Knitted Aran Sweater in Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool - 1101A

Knitted Aran Sweater & Tam in Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool – Pattern #1101A

This free downloadable PDF pattern from Lion Brand provides instructions for two classic handknitted projects: a traditional Aran sweater and a matching tam (beret-style hat), both worked in Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool, Art. No. 150. The pattern is numbered #1101A and represents a quintessential example of Aran-style knitting, a craft tradition rooted in richly textured cable and panel work originally associated with the Aran Islands of Ireland.

About the Aran Sweater

The sweater is a substantial, structured pullover worked in multiple sizes to suit a wide range of wearers. It is constructed in separate pieces — back, front, and sleeves — and then seamed together, a classic method that gives the finished garment excellent shape and stability.

Sizes & Finished Measurements

• Sizes available: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
• Finished chest: 40 (44, 48, 52) inches
• Finished length: 24½ (25, 25, 25½) inches

Materials Required

• Yarn: Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool, Art. No. 150, in 8 oz skeins — 3 (3, 4, 4) skeins in #098 Natural or a colour of your choice. Fishermen's Wool is a worsted-weight, 100% pure wool yarn known for its durability, warmth, and suitability for textured cable knitting.
• Needles: One pair each of size 7 U.S. (4.50 mm) and size 8 U.S. (5.00 mm) straight needles, or the size needed to obtain gauge. A size 7 U.S. circular needle, 16 inches long, is also required for finishing the neckband.
• Notions: Cable needle (cn), stitch markers, and stitch holders

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches worked on the larger (size 8 U.S.) needles over Double Seed Stitch. Checking gauge carefully before beginning is strongly emphasised in the pattern to ensure the finished garment matches the stated measurements.

Construction Method

The sweater is worked flat in separate pieces using a combination of smaller needles for the ribbed welts and larger needles for the main body panels. Stitches are increased evenly across the final row of ribbing to accommodate the fuller stitch count required by the cable and panel patterns. Increases and decreases throughout the body are worked into the established pattern for a neat, professional finish.

Stitches & Techniques Used

This pattern is rich in traditional Aran knitting techniques and incorporates a wide variety of stitch patterns worked simultaneously across the fabric. Knitters should be comfortable reading multi-panel pattern instructions and working with a cable needle before beginning.

• K2, P2 Rib: Used for the lower body welts and cuffs, worked for 3 inches on the smaller needles to create a firm, elastic edge
• Double Seed Stitch: The background stitch used at the side panels; also the reference stitch for gauge measurement. It creates a subtle, nubbly texture that frames the central cable panels beautifully.
• Cable C (6-stitch cable): A classic rope or twist cable worked over 6 stitches using a cable needle; appears multiple times across the front and back to create bold vertical columns
• Panel A (16-stitch panel): A named stitch panel worked over 16 stitches, repeated across the garment for structured, repeating texture
• Panel B (28-stitch panel): A more complex 16-row repeating panel worked over 28 stitches at the centre of the back and front; involves multiple cable crossings, including stitches slipped to a cable needle and held to the front or back of work, combined with knit and purl manoeuvres to create intricate interlocking designs. Row-by-row instructions are given in full.