Aran Knitting

by Alice Starmore

The definitive guide to designing and knitting in the Irish Aran tradition, this highly sought after book returns to print after a decade's absence in a revised and expanded version. The author of many knitting classics, Alice Starmore is internationally renowned as a knitwear designer and an expert on knitting technique. In this guide, she presents a fascinating history of Aran knitting and an analysis of the traditional style, in addition to a complete workshop in technique, pattern, and design.
"Highly recommended" by Library Journal, this volume offers step-by-step instructions, photographs, and drawings. It provides complete directions and charted patterns for the original edition's fourteen designs — many of them reknit in contemporary yarns — plus a new design. Patterns include the St. Brigid, one of the author's most popular hand-knitted designs, which represents a step forward from Aran knitting into the realm of Celtic design. Brilliant color photographs depict all of the finished caps, sweaters, and shawls. Sixty easy-to-read charted patterns guide readers through the design process and encourage the development of unique patterns. Beginners and experienced knitters alike will cherish this comprehensive guide to a beloved craft.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

214 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Alice Starmore (née Matheson) was raised in a traditional, Gaelic-speaking Scottish fishing village. She began knitting as a child, studying the folk knitting traditions of her native Scotland. Starmore later expanded her textile studies, traveling in Scandinavia in the late 1970s on a Winston Churchill Fellowship.

Broadly recognized as one of the world's authorities on Fair Isle and other folk knitting traditions, Starmore founded Windfall Press in 1991. Windfall produces knitting patterns and instructional manuals as well as a large number of Scottish Gaelic titles.

Starmore expanded her career beyond knitting in the 1990s, focusing on fine art and photography. She held her first major solo exhibition in 2008 on the Isle of Lewis.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an other of those "have two copies" books: one for using (the recently republished paperback version) and one that sits on the shelf to look thru.

Not only are the patterns beautiful, this is a handy little reference book. The book is divided into three parts. The first is all about the history of aran knitting (and debunking some myths), the second section is the beautiful patterns and the the third is a stitch dictionary with guidelines to design your own.

The pattens are very tradtional, and therefore timeless. The cables can run from beginner friendly (my first aran sweater was Na Craga) to the complex (I will knit St. Brigid!!).

Every cable lover NEEDS this book (and now that it's been republished, it won't cost ya $300).

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fucking marvelous examination of knitting construction, style, patterns, and history in the Aran Islands. I really enjoyed the brief history of the Arans at the beginning - Starmore is extremely thorough and also a very entertaining writer. Aran knitting is strongly rooted in Aran history + folk memory and Starmore took the time to make that clear. The history of the Aran Islands (maybe Ireland in general, too) reminds me a lot of Armenian history - lots of sovereignty being lost and being terribly exploited & abused, lots of folk tales from pre-Christian polytheistic origins, a strong sense of cultural identity (which is a lot about being hardworking and perseverant despite all odds), beautiful illuminated manuscripts which are national treasures, and also a reliance on tourism to support its contemporary economy lol. Also, loved her description of British ethnologists (who had come for a day to study the "barbaric monuments" of the "poor natives") as "crusty, tweeded Victorian scholars" lmao. Like yeah. Fuck these crusty bitches. Starmore also gives lots of good practical advice for designing your own patterns and garments. Very dope, loved it.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to buy this for my collection since I've renewed it from the library so many times! A couple of the sweaters in here are on my bucketlist.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE book on Aran knitting. It's not a pattern book, exactly, but a history and reference book on Aran knitting that also happens to include some patterns (which are lovely, by the way, though definitely not beginner knits). She opens with a dissertation of sorts on the Aran, debunking some myths as she goes. She's a little opinionated at times, and of course touting her own yarn lines, but she's Alice Starmore, so who's gonna argue with her? The information is very useful, especially when she gets into the stitch guides and outlines of designing and adjusting Aran patterns. It's a great book to have on your shelf as a reference, especially if you love a good cable knit (like I do!).

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. There is so much to learn about the history of the so-called "ancient" patterns of the Aran "fisherman" sweaters. I love the way the author presented her research and the stories of the islanders were fascinating to me. If this book had stopped there and only been a history lesson it would have been wonderful. Adding in the beautiful patterns, the clear instructions, the gorgeous photography and the assurance that all you need to know to be successful with this book is knit and purl - well really, what's not to love? Favorite quote: "Original thought is not an every day occurrence."

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all of Alice Starmore's books, this one has gorgeous pictures of gorgeous designs. Also has an interesting section on the history of Aran knitting and info on designing one's own Aran sweater. My library wants it back, so I haven't had time to read it all in detail, but it definitely goes on my list of knitting books to check out again and probably buy someday.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found the historical intro very interesting and informative. Loved the pulling apart fact from myth - and the look at cultural and economic factors on the process of history and on what "history" we "know". A great overview of techniques and some classic patterns.

[thistle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hugely opinionated, which is off-putting at times, but an interesting read.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The knitting patterns were lovely, although beyond any project I would take on. The most interesting part of the book was the first few chapters that go through the history and lore of Aran knitting.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure. Definitely one I’d like to own. Wonderful history, technique, and patterns.

