heirloom Blanket by Annah O’Leary includes charted designs for 50 colorwork blocks worked flat that can be combined to make a blanket or used in other projects. The book calls for worsted weight yarn but also offers suggestions for using fingering, DK or even bulky yarn, which will give you blocks of different sizes.

It opens with a section on materials and tips for choosing colors and maintaining contrast among blocks across a large project. There’s also information on how to read charts and colorwork basics such as maintaining tension, measuring gauge, catching floats, holding yarn and yarn dominance, among other things.

There are 196 squares (14 by 14) in the blanket shown on the cover, which, including the edging, makes for a blanket that’s about 79 inches, or 200 cm square knit in worsted weight yarn. You can adjust the size as needed by working more or fewer blocks, especially if using a different weight of yarn. 

The sample was worked in Cascade 220 and the book includes the amounts of yarn used in each color so you can knit a blanket exactly as shown. Or use stash and leftovers from other projects to make a possibly less harmonious but more meaningful project. 

Colorwork patterns are arranged into 10 themes: flowers, tiles, diamonds, stripes, peaks, woven, sky, leaves, lovestruck and architecture. They’re also rated by skill level on a range of 1 to 3 balls of yarn. If you’re newer to knitting or colorwork in particular, you can start with the easier squares and move up as you build more skills. 

Each pattern is shown as a large black and white chart with three or four possible color variations, though or course you can also go your own way on the colors. There’s also a knit sample of each block pictured at the beginning of each pattern section.

There’s also a section to help you finish your blanket, including tips for weaving in ends, blocking, joining squares and adding a border. She also suggests different project sizes and color palettes for smaller scale projects.

In addition to the big blanket there are five other project ideas including a baby blanket made of 6 by 8 squares, a hot water bottle cover, a couple of pillows and a wall hanging. These are sure to give you ideas of different ways to use the blocks in other projects. 

Knit an Heirloom Blanket includes lots of fun colorwork blocks and ideas for using them that are sure to appeal to those new to colorwork as well as those with more experience. Even if you never knit a full blanket with them, you can add these motifs to your collection to work in other projects. 

About the book: 144 pages, paperback, 50 charts and 6 patterns. Published 2026 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $25.99.