Aran yarn is ideal for craft projects which call for a strong, thick yarn. Aran yarn is strong, durable and beautifully soft. Available in any colour you can think of, it has traditionally been made from wool over the years, with cotton varieties also available for people looking for a natural Aran yarn. It is also possible to obtain a variety of Aran yarns made from synthetic materials such as acrylic.
Keep cosy with Aran yarn
As a medium-weight yarn, https://www.woolcouturecompany.com/collections/aran-yarn is absolutely ideal for projects such as cosy winter jumpers, particularly those with a cable knit design. Its name originates from the Aran islands where it has traditionally been used to create Aran sweaters – ideal for protecting the wearer from that cool Northerly chill!
It is renowned for keeping warmth in, but it is also extremely durable. This makes it ideal for keeping you warm in cold temperatures and also means that items of clothing made with Aran yarn will last you for many a year.
What else is Aran yarn good for?
According to expert crafters such as the folks over at Treasurie, Aran yarn is also a really great choice for creating luxurious, stylish homewares such as chunky blankets or cushion covers. Because of its durability and strength, it can even be used to make useful household products such as oven gloves or storage baskets.
What needles or hooks does Aran yarn require?
Aran yarn belongs to the medium-weight category of yarns. It is known as worsted yarn in the US, but you might also hear it referred to as 10-ply yarn.
Of course, choosing the right knitting needle or crochet hook depends on your project type, the style you’re hoping to achieve and the exact type of yarn you have bought for your project. However, generally speaking, a 5 mm – 6.5mm crochet hook or a 4.5mm – 5.5mm knitting needle will be easiest and most effective for working with Aran yarn. It is also popular because it knits up quite fast – great if you’re in a hurry.
Classic Aran patterns to knit with it
Aran yarn shares its name with the sweaters first knitted by hand on the Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland. The originals were long-sleeved, weather-resistant woollen jumpers made for fishermen and farmers, and the thick, sturdy yarn used today suits that same kind of hard-wearing knitwear.
The defining feature of an Aran design is its cable work. Traditional sweaters carry cables running vertically down the front and back, and the cable pattern usually runs the full length of the garment. The diamond stitch is the best known Aran pattern and gives many sweaters their signature look, while double cable, half cable and full cable patterns offer plenty of variety.
Over the years many variations of the style have emerged. An Aran knit can be a fashion piece as much as a practical layer against the weather, so the yarn works equally well for a traditional cable sweater or a more modern design.
The classic jumper made from Aran yarn
Aran yarn is best known for the jumper that shares its name. Traditional Aran jumpers tend to be generously sized and fairly bulky, and many are knitted only from Aran yarn. Its soft, light feel means a jumper can be warm without the scratchiness people often associate with wool, which is why many knitters prefer it to other yarns.
The defining feature is the cable stitching on the body. A typical Aran jumper is off white or cream, with cable designs running from cuff to hem. These patterns have since been carried over to other clothing, including cardigans.
As well as looking stylish, the finished jumper keeps you warm on cold days, and the breathability of the wool adds to the comfort. White was the traditional colour, but Aran jumpers are now knitted in a wide range of shades, so a project in Aran yarn can be as classic or as colourful as you like.