The Knitting Fiend

My Aran is “on it’s way”. Sort of.

Some real jobs came my way, so I’ve been sort of busying myself with starting up on these. Plus, Jim and I are getting ready to spend two weeks in France. Plus. . .

Anyway, some things are interfering with just sitting in the backyard and knitting, and Aran sweaters do tend to progress more slowly than many other sweater projects. (At least when I knit.)

Meanwhile, I thought I’d let you see pictures of other people’s progress on their Aran projects, and maybe compare different sweaters. I think comparing might help people understand my thought process when designing the one I’m knitting. (Bear in mind, this is my first try at designing an Aran Sweater. If it turns out attractively, I think that might prove that I’ve masted “the rules”).

Click to visit Karen’s Blog and read details about her progress.

Jim’s Aran

Above and to the left I’ve posted picture from Karen’s Blog. Mine is to the right. Comparing the two, you can see both follow the classic “place center panel about equal in width to the neck ” rule, which was discussed in my “Mon Tricot” book.

The central panel in the one Karen is knitting looks like three pairs of adjacent left and right twist cables and stands out boldly. This panel is flanked by somewhat narrow braids used as a repeated motif. I don’t know what type of shoulder line she plans, but I’d guess the outer edge of bold honeycomb panel will be near the wearer’s shoulder, but likely, the outer edge of the second set or narrow braids will just hit the shoulder.

The outer edges are worked in a less prominent stitch pattern. This is typical for Aran sweaters, since that portion is often obscured by the wearer’s arms. Knitters whole the viewer’s eye will be focused on the center not the underarms!

Notice the gorgeous twisted rib Karen is using for the borders! I’ll probably do something similar, but, I have a lot of knitting to do before I decide.

My design also has a central panel about equal in width to the neck opening. The central panel is flanked by a single rib which I twist every other row to make it more prominent than otherwise; these are my repeated element. I placed some “interesting” interlacing cables on either side, and then a single width repeat of the honey comb.

Since I’m knitting top down, right now the width of the knitting is shoulder width. When I join for the underarm, I’ll do add stitches on either side to increase the width. As on Karen’s sweater, I’ll add something less bold. Mine may be something as simple as moss stitch.

Anyway, I have to actually work now!