The 5 Best Aran Pattern Books (2023 reviews)

Bonnie Barker has been making good-quality book for years, thanks to a combination of clever design and high-end materials. THE PATTERNS A LOVELY AND THE ALL OVER BOOK IS DELIGHTFUL. This is a wonderful book on Celtic crochet and it has a lot of beautiful patterns. The CONTEMPORARY CELTIC CROCHET is an amazing collection of crochet designs, many of which replicate the look and feel of knitted Aran cables. There are new stitch combinations to learn, which are explained in words and pictures, plus the author refers to a youtube video where you can learn by watching.

The stitches are easy to do with a step-by-step guide for each stitch at the beginning of the book. It has a section in the beginning that shows and explains how to do the stitches used throughout the book in addition to the patterns themselves. The projects are absolutely stunning. There are several items to choose from and they all look very warm and cosy.

Why We Like This:

Beautiful patterns and photographs in this book
Amazing collection of crocheted "aran cable" designs, with advanced stitches explained in step-by-step photos
New and hot release

Best For men: Alice Starmore Lovely Book

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The alice starmore lovely book's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The history of Aran knitting is fascinating, the patterns are a knitters dream and are going to last for many years, too. Like all of Starmore's books, this one is invaluable for designing knitwear. The pattern section is followed by a six-page "how-to" section on making your own design. The style is not as chatty as ez but conveys a friendly, helpful and confident tone.

The new edition is much more affordable than the first edition. The sweater designs are quite beautiful and are timeless. The patterns are by nature somewhat boxy in shape (but a clever knitter could easily add shaping to nip in the waist, if desired) and suitable for men and women, some are designed for children. This is the kind of book you dream over and get inspired with.

Why We Like This:

Very in-depth coverage of aran techniques
Great motif repository, beautiful sweater patterns
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For summer: Elizabeth Zimmermann Aran Pattern Book

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Not everyone likes to purchase book for their regular usage, but the elizabeth zimmermann aran pattern book would be an anomoly. It's easier to dress Baby with something that doesn't pull over the head. This is the book that shows you how to knit fearlessly and pattern-free, improvising, ripping and re-knitting to suit your own wishes and designs. It provides a rough framework for making mittens, sweaters, and other garments, along with complete directions for a finished project. On the other hand, the patterns are written much less formally than what the modern knit-from-a-pattern knitter is used to, and they can be vague and just plain confusing at times.

This gives the reader the opportunity to follow along, keeping the larger design principles in mind, and create the garment that's pictured, but one is also encouraged to try different design choices and create something unique.

Why We Like This:

A really classic pattern book filled with patterns for the season for all ages
Borders, small stuff for summer knitting
Clean technique, quality ingredients, a sense of humor and you can't miss

Best For pixies gauges: Gladys Thompson Aran Pattern Book

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Gladys Thompson is known for creating pragmatic and minimalist book for people on the go, and its line of gladys thompson aran pattern book definitely falls in line with that reputation. This book is a combination of history and knitting class. It not only has many authentic patterns but tells the tale of a determined woman trying to collect patterns from real fishermen. It is useful in recognizing drowned sailors, it also is part of the british folk tradition, which is rapidly vanishing in the face of modern day pursuits, where the young have no time for the old ways. It is also a sort of 'knitters travelogue' through the british isles.

This book has oodles of great patterns to place into your sweater but if you haven't a clue how to get started, it would be difficult without experienced help. It puts the knitting in context of the lives of the people who wore the sweaters and distinguishes which pattern came from which area. It is made for pixie gauges.

Why We Like This:

Great variety of knitting patterns and well written
Good for knitters studying traditional guernseys and arans
Very freeing concept for a perfectionist, who is irish american

Best For indoor wear: Alice Starmore Aran Pattern Book

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The alice starmore aran pattern book is the best convenient book on the market today. While there is plenty of cabling in many of the designs, this book leans more heavily toward the Gansey design style, with a heavy dose of Alice Starmore's own superb and unique design style added in. It is a book for intermediate and experienced knitters. It is filled with Aran, Guernsey and Fair Isle knits from Britain, Scotland, Ireland and the New World.

These sweaters are substantially different from the heavy cabling in Aran Knitting. The book contains some wonderful historical information and background, as well as some detailed knitting instructions. It is easy to follow, and Starmore's general directions in the back of the book are a bonus.

Why We Like This:

Twenty exclusive knitwear designs for all generations
Under-arm gussets, shoulder straps, complex patterning including cables
Lot of satisfied buyers