[Debbie Handley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible! It starts with the history of Aran sweaters and goes into depth on this subject which I really enjoyed. Then there are the patterns and the gorgeous photography. As a beginner in knitting (I've only been at it one year) I look at the patterns and think "one day", but I am determined that that one day will come.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The history was really well done and interesting. I liked the list of cables but it was a little confusing in its layout. The patterns are classic Starmore, and by that I mean, very limited in sizing.

[C2015 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cables, Batman!! They’re actually were a couple sweaters that I liked and quite a few wraps. There’s one pattern of stitches that I would love love love to turn into a blanket. Advanced I would say.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the second, updated edition. For anyone working with cables. Best history of aran, fisherman knits. Lots of mythbusting.

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably the most academic piece of writing about knitting that I’ve ever read. Very informative and enjoyable!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great ideas!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Love the patterns and the history section

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally geeked out over the exhaustive history of the islands and Aran knitting. Lovely patterns! Im hoping to embark on one this year.

[Mairi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this book had history and research as well as the knitting patterns. Really fascinating.

[Susan Peek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This truly has to be one of the clearest, easiest-to-follow, and enjoyable knitting books I've ever seen. It is very high quality in design and lay-out and goes above and beyond being simply a book of patterns.
To start with, all the patterns are genuinely Irish, both historical Celtic and classical Aran designs. If you don't know what that is, don't worry, because the first fifty pages of the book are devoted to the entire historical background of this kind of knitting! Thus it is a wonderful and fascinating blend of a history book and a knitting book, rolled into one.
The patterns featured (pages 54 to 206, therefore making it a fairly large book) are mainly sweaters, shawls, and a few hats, all of which are beautiful and certainly have an "Irish look" to them. The instructions are VERY clear, line by line, and I think even a beginner would be able to follow them. The photos are stunning, so you get a clear picture of what it will look like at the end. The only reason I have given the book 4 stars instead of 5 is because I would have liked to see a few more articles for children and babies featured. That is the only thing I found disappointing, but perhaps the patterns can be adapted and sized down for an experienced knitter. Apart from that, I would LOVE to make everything in the book!
I was one of the lucky ones who received this book as a Goodreads First Read Giveaway. I think it would make a lovely gift for any knitter, so if you need any ideas for Christmas, this is certainly a book I would recommend!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is NOT a book for beginning knitters. For those that are ready for the next step, I would recommend this book. I received this book as part of a First Reads and I couldn't be more pleased.
This book comes in three parts. The first is a history which would appeal to anyone interested in knitting, Celtic history or Celtic arts. I was impressed with how well researched it was.
The second part teaches the common stitches of Aran knitting. It starts with explaining charts which is essential with cables and has illustrations when needed to clarify.
The third section has some beautiful patterns. Fulmar was my favorite. There is even a brief section on how to design your own sweater using the different cable designs.
Normally, I don't buy knitting books unless it teaches me a new skill or has enough patterns to make it worth it. I did get this book for free but if I had seen it in a shop and browsed through the second section with the many cable stitches, some of which I haven't even seen before in many years of knitting, I would have bought this book. It has inspired me.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aran Knitting: New and Expanded Edition is a great knitting resource for Aran and Celtic designs to incorporate into your own knitting patterns. I enjoyed reading about the historical background (history, mythology and Aran knitting). The book includes many design patterns, complete with instruction, charts, drawings and photo's, so that you can make practice swatches or incorporate them into your own clothing or accessory designs. I plan on making a bunch of different swatches of her Aran and Celtic designs to make a quilt. The final section has many nice patterns for sweaters and accessories. Disclosure: I received this book as a Good Reads Giveaway.

[Barbara K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you were under the illusion and set on believing that Aran style knitting, as we know it today, has existed for centuries, this book may turn your world upside down. If you just want to know how it might have come about and aren't married to any particular theory, you'll likely love this book. I love it, especially, as usual, the patterns, which even if I never knit them, I'll turn to for inspiration again and again. Ms. Starmore never fails to disappoint me.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

My local yarn shop had it for sale for someone! I was able to snag it - had to be quick as others wanted it, but I found it first! Jan had other Aran Knitting books to sell, but they were at least $50 more than the one I bought. You can't find this book of excellent Aran patterns and history. So excited, never thought I'd get to have one.

[Ann Johnson Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stupid me thought I wouldn't want to knit an aran sweater when this came out in print, so I passed it over then. I have it now, at a painful price. An excellent source of beautiful aran patterns. Beware the boxy fit of all Starmore's knitting!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the newer reprint of this book and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in cables knitting. It not only has patterns and info on how you can customize your sweater, but also a history of Aran knitting.

[Noni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the only book you'll ever need for Aran Knitting - beautiful patterns, very clear how-to instructions and great editorial dispelling many of the Aran myths.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book on aran sweaters.

[Mandy]

beautiful book, SOOOOO thankful for its republication.


12/27/12 I got this for Christmas, so now I *really* have time to go through it & give it a proper read-through!

[Mollie *scoutrmom*]

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